Chapter 11.
New Year's day 1987
Sarah awoke from troubled dreams to find it was near noon. She wondered why it was Karen had let her sleep so late. Oddly the house was quiet, too quiet. By now there should be the sounds of Toby demanding this that and the other thing. Pulling on a robe she left her room, and went to the arch that led to the sweeping staircase to the lower level. She listened carefully, and heard low voices speaking, male voices. One of which belonged to her father, and it sounded~ gravely somber. From where she stood she couldn't see who was speaking, but she knew something was wrong.
A moment passed and two uniformed officers escorted Robert, who paused only a moment at the closet to get his overcoat, out the door. Sarah moved to the first stair, wondering where her parent was going. Karen now dressed in a long pink dressing gown moved to the front door looking worried. "Karen," Sarah called to her softly now wishing to alarm her, "What's going on?"
When her stepmother turned her fact to the girl, Sarah could see she'd been crying. "There's been an accident," she managed to say.
"Who," Sarah asked feeling truly frightened coming down the stairs no longer caring about her state of undress.
"The car that Malcolm Davis and the Calder's was in~" Karen dabbed her eyes.
"Liddy was in that car," Sarah gasped, "Are they alright?" When Karen shook her head, Sarah moaned, "How bad?"
"Bad," Karen admitted, "John Davis is on his way… he and Joyce~ were in New York last night… they had tickets…" she was rambling. "He and your father are both on their way to the hospital…"
While Sarah may not have liked the Calder girl, she had never wished harm to befall her. "Is there anything I can do?"
"Not that I can think of," Karen admitted, "We can only wait…." She turned away, tears falling again.
Sarah moved toward the door, and then turned, her eyes drawn to the hanging ball of mistletoe, "Karen was Rex with them?"
"No one said," the stepmother answered.
For what seemed an eternity, Sarah and Karen took turns pacing. Each had taken time to go shower and change, while the other stood guard at the door. It was nearly seven when Karen heard the familiar sounds of the family sedan pulling into the drive. Both women moved to the door to intercept Robert as he entered the house. His somber features told them the news was not good, before he could speak he gathered his wife and daughter into his arms. "Malcolm and his wife are gone," he whispered quietly, "The driver died instantly…"
Karen sobbed, "The Calder's?"
"He's in a coma… she's on life support…"
"Liddy," Sarah asked hoping the girl had escaped.
Robert winced, "In surgery," he pulled his own daughter closer.
"Daddy," Sarah looked at him, "Was Rex with them?"
Robert Williams shook his head, "He wasn't pulled from the car… but there's been no sign of him… they are going over the wreck site, still."
The door bell rang, and Sarah moved from her father's arms to answer so that Robert and Karen could compose themselves. She supposed it would be more officers with information. Opening the door she saw the tall handsome Englishman who'd danced with her and kissed her in the first moments of the New Year. So relieved that he had not been in the car, she pulled him into her arms and buried her face into his shoulder and cried.
"What's happened," he asked in utter surprise.
"Rex," Robert came to where his daughter was holding on to the man afraid to let go for fear of him evaporating and being gone. "There's been an accident."
Placing his arms about the weeping girl, Rex asked, "Who?"
"The Davis' and the Calder's," Robert answered, "You didn't leave the celebration with them?"
"No, I was called away shortly after midnight," he answered with remorse, "My personal driver came, he brought a message that I was needed at one of our warehouses." He continued to sooth Sarah, his arms holding her close. "I left shortly after I'd accepted your invitation…"
"Dinner," Robert said under his breath, and shaking his head, "Of course…"
"No no," Rex shook his head, "You mustn't worry about that now…" Sarah was still clinging to him, refusing to release him, and he was content to stay where he was. "I'm sure I can make other arrangements."
Karen dabbed her eyes, "I've a stew on," she explained, "You are most welcome to stay."
Rex gazed down at the head buried in his shoulder, "Stew sounds perfectly delightful." He rested his chin on Sarah's head, "I'm alright, precious, and I'm not going to disappear." He advised.
"I was so afraid," she muttered into his shoulder.
"I know… it's a terrible thing," he agreed. He looked at Robert, "Sarah," he said firmly, "I need to speak with your father, can you manage to pull yourself together for just a few moments?" She nodded, and moved to arms length, "Good girl," he praised, "I'll be back…" he promised as he moved toward Robert, who nodded consent to a private word. They moved off to the den.
