Two of a Mind (11 page)

“You didn't need to do this,” Sebastian said, sweeping his arm across the table and almost knocking over the three tier cake stand.

“Nonsense, Uncle,” replied Victor. “A champagne tea at The Ritz is the least you deserve after all your guidance and support over the years. I hope I can still call on that support now that I'm the new CEO?”

Sebastian ground his teeth, hoping that his nephew couldn't see his frustration at being pushed to one side now that the terms of Benjamin's will enforced Victor's inheritance of the business. Small consolation but at least Victor still seemed to want him involved in the business. The champagne was making him a little drunk and he realised he might be too careless if he didn't ease off. One more couldn't hurt though, could it?

“A toast, dear boy.” Sebastian raised his glass. “To the next generation of Trevalyn geniuses – or is that genii? Ha – sounds like something from Aladdin!”

Victor's face was unreadable but he could sense his uncle's increasing tension. He realised that Sebastian loathed the idea of giving up control of the Trevalyn Corporation, despite the huge handshake he was receiving which would keep him amongst the wealthiest in the country. Once again Victor wished the telepathic evolution hadn't stalled at a singular connection. He wanted to know what
everyone
was thinking. How they felt. What they were really like inside. What an advantage that would be in business as well as in personal relationships. His lips twitched into a smile as he sensed his PT recoil at the idea.

‘What's the matter? Will you be jealous if you're not the only one?'
he mentally sneered.

“You still with us, Victor?” Sebastian waved his arm again. The waiter came hurrying across the room to fulfil the guest's wishes only to find his attention wasn't the one the old man had been trying to attract. “Shoo, boy. It's not time for your tip yet.” The waiter was too well trained to show his real feelings. He smiled politely, collected the empty champagne bottle and discreetly withdrew. His professionalism had a subtle effect upon the two Trevalyn men. The remainder of the tea-party was a civilised, almost happy occasion. After all, each of them was well aware that accidental death had developed a habit of visiting their family members. Life should be enjoyed while one still had the opportunity to do so.

***

Sebastian's loud voice and wide gestures hadn't only been noticed by the attentive waiter. A teenage girl had been daydreaming, watching the other guests via the numerous reflections in the mirrored panels of the room. Everyone else was so sedate and relaxed that the man's exaggerated behaviour was out of place amongst the calm surroundings.

“Do you know who that angry man is, Gramps?” she asked.

Matt looked towards the table that Bethany indicated. He held his reaction in check and replied, “It's Sebastian Trevalyn. He runs a big pharmaceutical company. Or rather he did. I heard his nephew is taking over as the boss now.”

“Ooh, maybe that's why he's so angry!” Bethany chuckled. “He doesn't look old enough to retire. It can't be nice to be put out to grass before your time.”

Matt smiled at his granddaughter's assessment. Her judgement was obviously influenced by the busy life he still led running the charitable foundation created in memory of his father. Sometimes he wished for a quieter life but she was right – he wouldn't like to be forcibly retired either. A brief twinge of sympathy for Sebastian was quickly stifled by the memory of his mother's distrust of the Trevalyn family.

He turned to his daughter, “Did you ever find anything interesting in Granny Julia's files?”

“Sorry, Dad,” Jade mumbled, trying to swallow the tiny cake she'd just popped in her mouth. She took a gulp of tea before continuing, “I've kept meaning to look at them but you know what it's like. Life gets in the way.” They both shrugged, disappointed with themselves for allowing their own priorities to overrule their promise to carry on Julia's search for the truth. Although, it was difficult to know
what
truth they were supposed be hunting down!

“I've got lots of time.” Bethany's curiosity had been piqued. “Can I help?”

Matt and Jade looked uncertain.

“Plee-ase!” Bethany wheedled. “I've nothing better to do this holiday.”

“We're not even sure what Granny Julia was looking for,” Jade answered. “Do you remember any hints, Dad? Dad?”

Matt was staring towards the Trevalyn table, lost in memories of his mother's frosty relationship with the old guy – Benjamin. What had he done all those years ago that had upset the Baroness?

