Chapter 3

"The thing is, Mrs Dixon, your husband is suffering from a particularly acute form of obsessive compulsive behaviour" said Dr Salgado. "You understand what that is, don't you?"

"Yes, I think so" said Helen. "Tidying up, that sort of thing."

"That's one symptom" said Salgado. "However, in John's case, there are other symptoms. You've seen how particular he is about his food, the way it's presented?"

"Isn't that commonplace?" asked Rachel.

"Yes, it's commonplace, and people get on with their lives reasonably well under the circumstances. Unfortunately your father's symptoms are more far reaching, and could have a particularly profound effect on his health" said Salgado. Salgado got up from his desk chair, and went to the window.

"What kind of symptoms?" asked Helen.

"Something is dwelling on his mind" said Salgado. "Something is occupying his every thought, every waking morning. As a result, he can't get to sleep at night, and consequently, he's short of rest. The lack of rest is robbing him of his energy. He's becoming too weak to fight his condition."

"But he will get better, won't he?" asked Rachel.

Salgado paused before speaking. "We really have to rely on John for this one. Tell me, has he ever made mention of the Tomorrow People?"

*He's onto us, Mum* 'pathed Rachel.

*Come on, how could he know?* 'pathed Helen.

*From Dad?* 'pathed Helen. Salgado seemed to react silently to this.

"The, er, what did you say?" asked Helen.

"The Tomorrow People" repeated Salgado, turning to face them. "People with superhuman mental abilities, far beyond the imagination of the common man."

"No, I don't think so" replied Helen, nervously.

"Yes, I know about the Tomorrow People" said Rachel.

*Rachel!* 'pathed Helen, shooting Rachel a stern look.

*It's okay, Mum. I'm just throwing him off the scent* 'pathed Rachel. Again Salgado appeared somehow aware of their communication.

"Dad's short stories. He writes them and publishes them on the internet. It's just a hobby. The one he was writing before he took ill was called 'The Tomorrow People' and was about a group of psychic kids" said Rachel.

"Ah, that will probably account for it" said Salgado. "In his heightened mental state, he's probably taken these characters to the next level, and has begun to believe that these characters are real. He even as much as accused two of his visitors of being Tomorrow People. Mrs Dixon, I'd like your permission to try some radical new treatment on John."

"New treatment?" asked Helen.

"It's not quite in place yet. I've been conducting research into cases like John's for some time. Maybe it'd be better if I were to show you what I have in mind" said Salgado. "Please follow me." Helen and Rachel rose from their chairs, and followed Salgado through a door at the back of his consulting room.