| To Have and to Hold |
| To
Have and To Hold
Part 0 of 0 By Jacqueline Clark An Original Series Story from ‘The Joining’ Universe Dedication: This story is for David, my dearest, sweetest love on the day of our marriage 26th February 2000. It is also for all those on TPfict and TPdis who help to keep the TP dream alive. Although we may be miles apart, and will probably never meet, I believe that we share more than a passion for an under-funded kids TV show but a hope for the future of all mankind. So this story is my gift to all the incurable romantics of the world with love. Synopsis: A love story in seven parts… A collection of personal thoughts from our favorite characters. Disclaimer:
Any other characters, planets and cultures are the sole creation and property of Jacqueline Clark. No one may post this story to any web page without my permission other than the tpfict archives. I would like to thank Jeremy Rogers for permision to use Grahame Truscot. Each chapter title is
loosely based upon the traditional Christian marriage service
Possible Spoiler:
I would like to thank Carolyn Foster for beta reading this fict. Jackie@effdee.demon.co.uk
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| To Have and to
Hold
Part 1 of 7 John’s Story: To have and to hold. The Planet Peeri Spring 1975 John bent down to study the young Vesh girl more closely. She was now sleeping quite peacefully in his bunk after her ordeal in the woods. He lent forward and gently stroked the hair from her eyes. Sensing Liz behind him he felt very self conscious of his actions, withdrawing his hand he began to stand. Elizabeth stepped closer to him and as she did so he caught the sweet scent of her perfume. How he longed to reach out and touch Elizabeth’s hair too. How lovely she looked in that native costume... The speed with which the thoughts developed in his mind caught him by surprise. Liz was a friend and nothing more he told himself, but still he watched her subtle movements as she knelt to take his place beside the girl. Watching her tend to the girl he became acutely aware that his heart was beating very fast. Could this be fear that their mission was in jeopardy he wondered? But no, he knew that was not the reason. It was Liz’ presence so close to him that stirred his emotions. “Nice people hunting a young girl.” She said gently, deep concern showing on her face. John wondered whether she expected him to reply, but at that moment all he could do was try and control the deep feelings rising up within him. Panic suddenly overtook him and he knew he had to get away, turning he ran towards the cave entrance. Once outside he began to relax. Standing behind Stephen he looked out at the countryside below him. “It’s gone very quiet out there.” He said trying to tear his mind free from the images of Elizabeth’s face. “Nothing’s making a sound not even the animals.” But inside there was no peace, his
heart still thumped uncontrollably and his mind raced with recriminations
and inner torment. His relationship with Elizabeth could never be anything
more than a friendship, of that he was certain. Their lives were too precarious,
too uncertain for him to be distracted by events of a personal nature.
It was his job to protect the Tomorrow People, to guide them through the
turmoil that life amongst the Sap’s would bring. With danger as such
a close companion he could not afford to be distracted from his purpose.
For the only time in his life he secretly thanked the Kultarn, at least
without psionic powers the others would never know his secret. A secret
he must keep for the rest of his life…
************************************* Part 2 of 7
North London, Autumn 1975 Elizabeth stood at the top of the stairs and looked back into the tiny room, which had once been her home. She glanced at the empty bookshelves devoid of the various texts collected during her short career. She looked at the bed, it’s floral coverings now safely packed into her luggage. Sensing John beside her she turned
and gave a weak smile. “Let’s get going.” He said.
Picking up the last of the small boxes she cradled it under her arm. With one last glance over her shoulder she began to descend to the hallway below. Mrs. Phillips met her at the bottom of the stairs. “Well Miss M’Bondo, that is it! We will be sad to see you go.” But Elizabeth knew that behind the smiles Mrs. Phillips was quite relieved that she had decided to move away. She had always been suspicious of Elizabeth’s strange movements. Especially how she managed to come and go from the house without being noticed by any other tenant. Elizabeth had always kept to herself not wishing to field questions about her personal life, and in so many ways this move was a relief. But it was also painful, to leave behind her old life, this place had provided her with some way of holding on to normality. Stepping out into the afternoon sunshine she spotted Stephen and Chris waiting in the old battered van. “Get a move on,” shouted Stephen, “the match starts in twenty minutes and you know how bad TIM is about remembering to record it!” So this was her new life, she thought, spending my time playing mother goose to this bunch of space cowboys. Will I ever become a mother of my own children? She sighed and looked at the three young men. Chris with his mop of blond hair and cavalier attitude, Stephen almost a man but with the qualities of a child and John… He was the greatest enigma of them all, so cool when around her, so practical and controlled. Yet she had, on occasions, caught something else in his smile, something which stirred feelings within her. Would he ever be more than a friend? She doubted it very much. “If you are quite finished reminiscing, I’d like to get back to the lab and finish my work.” Commented John, in a flat tone. “We’ve wasted most of the afternoon sorting out your things. It’ll be so much easier when we all live together in the lab.” His comments angered Elizabeth. How could he dismiss her life so easily? Had he been a Tomorrow Person for so long that he’d forgotten what ordinary people did! But that didn’t matter now. It had been her decision to move permanently to the lab, and she could not deny his impeccable logic about how much easier it would make all their lives. (OK TIM.) She pathed. (Jaunt us in.) In the next instant they were gone. Mrs. Phillips stepped back from her
hiding place behind the curtains. She crossed herself and muttered a prayer.
She had never felt such relief to see one of her tenants leave; Elizabeth
was definitely the strangest person she had ever met, and this confirmed
her deepest suspicions… ‘Voodoo’ she mumbled under her breath as she quickly
returned to her sitting room and locked the door behind her.
The Lab, eight hours later.
Later that evening Liz found herself lying on the bunk in her cabin, staring aimlessly at the tiled ceiling. Her reverie was broken by a light tap at the door. “May I come in?” Asked John in an uncharacteristically compliant voice. “Of course.” She replied, hurriedly sitting and straightening her hair. “What brings you here at this time of night?” John stood silently in the doorway. From his expression it was obvious that he had something to say and she guessed that this reticence was caused by him picking his words carefully. Deciding not to rush him, she motioned for him to sit on the bed beside her. There was an awkward silence between them which seemed to last for minutes, but in reality was only a few seconds. Eventually John took a deep breath and began what must have been a well rehearsed speech. “Look Liz, I’m sorry if I seemed brusque this afternoon. I didn’t mean to rush you… I know how much you liked living in that place and I don’t want you to resent me for forcing you to come here.” She smiled at him and relaxed. “Of
course I’m not angry with you. I came here freely, no one forced me. You
were right to push me along a little. I needed someone to shake me out
of that rut and make me face up to the changes in my life!”
Puzzled by his comments she looked at him questioningly. “Nearly lost me?” “When you broke out. You were in great danger out there alone in hyperspace and I was very worried for you.” “Oh John,” She joked. Placing her arms around his shoulders she pulled him towards her. “I never knew you cared!” Instantly his whole body stiffened, and his original, slightly irritated, tone returned. “I care for all Tomorrow People. It would be tragic if anything happened to anyone. Here in the lab TIM can keep an eye on us. That’s all I wanted to say.” Pulling himself free from her grasp he stood once again and headed for the door. Suddenly he swung around as if some uncontrollable impulse had overcome him. “Dear Elizabeth, you know that I care for you like a father, no I mean like a brother,” he stumbled over the words. “I feel that it is my duty to protect you all from harm. I pledge my life to that duty and will endeavor to continue protecting you in the way that seems most appropriate. Even if it does mean some personal sacrifice, having to give up some of the things we were hoping for, or that which we took for granted in our previous lives. I promise you that the future of all Tomorrow People is paramount in my mind.” Having finished his little speech, and before she could even think of a reply, he exited the room and headed straight to the jaunting pad. Left alone once again Liz thought over what he had said. Where could this sudden outburst have come from? It was then that she remembered her thoughts just before they jaunted back to the lab. Could John have picked up her personal feelings? It was obvious to her that there was much more hidden in his outburst than he had meant to convey. Sinking back onto the pillow her face broke into a wide grin. Now she knew why he had been avoiding her, all the pieces of the puzzle suddenly fitted. “Very admirable of you John, I never would have guessed.” She said aloud. “Well you may have decided not to act on your feelings but I never made such a promise.” There, in the silence of her room,
she suddenly became aware that her pulse was racing. ‘Well, brother or
father, or what ever you think I am to you, I’ll play along with your game
but that will not stop me loving you.’ She thought.
