Chapter 3
The four sat around the dining table, after finishing their meal. "I hope you didn't mind having dinner so early" said Brian. "One of the downsides of working in the catering trade is having to eat at unorthodox times."
"Think nothing of it" said Elizabeth, having enjoyed the meal.
"We need your help" said Brian.
"Here we go again" said Julie.
"Shut it!" yelled Brian, towering over Julie.
"You don't scare me, you great bully" said Julie.
"Calm down, Brian" said Shaun. "We need them to help. You'll just alienate them."
"I'll alienate you in a minute!" said Brian, turning on his brother.
"Well, if that's your attitude, I'm off to work" said Shaun, as he got up to put his jacket on. "I'll see you there, shall I?" And with that, Shaun left.
"How's he going to get out? I mean, how's he going to get through . . ." Elizabeth suddenly stopped herself from saying Hyperspace.
"Through the Swirls?" said Brian.
"Is that what it's called? The Swirls?" asked Elizabeth.
"It's what we call them" said Brian. "That's for us to know. You needn't worry about it, just don't go near it."
"Why?" asked Elizabeth.
"After what happened to the cat . . . you just don't want to know" said Brian. Elizabeth knew more than she was letting on. "Anyway, you're here to help my brother."
"More than happy to. How can I help?" asked Elizabeth.
"Shaun has this gift. A psychic thing, if you can believe in such a thing" said Brian.
"Look, I've been through all this with you before at the TV studio. I'm not psychic. I can't help your brother" protested Elizabeth.
"I think you're keeping something from me" said Brian.
"If Liz says she can't help, she can't help. Can't you get it through your thick skull" said Julie.
"Just can it, will you? Or do you want me to throw you into the swirls?" yelled Brian. He got up and put his jacket on. "Anyway, there's nothing I can do with you, only our Shaun, he's the gifted one. I've got work to do. We'll start again tomorrow." With this, he left.
"So what now?" asked Julie. "Can you help him?"
"Oh yes, I can help him. I just don't know if I should or not. Open up to Shaun, and I open up to Brian. Then what next? He's already got television involved. He'd have no qualms about going public. We couldn't afford for that to happen, none of us" said Elizabeth.
"And how many of you are there?" asked Julie.
"Oh, not many" said Elizabeth. "Look, where's the little girl's room? I need a wee."
"Oh, up the stairs, last door on the right" said Julie. Elizabeth followed Julie's directions, up the stairs and onto the landing. Before she reached the bathroom door, she had a sudden sense of something. She stopped. There was definitely something there. Something told her to look up. Above her was a hatch, leading to the attic. She took one look around to make sure that the coast was clear, then concentrated on the hatch. Slowly, the hatch opened, and the attic ladder descended. Elizabeth climbed the ladder and entered the attic. The feeling was stronger here. The attic was dark, and she couldn't quite make out her surroundings. At one end of the attic was a small window. She stumbled towards the window, and on reaching it, looked out. Instead of the swirls of Hyperspace, she saw the outside world. She saw other houses, streets, people, cars, the park.
*John?* she 'pathed, hopefully. *Carol? TIM? Anyone?*
*Liz! We've been worried sick* came the reply from John. *Where are you?*
*I'm in a house – I'm not entirely sure where. Julie's with me* 'pathed Elizabeth.
*Julie? What's she doing there?* 'pathed Carol.
*A case of mistaken identity* 'pathed Elizabeth. *They thought she was one of us. The boy from the television show and his brother*
*They are the brothers who run the restaurant you went to* 'pathed TIM. *Obviously the younger one sensed the presence of other psychics and assumed that Julie was also a Tomorrow Person. She must have been abducted to help him*
*They didn't need to do that* 'pathed Elizabeth. *We would have helped anyway.*
*They didn't necessarily know that* 'pathed John. *Elizabeth, can you jaunt out of there?*
*Probably, but Julie would be stuck in the house* 'pathed Elizabeth.
*Are they still there? The brothers?* 'pathed Carol.
*No, they've gone to work* 'pathed Elizabeth.
*So you can let Julie out?* 'pathed Carol.
