by Paul Rice
Mike was ecstatic and it was as though he hadn’t heard a single word that Jane had said about the Dragon. “Yes, yes! What a bloody great idea, we can go back… get George to send us back to when Red was boy, or something? Look, we’ve been working on the basis that if we just change one thing today then it will allow a different outcome to occur tomorrow. Look at what we’ve been doing just recently? Bump-off Peters so the girl can live and fulfil her destiny, etcetera… why don’t we go back and see what Red is like in the early days. It doesn’t look as though he is supposed to be killed, so…” Mike was so excited that he ran out of words.
Jane was excited too, it shone on her face and even though she looked tired and drawn, her eyes lit up with happiness. The three of them sat together and expanded upon her plan, they looked at Jane’s big idea from every angle and Ken even went as far as getting a piece of paper and writing down all the pros and cons: ‘However If’s’ he called them. After a while, when they had dissected the idea as many times as they could, Mike took all the notes into the kitchen and sent George a message. His fingers flew across the Communicator’s keypad, and once he had finished with the written words he then also left a video message for the old man. Snapping the lid of the machine closed, he rose and rejoined them in the lounge. “Right, I’ve told him that we are willing to go back and see Red. I’ve said we know what it entails and that we are prepared to give it our best shot. Are you guys sure you want to go through with this, I mean, look at this place, you’ll never see it again?” He looked at them seriously.
Both Ken and Jane nodded. “Yeah, we’re good, Mike. Hell… it’s only a house after all! Let’s go and see what happens, huh?” Ken smiled and Jane joined him. Deciding upon some fresh air, they called for the dogs and wandered up onto the slope behind the Lodge. Ken was going to take the shotgun but suddenly realised that perhaps he’d seen enough of guns just lately, much more than enough. They took it steady as Jane was not feeling to good. “Let’s go back to the house – we can do this any time?” Ken pleaded.
Jane declined, then looked at the men and said, “No, let’s walk. The exercise and fresh air will do me good. Besides, take it whilst you can is what I say, because you never know when it’s going to be the last time you have a chance to be in a place as beautiful as this?” She smiled and then slowly led the way up the slope.
Her words would prove to be more than just prophetic.
Chapter 21 - One Way Ticket
For more than a week they waited for some news, it was driving Ken crazy but he filled his time with making sure that Jane was taking it easy. He ordered her to put her feet up and watch the telly or something. It was a wasted sentiment, because in defiance of his orders, she took up her paint brushes again. “It helps me relax!” She said, in reply to the stern glance he gave her.
He shook his head in exasperation. “God preserve us from bloody woman!” It was the usual retort when Ken realised he was on a losing wicket. She grinned at him and then burst into wicked laughter as she saw him desperately trying to hold onto his scowl. Not wanting to surrender, Ken grunted and stomped off towards the kitchen, grumbling about how much easier life had been in the desert...
Mike had long since become bored of waiting and had cleared off in the car for a few days. “I reckon I’ll head south for a bit, I know some people down near Carrick and I fancy seeing them for a couple of days, plus it will give you two some time to chill out a bit.”
Jane knew exactly what Mike meant when he said ‘some people’. “Why don’t you bring her up here for a few days, Mikey?”
He grinned at her and replied: “Because you’ll have me married by next weekend, that’s why!” Laughing, he had slung his bag over one shoulder and headed for the car.
They didn’t see him for another four days.
Ken and Jane spent their time doing things around the house and catching up with friends and emails. He also finalised the business dealings for their company in Afghanistan. With the paperwork signed, Ken felt a weight lift off his shoulders. The buyers had understood about the delay, which Mike had told them was due to Ken’s injury, but now it was done he felt free and the familiar feeling of itchy feet returned to the big man. Some time later that week, he received a text from Mike, the message ending with the usual: ‘Get the kettle on…’ Ken looked at his phone and then gave Jane a shout. “Babe, Mike is on his way back, I guess that he must have heard something from George?” She wandered into the kitchen and washed the watercolours from her hand. Although she was still very weak and spent a lot of time sleeping, Jane had also become much keener about her painting. It was though something had fired up inside her and she spent a large portion of her time in front of the easel. Ken had moved it, and all the other bits and pieces, from the studio upstairs and into the conservatory, which was attached to the sun filled rear of the Lodge. He was amazed by the talent she possessed, her latest streak of other world paintings, transfixed him. He often sat and watched as she did her work, it was one of the most pleasurable things he had ever done and he let it carry him away. Many a time he would look at what she had done and say, “That is just ace, I really love it!” Jane smiled and accused him of being biased, the painting of a red planet surrounded by deep purple rings wasn’t that good, and certainly paled into insignificance compared to the ones she had seen from her hospital bed. The real ones…
Mike returned to them later that day, only this time he had walked onto their driveway and knocked on the door before they were even aware he was there. Ken opened the door and with a surprised look on his face, said, “Bloody hell, what are you doing! Don’t tell me, you’ve written off the Porsche, yeah?” He turned and looked for the dogs. “Why hadn’t they barked?” They were sitting behind Mike, and if he hadn’t known better, Ken could have sworn they looked sad…
Mike had two big bags with him, he looked at Ken and said, “Nah mate, it’s all good, I’ve sold the car and Carol is taking care of the flat for me. We, my old son, are going on a little trip!” Jane shouted at them to come in, and so, picking up Mike’s gear, the men did as she asked. Once they had him settled in to his room, Jane and Ken ushered Mike into the kitchen again. The cosiness of the big room was their favourite and was always the place they gravitated to.