But despite her pledge not to be drawn by his notions of obligation and sacrifice events in their lives seemed to take over and she hardly had time to think about how she felt for John. As the years passed she played along with him, keeping their relationship purely as a friendship. Eventually she stopped thinking of it as a masquerade and began to believe, like him, that they must sacrifice personal happiness for the good of the Earth and the future of their species… ********************
Part 3 of 7
The Trig January 1979 It was during the Thargon/Sorson war that I first noticed there was something between them. They tried almost too hard to hide their feelings for one another but even in such dangerous times there was an obvious bond which went beyond normal friendship. Elizabeth and I had just returned from the Sorson ship and were disturbed by the news that they had been involved in a space battle quite close to her home world. She immediately asked to be excused while she contacted John and the other Tomorrow People on Earth. As the viewer cleared John stepped towards the screen. “Ok Elizabeth, what do we do now? The Saps are just about to have a real close encounter. If we let it happen what are the Galactic Federation gonna do about that!” Barked John gruffly. “Well they are due to discuss it at the next meeting of the supreme council.” She replied calmly. During their exchange I watched them
closely. Outwardly they seemed agitated with one another but there was
something, some residual emotion, which they passed in their thoughts.
To the careful observer it was all too obvious how they felt.
Later that day Elizabeth spoke to John once again and I listened intently to their exchange. “Elizabeth are we glad to see you.” He said with obvious relief. “Do you know what the Sorcons are doing now?” “Yes TIM has been keeping us informed.” “What are the Galactic Trig proposing, that we let them land on Earth?” John’s response was, in my opinion, far too abrupt for civil conversation, but Elizabeth, in her immutable tone handled his angry outburst very well. “No John. The Council isn’t proposing anything. They say it’s a very delicate situation and has to handled with great diplomacy.” At last John’s posture softened a little. Placing his hands upon his hips he quite openly asked for her opinion. “And what do you think we should do Elizabeth?” “I’m coming home. I think I’ll be more use with you than up here on the Trig.” “Ok. We’ll talk then.” As their conversation ended I could feel the relief emanating from Elizabeth. She was going home and could not hide her joy at that thought. “If you would excuse me your Excellency, I’d like to change into some more suitable clothes before the jaunt.” How could I keep her here, knowing what I did? Her assistance with my recent diplomatic trip to the Sorson command ship had been invaluable and I was sad to loose such an able assistant, but her heart was no longer in the job, it belonged to a young man back on her home world. In these very troubled times she needed to be amongst her own people, back with the ones she loved. “I thank you Elizabeth for your help these past few months. I will miss your insights and contributions but I realise that John and the others need you more than I. Go with my best whishes and blessing. I truly hope that this situation with the Sorcons and Thargons can be remedied quickly.” ********************** Unfortunately our parting was much
more short-lived than I had imagined it would be. The two young Tomorrow
People were soon back, and this time Elizabeth was unable to placate John’s
temper. His actions almost cost them more than their future federation
membership!
I was attending an emergency session of the supreme council when, much to our surprise, John and Elizabeth appeared in the center of the room. This was highly irregular and broke the most fundamental rules of Trig etiquette. As their forms solidified I noticed the anger of the chair president and stepped in to make their apologies. But my words were hardly needed as Elizabeth begged the pardon of the council and explained their case. It was good to see my old friends stand together during such troubled times, both had matured very nicely over the past few years and at that moment I realised that under their careful tutorage the future of the planet Earth was assured. “Please accept our apologies Mr. Chair President,” began Elizabeth, “I fear we are a little distressed by what is happening to our planet.” She glanced anxiously at John and a silent thought passed between them. “All this is most regrettable.” Replied the being. But this was not the response John wanted to hear. He stepped forward and addressed the Chair President directly. “Yes, and we’d like to know what’s going to be done about it? The Sorsons are teaching the Homo Sapiens all the secrets of inter-Stella travel.” Sensing that this was an opportune moment Elizabeth and myself joined John in expressing our concern for the dire consequences of the situation. Alas in their usual manner the counsel dismissed our pleas and proposed the discussion on neutrino ray emissions from the Sorson’s Ripper Rays. This was the last straw for John. He leant menacingly across the desk and fixed the Chair President with a piercing stare. “Just a minute. What about us!” Sensing trouble I looked anxiously across at Liz. John continued. “What about the Earth?” He demanded. The being behind the desk was quite taken aback by this rude interruption, and responded in the usual Federation rhetoric. “Oh yes of course… I move that a special committee be set up.” Elizabeth had heard this before, she knew when they were being given the brush off and let out a deep sigh of disbelief and hopelessness. But this only made John angrier. “Talk!” He barked at the Chair President. “Talk and more committees is all that you can do?” Elizabeth was very worried now, she fully understood John’s anger and frustration, he had had fewer direct dealings with Federation bureaucracy than she had and was not aware of exactly how slowly the official wheels turned here on the Trig. She looked at the angry expression rapidly growing on his face. “John Please…” She begged and tried to usher him away from the platform. I was also becoming concerned for my two young friends. Although the Federation moved slowly on matters of policy and diplomacy they were rigid in their upholding of council chamber rules. Quickly I rushed up to John and took him by the arm. “Please John?” I pleaded. All thoughts of the Thargon/Sorson war were now gone from my mind, I knew I had to remove him from the chambers and take him somewhere, anywhere, until he calmed down. But by attempts just fell on deaf ears. “Just a minute Timus.” He replied shaking his arm free from my grasp. “I want to tell these time servants what I think of them. He looked directly at each council member in turn, his voice carrying a menacing tone which I had seldom heard before. “You empty headed morons. Oh you look very fine in your ceremonial robes. I’m sure that you all think you’re very important talking and squeaking and twittering or what ever it is you do all day long! Just as long as you don’t have to take any decisions and have to take the consequences of your actions you’re perfectly happy!” He looked threateningly around the room once again. With this last and final insult I knew
he had gone too far. The situation was now out of my control and all I
could do was attempt to contain the damage he had done to the Tomorrow
People’s case. I looked on as the Chair President reprimanded him for his
behavior. My heart sank as I realised that a custodial sentence was the
only possible consequence of this type of outburst. As the Galactic Police
arrived I knew that my friends were in serious trouble and that even with
my influence their was little I could do to improve the situation. As John
was led away Liz reached out to him desperately she turned towards the
council members and begged their forgiveness. “He didn’t mean it… please
Mr. Chair President?” But all I could do was to hold her back and prevent
her from suffering the same fate as her friend.
Once outside the chambers Elizabeth
finally broke down under the strain. Weeping softly she leant against my
shoulder. Even without telepathy I could feel her heart breaking at the
thought that not only was her beloved Earth in serious danger of being
totally destroyed but her dearest friend and companion could be detained
on the Trig indefinitely or even worse sent for rehabilitation on a distant
penal colony. The pain she felt was a terrible burden but despite this
in just a few short minutes she regained her composure and began to search
for a possible solution to her problems. What a strong woman she had become,
she stood as steady as a rock in the face of adversity and refused to accept
that their was no way out. Here was a Tomorrow Person worthy of the title
of the ‘mother to her people’. As we stood together in the corridor
I found myself wondering where this strength came from. It was more than
the possession of special powers which gave her this resilience it was
something much deeper… it was a love for her fellow man and more than this…
it was the love of the man now detained in the Procter Detention Centre.