*No, Carol. The house is in Hyperspace, well most of it is. The roof space seems to be continuous with real space.* 'pathed Elizabeth.
*That's interesting* 'pathed John. *Sounds like whatever's keeping the house in Hyperspace is breaking down, like it's not being maintained properly. How are the brothers getting in and out of the house?*
*I don't know* 'pathed Elizabeth. *They just seem to walk through the front door like it's the most natural thing in the world.*
*Then they must be in receipt of alien technology* 'pathed TIM. *Perhaps this is why their technology is breaking down – they can't maintain it properly. Elizabeth, I'm going to patch you through to Ed.*
*Hello, Liz?* 'pathed Ed. *Am I talking straight into your head?*
*Yes, Ed* 'pathed Elizabeth.
*Wow!* 'pathed Ed. *So youre okay are you babes?*
*Yes, I'm fine. We're both fine* 'pathed Elizabeth.
*Listen, babes, we're going to get you out, you and Julie, so don't worry* 'pathed Ed. *You just tell us where you are and we'll get the Police.*
*No!* 'pathed Elizabeth *you mustn't!*
*Babes, they've kidnapped you. What do you expect?* 'pathed Ed.
*We can't and won't involve the Police* 'pathed John. *We must protect our anonymity.*
*It's all very well for you* 'pathed Ed. *Would you be so casual if it were Helen in there?*
*Believe me, Ed, I would* 'pathed John.
"Liz, are you okay up there?" Julie shouted from downstairs.
"Yes, I'm okay" replied Elizabeth. "I'll be down in a minute."
*I've got to go now* 'pathed Elizabeth. *Julie's noticed I've been a while.*
*Okay, Liz. Just keep your chin up. We'll work something out.* 'pathed John.
*Don't worry babes, we'll get you out* 'pathed Ed. *And Liz . . . I love you.*
*I love you too, Ed* 'pathed Elizabeth.
"So Rachel gets into the house. Then what?" asked Ed.
"Not that I'm happy about it" said John, but she'll use her feminine wiles on this Shaun character. From what I gather, he's the weak link in the system."
"I still don't get why we can't just go to the Police" said Ed. "That's my Liz they've got in there.
"Don't be silly" said Carol. "If we got the Police involved, we'd be exposed. The Tomorrow People would be all over the newspapers!"
"Carol's quite right" said John. "We've got to play this one carefully. We know the score. And stop worrying, Ed. Tomorrow People have balls, especially the women."
Ed looked across at Carol. "Something you're not telling us, love?"
"Metaphorically" said John as Anthony appeared on the jaunting pad.
"Has she gone yet?" asked Anthony.
"Who?" asked Ed.
"Rachel" said Anthony. "She said she was going to go for it so hard, that Shaun kid wouldn't be able to think straight for a week."
"Not yet" said John.
"Oh good" said Anthony. "I wouldn't want to miss this. Rachel's quite fit."
Just then, Janice appeared on the jaunting pad. "You know, John" said Janice, "I think it'd be good if you could make these matter transmitter bands work better."
"Better? How do you mean" said John.
"Well, all I can do is go from home to the Lab and from the Lab to home. It'd be nice if just once in a while I could go between, say, Tesco and home for once" said Janice, approaching John. "What with the price of petrol these days."
"So far we don't have the technology" said TIM. "And besides, with respect, it would be better if your use of our technology were strictly controlled."
"Oh I get it," said Janice. "Your technology!"
"No, it's not like that" said Carol, moving towards her sister. "You know how dangerous it could be in the wrong hands." Just then, Rachel appeared on the jaunting pad, wearing a very short skirt and a low cut top. John was not impressed.
"No" said John.
"What?" asked Rachel.
"Too short" said John pointing at Rachel's skirt, "and too low" he said pointing at her cleavage. "Go home and get dressed!"
"But Dad!" protested Rachel.
"Less of your defiance, young lady" said John.
"I'm twenty!" said Rachel. "Besides, Mum said I looked okay." She turned to Anthony, who had been staring at her. "Would you like to take a photograph? It'd last longer."
"Alice Rachel Dixon, don't argue with me!" said John.
