Chapter 39
The date came around and Rikki was not looking forward to seeing Alan Xavier again, however, she did not really get much say. The Jacksons arrived and all the kids were swimming with Perry, while the adults were inside chatting. Alan arrived a half hour later, walking into the dining hall where everyone was socialising.
"Hey everyone," Alan said.
"Hey Alan," Lewis said, "Let me introduce you to Fred and Kelly Jackson,"
"Nice to meet you," Fred said as he shook Alan's hand. For the next hour, Rikki continued to give Alan the cold shoulder, annoying him to no end. It was decided that everyone would go down to the beach.
"Rikki," Alan said grabbing Rikki's elbow as she went to leave with the others, "Could I talk with you for a moment," She scowled in response.
"Fine. Make it quick," she snapped.
"Why do you hate me so much? We don't even know each other well,"
"Exactly. I don't trust you."
"I've kept your secret, what more is there to trust."
"That this isn't just temporary. You could tell Denman and we wouldn't even know."
"She has no memory of past events, why would I tell. Seriously, I don't need the money enough to destroy friendships and those friends' lives."
This Rikki had nothing to say to. "Come on Rikki, chance it, and for goodness sake, please stop giving me icy glares and ignoring me. You don't have to trust me fully; I just want to be friends."
"Okay, I'll try to be more welcoming. No promises though."
"Thanks for giving me a chance. I'll try not to make you regret it."
Rikki did give Alan a chance, and because of it, they actually got along nicely. They could not be called friends due to Rikki's trust issues but they weren't enemies either.
OoOoO
"Linda, these dreams have been going on for years, and frankly it is not healthy. Is there something you're not telling us?"
"I-I can't remember!" she exclaimed frustrated, "Aren't you people supposed to tell me?"
"You have a bad case of amnesia, you may never regain your memories." The psychiatrist said, "But are you sure the dream didn't really happen?"
"Mermaids? Please."
"In the metaphorical sense? Maybe a group of people you knew changed dramatically?"
"I don't think so."
"Well Mrs Denman, this is a mystery to everyone."
OoOoO
Denman tossed and turned in bed again that night.
'Three young women are in a beautiful pool in a volcanic cone. No legs but tails. They scowl at me. Suddenly the dream shifts, the girls now have legs and they walk ominously towards me. With hand movements, they seem to be controlling water in various forms. Snow, wind and fire is everywhere, lightning bolts coming from nowhere. "We got an upgrade," says the one with curly blonde hair. My colleagues are falling by freaks of nature somehow caused by the women. "No one messes with us," the blonde one spoke again, "Don't forget that," Their eyes are piercing and cold though they seem scared at the same time. The tanned one steps forward and raises her arm; suddenly I feel cold and darkness comes over me,' Denman woke up with a scream, sweat on her brow. Her husband John Denman held her close, "Shh, it was only a dream, only a dream," Denman welcomed the strong arms of her husband.
"John, it was the same dream, I'm not going to let it plague me any longer. I'm going to get to the bottom of this."
OoOoO
The following morning…
The Boss walked into the office where Linda Denman was working.
"Linda, I need an experienced marine biologist such as yourself to transfer to the research facility on the Gold Coast for a few weeks to help with apprentices and to check all the equipment there. Are you interested?"
"Thank you sir, I'd love to,"
"Great, I'll sort everything for you. I trust you will be able to find your own accommodation. You have some family there I believe?"
"Yeah, I'll ask whether I can stay with my nephew."
"Superb."
OoOoO
"Hello?"
"Alan hi, its Linda here."
"Oh, hey."
"I was ringing to ask if I could possibly stay with you for a few weeks. I am transferring to your research facility to help with the new recruits. "
"Sweet! Yeah, that's fine as long as you're willing to help cover food costs etcetera."
"That's fine. Thanks Alan."
"You're welcome. When are you going to arrive?"
"Three days, so on the twenty-third."
"Cool, well, I'll see you then, contact me the day you're arriving."
"Okay. Thanks Alan, see you."
OoOoO
Anna came into Rikki's café that afternoon.
"Hey Anna," Rikki smiled at her as she approached the counter.
"Hey," she smiled in response,
"Do you want a juice?" Rikki asked.
"Don't mind if I do, I'll have the usual,"
Rikki began making Anna's juice.
"My friend Jessie and I are getting together after work tomorrow. Do you think I should bring her here or to the mainland house?"
"How about here and then next time to the house."
"Okay, thanks."
OoOoO
The Next Day...
Anna walked into the cafe, brunette woman in tow. The woman was in her early twenties and significantly taller than Anna.
Rikki was again serving the counter.
"Hey, Rikki this is Jessie Mills, my colleague,"
"Nice to meet you Jessie," Rikki said as they shook hands. "Do you guys want anything?"
"Yeah, I'll have a coffee?" Jessie said.
"I'll have one too, thanks Rikki," Anna said.
"Cool, how 'bout you two sit down and I'll bring them to you,"
Anna and Jessie sat down and began chatting; soon they had received their coffees.
About an hour later, Zane took Rikki's place at the counter and she came over to Anna and her friend.
"Do you mind if I join you?" she asked
"Not at all," Jessie said with a smile.
Rikki could see quickly why Anna liked Jessie. She was genuinely optimistic and extremely laid back, she also had lots of things in common with both Anna and Rikki. Rikki could see that if they got closer, she too would be friends with Jessie.
"Well, it was great to see you Anna, and meet you Rikki, but I must be off,"
After she departed, Anna hung around until Rikki could leave and they swam back together to Mako.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed that chapter. Please please review :D
Special thanks to Beaker77, Paradox Tremors, Quillox, PeacePinkSeddie, Arocksprpl2, Sophia68696, Zippy, gotdraco and onlinegirlgoing4god for reviewing chapters 37 and 38. It means a lot :D
E noho ra!
(P.S: the phrases are in Maori, I may give translations next chapter)