Whatever the outcome of this situation, whether it be good or bad, one
thing was certain, Elizabeth and John’s lives were inextricably bound
together and would never be separated again.
************************************************ Part 4 of 7
The Galactic Federation Trig, 1985 I never knew what it was like to have close family before I met them, of course I had me mum and sister and they were great but I was never checked up on before, never asked where I was going and what I was doing. After that episode with Lord Dunning they never trusted me for a long time. John was the worse but with Liz it was always like she really cared, even when she took me and me mates, the ‘fresh hearts’, around to our gigs she was always there to keep an eye on us. After a while I realised that she really did care and wanted to look out for us. It was like having a proper mum and dad but at the time I didn’t see it. I just wanted to rebel and make trouble, like I would with a real mum. The more I thought of Liz as close family the more I noticed something between her and John, I never said a word until I was much older but I’m sure Stephen and Tyso knew it too. Of course the truth came out during that blending thing with Angie. Funny people the Manyarnern’s they never ‘ave any secrets, they know everything about each other. It gives me the creeps to think that someone else is inside my head all the time. Like I could never have an idea without someone ear wigging on me. Just think if John knew half the stuff I thought about, or got up to, my life wouldn’t be worth living…Still they, the Manyarnern’s, usually keep themselves shielded and only let on secrets during one of their deep mind links. I think I forgot to mention…We were all living on the Trig at that time. The Federation had decided that Earth was too dangerous. It suited me fine, there was some heavy stuff that I had gotten involved with that I was pleased to get away from it in a hurry. The down side was living like sardines in a tin on that space station. Stephen and Tyso had been Galactic Federation coppers for a few years by then and like Tricia they got to jaunt all over the place, until Stephen met Angie, that is. Stephen had got married to her a few months before, this put John in a really bad mood, which he took out on me, as usual. I was stuck baby sitting Andrew and Hsui. Not that I minded too much she was good company, it’s just that John was always on me back about something or other. ‘Mike why can’t you do this?’ and ‘Haven’t you got something more constructive to do?’ Anyway, Angie being the daughter of the Manyarnern ambassador, had gotten permission to go back to Earth. This made John’s mood even worse. He kept making official protests to the high council but they never listened to a thing ‘e said. So when she came back to the Trig a few months later, looking very pregnant, he was really annoyed with her. She asked Liz what was wrong and it was their conversation that got round to John’s jealousy. Looking back I can see how much he did for us all, as our leader and friend. I can also see how much he had given up in order to take on that role. So when Stephen got married and side stepped the Federation laws to go back and live on Earth, leaving the rest of us behind, it’s no wonder that he got mad. Liz, loyal to John as ever, had tried
to pretend nothing was wrong but Angie has this terrible way of getting
under your skin, of digging around in your head until you tell the truth.
It was then that she found out how much Liz was in love with John and decided
to tell the rest of us…
******************
“So that’s the whole story.” Said Angie. “Liz is sure he loves her too but is too proud to admit it.” “I have been certain that John was keeping part of himself closed off from the rest of us since I first came to join you.” Commented Hsui Tai. “Do you remember how upset he was after that incident with Sarah?” I nodded. “It’s like he never really lets himself go and enjoy life like the rest of us. He always has to be proper and responsible. Really boring like that.” Hsui gave me one of her looks. “John is just trying to do what’s right for all our sakes.” “Yes, but he seems so unhappy. Can’t we help him out?” Asked Andrew. “I have a suggestion.” Said Angie hesitantly. “We could ask them to join with us in a blending ceremony. This is a ritual used on my planet all the time, everyone opens themselves up to each other and shares their inner most thoughts.” I didn’t like the sound of this, what if they found out all the stuff I didn’t want them to know? “You mean they share everything?” I mumbled Angie turned towards me and I could feel her strength as she prodded telepathically at the edges of my mind. “Yes, what’s wrong with that? I can sense that it makes you feel apprehensive.” “Who me? No. I’ve got nothing to hide.” As soon as I said it, I regretted it. The denial had been enough to open my mind telepathically and in the next instant she was linked into me. (Do not fear Mike, you may have ‘fingers in many pies?’) she lifted the words directly from my thoughts. (But you do not have to tell the others anything that you do not wish to. I do not intend to cause more trouble between you and John, there is enough animosity between him and Stephen already. I could not bear to think I upset the lives of the Tomorrow People so much.) (Can the others hear this?) I pathed. (No, this is a private link on my own personal channel.) (I’ll take your word for it.) I gave her a half smile. (I know that you want to help us but we are not used to being so… open. When I broke out I was pleased to have me special powers but I had gotton on fine before I had them and never wanted to use them so much. Living here on the Trig has been difficult, we may not be like the Saps but we didn’t live such different lives you know. All this linking and bonding and stuff. It feels…) I paused. (Unnatural?) she suggested. (Yes, that’s it.) (I never knew that you found it so difficult to fit in here, what would you say if I could get the council to let you go back home.) (Really? You would do that for us?) (Of course, after all we are family
now. I may be joined to Stephen but he is and always will be a Tomorrow
Person. We are all on the same side.)
“Well then, that’s settled.” She said returning to speech. “We will tell them that it is part of Manyarnern law always performed prior to the birth of a child and then let them find out each others feelings themselves.” ********************** The next day, Elizabeth’s quarters. We all sat around the table and Angie took the lead. “Blending ceremonies usually have a lens to focus the thoughts.” She said. “I’m not too sure how to do this but I can probably channel through my mind in order to link each of us at a deep unconscious level. There is nothing to be afraid of it’s quite a joyous experience.” “Let’s get on with it then.” Remarked John gruffly. Closing my eyes I was suddenly aware of the strong telepathic link which had formed between us. In the middle, yes I know mind links don’t have a middle, but that’s what it felt like, there was Angie’s consciousness. It formed a sort of bridge and we all flowed across it until we found ourselves in a familiar place, the lab. (How did we get here?) Asked Andrew, slumping down on a nearby couch. John ran his fingers across the coarse material of the seat cushions before sitting down beside him. (In reality we are not here at all, this is a sort of shared vision. Our bodies are still around the table in Liz’ quarters. But I must admit it feels very real.) (Yes.) Added Hsui. (It does look very real.) (Actually we are not sharing it.) I said. (One of us is generating the image and the others just have access to the thoughts. In fact, John, I think this is your dreamscape.) He looked across at me in disbelief, his voice had a sarcastic tone which told me I had hit on a raw nerve. (Since when did you become an expert of Manyarnern religious practices?) (I didn’t know that I was… maybe yesterday when Angie was linked to me…) John’s crossed his arms in an attempt to show disinterest, but I could tell that he was extremely curious about everything to do with Angie and Manyarnern culture. (I didn’t know you two were on such intimate terms these days!) Choosing to ignore his comments I continued to explain. (Yesterday, when she suggested that we hold a blending ceremony I was rather… unsure, about the idea. She linked to my mind and explained what it would be like, that’s all. I suppose she might have put information directly into my memory which we could use today.) It was only then that I realised that Angie had not joined us in the link. (It makes sense seeing that she’s not here.) The others looked