"Nobody calls me Alice" said Rachel as she jaunted away. Everyone was looking at John.
"What?" said John.
"Well I think she looked very nice" said Anthony.
"Obviously!" said John, almost biting Anthony's head off.
"Hey, don't take it out on the boy!" protested Ed.
"Sorry, Ed" said John. "Sorry Anthony."
"S'allright" said Anthony.
"Maybe we should ascertain Rachel's whereabouts" said TIM. "Perhaps we should link."
"Good thinking, TIM" said John. "Shall we link?" John, Carol and Anthony sat around the telepathy table and linked hands. Janice sidled up to Ed.
"See what I mean" said Janice. "Their technology."
*Rachel? Are you there?* 'pathed John.
*I'm not getting changed, Dad.* the returning message came from Rachel.
*Rachel, we're not concerned about that right now* 'pathed John. *We need to know where you are.*
*I'm just about to go into the restaurant. Wish me luck* 'pathed Rachel in response.
*Just be careful* 'pathed Carol.
*Stick to the plan, and when you hook up with Elizabeth, don't forget to brief her* 'pathed John.
*And trust me, Dad. I'm a big girl now* 'pathed Rachel before signing off. Anthony grinned at this.
"What have I done?" said John, walking away from the table. "Sent my pretty daughter into God knows what kind of danger."
"She's not a kid anymore" said Ed.
"That's what worries me" said John.
"And anyway, "continued Ed, "Tomorrow People have balls, especially the women!"
"Ed, that doesn't help" said John, getting more agitated. "And as for that skirt!"
"Come on John" said Carol, "she's certainly got the legs for it!"
"And what's that supposed to mean?" shouted John.
"Just that . . . well, she's got nice legs, and she'd want to show them off. You're only young once and I know what kids can be like" said Carol.
"You know nothing about kids!" said John.
"I do!" protested Carol. "I've got two!"
"Yes, two boys!" shouted John. "Pity you never asked your Dad what it was like bringing up girls!"
"Oh John, you're impossible" shouted Carol before jaunting off, clearly upset.
Ed began slow hand clapping. "Oh, nice one, mate!" said Ed.
"Well . . . she provoked me!" said John.
"Lucky you said that to Carol and not me" said Janice, "or you'd be one Tomorrow Person without balls!"
Sunday afternoon. Helen jaunted into the lab. "Has anybody seen Carol? She promised to help me with some telepathic exercises" said Helen.
"Well, she left the house early this morning" said Ed knowingly, "She seemed a bit quiet last night and went to bed early. For some reason"
"That's because big mouth here upset her. Didn't he tell you?" said Janice, pointing at John.
"Is this all about Rachel?" asked Ed.
"You wouldn't understand" said John.
"As it happens, John, I do understand" said Janice, "and for what it's worth, I agree with you. Rachel shouldn't have put herself in that situation. But Carol was only joking. There was no need to bite her head off."
John thought for a minute before speaking. "Maybe I did over react. Maybe I owe her an apology. I didn't mean to upset her like that" said John.
*Carol* 'pathed John. No reply. *Carol, are you there? Stop sulking!*
"She's not replying" said John. "TIM, can you see if you can get through to her please?"
After a few seconds, TIM replied. "John, Carol is not replying to me either" said TIM.
"She certainly knows how to sulk!" said Ed.
"No, Ed, Carol is not deliberately ignoring us. She is not replying because she can not reply" said TIM.
"You mean she's in some sort of trouble? asked Helen.
"I cannot tell" said TIM. "Her Alpha patterns seem to be very unusual."
"Maybe she hasn't completely recovered from her injuries" said John. "TIM, can you locate her please?"
"Certainly John" said TIM. TIM became silent for a few seconds before responding. "Carol is in Manchester."
"Manchester? Who does she know in Manchester?" asked Janice.
"I can't imagine" said John. "TIM, could you jaunt her back here please?"
"I'm sorry, John. Carol has removed her jaunting band" said TIM.
"Okay, could you jaunt me directly to her location please TIM?" asked John.
"Location locked in John" replied TIM.
