Dreams of Origami (25 page)

‘Oh, my God.’ It is a while before Gideon can find more words. ‘Without that underlying stability, order begins to break down—chaos, destruction. How long has this been going on? What about those boys who disappeared? That was over a century ago, and the monks and their chapel, that was even further back.’

‘Remember the river; the past, present and future are all part of the same event. This fault in the aetheric field is causing irregularities in the flow of time. The past itself may be changing.’

‘You mean the damage now may be affecting people back then? But
that, in turn, would affect what is happening now. I don’t think I can get my head around this. And I thought we had trouble with the ozone layer.’ Gideon laughs at the irony. ‘So, that’s why all these strange things have been happening—the erratic behaviour, plane crashes, people disappearing?’

‘Yes. I managed to locate Matthew and bring him through when I came. That was little enough. The trouble is that the rate of disintegration is accelerating. The effects will worsen and spread.’

There is another long silence before Gideon asks, ‘Surely something can be done?’

‘When we realized the harm we had caused, we set about discovering ways to put it right. The time guardians have learned how to repair the faults. That is who I am, what I do.’

‘But won’t that itself change the past?’

‘Yes, it will. But the alternative is far more terrible than you can imagine.’

‘Is any of this morally right?’

‘No. But we are no less human than yourselves. Perhaps there are parallels. Think about the damage you have done to your environment and the work ecologists are undertaking to rebalance the physical world.’

‘Yes, I suppose so.’

‘I am sorry, Gideon. I know it’s hard for you to take all this in, but time is running out. Quite literally.’

‘Are you sure? Things seem to have quietened down at the schoolhouse since last night. And there haven’t been as many accidents happening in the area over the past few days.’

‘Look out the window, Gideon. Haven’t you noticed? It is raining.’

W
HERE TO NOW
? Back to Gainsborough Street?’ Gideon adjusts the

rear-view mirror. ‘Actually I’m starving; I haven’t eaten anything other than that toast since lunchtime yesterday. You must be hungry, too.’

‘There really isn’t time—’ Cassandra is pushing the hood back from her coat and reaching for the seat belt. She stops and looks at him, relaxing a little. ‘Oh, I’m sorry, Gideon. Yes, of course we must eat. And it would be sensible to do it now, while we can.’

‘Right. Have you ever been in a pub?’

‘No.’

‘Well, there’s a place I know on the way. Very old, used to be a coaching inn. The food’s excellent and they keep a good cellar.’

Ten minutes later they are pulling into the car park of the Duck and Gun. Another dash through the rain, and into the bright lights of a saloon bar rich with gleaming brass work and polished wood. The barman looks relieved to see customers, his regular lunchtime trade having deserted him due to the weather. Gideon takes a menu from the bar and they go over to one of the alcove tables where he helps Cassandra choose lunch.

‘And what about a drink? I never thought: do you drink alcohol?’

‘I’ve never tried it, and I don’t think this is a good time to start experimenting.’

‘No, perhaps not. Would you mind if I have a pint? Just the one. I realize I need to keep a clear head, but…’

‘Go ahead. It would probably do you good to relax for a while.’ She watches, apparently fascinated, as Gideon orders lunch and the barman pulls a pint of bitter. Her eyes dart in all directions, registering and evaluating everything. ‘What are those things, the small, metal circles?’ She points to a row of horse brasses.

‘No, you’ve obviously never been in a pub before.’ He tries to explain their function and why they are now nailed to the wall.

She watches him take a long drink of his beer, then tastes the fruit juice he has ordered for her, as if she’s relying on him for social cues. She looks so small and fragile in Lacey’s clothes. Suddenly it hits him, the realization that she is utterly isolated in an alien universe, and how alone and vulnerable that makes her. He is afraid for her, feeling it almost as a physical pain.

‘What are you thinking, Gideon?’

‘About you being here, in my world. Those times I dreamed about you, or thought I was dreaming—was I really there, in your world?’

‘In a way. You shared my vision, saw my home as I was seeing it.’

‘All those years. Most of my lifetime. But you say you have only known me a short while? What…two years?’

‘In my lifetime, yes, that’s right.’

‘That would explain why I went from fourteen to nearly forty, while you always stayed the same age. Tell me about it, this time guardian thing.’

‘It’s a calling; I suppose you would say a vocation. We have made it our life’s work to travel to areas of weakness in the space-time field and repair the damage.’

‘We?’

‘We work in teams. We are trained together so that we know each other from an early age. We need to be familiar with each other’s thought processes, you see, rather as you and I have learned to work together.’

‘And you are taught to move through time?’

‘Yes. As I explained, it’s not for everyone. The training is very rigorous and it takes years of mental discipline to master time travel.’