Karen reached out a hand to her stepdaughter, "Let's set the table.." she looked in the parlor where Toby, oblivious to the events was playing with wooden blocks building a strange tower. "Toby is quite, and it will keep our minds busy."
Sarah agreed and moved with the woman toward the dining room. She took out the china from the corner hutch and set the table. Karen busied herself in the kitchen with slicing a loaf of bread and preparing a cheese board. Half an hour later when the men emerged from the den diner was ready to be served. Karen had placed the stew into a deep soup tureen to serve, and Sarah was filling water glasses from a pitcher of iced water.
Taking his place at the head of the table, Robert waited until his family and their guest were seated. "I'm not in the custom of saying grace," he confessed, "However…" everyone bowed their heads. "For the blessings we've received may we be truly thankful." His voice shook slightly.
Rex was seated across from Sarah; he gave her an encouraging smile. She smiled back, still feeling relieved that he'd not been in the limo that had been demolished. She was not sure why she was so suddenly attached to the gentleman, she only knew she was. It was foolish perhaps, she chided herself, after all he was so much older than she was, and what interest could a man like that have in a mere girl. Still looking over at him from time to time during the meal gave her an odd feeling of assurance. Rex's eyes would meet hers, and he was not watching her as one would watch a foolish child. His eyes were gentle and kind and held tenderness, causing Sarah to blush more than once. She began to wonder just how calculated that kiss at midnight had been.
After the meal Robert and Rex had taken Toby back into the parlor while Sarah and Karen cleared the table. Karen had turned the coffee pot on, and was setting up to serve desert while Sarah cleaned off the stew bowls and placed them in the dishwasher. Everything on the rolling cart was ready to go when Sarah finished, and they brought the desert into the parlor. Karen served with shaking hands, apologizing for her unnerved state. Rex murmured that he understood completely and found no fault in her. Sarah poured coffee and served her father, his guest and then Karen. She took a seat in the chair beside the one Rex was seated in, quietly refusing the desert. Everyone sat quietly, lost in their own thoughts. Until Rex quietly excused himself and announced it was time for him to go. He thanked Robert and Karen for a lovely evening. Sarah said she'd see him to the door, and walked at his side toward the vestibule.
Once in the softly lit antechamber of the foyer Sarah looked up at him, "I'm so glad you weren't with them," she said once more.
Rex sighed, place a hand to her cheek, "I am too," he assured the girl, "But I'm gladder to know how you care." He bent toward her, "Mistletoe or not, I'm going to kiss you." His lips slid over hers, and surprisingly she returned the kiss.
Self consciously Sarah pulled back and looked over her shoulder toward the parlor where her parents were seated. "You'd better go…"
"I'll go," he answered softly, "However I will return." He sighed deeply, "You're no ordinary girl Sarah Williams." She looked at him, her lips parting and her eyes widening as if she should know the meaning of his words but was dazed and bewildered by them. Rex pulled her toward him, his hand now cradling the back of her neck, "Good night, my dear." He kissed her cheek gently.
"Good night," she whispered as he pulled away. The moment he was out of the door she placed fingers to the lips that were swollen from his kiss. She found herself blushing at the thoughts that raced in her mind. Hearing Karen call to her brought her to her senses. "I'll be right there," she answered before she locked the door.
--
The Underground windswept hillside
Jareth stood in the cold light of dawn watching the sunrise on his kingdom. The injury to his beloved gated kingdom was visible, but healing. His cape fluttered in the constant flow of air. His hair appeared even wilder as it whipped about. A little man hobbled up the hill to join him, "You're early," he called out.
Hoggle nodded as he neared his King, "Thought I'd get a better look in daylight." He turned and winced at the sight of the still marred magical kingdom. "She took a wicked hit," he muttered.
"She's healing," Jareth assured his gardener, "But for now, no spraying the swarm," he warned. "Their magic with help the Labyrinth mend and be restored to health."
"Them," Hoggle asked in astonishment, "Them pests?"
"Magic pests," Jareth corrected, "And they are part of the fabric of this kingdom."
Hoggle sniffed the air, "You been with Sarah," he accused, "I'd know that scent anywhere."
"Get use to it," Jareth advised in a sinister way, "Sarah will one day be among us."
The garden shoved his hands into his pockets and grimaced, "It doesn't seem right… her winning and then…"
"And whose fault is that," Jareth accused with hostility, "Who helped her win…"
"Helped," Hoggle stammered. "In what senses…"
Grabbling the little man by the ear Jareth pulled Hoggle round to face him, "Don't pull that innocent act with me, I gave you orders… you ignored… and it cost us all."