“GRAMPS?”

He felt his sleeve being tugged. “What's the matter? Shush now!”

“You didn't hear Mum and you looked weird. I thought you were having a stroke or something!” Bethany was indignant to cover up her fear.

“I'm sorry Betty-kins,” Matt replied, hugging her tightly. “I didn't mean to scare you. Tell you what – you can look at Granny's papers and if you find anything interesting I'll …”

“Book ‘Thorny Lyrics' for my Sixteenth-Eve?”

Luckily her family found her interruption amusing but Bethany hoped she could find something worthy of the cheeky request. ‘Thorny Lyrics' were
the
biggest band around.

Yes. Here it is!

“Look.” I pointed at one of the news reports in Elizabeth's
Handi
, “I was remembering this.”

“There's that notation again; DOM. What does that stand for?” I wondered aloud.

“Never mind that. What do you mean, you were remembering this?”

“I'm not sure. But, like the murdered lovers in Paris, it felt more like a memory than a dream. I was there, feeling everything that girl felt. Tasting the coffee. Smelling the damp woods. You said yourself – I was freezing, just like she was.”

“How's that even possible?” Seth's expressive features showed his confusion, his concern and a little fear. “How can you remember things that haven't happened to you?”

“Wish I knew!” I sighed and leaned back on the sofa, hoping that he would hold me like he did earlier but he was restless. He stood and began to pace around the room, one hand rubbing the back of his neck and his brow creased in concentration.

“It must be something to do with your open telepathy,” he said, snapping his fingers and grinning at the sudden realisation. “Let's see what you're capable of.”

“Whoa! What're you suggesting?” I held my hands out in a defensive gesture. “I'm not having anyone else messing with my head, thank you very much indeed! It's bad enough in there as it is.”

“Sorry, Dez. I didn't mean to scare you. But you need to understand what's causing these dreaming memories to surface.”

“All right. Just let's take it one step at a time.” I'd been trying to avoid investigating this latest development in my mental activities, in case it sent me into a psychological free-fall. Even so, Seth was right. We needed to find out where these recollections were coming from. I patted the cushions and he came to sit next to me.

“Take my lead, okay?” I said. “To start with, I think we should see how open this telepathy really is.”

“What've you got in mind?”

“Oh, very funny.”

Seth frowned, puzzled at my sarcasm – he hadn't heard the pun in his question.

“What've I got ‘in mind'?” I said, tapping my temple.

“Ah. I see.” His face cleared. “Come on, then. Get on with it – whatever it is,” he added.

“We…ell. I thought I'd try to find you,” pointing at my head again, “then you could let me know what's happening in your head at the same time.” I looked at him with my eyebrows raised in query. It was a lot to ask. I knew he was uncomfortable with my ability so I wasn't sure how he'd take to my idea. His lips tightened and his eyes clouded with doubt at the suggestion but he quickly controlled his expression and nodded his acceptance.

“What do I need to do?” he asked.

“Nothing really. I'll just have a root around in my head to see if I can pick up a sense of you and then try to tune in. Ready?”

He still looked a little unsure but nodded again. “Let's give it a go then,” he said.

I thought it'd help to look into his eyes and I placed my hands either side of his head as a tangible attempt to make the connection. The jolt I got wasn't mental it was physical. His eyes were deep pools of smouldering gold, his hair curled softly around my fingers and I saw him catch his bottom lip in his teeth as though to hold back a moan. Before we realised what was happening we were in each others' arms, kissing with an intensity that made me quiver. His tongue explored my mouth and I responded in kind, tracing his even teeth and savouring his taste. I wanted it to last forever but, eventually, we had to come up for air. We looked at each other with shock and lust in equal measure.

“Er … Did you hear anything then?” he whispered, hoarsely.

“Not a thing. I think I was distracted.”

“Yeah. Know what you mean. What's going on Dez?” He sounded lost. Why was he so upset? What was wrong with us being together as more than just friends? Before the recent events I would've buried my feelings and made a joke, but now I wanted to clear the air. I was tired of hiding things from the people close to me.

