Lavender Hill

by P. J. Garland

  “Our estimated time of arrival is twenty minutes, sir,” said Agent Sutton.

  The Tall Man turned to the agent sitting next to him. “Weapons check,” he said.

  They both took out handguns and performed some routine checks before securing the guns back under their jackets. The Tall Man then addressed his colleagues:

  “Mr Clarke appears to be harmless, but we should be appropriately cautious, gentleman.”

  *****

  9:40am

  Katie walked into the post office of the little village just down the road from Gabriel Ash’s house. The owner smiled broadly at her.

  “Good morning, how can I help you?”

  “Hi, I’m looking for Lavender Hill. Do you know where it is?”

  “Yes, if you drive out of the village and continue towards Buckfastleigh you’ll eventually come to a small road on your left that will have a sign for Oldway House, which is at the bottom of Lavender Hill.”

  Katie felt like she should buy something in return for the shop owner’s help, so she grabbed a chocolate bar. “Thanks, I’ll just have this as well, please.” She then left the post office, got into her car and drove off in the direction of Oldway House.

  After a short while, she reached the isolated house of Gabriel Ash. She parked her car, got out and looked towards the few hills scattered around the landscape. It seemed obvious which one should be Lavender Hill, but to be sure she decided to knock on the door of Oldway House to ask for help.

  Katie stood at the door of the house and waited after ringing the doorbell. The door had frosted glass on the top half and she could vaguely make out the contours of the hallway and furniture inside. After a while, she saw movement at the end of the corridor that appeared from the outline to be a person walking towards the door. As this person approached, Katie realised it was a man by the size and shape. The figure reached towards the door, which began to open.

  *****

  9:55am

  Jack sat at his computer in the living room while listening to music, eating his breakfast, and searching the web for information about Gabriel Ash and the Rapture. He watched a video of Jeremy Banks being thrown into the River Thames and was shocked at first but then laughed when he saw Jeremy was OK.

  Jack’s thoughts turned to Sarah and the kids. He opened up the photos folder on his computer and browsed through them. He stopped at the folder for an Egyptian resort on the Red Sea. He remembered snorkelling with the kids and how excited they were to see the beautiful, multi-coloured fish. Jack was completely lost in his thoughts and memories when suddenly the doorbell rang. He got up and walked out of the living room.

  Jack casually opened the front door. Standing in front of him was Gabriel Ash.

  *****

  10:03am

  The Tall Man knocked on the door of the house. After a short while, an old man opened the door. He was stooped over with hooded eyes and an angry look.

  “Yes, how can I help you,” he snapped.

  “We’re looking for a Jack Clarke,” said the Tall Man.

  “Yes, that’s me. What do you want?”

  The Tall Man looked at his colleagues before turning back.

  “You’re Jack Clarke?”

  “Just said so, didn’t I? You’re not too bright, eh son?”

  “We’re sorry to disturb you,” said the Tall Man, and abruptly turned around to leave. After walking away from the house, he turned to the others. “What the hell’s going on?” He pointed at Agent Sutton. “He told you he lived in Plymouth?”

  “Yes...”

  “OK, I’ll contact HQ and find out if they have any more information about Mr Clarke.” The Tall Man walked back to the car.

  Agent Sutton watched as the other agent followed the Tall Man. He stood quietly enjoying the bright sun on his back until he noticed a lavender plant in a garden nearby. He strolled over to the plant and pinched some of the leaves from it. He held the lavender leaves to his nose and breathed in deeply. Agent Sutton closed his eyes and a calm, peaceful smile passed over his face. Eventually, he opened his eyes again and turned in the direction of the Rapture.

  “What are you doing?” barked the Tall Man.

  Agent Sutton quickly walked back to the car. “Did you find out anything?” he asked anxiously as he got into the driver’s seat.

  “He must have been lying again. The team are trying to identify all the Jack Clarkes in Devon. We’ll have to stop somewhere and wait until there’s an update.”

  “I’ll drive into the centre of the town,” said Agent Sutton, and started the engine. As he drove off, he smiled to himself and raised his fingers to his nose to smell the lavender again.

  *****

  10:10am

  Katie sat in the kitchen of Oldway House. In front of her was a cup of tea, a collection of biscuits, and an assortment of home-baked cakes placed on the kitchen table. A middle-aged couple sat opposite her with excited, expectant looks on their faces.

  “You really told that Jeremy Banks what you thought of him,” said the woman, who was frumpy looking and plump.

  “I read in the newspaper he has a terrible reputation,” said the man, who then looked at Katie with an expectant expression as if she might reveal some celebrity secrets.

  “I shouldn’t really speak about him, sorry,” Katie replied shyly.

  They sat quietly and awkwardly for a few moments before Katie said,

  “So, your brother has gone on vacation?”

  “Yes, we’ve just come over to collect his dog, Rene,” said the woman, and indicated to the dog resting on the floor. At the mention of his name, the dog raised his head and looked at them passively before lowering his head again and breathing out deeply.

  “Rene?” Katie asked.

