Perfect Recall
By
Dawn M Duval
Chapter One
The sky was inky black over Cardiff. The stars could not compete with the bright lights of the city below. Unexpectedly something streaked through the sky, like a shooting star but larger, much larger. There was no explosion when it landed and Cardiff went on as if nothing had happened.
Owen's phone rang, an arm emerged out of the covers and searched the bedside table for it. Eventually the hand located it, and his dishevelled head appeared above the covers to join it.
"It's not Jack is it?" Toshiko muttered into the pillow next to him.
He squinted his not quite awake eyes at the phone.
"It's Gwen", Owen said answering it. "Hello", he croaked.
"Owen it's Rhys", The Welsh man said.
"Thought Gwen sounded a bit ropey".
"She does actually, that's the problem you see".
"Not really".
"You're a doctor right?"
"That's what it says on my certificates".
"Can you come round and look at her, I'm worried".
"Rhys really I'm fine", a voice said in the background, which was promptly followed by a hacking cough.
"I see what you mean. I'll be over in ten minutes".
"Thank you".
Owen put down the phone.
"That's Rhys, Gwen's not well I'm going over to have a look".
"Do you want me to come?" Toshiko offered.
"No it's ok, I'll see you at the hub".
Rhys had shown Owen in, Gwen was in bed and you didn't need to be a doctor to notice how rough she looked.
"Oh Rhys you fuss too much I'm fine". Gwen said making to get up but instead bursting in a coughing fit.
"You're obviously not fine", Owen said putting his bag on the bed.
"Really Owen I'm…" she said coughing again.
"Come off it Gwen, you're looking awful".
"Thanks".
"That's just my medical opinion. Does every muscle in your body ache, you've got absolutely no energy and you feel like shit? Truth".
"Yes". She muttered.
"Ok let's try something", Owen said getting his wallet out.
"A bribe?"
"Kind of".
He went into the living room and put a £20 notes on the floor. Before coming back into the bedroom.
"There's a £20 note in there, if you go and get it, it's yours".
Gwen sat up for a moment, before sighing and slumping down again "Bollocks to it".
"Right", Owen said as if his point had been proved.
"Can I have it?" Rhys asked.
"No". Owen said going and retrieving it.
"What was that all about?" Rhys asked as Owen came back again.
"I know what Gwen's got".
"Really. Is it alien? Is it deadly?"
"No it's not alien and it shouldn't be deadly to someone as fit as Gwen".
"What is it?"
"Flu".
"Flu! She's only got flu!"
"There's no only about it. It's not like a cold where you can soldier on, it knocks you for six. Too many people call a cold flu, it gives everyone the wrong impression".
"So what do you prescribe?"
"Bed rest, fluid and painkillers".
"Is that it? Haven't you got some magic alien device?"
"No, mate".
"But…"
"She'll be better in a few days just keep an eye on her".