Owen has some explaining to do ...


Five Go Mad in 1969

Chapter Twelve

Michael Bevan looked up from his plate of bacon and eggs. His fork stopped halfway to his mouth as he gaped at Owen. "That lamp post hit you again?"

"Very funny." Owen pulled out a chair and sat down carefully. The beating had been thorough. His face was swollen and bruised on both sides now. He had two broken ribs and ached all over.

"What happened?" Michael started eating again.

"Girl's ex-boyfriend turned out to be not as ex- as I'd been told."

"Owen!" Mrs Jones had come in from the garden, runner beans in hand, and stopped in shock at seeing his battered face. This time his right eye and cheek were affected more than the left.

"I'll live, Auntie. But I'm not going into work." He reached for the teapot but his ribs protested. "Ow!"

"Let me," she said briskly. Putting aside the beans she poured the tea. "What happened?"

"Boyfriend hit him. Again," said Michael. He was pleased to see Owen fail so spectacularly twice in a week; he needed taking down a peg or two now and again.

Owen saw Mrs Jones's reaction; she was thinking it was Rhys. "Not the same bloke. Different one." He gingerly sipped the tea.

"Yeah, right." Michael grinned.

"It was. Big bloke called Jimmy Lewis. Plays rugby."

Cerys Morgan had used him. Owen realised that as soon as Jimmy had turned up at the pub. One moment it was a cosy twosome, next Jimmy had grabbed Owen and dragged him outside. It had been a one-sided fight. The first punch to the stomach had Owen doubled up in pain. He had tried to protect his head but fists the size of hams had battered his already bruised face. He'd swallowed one tooth and others were loose. A couple more blows and Owen was on the ground and got a boot to the ribs. He was still lying there, bleeding and groaning, when Cerys and walked off arm-in-arm with Jimmy like nothing had happened. One of the customers had taken Owen to St Helen's where they had patched him up.

"Do you want something to eat?" asked Mrs Jones.

Owen was hungry but he wasn't sure how much he could eat with wobbly teeth. "Boiled egg would be good. Soft."

"Wish I could hang around to find out all about this one but I've got a date," said Michael. He took a piece of toast and stood up. "Tell me all the gory details later." With quick goodbyes he left by the back door.

When they were alone, Owen said, "Auntie Enid, it wasn't Rhys."

Mrs Jones turned from the sink where she was filling a saucepan with water. "I thought you were turning over a new leaf, Owen."

Her obvious disappointment hit him harder than Jimmy's fists. "It was a set-up. This girl I know, she wanted to make her boyfriend jealous."

"And she knew just who to pick. You have to stop this. Now. If you're not going to work you'd better ring in."

"Right."

Feeling well told off, he went into the hall and dialled the hospital. They were less than thrilled at having to organise cover for him. Next he dialled another number, waiting impatiently for it to be answered.

-ooOoo-

"I'll get it!" Bunmei leapt up and ran to the ringing telephone. "Cardiff 8746."

"Hello? That you, Bunmei?"

"Who are you?"

"It's Owen. Can I talk to Tosh, please?"

"Okay." Bunmei put the receiver down with a clatter. He ran back to the kitchen where the family was eating breakfast. "Tosh, for you. 'S Owen."

"What does he want?" She wiped her mouth. They had hardly seen one another since she had got home and after the revelation of his and Gwen's affair, Toshiko didn't want to see him either.

"Only one way to find out," said Mr Sato from behind his newspaper.

Lifting the receiver, she said, "Owen?"

"Tosh, hi. Sorry to call so early. Any chance we could meet?"

"Aren't you working?"

"No, not now. Could you come here?" He'd rather not go out in public looking as he did.

"I'm busy. Bunmei and I are going swimming."

"Please, Tosh. I need to talk to you."

She did not reply immediately. Meeting on neutral territory meant she could leave at any time which was an advantage. "Okay. I'll drop by on the way back from the baths. Be about eleven."

"Great. See you then. Bye."

"Everything all right, Toshiko?" asked Mrs Sato when her daughter came back into the kitchen.

"Yes. He just wants to meet up." Toshiko sat down. Neither of her parents appeared to know about the affair with Gwen. Both knew Gwen had been upset – Mr Sato from seeing for himself and Mrs Sato from Mrs Cooper – but had accepted it was pre-wedding jitters.

"But we're going swimming. You promised!" protested Bunmei.

"We still are. We'll drop in and see him afterwards." Having Bunmei along would provide a additional distraction if the conversation touched on sensitive issues.

-ooOoo-

"What time shall I come round tonight?" asked Rhys.

"Not sure. I may have to work late, what with Jack and Ianto away. I'll ring you around tea-time, let you know."

"Okay." He leant across and gave her a peck on the cheek. "Go careful. No more alien babies."

