"It’s been six months now," John answered, his pickaxe digging into the dirt.

"Aye, then you be a newbie," Scottish Mel answered with a terribly fake accent and a harsh laugh that turned into a hacking cough. His voice suddenly dropped to a whisper. "But don’t worry it won’t be much longer. We know who you are, just stick close to me. And it really is a nice hat."

John stared at him. Everyone knew Scottish Mel was crazy, but what the curdle could that possibly mean?

"God, I hate all this phlegm." Mel dropped his shovel and hocked a giant loogie.