around the room. It was just as we left it the day we moved out. The equipment racks were empty of their various gadgets. TIM’s conduits hung silently overhead and his mobile platform stood motionless in between the couches but apart from us there was no one else there. (I wonder why John created the lab as a place for us to be during the blending?) Commented Tricia. Elizabeth stepped forward and stroked the illuminated globe which formed part of TIM. (That’s obvious. The Lab is at the centre of our collective unconscious because it is at the centre of our lives. We’re here because it means so much to us. This is where it all began.) (And what does that mean! Where what began?) Demanded John. (None of this is making any sense. I thought we were here to find out about Angie not perform some sort of psychoanalyses on ourselves. I thought you’d be the last one to let all this Manyarnern spiritual clap trap go to your head Liz.) Hsui, Andrew and me began to snigger at John’s comments and suddenly the vision faded into blackness. It was replaced by the image of a small room. Stunned by the sudden change, it was Tricia who spoke up first. (Where are we now?) (This is my old digs in London.) Replied Liz. (Where I lived before I moved into the Lab for good. This must be my dreamscape… I never knew I remembered it with such affection.) John’s body visibly stiffened. (So why have you brought us here?) (Don’t blame Liz.) I said. (She cannot help it if her unconscious feels that there is some sort of unresolved issue which needs to be sorted out.) (Thank you Sigmund, but there is no issue. No need for us to sort ourselves out. We are all perfectly happy the way things are and don’t need an alien we hardly know meddling in our personal affairs.) John had clearly had enough and stomped across the room as if to leave. (No John ,) said Liz, (please don’t give up. There is an issue here that none of us have faced yet.) As she said this the walls faded into nothingness and were replaced by the familiar surroundings of her cabin back in the Lab. (I know you feel as we do. We miss our home and want to go back.) (And you think I don’t? I’ve been trying for the past few months to overturn the Federation decision to exile us here. I’ve done everything I can to get back home. Do you think that I want to remain on the Trig for the rest of my life?) (Of course not John. But where we live is not the issue here.) Commented Tricia. John gave Tricia a hard stare. (So, would you like to let tell me exactly what you think the issue is?) Behind his calm exterior his anger was only just held in check and we all knew that he could explode at any moment. (No Tricia.) Said Liz. (This is for me to explain. It’s my problem, mine and John’s and I think it’s time we were honest with one another. Do you recall the day I moved into the lab, the conversation we had that evening?) John was taken aback by Liz’ direct approach (Yes, of course I remember very well. I was worried that you thought I had forced you to move but you told me that it was what you wanted. Are you telling me now that you have resented me all these years over something as trivial as that!) (No John, it’s not that part of the conversation that I’m talking about, it was what you said just before you left. Something concerning honor and duty and giving up our personal happiness. Well I have given it up for long enough, it’s time for us to think of ourselves and take what we want from life. Ever since Stephen married Angie you have been in a bad temper. We tolerate it because it’s you and we respect you, but it’s high time you stopped being so angry with him and accepted that he was free to get on with his own life in any way he wanted.) As her words sunk in John’s expression began to change. His mouth opened as if he was about to speak but for the first time since I had known him he was lost for words. John, the one who had an opinion on everything, the undisputed leader of the Tomorrow People who bossed us around as if it was a vocation, was stunned and had absolutely no idea what to do next. Seizing the opportunity I decided to add my own thoughts to Liz’ comments. (You know your trouble John. You are jealous of Stephen. Jealous and angry because he went off and married without your permission and then managed to do the thing you haven’t been able to do. To get back home.) I wondered whether I had pushed him too far and a worried look from Liz warned me to shut my mouth before I got into any more trouble. I decided that caution might be a safe bet and immediately apologized. (Look John, I’m sorry I didn’t mean that. It’s just that you’ve been in a really bad mood for months and we don’t like to see you like that.) A light nod from Liz told me that I had said enough to make up for my earlier outburst. (He’s right John.) She added. (Stephen’s marriage does seem to have upset you and I’m worried about what it’s doing to your friendship.) At last John found his voice and this time it was not anger in his tone. (Do you all think I’m jealous of Stephen because he got married? I’m very happy that he met Angie. I do admit to being angered by the Federation’s continued refusal of my request that we also be allowed to return to Earth. But it didn’t seem to be so bad living here. Now you tell me that I’ve been in a bad mood and taking it out on you? Do you all agree with Liz and Mike? Do you all feel like this?) He looked around the group and one by one they nodded. He then turned to face Liz directly. (You said that you had given up your own personal happiness by living here, that you wanted to be back in control of your life. I’m sorry if I’ve been holding you back. If there is another place that you want to live. Sophia perhaps, or Adonesia with Carol, you are free to go I will not stand in your way.) Elizabeth smiled warmly. (You know the old saying ‘home is where the heart is’. Well my heart is with you, where ever you live will be my home, be it here or back on Earth. I want to be with you John, because I love you.) For the second time in the conversation Liz’ comments stunned John into silence. He lowered his gaze and stared at the floor like a child who has been caught doing something wrong. (I… I…) Liz walked across and put her finger
to his lips. (No John, you do not have to say anything here or now. Just
as long as you promise to think about what I’ve said and share your thoughts
with me one day. I know how seriously you take being a TP, all I ask is
that you think of yourself for a change and try to do what will make you
happy…)
In the next instant I found myself back at my seat around the table in Liz’ quarters. We all sat in silence for a short while then following Tricia’s lead made our excuses and prepared to jaunt away. “I think you two have a lot to talk
about.” Said Angie as she stood and walked across the room. “But there
is one thing I’d like to say before you discuss your future together. I
think it’s time I used my influence to get the council to change their
ruling and allow us all to return to Earth. I’ll talk to them as soon as
I return from Manyarner.”
Corrour Sta, Scotland. January 1989 True to her word Angie did arrange for us to go back home. At first we lived together in the lab and many of the old tensions between me and John came back We all knew that they fancied each other like mad but apart from a few dates they had never done anything to make the relationship more permanent. It was after the death of Stephen’s parents in 1988 that he left John and Liz in charge of renovating that big old house in Scotland that I finally spoke up. John was being his usual bossy self and making all the decisions, which left Liz and Hsui time to jaunt around the world shopping for stuff to decorate it with. I spent a lot of time with him that winter and tried really hard to get along with him, somehow it always ended up in a disagreement over something or other and I would jaunt back to the lab to watch the telly in peace and quiet. One particular argument led to us not speaking for days and I remember how wonderful Liz was at sorting things out. Then, without warning, I hit a raw nerve during an quarrel and it paved the way for us to sort out, once and for all, our misunderstandings. We had just returned from Grahame Truscot’s office in London. John had not really wanted me with him and only agreed to take me at TIM’s insistence. As we stepped off the jaunting pad he immediately laid into me. “Did you have to say those things to him? I have entrusted my money to his accountancy firm for many years and they have always invested it wisely.” “What did I say that was so wrong?” “You know damn well what you said. You practically accused the man of ripping us