Gwen laughed more than was appropriate, keen to keep on his good side. "See you tonight." She got out of the car and waved as he drove away. Entering the chandler's shop, she said, "Morning, Mac."

"Morning. How are you feeling?" He was sitting on a high stool behind the counter, magazine spread out before him.

"Better. Hormones still in a bit of a mess."

"Och no." He didn't like sound of that, she had been a nightmare yesterday.

"Don't look like that. What's the day got in store for us?"

"Rift's quiet enough but … Suzie says the Ghosts are active."

"An invasion?" Her blood ran cold but her heart beat a little faster at the same time. This was why she had joined Torchwood.

"I dinnae know, but she's says we've tae to be ready just in case."

Gwen walked down the stairs and into the Hub. The big cog door rolled back to reveal Suzie and Sandra in the work area, pouring over printouts and checking monitors. After a quick 'hello', Gwen continued to her desk. Her mind was on Rhys. He had done a lot of talking the previous night, far more than usual, and explained how much she had hurt him. It had been a wake up call for Gwen. She felt chastened and grateful he was willing to give her another chance. But it was the last one; any more fooling about and he wouldn't be so forgiving. She had promised she wouldn't stray again and meant it. It was time to appreciate what she had before she lost it.

"Okay, Gwen?" Suzie perched on the edge of the desk.

"Yes, thanks. Mac said something about the Ghosts."

"They're becoming stronger. More solid. Could be they're ready to break through."

"You really think they're from some other dimension?"

"I don't know but whatever they are, I think we're going to find out soon," replied Suzie pensively. "We're all staying put today. I don't want any of us out on a Weevil hunt when something kicks off. Takahiro's coming in later, to check our findings."

"Anything I can do?"

"Not for now. Carry on researching that market trader, we'll have to shut him down eventually." She stood up. "I wish Ianto was here, I could murder a coffee."

-ooOoo-

The training course began with a brief introduction to the three days followed by an intensive two hours on the latest developments in inter-species contact from Samantha Cottam. She was a good speaker but all ten trainees were grateful when they broke for refreshments.

After one look at the coffee Ianto chose tea and took it to the long, low window which was open slightly. After being bombarded with information he was in need of air. He looked down on the wharf five stories below and the boats loading and unloading cargoes of fruit from the Canary Islands. After a few minutes he turned and, leaning against the wall, surveyed the room. It was one of the smaller training rooms, narrow with a blackboard and screen at one end. Chairs were in a semi-circle facing that way. At the other end of the room were surplus tables and chairs and the refreshments. The group was scattered around, some by the chairs and others standing talking near the refreshments. Jack was talking to Ms Cottam - a short, black woman with a large Afro hairstyle - near the door.

"Don't suppose you remember me. You showed me round the archives on my first day." The speaker was a man about the same age as Ianto, of middling height and with long fair hair covering his ears and collar. "Lucas Travis."

"Sorry, I did that tour so many times the faces are a blur." Ianto smiled. "How long have you been here?"

"Nearly a year. What's your programme for the rest of the day?" Each trainee was doing something different, meeting for general sessions at the start and end of the day.

Ianto smiled. "Archives. New procedures to show me." This was a change to the agreed timetable but one he didn't mind.

"I'm off to the firing range. Need to know how to kill the buggers that threaten us."

His attitude jarred with Ianto, especially after the long conversation with Jack the previous evening. It soon became clear Lucas was a xenophobic bigot. Ianto excused himself and joined Jack by the refreshment table.

"Biscuit?" Jack held out the plate. "Got jammy dodgers."

"Just one then." Ianto took the biscuit and bit into it. After talking last night, and the highly satisfying sex that followed, Jack and he had bridged the gap that had grown between them. He was not surprised when Jack took his arm and steered him to a corner away from the others. But it wasn't to whisper words of love.

"You getting the same vibes as me? Something's going on."

"What now?" sighed Ianto.

"Mock all you want but there's something. Bet my last dollar on it."

"Come on then, what?" Ianto put the rest of the biscuit in his mouth and chewed.

"I don't know. But I've got a feeling. You be careful today. Keep your eyes open."

"You're serious."

"Uh-huh. You suddenly being needed in archives? An excuse to get you out of the way. And Section 10 have supposedly had to reschedule and I'm being sent on a boat trip." He rolled his eyes.

Some of Jack's concern was communicating itself to Ianto. Their training timetables had been altered considerably with little explanation. The whole purpose of them coming was being undermined if they didn't get to do some of it. Jack may be reading too much into the changes but he was often right about these things.

"I'll be on guard. But what's this about a boat?" Ianto asked

Jack grinned. "Don't mind that so much. If they thought it was a punishment, they were wrong. I'm going downriver in the launch to check on the early warning installation. Should be fun."

"Try not to fall in."