Their food arrives and their attention is taken up with the arranging of plates and cutlery. Gideon, aware now of Cassandra’s unfamiliarity with some aspects of daily life, is alert to possible difficulties she may encounter. But she copes perfectly with the bowl of vegetable soup and cheese-crusted bread. He sets about dealing with his steak sandwich and baked potato, realizing he is ravenous. For a while they eat in silence.
We’re just like ordinary people,
he thinks,
eating ordinary food in an ordinary pub. A couple, old friends, lunching together on a rainy day.

She is aware of him watching her and looks up from her plate. ‘This is good,’ she says, smiling.

‘Yes, this is good.’

The plates are removed and the waitress brings the pot of tea he ordered for Cassandra, and fresh coffee for himself.

‘So, tell me, where do I come into all this? If you have a whole team working with you, why do you need me?’

‘For the process to be effective, we need someone from the other side of the damaged area to complete the circuit. Their task is to stabilize the energy field from their world, whilst the repair is being carried out. It is necessary, therefore, that they understand the metaphysical structure of matter and are capable of controlling the flow of energy within the field. And in order for us all to work together, there has to be a strong telepathic link with at least one of our team.’

‘That’s a pretty tall order.’

‘Indeed, it is. In reality, it’s impossible. So someone has to be trained. A search is made for a suitable partner who can be persuaded to co-operate. Then they, in turn, must undergo a lengthy programme of education by the guardian who partners them.’

‘And have their whole life wiped out and rewritten in the process.’

‘You did agree to this, Gideon. I know you can’t remember, but nothing was done without your consent. When we first met, you had already developed psychic abilities and were a strong telepath. And
you wrote about your experiences. Your life may not have been so different, except that it would have ended abruptly when you were nearly forty.’

‘You mean this, this damage, or whatever it is at Gainsborough Street, would have caused my death?’

‘Yours and many, many others. True, we have managed to contain it to a certain extent, but we have only succeeded in delaying its progress. The process is accelerating. I was hoping we would have a few days, but the breach is growing almost hourly. Already the flow of time is changing. We must act while we still can. And now, I think we have rested long enough. It is time to get back to Gainsborough Street.’

Small lakes stretch out from the sides of the road, forcing the traffic to slow down. In several places, the storm drains are at capacity and unable to clear the flow. Consequently, the surface is flooded and Gideon is forced to slow right down, stopping when clear of the water to test the brakes.

‘It’s getting worse.’ He grips the steering wheel, straining his eyes to see the oncoming traffic through solid sheets of rain. ‘Lucky we left when we did, or we might not have made it back.’

‘This is bad, Gideon. Do you have a radio in the car?’

‘No, never felt the need. I didn’t catch the forecast earlier, but if this continues much longer it’s certainly going to cause serious problems.’

Cassandra glances at him, but says nothing.

‘I expect Drew’s still at home.’ He realizes her concern. ‘There’ll be weather reports on the local service.’

She continues to look out of the window in silence, her eyes shadowed with apprehension.

‘Where’ve they got to?’ Lacey feels trapped by the deluge. She paces from the front window to the kitchen and back again.

‘They said they were going to visit Matthew.’ Drew is sprawled out on the sofa.

‘But it shouldn’t have taken this long.’

‘What’re you getting so worried about? It’s only been a couple of hours. They’re both consenting adults, they can take care of themselves. Mind you, I have to say I’m surprised at this so-called expert turning up. And you say she’s quite good-looking?’

‘Wait until you meet her. I bet your pulse goes up a few notches.’

‘That good, eh? I can’t wait.’ Drew dodges the cushion Lacey throws at him in passing. ‘Unusual name, Cassandra.’

‘Wasn’t she some character from Greek mythology?’

‘That’s right. Daughter of one of the kings, I think. Apollo was so taken with her that he granted her the gift of prophecy. Then, when she wouldn’t play it his way, he put a hex on her so that no one would ever believe her.’

‘I think I know how she felt.’

‘Yes, all right, you don’t have to rub it in.’ Drew fishes the cushion from the floor and throws it in Lacey’s general direction. ‘Anyway, after last night I’m prepared to keep an open mind about anything.’

‘So what happened to her?’

‘Who? Cassandra? She tried to warn them about Troy—you know, the horse and all that. Of course no one believed her until it was too late. Then they blamed her for what happened.’

‘Typical.’

‘Do you think they’re an item?’ Drew grins.

‘Who? Gideon and Cassandra? Yes, of course they are. You can tell from the way he looks at her. Or rather the way he doesn’t look at anything else. And she avoids looking at him, but you can tell she is aware of him all the time.’ Lacey crosses to the window again.

‘For God’s sake, sit down, will you.’

‘Sorry, I just feel…oh, I don’t know. As if something’s going to happen.’ Lacey looks out at the schoolhouse, now obscured by rain. There’s a greenish-yellow halo surrounding the building. Must be an
effect of the light. Strange, it looks as if it’s pulsating. An illusion. Maybe. Lacey is aware of changes in herself, her instincts are growing and spreading, as if opening into new dimensions. And she knows something is not right with the day and with the rain.