"I couldn't help me self," Hoggle cried out defensively, "She bewitched me!"
Releasing the ear, Jareth sighed, "She bewitched me as well…" the confession didn't set well with him. "But not this time," he moved down the hillside to make a closer inspection of the injury. "Not this time," he muttered to himself. "This time it is I who will be doing the beguiling."
"You said you weren't going to hurt her," Hoggle ambled down the hill following the King. "You said you'd not let anything hurt her…"
"I'm not going to hurt your precious Sarah," Jareth declared moving faster than the little gnomish gardener could.
"Then what do you have planned," Hoggle demanded.
Jareth winced looking at the breach in his wards, "There's still venom here," he complained bitterly, "We need to send for a healer."
"A healer," Hoggle scoffed, "For the gate and wall? Wouldn't a carpenter do better?"
The Goblin King shrugged, "Doubtful," he pointed to the area most affected. "Our lady fought valiantly," His voice had gone soft and respectful.
"I told you she sent the intruder howling," Hoggle too now looked at the wounds, his eyes watered.
"Tell me again what you actually saw," the king requested deep in thought.
"It was mist," Hoggle recounted, "And it slithered, and hissed like a giant snake."
A gloved hand tapped the King's chin, "This is too powerful for the emissary," he sighed, "This was a warning from the High throne at Avalon." He looked at the gardener, "Call for Ghillie Dhu, we need deep magic to heal our lady."
"Ghillie Dhu," Hoggle gasped, "Are you sure?"
Jareth nodded, his eyes filled with concern that the healing he'd started had not gone further, "I'm sure." He nodded.
"But…" Hoggle hedged.
"No buts," Jareth sighed, "They drew blood," he murmured, "only a Ghillie Dhu cam cure this."
--
Sarah was keeping Toby quiet while her father worked in the den. Karen was keeping busy in the kitchen preparing the food she'd planned on serving that evening. When the house line rang instead of her father's private line in the den Sarah answered it so it wouldn't disturb him. "Williams's residence," she said quietly.
"Toots," Anne's voice sounded perturbed. "Where are you?" She went on, "Did you forget you were coming over this morning?"
"Oh Anne," she groaned, "Yeah… I guess you didn't hear," Sarah cupped her hand over the phone not wanting to be over heard, "There was an accident yesterday morning when the party broke up… Mr. Davis and his wife… died."
Silence was followed by a more sober tone, "Liddy?"
"She had surgery…but they don't know… her dad is in a coma… and Mrs. Calder may not make it," Sarah fought not to begin crying again.
"How, where…" Anne sounded stunned, "I can't believe this."
"From what I understand it was on the highway on the way to drop the Calder's off at their house… A drunk driver," Sarah sat down in the little chair that Karen had placed by the phone table. "Both drivers were killed instantly… everyone else was… we went even sure who all was in the car until last night… Rex wasn't with them," She took a deep breath, "I'm sorry, I forgot about sitting today."
"I understand," Anne sighed, "I can finish this up without my model," the other girl said giving Sarah the support she needed. "Is there anything I can do for you?"
"No, I'm fine," Sarah assured her friend, "I'm taking care of Toby…"
"Hey," Anne said trying to sound positive, "There's an ice sculpture thing in the park today, how about we take the midget there this afternoon?"
Sarah snorted, "You want to spend time in the park, in the cold, with an eighteen month old baby?"
"Sounds like fun," Anne teased, "I'll be over at half past noon… have the kid fed and dressed."
"Will do," Sarah said before she hung up the phone.
"Who was that," Karen asked when she came to the hall.
"Anne, I told her what happened," Sarah confirmed, "She suggested that she and I take Toby to see the ice sculpture display this afternoon."
"What a great idea," the stepmother praised, "I'm making lunch now, I can serve in a bit and then dress Toby."
"Daddy's not going to want to eat," Sarah warned her stepmother.
"I'll take something in to him," Karen nodded, "He's tied up with all the legal stuff from the office."
"Poor Mr. John," Sarah lamented. "He never seemed to catch a break." For as long as Sarah could remember John Davis had been the long suffering member of the family. He had been the senior partner even though he was younger than Malcolm, and it had been he who had been overturned by the partners when he wanted Robert made a full partner instead of his brother's candidate Calder. John had pulled Malcolm's bacon from the fires more often than not, and had cleaned up after the resentful sibling. When Malcolm refused to take cases or clients outside of town, it was left to John to appease. Karen agreed silently.