off! I just wish Mike, that you’d learn to let me take the lead. I’ve been in charge of things around here for a long time and up until now we’ve had everything we needed. The Tomorrow Foundation patents and distributes by inventions and it brings in enough money to run both labs. Accusing the man of cheating us and keeping money for himself was inexcusable.” “I never did nothing of the sort!” I replied indignantly. “Your problem, John, is that you’re such a middle class snob. You’ve never known what it was like to go without supper ‘cos you’re mum has not been paid for a month. You grew up in your well off semi-detached family home, a clone of all the other families in the neighborhood. You have never gone without nofink and you think that gives you the right to tell us how we should live our lives. Just because you trust the man doesn’t mean I have to as well. You’ve had things your own way around here for too long. I thought this was meant to be a democracy not a dictatorship. Even Liz can’t stand to be near you any longer. She must be really glad that she never married you. You’d have her acting like a scivy tidying the lab all day long while you ruled over us like a little Hitler.” Me and me big mouth, it always gets me in trouble. I knew that I’d pushed him too far but I also knew that I daren’t take it back or he’d have won the battle. What really shocked me was that it wasn’t my name calling which upset him the most but my comments about Liz. “I’d have you know young man. That whether Elizabeth and myself get married is none of your business and your comments on our personal life are not wanted around here. I think that you have said quite enough for one day and suggest that you go back home before I say something I’ll regret later.” Suddenly I saw a crack in his usually calm exterior. Taking a step away from him I swallowed hard and delivered my next blow. “So you have been thinking of marrying her then? You know your trouble John; you’re just too uptight about doing what's right... You always have to have a bloody debate over everything and never just get on and do it! It’s pathetic. I don’t think you have the guts to do it!” Instantly the tension between us subsided and he actually began to laugh. This was the side of John that I liked the one that knew when to give up and see the funny side of things. Unfortunately he let this side of himself be seen rarely. Through his chuckling he managed to string a sentence together. “Since when did you get to be wise? I never even dreamed that I’d end up being told off by you!” “And since when did you get to be so pig-headed that you couldn’t make a decision to marry her and get on with it!” John smiled. “Oh I’ve always been pig-headed just like you but I’ve never admitted it before.” He straightened up and patted me on the shoulder. “Mike, you are right it is about time I married Liz and made both of us happy.” “If marrying Liz makes you less moody around here we’ll all be happy.” **************************
Part 5 of 7
Corrour Sta, Scotland. It was that incident with the Tyrellian plague that clinched it for me. It was not for the first time that I had noticed something between Elizabeth and John. Years earlier, on our time travelling jaunt to Roman Britain, I had thought there was more to their friendship. Liz looked so beautiful in that costume and played the part of John’s wife with such ease. It makes me smile now to think how puny Stephen looked in that fur cape and leather boots. Still, he had a strong nerve even back then and showed bravery well beyond his years. But I digress; it was definitely during their illness that John and Liz turned a corner. Funny what a few delirious hallucinations can reveal about a person. Shortly after Stephen left for Manyarner John called me up and asked me to help him install the equipment in the new lab. Not that I’m anywhere close to Stephen’s skill with electronics, but I can hold a screwdriver and helped him assemble the conduits that make up part of TIM. We were working away one cold winter’s day when the familiar voice of Tyso broke our concentration. “Hey there, can a simple gypsy boy lend you two a hand?” He joked. “Tyso!” Exclaimed John jumping down from the ladder and giving his old friend a warm handshake. “How on Earth did you get here? The last thing we heard was that you were in the outer reaches of the Pergona system.” “Oh it’s a long, and very boring, story. I just thought that as I was passing, on me way back, I’d pop into see me pals here on little old Earth.” During the exchange we had not noticed Liz descend from the room above carrying steaming mugs of tea. “Well now that you are here you can stay long enough to tell us all about it.” She said handing us each a mug. A few hours later we sat around the makeshift table in the center of the large lounge. A roaring log fire burned brightly in the hearth and filled the room with the pungent scent of pine. Tyso had spent much of the evening telling of his travels and beguiling Hsui Tai with stories of foreign worlds and far away places. As the hall clock struck midnight we prepared to retire for the night. As he stood up Tyso seemed unsteady on his feet. “Is it me or is this room hot?” He remarked, reaching out to support himself on the nearby table. “I feel a bit woozy, I think I’ll go outside for some fresh air before I go to bed.” “You have been cooped up in a space ship too long, your lungs aren’t used to real fresh air.” Joked Mike. “I think I’ll join you in a short walk before bed too.” The too men waved us goodnight and
headed out into the hallway. But Tyso didn’t get much further than this.
One minute he was striding purposely towards the front door, the next he
was crumpled in a heap on the cold flag stones. John was the quickest to
react and reached him a few seconds ahead of the rest of us. Crouching
down he turned Tyso over to see his face. It was immediately obvious that
he was very ill, his skin was pale and covered in a layer of sweat. His
pupils were dilated and his entire body convulsed and twitched uncontrollably.
The London Lab, An Hour Later. “Tim are you sure of your diagnosis?” “I’m afraid so John. The symptoms follow the pattern exactly. This is the first case of Tyrellian plague reported in the federation for thirty years. I have already informed the Federation’s medical council and they have placed the Earth in total quarantine with immediate effect.” “What does that mean?” Asked a worried Andrew. “That we are on our own.” Replied Liz. Placing her hands on the edge of the bio bed she looked anxiously at Tyso. “And I’m guessing that the prognosis for this disease is not good, am I right TIM?” “Yes Elizabeth, there is no known cure for Tyrellian plague in the federation database, and the federation medics will offer us no assistance in looking for a cure. Unless we come up with some kind of treatment in the next few days Tyso will die.” They all stood in stunned silence looking at the limp form of their old friend. At that moment I realised that they were not, in fact, silent at all but were holding an intense telepathic debate. One which I was not a party to. “Forgive my ignorance, but could someone please explain to me what Tyrellian plague actually is and how Tyso could have caught it?” “Yes of course Chris.” Began John. “We’re sorry to have dragged you into this mess. First let me tell you that you are quite safe, Tyrellian plague only affects telepaths. You cannot catch it.” “Does that mean that the rest of you can?” “Yes, for all we know, Tyso has already passed it onto us and in a few short hours we will be lying here delirious like him. You see, it is caused by a virus that feeds off psionic energy. It infects the psi-center of a telepaths brain and slowly shuts down all other bodily functions until the host dies. The federation thought they had eradicated it from all open worlds but there are still planets that have occasional outbreaks of the disease. As you can guess, once all the possible hosts have died in an area the virus itself dies off. Poor Tyso, he was so thrilled to be travelling to new and unknown worlds, little did he know that he’s come into contact with such a deadly disease.” Liz returned to the couch and put her arm reassuringly around Hsui Tai. “Well I’m not going to just sit around and watch while each of us gets ill. Isn’t there anything we can do?” “Your right.” Replied John. “While we still have our strength I think we should all do as much as possible to find a cure.” He turned towards me. “I’m sorry Chris, but we could do with some help. Do you mind sticking around for a few days?” I gave him a brave smile. “Of course,
that’s what friends are for. What would you like me to do first?”