  The woman gave a disapproving look. “Yes, as in Rene Descartes, the philosopher – don’t ask...”

  They sat silently again until the man said, “Do you know anything about where this Rapture originated from?”

  “No,” replied Katie quickly. “Sorry, we’ve reported everything we know.”

  Again, they sat in awkward silence until Katie looked like she was ready to leave.

  “Well, I should continue with my walk now. Thank you for letting me know where Lavender Hill is.” She stood up.

  “It was lovely to meet you,” said the woman. “Enjoy your walk. It smells wonderful up there on a calm day like today.”

  Katie walked to the front door and the man opened it for her. The couple stood outside and waved enthusiastically as Katie walked away from the house and towards Lavender Hill. Katie looked around one last time and laughed as she saw both of them chatting excitedly to each other as they went back into the house. She turned back, looked ahead and then towards the top of the hill. She picked up her pace and strode quickly and purposefully forward.

  *****

  10:20am

  Jack woke up and looked quickly and in a panic around the room. His vision was blurred, but after a few moments he realised he was on the sofa in the living room. He sat up, held his head, and then remembered Gabriel Ash being at the front door. He thought to himself he must have fallen asleep on the sofa and laughed out loud.

  “So you must be feeling OK now?” said a man’s voice.

  Jack quickly turned his head to see Gabriel Ash sitting on a chair in the corner of the room.

  He smiled at Jack. “I hope you’re not going to collapse again.”

  Jack got up and walked backwards while staring and pointing.

  “You’re... uh... you’re, Gabriel Ash?”

  “Yes, I don’t know your name though?”

  “Jack, my name is Jack.”

  Jack held his head again as if disorientated.

  “Maybe you should take a seat?” suggested Gabriel.

  Jack grabbed a chair and placed it opposite Gabriel. He sat down and looked at him properly for a few moments. Gabriel was in his late thirties with dark hair and a masculine, but not aggressive, face. He had deep blue eyes
that appeared mischievous. He was dressed like a university professor and was sitting with a relaxed, confident posture in the chair.

  “Who are you?” asked Jack.

  Gabriel laughed a little. “Well, I’m not an alien or the son of god, or anything like that, if that’s what you’re thinking. I trained as a physicist, but I would consider myself a thinker or philosopher, maybe.”

  “How did you find me?”

  Gabriel smiled mischievously. “I had an... experience, let’s call it, about a week ago, and during this event I felt connected with other people – especially one in particular, and I could see what this person was looking at.” Gabriel then gestured towards the end of the living room, to the window Jack had stood by during the Rapture. “I felt you lived somewhere near me, and I knew what direction that was, so I searched satellite images for houses that seemed to be in the correct place. This might seem all very magical, but in fact you’re the fifth house I’ve been to.”

  Jack had been leaning forward, but he sat back in his chair. “The Rapture originated from you, didn’t it?”

  “Yes, it did.”

  “How, why, what was it?”

  Gabriel looked at Jack with a slight smile on his face. “Do you know what a theory of everything is?”

  Jack paused. “I’ve heard of it. Isn’t it a set of equations that describe the way nature, or the universe, works?”

  “Yes, that’s how it’s usually described,” replied Gabriel with a hint of annoyance. “Well, if a theory claims it can explain everything then it really should explain everything – everything.” He emphasised the last word as if frustrated.

  “Is the Rapture something to do with a theory of everything, then?”

  “Yes, I’ve been developing a theory for most of my life, and on the day of the Rapture I realised something I’ve been struggling to understand for more years than I can remember. Something that is significantly more important than whether I might be an alien or god, or anything like that.”

  Jack seemed incredulous. “What could be more important than those things?”

  “To be amazed by me being an alien, or god, you have to be able to feel first, to experience, to be aware and have emotions. What I realised on the day of the Rapture was how people are able to feel.”

  Jack looked stunned. “What did you realise?”

  Gabriel looked away for a few moments as if thinking how to explain something complex. He turned back to Jack.

  “The stuff that makes up your brain, where do you think it comes from?”

  Jack looked a bit unsure how to react. “I don’t know – from the food we eat I suppose. It can’t just appear out of nowhere.”

  “So all the atoms that were in the food found their way into your brain. A brain that can think and more importantly, feel.”

  “Yes, I suppose so.”

  Gabriel looked around the room, and while indicating with his hand said,

  “You could take some of the atoms from that table, or from that sofa, and replace them one by one with those in your brain and you would feel exactly the same. There are no such thing as atoms specific for the brain. They are the same as all the others, but when they are in your head you’re able to feel.”

  “And you realised how that happens.”

  Gabriel’s eyes crinkled at the edges. “Yes, and I know you have at least some idea as well.”

  Jack paused. “It’s something to do with one of the senses.”

  “Yes, but which one?”

  “It feels ridiculous to say it. Something so small after everything that’s happened.”

  “Just say it.”

  Jack hesitated again. “It’s something to do with touch.”

  Gabriel smiled, and then said intensely, “Yes. Touch. Or physical contact. It’s fascinating you felt it as strongly as me, fascinating.”