"Do you want me to tag along?" asked Ed.
"No this is my mess" said John. "I'll sort it out on my own." John walked over to the jaunting pad. "Wish me luck" he said before dematerialising.
John rematerialised within a sports arena. What could Carol possibly be doing here? Recognising the array of blue seating, he concluded that he was inside the City of Manchester Stadium. From where he stood, near the top tier, he cold see the groundsmen tending the grass, and on the far side, slumped on one of the comfier seats usually reserved for the manager and other officials of the club, was Carol.
*Carol?* 'pathed John without reply. Sensing trouble, he jaunted to be by her side.
"Carol? Carol, are you okay?" said John. Carol appeared to be almost unconscious. John took her wrist to check her pulse, and she suddenly sprung to life.
"Oh! John! You caught me by surprise" said Carol looking up at John.
"Caught you by surprise?" said John. "I thought you were . . . well I just thought, that's all. Anyway, what are you doing here?
"Just meditating" said Carol. "Perhaps I was meditating a bit too deeply."
"Sounds very mystical" said John. "How long have you been meditating, then?"
"Just something I picked up in the future" said Carol. "It helps me focus. Helps me to connect. That's why I'm here. To pay my respects."
John looked round at the surroundings. "I didn't know you were a Man City supporter? I didn't even know you liked football" said John.
"I'm not here for the football" said Carol. "This is the site of the Carreras Memorial Church."
"The Carreras . . . ?" queried John.
"The future again" said Carol. "The Carreras Memorial Church."
"I had no idea you were religious?" said John.
"I'm not" said Carol, "and it's not that kind of Church. It's just a focus for people, that's all.
"And Carreras?" asked John.
"You'll have to forgive me if I get my tenses mixed up" said Carol. "So much historical information relates to events that haven't happened yet. We're on the site of one of the largest hospitals on the planet, and at the time of the return of the Keteen Rievers, it was bursting with patients. It was at this time that the Earth President Mervyn Carreras ordered the complete isolation of all such hospitals. Patients were sealed in, along with doctors, nurses, administrative staff, cleaning and catering staff. Everybody sealed in permanently."
"Politicians!" said John, disgusted. "Always the innocent who pay the price,"
"No, John, not this time" said Carol. "Carreras insisted in being isolated in there himself, with all the victims. He tended the sick of his own volition. Like millions of others, he gave his life so that everyone else could live. People would flock to places like this and meditate, and through meditation, they'd connect with those who'd passed. Casualties were heavy but Mervyn Carreras saved the human race."
"And you were connecting with them just now?" asked John.
"Not this time" said Carol. "Those who have passed are yet to be born. Would you like an apple?"
"Sorry? said John.
"Would you like an apple?" repeated Carol, reaching into a white plastic carrier bag and removing two green apples.
"Oh, thanks" said John, accepting the apple. "Where did you get these from?"
"I found a fantastic Sunday market a few miles up the road. I spent all morning there. It's ages since I've tasted an apple" said Carol reaching into a second bag. "And I got these gorgeous red shoes, and only a Fiver."
"Very nice" commented John.
"They had the same pair in black. I might have to come back for them next week" said Carol. "Maybe Helen could come with me?"
"Please don't tell Helen. I don't think I could handle it" said John. "I've always thought Heaven and Hell were the same place, depending on whether you were a man or a woman, and that place was a shoe shop. Anyway, how come the ground staff can't see us? I expected to be chucked out by now."
"They could see us if they wanted" said Carol, "but they don't know we're here. We call it plain sight hiding."
"And you can do this?" asked John.
"We all can. It's one of the things I learned while living away from Earth" said Carol.
"So how come I could see you?" asked John.
"You were looking for me, silly" said Carol. "If the groundsmen knew we were here, they'd be able to see us. John, I'm sorry about what I said about Rachel. I know if I went out dressed like that . . . well I know my Dad just wouldn't have allowed me. You must be terribly worried. Have you heard from Elizabeth?"
"Elizabeth gets messages out when she can. Rachel and Julie are being treated well. Anyway, I don't want you worrying about them. You should be convalescing" said John.