Over the next few days we worked feverishly looking for some insight that may lead to a cure for the plague. One by one the Tomorrow People all succumbed to its debilitating effects. Andrew was first, followed by Hsui and Mike. Liz held out for three days before she collapsed more from fatigue than anything else. After this John redoubled his efforts until he too was at the point of exhaustion. Between periods of culturing, scrutinizing and assessing samples of tissues, infected by the virus, he spent his time at Liz’ bedside, mopping her forehead and offering words of comfort during her brief moments of lucidity. On one occasion I heard him speaking softly to her, begging her not to leave him and promising that he would find a cure if only she could hold on for a few more days. All she could manage was a weak smile in his direction but this was enough to give him renewed hope and he returned once more to his investigations. It was on the fifth day of their illness as Tyso lay on the verge of death that John seemed to loose all hope. He sat at his workbench studying blood and tissue samples taken from the others. After staring into the microscope for almost three hours he stretched and rubbed his eyes. “It’s no good Chris, there is nothing that I can do. I’ve tried every kind of antibiotic and anti viral agent known. None of them have any effect.” He let out a deep sigh and his whole body seemed to droop with fatigue. “What you need is some rest.” I replied stepping forward and helping him onto one of the couches. “Why not try to get a little sleep before day break. Maybe things will look clearer in the morning.” “I’m not sure if I’ve got until the morning…” He mumbled and quickly fell into a fitful sleep. Looking upwards I spoke directly to TIM. “Looks like it’s just you and me now. Any suggestions for what I can do next?” “I suggest that you take some of your own advice. You have not had much rest either in the past few days.” “I’ll tell you what I really need. A stiff drink! You couldn’t see your way to conjuring up a large whisky, could you?” Knowing how straight the Tomorrow People were about consumption of alcohol I was surprised to see a decanter and glass appear on the link table before me. Eagerly I leaned forward and poured myself a tumbler full of the shinning brown liquid. As it slipped down my throat I felt the tension in my muscles ease. “Why thanks TIM, I really needed that.” A few minutes later I was fast asleep. I’m not sure how long we slept, but I was awakened by a loud noise as energy pulsed in TIM’s tubes. Looking up at the jaunting pad the figure of a slim woman slowly took shape and solidified. She was small with short fair hair and wore strange clothing. This, I was sure, could not be Angie; she was many light years away on route to her home world. It was John who recognized her first; he had also been awakened from his sleep and stood up to greet her warmly. “Carol, my dear Carol. It’s wonderful to see you after all these years.” But as the last vestiges of sleep crept from him his expression turned to one of anger. “What on Earth brought you here, haven’t you been warned that we are under quarantine. You must go now, quickly, before you are also infected.” The kindly woman stepped from the jaunting pad and moved further into the lab. “Well charming, I come all this way to help you out and you want to send me away before I’ve even unpacked!” She said with a mischievous grin. She came over to me and took my hands in hers. “And you must be Chris. I’ve heard a lot about you. How are Ginge and Lefty these days? It must be almost twenty years since I last saw them.” So this was the Carol I had heard so much about. One of the first TP’s to break out after John, married to an alien now and living many light years across the galaxy. “I take it that you have come hear to help?” I asked. Taking my lead she immediately changed the conversation away from greetings and pleasantries and her face took on a more earnest expression. “Yes. When TIM contacted me I knew that I just had to come. You need me…” She waved her hand across towards John who had by this time collapsed once again onto one of the nearby couches. “They all need me. I know that coming hear may be signing my own death warrant but while there’s still a glimmer of hope we must not give up.” “That’s the old Carol I remember,” commented John, “if you don’t mind I won’t get up again. You two just work around me.” He watched as Carol and I busied ourselves. After reading John’s carefully taken notes about the virus she took his place at the workbench and peered into the microscope. There was nothing for me to do but offer comfort to the others, who were now lying delirious in their respective bunks. I was just returning from Mike’s room as I saw John reach over and take the glass, which I had discarded earlier, on the link table. “What does one have to do to get a drink around here? I’m parched.” He said in a loud voice. “Aha what’s this?” Without noticing the smell he grabbed the decanter and poured a large glass of the whisky, which he then gulped down greedily. Eventually he came to his senses and noticed the taste of the raw spirit. “Yuck! What was that?” I ran over to him quickly, and removed the decanter and glass from his unsteady hands. “About a triple measure of pure malt!” I exclaimed. “For someone who never drinks you sure know how to knock it back.” Carol looked up from her work and smiled. “Allow the man a few last pleasures.” She said, then realizing the inappropriateness of the comment she hurried on with her inspection of the latest blood sample. After a few minutes she looked up and sighed, then replaced the sample with a previous one and continued her analyses. Neither of us had paid much attention to John who now lay, wrapped in a blanket, on the bio bed. “We Tomowwor purple need to keeps a clear heads.” Mumbled John to himself. “Tepathelly doesn’t wiorik if you are strunk!” Carol and I both turned and stared at him. “What did you say John?” “I’lls easy peasy,” Hic! “We’ves gotten speshull prowers ands ve can’t doos anythunk vith them…” He sat up straight and stared at us in disbelief. “It’s nofink swrong wiv me buit you’sh should sees vyoour fases.” Carol jumped down from the stool and joined me beside the bio bed. She gently placed her hand against his forehead to feel the temperature. “John, listen to me. How are you feeling? Apart from the effects of the whisky do you feel any better?” “Vscourse I dooos, I may be a blittle blit dwunk, but I knows that’s I feels great.” “You aren’t dizzy or nauseous?” I inquired. “Hold up your hand.” John was by now acting as if he had had much more than one large scotch. He obligingly held his arm up above his head and it was obvious that it no longer shook with the effects of the disease. I turned to Carol and grinned. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” “It’s a long shot and we really should wait for scientific confirmation but at his point in time all I can suggest is that we share around that bottle and get the whole lot of us very drunk!” A few minutes later I was surrounded by the gleeful shouts of a lot of very intoxicated Tomorrow People. As I figured it the virus in their brains didn’t like to be flooded with alcohol and died immediately. In no time at all they had regained their strength and were buzzing around me in a drunken frenzy. “If we’ve going to have a party.” Laughed Elizabeth. “What we need is music. TIM if you would be so kind. I’m in the mood for dancing!” As the music began the lab became a happy place once again. The air was filled with laughter and the Tomorrow People twirled and twisted around as best they could under the influence of so much pure scotch whisky. Suddenly Liz grabbed John and pulled him around the floor with her. Much to my surprise he did not resist her attempts to make him dance but instead grasped her waist tightly and led her in a painfully enthusiastic waltz. After much toe stumping and yelps as they bumped the furniture they soon slumped down together on the couch. It was then that it happened. Under the influence of the alcohol neither of them had inhibitions holding them back. As their heads came close together their eyes locked and their mouths touched. The kiss was not prolonged but it was something. It pulled at both their heartstrings and made them smile to one another. Being the only sober person present I felt immediately embarrassed to have witnessed such a tender moment, but much to my relief the others, caught up in their own little flights of fancy, had not even noticed. I was just thinking over how good they looked together when TIM interrupted me. “I have relayed an urgent message to the federation medical counsel detailing our rather unorthodox cure for the Tyrellian plague. They send their congratulations on such a miraculous discovery. Of course this cure has never been tried before because alcohol consumption is rare on most telepathic worlds. I’m thankful that you were here to save us.” I blushed. “Oh TIM it was nothing…” “I still have one concern though,” added the biotronic computer, “you may have been able to cope with nursing five seriously ill Tomorrow People, but how are you going to cope with six extremely hung over ones?” ****************
Part 6 of 7
Corrour Sta, Scotland. After we had found a cure for their illness they invited me to stay on for a while and it took very little persuasion to get me to stay. “Just as long as you don’t rope me into your schemes on interior decorating.” I joked with Elizabeth. It had been many years since I had been on my home world. Life with Narscissa and Nova was fine and Adonesia was such a beautiful planet, but still I missed the surroundings of Earth with it’s rolling countryside. The way the mist clung to the hills in the early morning reminded me of my childhood when I would walk the dog on Hampstead Heath. I spent most days chatting, and reminiscing, with Chris while he and John worked on installing equipment in the new lab and surrounding countryside. We were returning to the house one day after setting up surveillance cameras in trees on the edges of the estate that I commented on the location of the house. “This is the ideal place for a family home. What do you think Chris?” “Well it’s ok but I’m more of a city type. I prefer the push and shove of London streets to the countryside. It’s just too quiet around here for me.” “That’s not what I meant. Don’t you think this would make a perfect place for a family of Tomorrow People? It’s far enough away from the town to give privacy, you could jaunt quite happily and not have to worry about people seeing you.” “What exactly do you mean Carol?” Said John, who had obviously been paying more attention to our conversation than he liked to let on. “This house belongs to Stephen; he inherited it from his parents. We’ve just been adapting it for him to use that’s all.” “Nonsense John, you’ve been creating
a bolt hole, a safe place for you all to live away from prying eyes but
above ground. The lab is fine as temporary accommodation but it’s not really
a place for bringing up children.”
He looked at me quizzically. “Just what are you getting at Carol. Why do you keep on about children?” I stopped walking and the two men moved ahead of me. Sensing that I was no longer at their side they turned and looked back. “Typical men, haven’t you figured it out yet? There aren’t going to be so few of you forever. When more Tomorrow People break out it will be impossible for everyone to live in the lab. Especially after they start to marry and have children of their own.” John gave a sigh of relief. “Oh yes of course. We know that one day there will be more of us, but until the effects of the RTE wear off completely break outs will be so few that we hardly need to plan for a population explosion.” “And what about your own and Stephen’s children?” At this Chris stopped walking and gave John a wry smile. “Yes John. What about your own kids? It’s time you settled down and found yourself a good woman.” But John was not to be goaded; he just
shook his head at our teasing and continued on in silence.