“I think I love you, Seth. No, that's not right. I
do
love you. I realise now that I always have – in a way. You were my big brother when we were younger, you've always been my best friend, but now it's more than that. I'm sorry if it's not what you want from me. I can't help it and I've only just understood it myself.” I was near to tears as I finished.

He waited for my ranting to end then he gently took my flushed face in his hands and tilted it so that he could look me straight in the eye,

“Desirée Hanson. I've been in love with you for years but haven't known how to tell you. I was scared that you'd laugh at me. And then you had so much to deal with recently I didn't want to add to your problems by putting this on you too.”

My tears did start to fall then. For once, they were happy tears. Seth pulled me into his embrace and we both laughed at the predicament we'd created by masking our feelings.

“That settles it,” I said, when we broke off kissing. “We'll stick together for now and see how it goes, yeah?”

“Fine by me, boss!”

I gave him a playful punch then grabbed his shirt and pulled him towards me for some more serious lip-synch action. Everything else faded into the background and we spent a while soaking up the new relationship. I gazed at the angles of his face, loving the sweep of his neck that drew my eye to the hollow at its base. I traced my finger down his shirt and unfastened the buttons so that I could slide my hand across his chest. Funny – I'd spent most of my waking hours in his company and seen him down to his swim-shorts so often I'd lost count but I'd not noticed how well-toned he'd become. As my fingers brushed over his nipple I felt it harden.

“Didn't know that happened to boys too!” I giggled, trying to get his shirt open. He groaned and held my hand still.

“Dez, you're killing me. Stop! We'd better not get carried away. Dad'll be home soon.”

I pouted, but realised he was right. Although this was new and exciting, we needed to take things slowly to make sure it was what we really wanted.

“All right,” I said, straightening my dishevelled clothing. “Best behaviour for now! What are we going to do about these memories then?”

“How about we ask Alvin if he's any ideas?”

“But that'll mean having to share your mum's journal.”

“Not necessarily. We could download the news reports onto an old memory pen. He doesn't need to know where they came from. And we can edit out the pop-up quotes so there'll be no weird riddles for him to worry about.”

“If you're sure you don't mind.”

“Dez. I'll do anything to help you get things under control. I can't stand it when you're scared and lost, like you were this afternoon. I want you healthy and happy again. We'll comm Alvin now.”

Seth launched himself from the sofa and dragged me up with him.
My Seth. My hero!
The thought brought a catch to my throat. Only a few days ago it was my dad who was my hero. I'd sorted out one relationship – it was time to sort out the mess between Dad and me.

“Here you go.” Seth interrupted my thoughts by pushing me towards the Holo-Comms unit. “Better call now before my dad gets in.”

“You're keen!” I said. “Let's see if he's available.”

As I'd suspected, Alvin couldn't take the call so I left a message asking him to contact me when he had the chance. As I closed the connection, Samuel came in from the kitchen.

“Ah, good. You're home,” he said. “I'll get washed and then we'll have that Cottage Pie I promised you.”

It was great to have a relatively normal dinner for once. The tension between Seth and me had virtually disappeared, although I still felt there was something he was holding back. No worries – I knew I'd get him to open up now that we were a real couple at last. I'm sure Samuel could sense a change too. He was more relaxed than I'd seen him since Elizabeth's death. I occasionally caught him looking at me with a smile, slightly nodding as though in approval.

After helping to clear the dinner things away I decided to head home in good time so that I could talk to Dad before it got too late.

“Thanks for dinner, Samuel,” I said. “It's my turn to cook next time.”

“It's a deal,” he replied. He gave me a quick hug and went out to do a bit of gardening before the light faded.

“I'll walk you home,” Seth said.

“I'm only down the road.”

“Yeah. But it's what boyfriends do, isn't it?”

“Only the really nice ones!” I earned myself a kiss and we walked to my house with his arm draped over my shoulder.

I could get used to this!