Monty's Revenge

"How long has he been dead?"

Alex smiled to herself, her thoughts still full of Gene, her mind determinedly anywhere in fact anywhere rather than her therapist's consulting room.

"Gene Hunt? When did he die?"

Alex reluctantly stirred herself to face Gabriel Turner whose face was a picture of professional enquiry rather than the concerned pity she had feared. Rather unexpectedly she had found herself confiding in Gabe – although not about everything of course. Not about the Christmas visitations- or the fact that Gene had come to her every single day since then.

"Alex?"

"Sorry. Daydreaming again."

Gabe smiled and prompted her again. "When did Gene die?"

"That would be 2nd June 1953. Coronation Day. Just after 4.30 I think."

"That's very precise."

"He told me."

"Sorry?"

"Gene. He told me what happened when he was killed. At Farringfield Farm as it goes."

Gabe nodded and scribbled down a few notes.

"I suppose you think I really am mad. But I'm not you know."

"You're not mad Alex. Not in the conventional sense at least. But you suffered a horrific brain injury and perhaps the line between reality and fantasy has become a bit blurred in your case."

Alex shook her head. "No." She laughed. "I thought that too once. When I was first shot. I thought I was living some sort of dream brought on by trauma. But the longer I was there, the more I realised that it wasn't a dream – it was reality. A different reality the one I was used to – but reality none the less."

"So all that you've told me, Gene Hunt, Fenchurch East, life in the 80's, that all took place after you were shot by Arthur Layton? While you were ostensibly in a coma?"

Alex nodded and took a gulp of coffee to revive her spirits. "I know it sounds impossible but it's true. I had a life there, work, friends, a home…"

"And you miss it?"

There was a long silence with only the sound of a ticking clock to remind Alex of the passing time. Finally she nodded. "Yes." She bit her lip as she continued. "There were days….after I woke up…dark days when all I wanted to do was go back there. If it hadn't been for Molly I'm not sure what I would have done. She pulled me through the worst of it."

"And now?"

Alex's lips tweaked in a brief smile. "Now it doesn't seem so bad."

"Even though you're living in the house where Gene Hunt was killed?" he said gently.

"Somehow it seems to help."

Gabe shook his head. "I have to admit that yours is a fascinating story – and what you've told me certainly does explain the grieving process you've been going through."

"Actually I feel a lot better now. Well since Christmas I suppose. And now Molly is back at school and making new friends…

Gabe interrupted. "And are you making new friends Alex?"

She nodded. "Of course. The neighbours have been welcoming and I'm meeting all of the mum's at school. In fact we're having a coffee morning soon."

"That's good to hear. And what about work?"

"I'm not really sure about that to be honest. Actually, I'm not really sure what I'm fit for any more. And its still early days – besides, I really just want to be a mum to Molly for a while. She deserves that I think."

"I understand." He glanced at his watch. "Well, I think we've had a very productive appointment Alex." They stood and he escorted Alex to the door. "You'll make another appointment with my receptionist on the way out?"

"Do you think it's necessary?"

"I think so – another couple of appointments won't do any harm will they? Besides, I'm looking forward to hearing more about Gene Hunt and co. You'll indulge me for a while?"

Alex smiled brightly. "Of course." After all, there was no one else she could talk to about it.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"You okay mum? You're awfully quiet?"

Alex lifted her head from her coffee to look at Molly who was currently sketching at the kitchen table. "Just thinking."

Molly sighed. "You're always like this after seeing "Gabe"." She briefly put her pencil down to air quote Gabe's name – a habit she knew infuriated her mother but which she did anyway.

"That's what a good therapist does Molly – makes you think about things."

"Does it help?" Molly asked seriously.

Alex paused but then answered confidently. "Yes. I think it does – at the moment anyway. What are you doing?" Alex tried to peer over at Molly's sketch but it was immediately shielded from view.

"It's just a project for art class. Actually, I wanted ask you something….two things really."

"Sounds intriguing." Alex reached for the biscuit tin and then passed it over for Molly to make a selection. "Tell all."

"I just wanted to ask if I could take extra art lessons at school. They have a really fab art department and Adrian says…."

"Adrian?"

"The art teacher. Anyway, he says that I've got promise and if I was interested he holds an extra art class in the evening once a week at the school."

"I don't see why not – if that's what you want." Actually Alex was delighted that her daughter was finally taking an interest in something other than Justin Timberlake, Facebook or her new iPhone.

Molly favoured Alex with a huge smile. "Thanks mum." She carried on with her sketch for a while but then said innocently. "You know, you should do something too."

"Do something? You mean apart from look after you?"

Molly shrugged. "You used to do such a lot before…I mean before the thing." Molly was still reluctant to put what had happened to Alex into actual words and the shooting was always referred to as 'the thing'. She glanced at Alex. "You were writing a book before – you could always finish it."

"I'm not sure about that Mols – my memory still isn't one hundred percent."

"But you don't know until you try – that's what you're always telling me isn't it?"

Alex had to admit that Molly had her there. "I'll think about it."

Molly shrugged and returned to her sketch. "Up to you."

"Anyway, what was the second thing you wanted to ask me?"

"Oh, Kelly wanted to know if I could go on a sleepover tonight – I know its short notice but…"

Alex beamed. "Of course you can darling. Shall I phone Kelly's mum and confirm the details?"

Molly finally put down her pencils and rushed around to Alex to give her a hug. "Thanks mum. You know I love you right?"

Alex squeezed her daughter back. "And you know I love you right?"

At that moment Monty leapt onto the kitchen table, meowing loudly until attention was paid.

"Poor Monty, I love you too," Molly said.