Later that day I found myself alone with John in the newly decorated lounge. He sipped on a mug of coffee while wistfully looking out of the large lead framed windows. “Penny for them John?” “They’re not worth a penny. I was just wondering whether were are making the right decision to come back to Earth.” “But this is your home. I know that I live many light years away but I still regard it as my home too.” “Why did you do it?” He said, turning back to face me. “Do what? Oh you mean, decide to leave Earth and live on the Trig.” “Yes. When we were exiled there it was good at first. All those myriad of different cultures living together, it seemed such a great opportunity. But as the months went on it began to feel like being in prison, the real world just outside your window but you are unable to touch it.” “Well to be perfectly honest shortly after I arrived I was so homesick that I nearly begged TIM to jaunt me back. Then I met Narscissa and everything just seemed to fit into place. Do you remember the day you visited me and I took you sightseeing, it was just before Professor McDrew arrived.” “Yes, I remember it all too well. You’d changed and didn’t seem at all interested in the Earth and us Tomorrow People back home.” “Oh John, how little you knew. I so wanted to see you; I needed to know that you were still my friend even with all those thousands of light years between us. I wanted to tell you how much I missed my old way of life but I just couldn’t admit it. By then I was so attached to Narscissa that I would have found it impossible to leave him. It was obvious that he could never pass as human and so I decided to cut my ties with Earth and make a new life for myself on his home world.” “And what about me?” “What about you?” “Didn’t you ever stop to think that you may have been breaking my heart by not coming Back!” This last comment threw me completely. “You’re not saying that you were in love with me? But you never showed it, you never said a thing. We parted on such good terms that day, and whenever I’ve seen you since you seemed so happy with Elizabeth by your side. I thought that we had both moved on. Maybe I was wrong ” John turned towards the window once again, unable to look me in the eye. “I can’t say that it was love, but we were the first. We sort of grew up together and I always thought…” I rushed over to him and stood where he could not look away. “You can’t start this now, not after so many years. I’ve got a husband and son waiting for me back on Adonesia; you’ve got a woman with the patience of an angel waiting for you to commit to her. You can’t just sit there and say that because we were the first people to break out we were destined to be together. Not now John, it’s too late!” He stood up and walked over to the coffee table, replacing his mug purposely on tray beside mine, he sighed. “Yes Carol, you are right. We have both moved on. It’s just that I’m about to make a very big decision and need to know that you will be happy for me. The last thing I want is to spoil our friendship. I’m sorry that I brought it up.” “Well I’m not sorry. We’ve been friends for too long to let old ghosts haunt us now. Whatever decision you make will be for the best. I’m sure of that.” I got up and walked towards the door. “If me being here is making things difficult for you, I think it may be best if I went back home to my husband. Can you ask TIM to set up the long distance teleport as soon as possible.” “No Carol please don’t go. What happened in the past is well behind us now. Please can’t you stay until after…” “After what?” “I’ve decided that Liz and I are going to get married. Please stay for our wedding.” I rushed over to him once again and hugged him to me. “Oh John, that’s so wonderful. Of course I’ll stay when did you both decide to marry?” Pulling away slightly he coughed to clear his throat. “Well I haven’t actually asked her yet, but I will and soon, I promise.” “Oh John…”
Part 7 of 7
The sports car sped around the bend it’s tyres barely gripping the old tarmac surface. Anxiously Elizabeth looked out of the window into the driving rain. “Hurry John.” She said, as the car hit another pothole in the road and she was momentarily lifted out of her seat. “The storm is getting much worse.” “I’m driving as fast as I can in these conditions but this car is not designed to be an off road vehicle you know. I don’t think anything has been along this stretch for years, apart from the odd sheep. If only we hadn’t left our jaunting bands behind we could have been home ages ago.” “Well I’m glad we don’t have them. We planned tonight to be a special occasion, no telepathic interruptions, no telekinesis, and especially no jaunting. It was a wonderful idea to have an evening as an ordinary couple, the meal was fabulous, and the ride home would be equally nice if it wasn’t for the unpredictable Scottish weather.” “It was a lovely evening wasn’t it?” Remarked John, daring to take his eyes off the road for just a moment to smile at her. “Yes John, it was the best night out I’ve ever had. Thank you, I had a wonderful time.” He grinned at her. “I do my best…” This night was not exactly working our as John had planned. Even now he could feel the little box in his pocket, it’s precious contents playing on his mind. All evening he had waited for the perfect moment. He tried during the meal. Then again while they danced around the dimly lit hall. But before he could bring himself to say it the evening had come to a close. Even now he longed to say it, but his mind was caught up in the riggers of the long and arduous drive. “If you are really worried we could always call TIM for help.” Suggested Elizabeth. “No. I made the others promise that they would not disturb us for any reason, just think how stupid we’d look if we broke our own orders. Besides, if we were saps we’d have to manage and an uncomfortable journey home wont do us any harm, even if we have to walk for a bit.” “What in these cloths?” She joked, looking down at her flimsy evening gown and high healed shoes. “We’re not exactly dressed for a cross country hike!” In the next instant they rounded a
sharp bend and were knocked sideways by a huge gust of wind. “Hold on.”
Shouted John as he grappled with the steering wheel. The car steadied itself
momentarily and Elizabeth began to sigh with relief then without warning
she realised that they were skidding out of control towards the safety
barrier. As the car impacted there was a deafening screech of metal on
metal and the car flipped up onto it’s side. But the old corroded barrier
could not take the strain and buckled under their weight, they toppled
over the precipice and fell into the ravine below. During it’s descent
the car smashed against protruding rocks until it finally came to rest
amongst the tangle of heather and brush that carpeted the valley floor.
Some Minutes Later. John awoke first, rubbing the back of his head he sat up and was immediately aware of an intense pain in his leg. Looking down he could just make out a huge gash in his shin, from which he was rapidly loosing blood. Holding his hand up to shield his face from the driving rain he peered into the darkness for some sign of Elizabeth. Eventually he managed to make out the tangled wreckage of his precious sports car laying some distance away, and beside it was her limp form. Scrambling to his feet he ignored the pain in his leg and dragged himself over to her side. She was bleeding slightly from a head wound and still unconscious but as he examined her there seemed to be little else wrong. “Thank god!” He muttered to himself. (TIM. Can you hear me TIM. We need help. Carol, Mike. Can anyone hear me?) But it was no good, he was obviously suffering from concussion as a result of being knocked out in the accident. Until his special powers returned there was no way for them to get help. Elizabeth began to stir in his arms. “Can you hear me Liz? Are you ok?” “Yes John, what on Earth happened?” “We fell over the cliff.” He replied looking up into the darkness. “It was quite a drop. We were lucky that this undergrowth broke our fall and we’re in one piece.” Liz sat more upright and looked around her. “But your lovely car… Oh what a shame you put so much work into renovating it.” “The car doesn’t matter as long as we are both ok.” “Have you called for help? Are the others coming?” John shook his head. “I’m afraid that I’ve lost my powers and I suspect that you have too. That’s quite a nasty bump you’ve got there.” Liz put her hand to the wound and winced. I think I’ll be ok but we had better get out of this weather or we might both freeze to death. Have you looked around? Is there any shelter nearby.” “From what I recall the map didn’t indicate any crofters cottages for miles. Our house is on the other side of that peak.” He pointed into the night and Liz could just discern the outline of the distant row of hills. “So I was right then.” She said pulling herself to her feet. “We will have to do a little cross country hiking even in our evening wear!” Looking at John, drenched by rain, his once immaculate tuxedo now in tatters she noticed the gash in his leg. “Before we go anywhere we need to stop that from bleeding. Got anything we can use as a bandage?” John instinctively reached into his trouser pocket. He felt the little box still safely tucked away with its delicate cargo intact. For a moment he thought about asking her then and there. Could he get down on bended knee here in the cold night and ask her the most important question of his life? He decided against it, they had far more serious problems to deal with first. Realizing that John was lost in his own private reverie and did not intend answering her question Elizabeth took the matter into her own hands. Bending down she tore a strip from around the hem of her dress. Her lovely designer dress that she and Hsui had jaunted to Paris to have made for her. It’s delicate fabric and embroidered beadwork was now ruined by mud and rain. ‘Well I wont be wearing you again.’ She thought, as she used the material to tightly bind John’s leg. Once she had finished they set off in the direction of home. Their progress was painfully slow, impeded by the thick undergrowth and uneven rock strewn surface. After a while she stopped and bent down. “What are you doing?” Asked a bewildered John. “Taking these off!” Liz lifted up her skirt to reveal the pointed patent surface of her evening shoes. “It’s almost impossible to walk across this stuff in these. I’ll do much better in bare feet.” Liz held up her hand to stop him from making further comment. “A little discomfort never hurt anyone, and any minor damage can be healed easily by TIM once we get back.” John could not argue with her logic
and decided that it was better just to keep on the move as best they could.