  “But what does it mean?” asked Jack desperately.

  “How do we feel, or sense, things?” began Gabriel. “We use our eyes to see, nose to smell, but these are very complex organs. The question is: what is the one thing that everything can feel? And on the day of the Rapture I realised that everything, no matter how simple or complex, can feel the sensation of physical contact. And in fact, because it is the only thing that atoms can feel, and our brains are made of atoms, it must be the source of our own feelings, emotions, etc.”

  “So when we feel something we’re actually feeling the atoms of our brain touching each other?” asked Jack.

  “Yes, sounds incredible, but it fits perfectly with the rest of my theory.”

  “But why did so many other people experience what you felt?”

  “Well, if atoms can feel then the whole of nature can feel. We are just one part of it, part of a web of interactions and this revelation I had was so strong it was experienced by other people, including you.”

  “So what is the rest of your theory? How can physical contact between atoms create the huge range of emotions we experience?”

  Gabriel laughed loudly. “I’m afraid it’s not something I can explain just like that.”

  “But you are going to explain your theory to other people?”

  “Yes, absolutely, and it will completely change how human beings see themselves and nature. If people understand where their emotions come from, what motivates them, what makes them love, laugh, cry and hate then they will become genuinely free. It will start a revolution that will make the rest of human history look like a dark age.”

  “When are you going to publish your theory?”

  “I’m leaving the country today so the government can’t find me. I’ll publish the theory online in the next few months.”

  “I’ll come with you,” Jack blurted out.

  Gabriel went quiet for a few moments. “I only came here out of curiosity. I just wanted to meet you in person before leaving the UK.”

  “I need to know more about the Rapture and your theory. I have to know.”

  Gabriel paused again while thinking about Jack’s request.

  “My flight is fully booked.”

  “I’ll book another one in the same area you’re flying to, and then we can meet up later.”

  Again, Gabriel paused to think. “You need to be ready in ten minutes. I’m sure people are searching for us.”

  “OK, I’ll get ready now,” replied Jack, and rushed upstairs to pack for the journey.

  Gabriel stood up and walked over to the window where Jack had seen the iridescent light on the day of the Rapture. He surveyed the scene with his mischievous eyes and allowed the memory of the Rapture to fill his mind. After a short while, Jack returned.

  “I’m ready,” he said. “I’ll follow you in my car.”

  Gabriel turned around. “OK, let’s go.”

  *****

  10:45am

  Katie reached the top of Lavender Hill and stood to admire the lavender plants and the view of the town of Morbay in the distance and the sea beyond. She walked over to the bench and sat down. She had an intense feeling the scene around her was familiar, but she couldn’t capture this thought for long enough to fully understand it. Katie sat in peace for some time just thinking about the events of the previous week until she was disturbed by her phone ringing. She looked at the screen but didn’t recognise the number.

  She answered the call. “Hello, Katie Sturridge speaking.”

  “Hello, Ms Sturridge, my name is Brett Daniels. I work for BBC news. I’m an old friend of Mary Harton at 24/7 News and she recommended you for a position that has become available here. We would be particularly interested in your experience of reporting the Rapture.”

  Katie was a bit shocked and hesitated briefly. “I would be very interested in this position, thank you.”

  “Excellent, after this new development in the Rapture we really need some extra hands.”

  “What new development?”

  “Aren’t you still in contact with your former colleagues at 24/7 News?”

  “Yes, but
I’ve been investigating a lead all morning.”

  “We’ve been instructed by the government not to report the news until three o’clock, but scientists are claiming tha—”

  Katie looked at the screen of her phone, which was now blank.

  “Damn it,” she said loudly as she realised her phone was out of battery. She was about to rush off back down the hill but hesitated. She stopped for a few moments to look out towards the sea. As she looked at the fields, hills, the town of Morbay, and the bright, blue sea she felt something similar to the day of the Rapture. She smiled and then walked through the lavender plants and into the trees to make her way down the hill.

  *****

  2:45pm

  “Are you in a train station, Daddy?” asked Dylan.

  “No, Dylan – it’s just a bit noisy where I am. Let me speak to Ella. Make sure you’re a good boy and look after your mum and sister, won’t you?”

  “They’re quite big, Daddy, but I’ll try.” Dylan passed the phone to Ella.

  “Ella?” asked Jack.

  “Where are you, Daddy?”

  “I’m just going on a quick holiday, Ella. I’ll be OK, so don’t worry about me. I’ll be thinking about you lots and I’ll contact you as much as possible.”

  “Is it to do with the funny light, Daddy?”

  “It is something to do with that, yes.”

  “Mummy doesn’t like us talking about the funny light.”

  “I’m sure she doesn’t, Ella. But you make sure you’re a good girl for your mum – you promise me?”

  “I will. I’ve got to go now ‘cos mummy wants to speak to you.”

  “OK, love you and say hello to Granddad and Nan for me.”

  “I will. Love you too, Daddy.”

  Jack waited for Sarah to pick up the phone.

  “Jack, where are you?”