"I think you'll find that all Monty loves is his food – you'd better feed him and I'll phone Kelly's mum.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Alex took the opportunity of Molly's absence to run a deep bubble bath and open a glass of chilled New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. She slipped off the soft fluffy bath robe and stepped into the deeply luxurious scented bubbles, taking a sip of chilled wine before placing an eye mask over her eyes, the better to concentrate on the Mahler symphony that was coming from the CD player. Now this was absolute bliss.

She let her thoughts wander with the music, her conversations with Gabe and with Molly both playing on her mind. But in the end the music, the wine and the warm scented water did their job and eventually she was thinking of nothing at all.

"You're gonna get all wrinkly in there Bols!"

"Jesus!" Alex gasped and tried to open her eyes, only belatedly remembering the eye mask covering her eyes. When she had ripped it off, she could clearly see Gene perched on the stool next to the bath, a wide grin on his face. She tried in vain to rearrange the bubbles to cover her modesty. "Gene!"

"What?"

"I'm trying to have a bath here. In private."

"I've seen you naked before love."

"Yes, but this is….different."

"How?"

"It just is!"

"Well you're in a bloody grumpy mood today aren't you? I'll go shall I?"

"No, no…don't go." She grabbed his hand as he made to leave. "It's just…I wasn't expecting you and it's been a bit of a day…lots to think about."

Mollified, Gene returned to his perch. "You been to that shrink again?"

Alex sighed. "He's not a shrink but yes, I have been to see him again. How did you know?"

Gene shrugged. "I can just tell…you get all moody."

"I am not moody! Its just talking about it all…about you…"

"You talked to him about me?"

Alex smiled. "I'm surprised your ears weren't burning."

"Good things I hope."

"Mostly. And it wasn't just about you, it was about the whole experience. I thought it would help."

Gene passed her the glass of wine and watched as she took a long sip. "And did it? Help?"

"Not sure to be honest." She glanced over at him. "I haven't told him about you coming back."

"Probably best. He might cart you off to the funny farm."

Alex shook her head. "You know, I'd forgotten how totally unreconstructed you can be sometimes."

"Well anytime you want to reconstruct me love – feel free."

"Now you're sulking."

Gene crossed his arms defiantly. "Am not." He was still wearing a sulky pout when he glanced over at Alex who was decorously washing her long limbs. "Anyway, not sure why you want to tell him all about it. He'll probably write it all down and turn it into a book – you could do that and save yourself the money."

"Funnily enough that's what Molly said – or at least she said I should write a book."

Gene grinned. "Sensible girl – unlike her mother."

Alex poked her tongue out at him but Gene just chuckled and leaned closer until he was whispering in her ear. "So, I am coming in there or you coming out?"

The answer was in her smouldering eyes.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Gene woke in the middle of the night, feeling disorientated and slightly confused. It was dark and quiet and he knew he was still in Alex's bed, but there was a low rumbling sound and an oppressive weight on his chest that he had never experienced before. For a second he wondered if he was having a heart attack – but then again he wasn't entirely sure if he could have a heart attack – not here at least. He was just opening one eye when the weight seemed to shift and then there was pain as though he was being stuck with several sharp needles.

"What the fuck….." His eyes flashed open and he was eyeball to eyeball with Monty, who had made himself comfortable on Gene's chest and was flexing his claws to prove the point. "You little bast…."

Another flex of Monty's claws gave Gene pause, as he tried to think his way out of this predicament. Flinging the cat across the room probably wouldn't cut it with Alex so instead he tried rolling over – but Monty clung on tenaciously.

"Alex!" Gene hissed.

"Ughhh? What?" She huddled further under the quilt.

"Alex! Wake up!" He nudged her with his leg.

She rolled over and opened her eyes….to see Gene pinioned to the bed with Monty triumphantly astride his chest and showing no signs of moving. "Problem?" She said with a wicked smile on her face.

"Get this bloody cat off me!"

"Awww, poor liddle Monty. He just wants to cuddle up to Uncle Gene. I can't exactly blame him."

"Yeah? Well now he's sticking flaming great big talons in me. Gerrimofff!"

Alex finally took pity on Gene and shooed Monty off the bed, and then realising they would probably get no further peace with him in the bedroom, she slipped out of bed and ushered him out of the door.

"We must have left the bedroom door open last night." She shivered as she got back into bed and snuggled up to Gene.

But Gene had already turned the bedside lamp on and was investigating his chest for wounds. "Am I bleeding?"

Alex laughed. "Don't be silly." But she indulged him and ran her fingers over his chest. "Not a scratch." She kissed his chest anyway. "Big baby."

Gene growled something and rolled Alex until she was laying full length on top of him. "I've nothing against someone sitting on top of me Bols as you well know." His hands wandered appreciatively over the curves of her bottom. "Just as long as I enjoy the experience as well."

Alex's eyes darkened and she kissed her way up his chest and lingered around his neck. She nibbled at his jaw and whispered in his ear. "So you won't be throwing me off then?"

"No love. You can definitely stay. No meowing though."

She laughed and kissed his mouth. "I think I can manage that."

"Really?" He quickly rolled her onto her back and pressed home his advantage, "we'll see about that missus."

"You're going to make me meow? Is that a challenge? Go on then - do your worst."

"Oh I intend to."

They both entered into the spirit of the game – in which there were no losers. He lavished attention on her body to the point where she was moaning his name and clinging onto the bed for dear life and when they were joined he cursed and swore like a navvy as he vainly tried to retain control. The climax when it came was sweet and well-earned and left them both panting for breath, their bodies still shuddering from the after-effects.

Gene was drifting away on the waves of post-coital drowsiness when Alex moved closer and purred in his ear.

"Meowwwww…"

…..to be continued.