He knew that eventually their overdue arrival would cause concern and the
others would be bound to start looking for them. All they had to
do was find their way back to the road and let it lead them in the direction
of Courror Sta and safety.
Thirty Minutes Later Elizabeth was aware that she was shivering. John had gallantly given her his jacket some minutes earlier but this did very little to keep out the cold. They were both soaked through and as they climbed out of the ravine the rain had slowly turned to sleet and then to snow. The wind seemed to go straight threw her and made it difficult to breath. As they walked in silence they took turns to call out telepathically for help but it was still too soon after the accident and neither of them had regained their special powers. Eventually her tiredness overcame her and she tripped over a stone. Finding herself laying amongst the heather she felt much better. “Can’t we rest for a few minutes.” She begged John, who was already pulling her upright again and dragging her forward along the trail. “No Liz, if we stop we may die. You know that as well as I do. We’re going into the first stage of hypothermia that’s all. I feel the overwhelming tiredness too but we must keep plodding on.” He put his arm around her shoulders and hugged her to him. “I promised you that I would find a cure for the plague and I did… the least I can do is to get you home. It can’t be very much further we’ve been walking for about two miles already.” “Only two miles!” She exclaimed. “You know the first thing I’m gonna do once we get back?” She knew John was too tired to answer so she continued on without a response. “Have a long soak in a hot bath.” “I’m going to have a hot cup of tea and sit in front of the fire until I can feel the skin on my face almost scorching in the heat.” He said. They plodded on in silence… “John?” “Yes Liz?” “When Stephen and Angie get back shall we ask if they mind us all staying in the house together? I was talking to Carol and she made a good case for it to be our new headquarters.” “I was thinking about that too. She spoke to me about it a few days ago. It does seem like a good place to settle down. Like a real family home but with space enough for us all and with the new Lab in the basement we can store all the equipment we need.” At last they had reached the top of the steep incline that they had been climbing for the past few minutes. It had not been possible to go straight up the ravine’s side to reach the road but they had had to take a longer diagonal path following the contour of the mountain. Now they had reached the safety barrier once again, just a few miles further down the road from the site of the accident. “At last!” Commented Liz. “A touch of civilisation. If you don’t mind I think we should stop for a short while in the lee of the hillside and inspect your leg wound.” “Good idea.” He pointed across the road at a crevice cut into the bank, and they quickly made their way across to this relatively sheltered spot. Standing with his back braced against the cold granite surface he held up his leg for her to examine. While she did this he put his hands into his pockets in a vain attempt to keep them warm. There it was again, the little box, a constant reminder of how his perfectly romantic evening had turned sour. “When are you going to show it to me?” Asked Liz. “W…What?” “Whatever it is you have hidden in your pocket. You’ve been playing with it all evening and I’ve been waiting for you to tell me what it is.” John could hardly believe that she had guessed his intentions so easily. “Oh it’s nothing.” He tried to sound as nonchalant as possible. “If it was nothing you wouldn’t keep checking that it was still there every time you stumble or fall. I’ve known you long enough John to read you like a book.” Reluctantly he pulled the ring box from it’s hiding place and held it out to her in the palm of his hand. Droplets of snow fell onto it’s dark green leather surface and covered the embossed gold lettering. “May I take a look?” She asked reaching out and taking it from him. “I don’t see why not. I had planned for a better place than this but you seem to have me at a disadvantage.” He smiled and pulled down his trouser leg to cover the newly tightened bandage. “Look Liz there is something I want to ask you…” Suddenly they swung round as the road was illuminated by the headlights of an approaching vehicle. Forgetting their conversation they both ran out into the road and waved wildly at the Land Rover as it come closer. Pulling up in the middle of the road the farmer could hardly believe his eyes. Rolling down his window he called out to the two strangers in a deep highlands accent. “Hey there do you two need a lift?” In no time at all Liz and John were huddled together on the back seat. Wrapped in a travelling blanket which smelt of animals, but neither of them cared. They had explained to the man about the accident and their trek up from the ravine in the snow. “What a sight you look, I could hardly believe my eyes, two people dressed in party gear all this way out here on a night like this. You are very lucky that I’m on my way back from my sister’s place. No one ever comes along this stretch of road these days.” “We know and are very grateful. Could you possibly take us home to Ossain Park Lodge in Corrour Sta?” Asked a relieved John. “Is that where you were headed?” “Yes.” They both nodded. “It’s just a little further along this road.” The craggy face of the farmer cracked into a wide grin. “You two are city dwellers I can tell. You are more lucky than you realise. Loch Ossain is over there.” He pointed across the valley. “This road leads up into the highlands to my farm. It be twenty miles at least before you get to the nearest toon.” John and Liz looked at one another as they realised how close they had come to making a grave mistake, heading not for safety but further into the wintry night. They fell silent and the man started up the engine. “I’ve got some whisky here if either of you would like a we dram.” He pulled the battered silver flask from his coat pocket and offered it to his two passengers. John shook his head. “No thanks, we’ll just be pleased for a lift to the nearest phone box so we can call home.” “No problem.” Replied the farmer taking a huge gulp from the flask. After a short while Liz shifted her weight to get more comfortable. John noticed her movements and relaxed his arm which was still around her shoulder. “Are you feeling any better?” He asked softly. “Much better thanks…” She smiled and
opened the palm of her hand, John could see a tear which gently trickled
down her face to splash against the diamond which nestled safely in the
green velvet surround of it’s box. “and by the way the answer is yes.”
One month later. The little chapel was filled with the scent of spring flowers. The light poured in threw it’s tiny stained glass window to cast a myriad of colours, like a rainbow, across the ground. The vicar stood with his bible outstretched before them. He had a friendly face and welcoming eyes. Below his robes the hem of his kilt could be seen stirring in the gentle breeze which blew across the tiled stone floor. Elizabeth looked around at each of
the Tomorrow People. Carol beamed at her from the front pew; beside her
were Chris and Mike who seemed decidedly uncomfortable in their morning
suits. Next to them Hsui looked so pretty in her colourful silk kimono
and Andrew, almost a man, in his traditional clan tartan. There too
were her parents, teleported in from Trinidad by TIM the day before, and
lastly John’s parents, his father standing so tall and proud in his police
uniform. The only one missing was Stephen, but somehow she knew that he
was there in spirit with them that day.
“Do you Elizabeth, Christina Mbondo take Jonathan, Charles, William Phillips to be your lawfully wedded husband. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health and forsaking all others to love and to cherish for as long as you both shall live?” She looked back over her shoulder once again. The vicar began to get nervous by her pause before answering and gave a gentle cough as encouragement for her to respond. Turning to John she opened up her mind. (“I will”)
Authors Note:
I call you up whenever things go wrong,
(Come on, Come on.)
Chorus:
Now I know that we were close before.
(Chorus) Black beach, sand in red clay.
(Chorus)
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