Her attention is caught by the gleam of headlights turning into the road. ‘I think that’s them. Oh, thank God!’

Minutes later Gideon and Cassandra are wriggling out of dripping coats and kicking their wet shoes off.

Lacey introduces Drew to Cassandra and stands behind her, grinning, as Drew nearly falls over himself to take Cassandra’s hand. ‘I’ll hang your coats in the bathroom. Why don’t you put the kettle on, Drew?’ Lacey winks as she passes him. Drew retaliates by prodding her in the ribs.

When Lacey comes back into the room, she explains about the visit from D.I. Langthorn. ‘I don’t think we’ll hear any more from the police, anyway. So, how’s Matthew? Has he remembered anything yet?’

‘Nothing,’ Gideon replies, ‘and I somehow don’t think he will. Have either of you checked the weather reports?’

‘Rain!’ shouts Drew from the kitchen. ‘Continuing.’

‘No, seriously, would you mind if I turned the radio on? It’s almost time for the local news update.’

Within a few minutes all four are gathered around the set, listening to the headlines.

‘Heavy rainstorms have brought chaos to roads and villages in the region. In areas north of Cambridge and the outlying Fenland districts, up to eight centimetres of rain have fallen since yesterday evening, causing some roads to be shut off to motorists and putting homes at risk of flooding. Other roads are badly affected by surface water, and motorists are urged to drive cautiously. More rain is forecast for today and tomorrow. People are asked to report any concerns they have about rising water levels to the police.’

Lacey turns to Drew. ‘So, what’s the story out here? Has Gainsborough Street ever flooded?’

‘Not to my knowledge. We’re below sea level, but then so is a lot of
Cambridgeshire. But the road’s quite high, so I’d have thought anything would run off into the fields.’

‘East Anglia is well known for flooding, isn’t it?’ Gideon sounds worried.

‘Yes, but not here,’ says Lacey. ‘Usually round Ely way and Wisbech. But there’s been serious flooding in Bedford; several times, in fact. And didn’t Waterbeach flood a few years ago? That’s not far from here.’

‘Well, yes, but—’ Whatever Drew was going to say is interrupted by a loud banging on the back door. He finds Bill Henderson on his doorstep, red-faced and breathless. ‘What’s up, mate? Come on in.’

‘Not with these boots.’ Bill looks down at the clods of mud he’s brought with him. ‘Thought I’d better warn yer. Back field there’s taking water, ditch is right to top and not draining. That field’s been known to flood.’

‘What about the house?’

‘Never come up that far afore, but yer might want to look to yer shed, there.’

‘Oh Christ! All my power tools are in there. I’d better get them shifted.’ Drew’s already struggling into his boots.

‘Sorry I can’t stay and lend a hand,’ says Bill, ‘but my son needs help with the barns.’

‘Let me help.’ Gideon has come into the kitchen. ‘How serious is this, Bill?’

‘For a farmer it’s a bloody disaster. No saving this year’s crop. But there, they say Nature takes her own.’

Lacey and Cassandra watch the men plod down the garden, Gideon wearing a pair of Drew’s wellies.

‘We might as well make ourselves comfortable.’ Lacey flops down on the sofa. ‘I guess they’ll be out there for a while.’ Under normal circumstances she would be out there with them, shifting Drew’s gear like one of the lads, but somehow Cassandra doesn’t strike her as the roll-your-sleeves-up-and-get-stuck-in type. Instead, she determines to find out more about this fragile flower of a woman Gideon has brought to them.

‘So, have you known Gideon long?’ she asks.

‘Yes, you could say that.’

‘And you’re into this psychic stuff, too?’

Cassandra inclines her head demurely and looks at her hands. ‘We do share a common interest. Like you, yourself, although as yet you may not know it.’ She looks directly at Lacey, her eyes bright and piercing. ‘You will, in time, find you have a lot in common with Gideon. He’s a good man. Trust him. As you will continue to trust Drew.’

Lacey feels momentarily stunned. It is as if, with the force of her gaze, Cassandra has opened hidden places in her mind and she feels exposed in the presence of this woman who…who is not what she seems. Suddenly Lacey knows this, as if the knowing has been a gift to her. She wants to ask so many questions, but Cassandra is speaking again.

‘There was another man, was there not? A man you also loved?’

‘Yes,’ Lacey murmurs. ‘Michael. He died and I—’

‘And you are afraid to say goodbye.’

‘There was no reason or purpose to it. I don’t think anything will ever make sense unless I understand Michael’s death. I’ve been waiting for something to…’ She stumbles over the words and shakes her head.

‘You are waiting for a sign? Or is it that you want him to tell you it’s all right for you to go on living?’

‘Yes, probably both. So long as we both shall live, that’s what we promised. But neither of us believed it—that it was possible for one of us to die. We never talked about it. Only once.’ Lacey falls silent, remembering.