I picked up another follower so welcome aboard that person!

CHAPTER EIGHT

John made his way slowly through the corridors of the Refuge, nodding politely to people, many of whom seemed to look at him like an all-conquering hero. They didn't realise that their admiration sickened him. They thought he was a hero because he had once hidden them from Jedikiah. The idea that he could have made such a mistake left him disheartened at the person he had once been. And the mistakes he had made were continuing to blight these peoples' lives, as he'd seen in the few days he'd been living with them.

He entered the rec area. Astrid was sitting there and immediately went over to him, a smile on her face. She took his hands and kissed him lightly. "I was wondering where you were hiding."

John smiled back at her. "I wasn't hiding, I was looking for you."

"You should have looked harder!"called a girl from the couch. He had learned her name was Sophie and the boy with her was Luca. She seemed to notice the irritation in his face and quickly added,"Sorry."

John turned back to Astrid, the interruption forgotten. "I've been thinking…we should go somewhere."

Astrid smiled teasingly at him. "What, you're actually going to leave this place?"

He nodded. "Just the two of us. You know, like a date."

She raised an eyebrow. "You are full of surprises."

"Just an idea."

"Well, I suppose we could get a coffee?" She looked at him enquiringly and he nodded. She linked arms with him. "All right, Mr Young, show me a good time."

As the pair left, Luca glanced at Sophie. "A date, huh? That sounds like a good idea."

Sophie looked at him, bemused. "Are you asking me out?"

Luca reddened. "No, no!"

"Why? Something wrong with me?"

"No! You're very…" – he groped around for a word – "nice,"he managed at last.

Sophie smiled. "Thanks, you're nice too." There was a slight shyness about the response that made him smile back.

From the office window, Stephen and Cara watched the interaction. "Do you see that?"Cara asked, a trace of horror in her voice.

Stephen shrugged. "My brother and your sister. Got a kind of symmetry to it."

"It's…it's…" Cara shivered. "I am not ready to deal with that."

"I can take your mind off it if you like?" Stephen leaned in and kissed her, reaching out a hand to close the office blinds.

John glanced across the coffee shop table at Astrid. He had told himself that he'd asked her out to maintain his cover: Whatever relationship had existed between them prior to his amnesia, prior to his seeing the light and rejoining Jedikiah, he needed to maintain it, to convince her and everyone else that nothing had changed. And yet…he found himself enjoying her company. She was a reminder of what he and Jedikiah were about, of the ordinary people that needed protecting.

Astrid had been jabbering since they'd sat down, talking about her life. "Heard back from the radio station that I sent my demo files to. Said it was good but not professional enough. Dad's giving me a few shifts, so I should earn some money to…"

"Why are you with us?"John asked suddenly.

Astrid stopped and looked at him in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"You're not like us, you could lead a normal life. You've got all these things going on, things that are important to you. Why are you still with the Tomorrow People?"

Astrid answered carefully. "Because you're my friends. Because there's this whole world that I'm aware of and I can't just pretend that it doesn't exist." She gave an awkward smile. "And because I like spending time with you."

She reached out a hand across the table…and he took it.

"I have found the information you requested,"Tim announced.

Stephen and Cara hastily broke apart and smoothed their clothes down. "Ah, what information was that, Tim?"Stephen asked.

"The location of Andrew Forbes."

Stephen looked quizzically at Cara. "New Tomorrow Person,"she reminded him.

Stephen nodded. "Where?"

Tim displayed a map. "Judging from security camera footage and the detection of paranormal activity, he is currently in this street here."

Stephen looked at Cara. "First contact?"

"Sounds like a plan,"she agreed.

They headed through into the rec area, which was now starting to fill up. "Where's John?"Stephen asked.

"He's still out with Astrid,"Irene answered.

"Our John,"Russell sighed admiringly. "Always a hit with the ladies."

Stephen nodded. "Well, when he gets back, tell him we've gone to find this new Tomorrow Person." He headed for the door.

Cara paused before following him, her gaze travelling across those present. "Irene, you're in charge until we get back."

The look of shock on Irene's face was only matched by that on Russell's.

Morgan glanced out the window of her flat as she watered her plants. She had been living there for a few months, ever since the lair had been abandoned. The Tomorrow People had invited her to join them at the Refuge, but with Ultra gone she didn't feel she had any need to stay with the younger telepaths anymore. She knew what was important and that was making a home for herself and her baby.

The thought stayed with her as she went to answer the knock at the door. So she couldn't help thinking that there was some strange cosmic joke going on when she opened it to reveal her baby's father. "Jed!" she greeted him in surprise.

"Helo, Morgan." Jedikiah seemed awkward and nervous. "Can I come in?" She stepped aside and he looked around. "Nice place you've got here."

"It'll do me,"she replied. "Us." She looked at him cautiously. She'd loved him once and perhaps still did but she was aware of his darker side. "Jed, where have you been? You just disappeared."

"I've had...things to do,"he explained. "To safeguard the future. Our future." He held out his hand to her. "Come with me. There's a lot I need to show you."