"John is counting on your dad right now," Karen confided, "Malcolm and Calder's client's files are in a terrible mess. Calder's secretary quit when she heard about the accident, she said she was not going to be a sitting duck for him."
"Poor daddy and Mr. John," Sarah lamented again gathering her brother's blocks up and putting them back in the basket Karen kept them in.
"I'll take the little prince here into the kitchen and get him in his chair," Karen had the boy in her arms. "Don't worry about the blocks," she said heading toward the kitchen.
"I'll be right there," she assured her stepmother.
--
Anne parked her little car at the curb and walked to the door of the old Victorian with the odd feeling that she was being watched. She couldn't see anyone, and hadn't noticed anyone in the windows as she pulled up, but she couldn't shake the sensation. It made her wonder if she were becoming paranoid.
Sarah answered the door, in the middle of pulling her coat on. One look at her companion's face told her something was wrong, "What?"
"I have the odd… impression I'm being watched," Anne whispered.
"From here," Sarah asked.
Anne shrugged, "I don't know…" She shook it off, "You look great Toots," she said changing the subject. "Is the boy ready?"
"Karen is dressing him for the weather," came the playful answer, "That could mean we'll be traveling with a tick ready to pop…"
"I heard that," Karen glowered from the upper floor.
"Good," Sarah shouted back, she looked at Anne, "New coat?"
"Mother at home," grimaced the girl. "She said she'd hide my keys if I didn't dress…proper."
Sarah snorted, "I hear ya." She motioned her own attire.
As Karen started down the stairs with Toby in her arms, Anne called up to her, "Mom is going to call to confirm tomorrow night."
"Thank you Anne," Karen gave the girl a sad smile, "I don't know if we are going to be able to keep the engagement…"
"Oh go," Sarah sighed, "It will do you good to get out… I'm staying home with the boy…" She pulled the extra car seat out of the closet, "Staying here and brooding isn't going to do anyone any good."
"Good advice," Karen snickered before walking the trio to the car and holding Toby while Sarah and Anne set the car seat up. "The stroller and diaper bag are in the hall," she advised her stepdaughter. When Sarah left she said to Anne, "Thank you for being such a good friend."
"She'd do the same for me," Anne buckled the little boy in." Seeing Karen eyeing the package of cigarettes on the dash she added, "No smoking with the tyke in the car."
"Thank you Anne," Karen sighed contented to trust the strange girl. Moments after Sarah placed the stroller in the trunk of the car they pulled away from the curb and headed toward the park. Karen waved them off never noticing the crows that had landed on the turret of the Victorian.
Sarah was glad that Toby liked car rides and she didn't have to fuss with him, she sat in the passengers' seat beside Anne, toying with the bubble at her throat.
"What is that thing," Anne asked not taking her eyes from the road.
"A good luck charm," Sarah said after a moment, but a blush came to her cheeks.
"Sarah's got an admirer?" Anne teased coyly.
"Maybe," Sarah quipped back. Turning in her seat she asked, "You don't think it's too soon after Jason do you?"
"I think ten seconds wouldn't have been soon enough," Anne grumbled, "God what a dick he was."
"Yeah," Sarah nodded.
"So let me guess, tall blond and English." Anne mused.
Sarah sighed, "You don't think he's too old and I'm too young do you?"
"I like older men, remember?" Anne scolded teasingly, "No, I can see chemistry there." She looked over at Sarah then back to the road, "And a lot of good old fashioned lust."
"Anne!"
"Sarah," Anne drawled drolly. "Get with the program babe," she teased. "You've got one hottie on your hands… anyone could see how he was hungering over you… like the wolf over little red riding hood."
"What am I thinking," Sarah gazed out the window, "I don't have the experience…"
"He doesn't want experienced," cautioned Anne, "He wants an innocent babe." She laughed at Sarah's discomfort. "And he's got one."
Sarah held the bubble at her throat, "Does he?"
"Tell me you don't want that hunk," Anne sneered, "And I'll ship you off to a convent."
"I want him," Sarah admitted, "But it's so odd… it's like I know him from somewhere…"
"Maybe a dream," Anne suggested.
"More like a nightmare," Sarah answered under her breath.