Samantha Cottam called her group to order. "Ladies and gentlemen, time we were getting on. All cups back on the table, please. You all have your assignments for the rest of the day. We meet back here at five tonight."

"I won't be back for lunch," whispered Jack. "We're having it on board. We'll talk tonight."

They parted at the ground floor. Jack exited the lift and gave a cheery wave as he headed outside into the sunshine. Ianto rode down another level to the archives thoughtfully. He would keep his eyes and ears open for hints about a conspiracy against them. It was only when he stepped off the lift that he remembered he still hadn't mentioned Tad coming back as a Ghost. Tonight, he vowed.

-ooOoo-

Bunmei insisted on using the men's changing rooms. Toshiko hurried to get dressed and was standing waiting for him when he finally emerged. His hair was still wet, dripping onto his shirt which was buttoned incorrectly. The wet towel hung from one hand while he had his trunks in the other.

"Come here." She took him to a corner and put his clothes straight before using her own towel to dry off his hair. Both towels and costumes went into her tote bag.

"Can I have a milkshake? Please."

"There's not time. Mum will have lunch ready and we have to stop off and see Owen first."

"But I'm thirsty." He dragged his feet as they walked out of the baths into the sunny morning.

"I expect Mrs Jones will have some squash. We've had a good time, don't ruin it."

They had spent an hour and a half in the baths. Initially they had swum together until Bunmei got tired. After a rest watching the other swimmers, he had joined a group of children playing supervised games leaving Toshiko free to put in a few lengths in the main pool. They had come together for the final ten minutes before getting changed. It had been fun and Toshiko resolved to do it again.

Driving in the Mini was still a treat for both siblings and they wound down the windows and sang on the journey to Penarth. Parking outside the Jones house, Toshiko wished she hadn't agreed to meet Owen. She didn't want her day ruined. Bunmei ran up the path and round to the back door which was open. He burst into the kitchen and stopped abruptly when he saw Owen sitting at the table.

"Owen, your face!"

Toshiko, only just behind her brother, also gaped at Owen. Black and purple bruises were forming over yellowing ones. Small cuts on his cheeks had obviously been made recently and left dried blood in their wake. His jaw and both eyes were swollen. One ear had a plaster on it.

Owen got to his feet, favouring his broken ribs. "How are you, mate?" he said to Bunmei.

"You're like a rainbow!" said the boy admiringly.

"That's one word for it," said Mrs Jones from the sink. "Hello, Toshiko. Congratulations. You must have worked very hard."

"It was a slog but worth it." Toshiko smiled at Mrs Jones but her gaze was drawn back to Owen. "What happened?"

"Did you fight, Owen? With your fists?" Bunmei had edged round the table and was peering up at Owen.

"The other bloke did most of the fighting." He attempted to smile but gave up. "Thanks for coming, Tosh."

"Why don't you two go out into the garden? Bunmei, want to help me make scones?" asked Mrs Jones.

"Yes, please! Can I have squash too?"

Toshiko left him in capable hands and went into the garden which was half in sun and half in shade. Owen followed her, making for the bench which had been a present from Ianto on his mother's last birthday. Owen sat down but Toshiko stayed standing, looking at the productive vegetable patch.

"We haven't had a chance for a proper chat. I'm really proud of you. Double First, wow," Owen said.

"You did just as well as me. What did you want to see me about?"

Surprised at her curt tone, he hesitated. "Ah, I wanted your advice. But … is there something wrong?"

She stared down at him. "You slept with Gwen."

He sighed. "She told you then."

"No. You both made sure I didn't know."

"No one knew. Not until we were found out." He wasn't sure why she was so bothered but decided to apologise anyway. "I'm sorry."

"Did Rhys have another go at you?"

"No. This was someone else. Look, that's not what I wanted to talk about. Would you sit down! I'm getting a crick in my neck."

She sat. It was ridiculous to feel so upset by his affair. They were friends now, nothing more; what he did with his life was his own business. And Gwen was probably just as much to blame for the affair, she had a track record of unfaithfulness. Trying to put aside her irrational feelings, she asked, "So what is it?"

"Haskins has offered me a Senior House Officer job. I don't know whether to take that or go with your dad's offer to join Torchwood. I've been tossing it back and forwards and getting nowhere. Thought you might be able to help."

"I thought you wanted to join Torchwood. You salivate over the equipment enough. And Dad helped you get into CRI."

"Yeah, I owe him, but it's a lot of responsibility." He was regretting asking her. Why was she so unfriendly?

"You can handle it, you know you can. If that's all …" She stood up.

"No, it bloody isn't! What's the matter with you? What have I done?"

"Slept with my best friend. Isn't that enough?"

"That's between me and Gwen. It's nothing to do with you."

For a moment her face betrayed her pain and he realised that despite everything she still cared for him. This was a bigger mess than he had thought.


Next time, everyone is caught by surprise ...