Jane flicked the kettle on and then said, “Right, come on then, honey, let’s be hearing the news, I presume there is some?” She was right and as they sat sipping hot tea, Mike powered up his magic box. The screen came to life and George appeared before them, he had discarded the dapper black outfit he had been wearing when Jane had seen him last and now had on the casual attire, which they were used to seeing him in. He walked towards the screen and took a seat in front of the lens that was transmitting his image. He looked down at something and then shuffled some papers. They couldn’t see what he was doing but still heard the rustling. Looking up, he smiled and said, “Hello again, my friends! I hope that you are all in good health, Jane, we have been monitoring you and I do believe that you are getting there – how do you feel, my dear?”
Jane looked at him and said, “Good, I guess, George. I still feel so tired though, and my back hurts, inside it hurts. But otherwise I’m doing OK.” He told her that she was to expect the discomfort for a while longer as the infection she had picked up meant that her immune system had been severely weakened.
He also said, “Plus the fact that you died and then we used the Shrink Down without the correct suit, which certainly hasn’t helped!” He reminded them that she was more than just lucky to be alive? The men knew how lucky and looked at Jane with relief. The old man smiled down at them like a father looking at his favourite offspring. George then changed the subject. “Anyway, we have studied your proposals, ‘The Plan’, and have decided to proceed with it. However, I must warn you that this will mean a total life change, one that will involve a completely new beginning and with no return to where you are now.” He observed them carefully. Ken knew that George was looking for any hesitation on their be
half. Seeing none, their old friend continued. “Right, make absolutely sure that you are certain. There will still be time to back out should you change your minds, although I do see that young Michael is already packed?” He laughed and then said, “I am downloading all the data you require, Red is currently without his father and the man seems to have disappeared momentarily, however, the magazine is pulling Red towards the darkness. It is starting to blossom within him, so we have provided a small distraction just to take the edge off the power that the darkness starting to have over the boy. He is currently fifteen years of age, a mere child in a man’s body.” Pausing, he looked across at someone who, off camera, had passed him some papers. He read them and then looked up again. “By our estimation, you have about two weeks to do whatever it is that you need to do in your present dimension. Then we must act, if we wait much longer, Red will begin to be taken again. Is there anything else we need to discuss, I’m sorry we can’t promise you a return trip but this time we have to ask you to commit for an extended period of time, it could conceivably be forever?” He sat back and waited for them. The trio sat in silence for a while, there were no questions. They had pulled the whole plan to pieces and then reassembled it several times before they had submitted it to George.
Ken, mainly to break the silence, asked one thing. “George, just confirm that we’ll have access to our finances from over there, I know we mentioned it but…”
George smiled. “Ah, Kenneth – the practical one as ever, yes absolutely, you will be able to use your money just as you do here. I must say that your account looks very healthy indeed! When you go back to Red it will be even more valuable as the prices of things in that particular dimension are much cheaper than at present. Yes, you will be extremely wealthy indeed!” He looked at them again and then said, “You deserve to be…” They laughed and spent the next few minutes ticking all the boxes with George. After a while he had said his goodbyes and asked them to call him when they were ready.
“So, it’s a fortnight is it, what do we have to do?” Ken said as he looked at the other two. Mike said he had done everything, he had no family at all and his property would be rented with the income being transferred to his account monthly. He looked more than ready to go, Ken glanced at him. “You’re cool with all of this aren’t you, mate?”
Mike nodded. “I can’t wait, man! We’re going on our travels, going to some other place, some other time! Think about it, what else is there to see around here anyway – we’ve seen the future and it sucks, maybe this way we can actually make the changes stick.” He made his left hand into a hollow fist and slapped the top of his thumb and forefinger with the palm of his other hand. It made a loud slapping noise, a sound of happy anticipation. Ken and Jane had no real ties either, both sets of their parents were long dead and there were no other relatives except for Ken’s uncle. Ken hadn’t seen or heard from the man in over twenty years and had no idea where he was, or even if he was still alive. They were free, in almost every sense of the word.
They got busy with their plans and over the next ten days, Ken managed to put the Lodge on the market, it was a very desirable residence and they soon had plenty of interest. There was no outstanding mortgage – four years working in the dust of Afghanistan had taken care of that. They instructed the estate agent to extend the lease on the apartment in London as they liked the current tenants, and anyway, they had expressed an interest in maybe buying the place. Ken left the agent with a power of attorney and organised for any funds to be transferred to his account, as and when the properties were sold. Jane called their friends and asked if they would like to take their pick of the furniture, when they asked what was going on Jane just said that she and Ken had decided to take some time-out and do that ‘travel the world’ thing – she never mentioned her injuries, how could she? It wasn’t long before they had most things organised. Ken had found takers for all of his stuff; George had told them that as long as it would fit into the Spears, then they could take whatever they liked? Jane took the task in hand and before long she had packed four suitcases with clothes, a few pieces of memorabilia and some photos. The rest they either sold or gave away to people they knew.
Frank Ball, their friendly neighbourhood farmer, was absolutely delighted to see Ken when he rolled onto his driveway in the old Range Rover. Frank had admired the sturdy vehicle for years, and when, after a cup of tea in Frank’s kitchen, Ken handed him the keys and an envelope containing the logbook and service records, the man had been adamant he would pay for it. Ken had to almost physically restrain the stocky farmer. “No way, buddy – you guys have been great neighbours for years. We are off on our travels and it needs a good home. It’s not worth a damned penny anyway, but she’s a good old beast.”
Talking of beasts, Frank then cured the one problem that had been keeping Ken awake at nights. “What are you doin’ wuth the dogs, Kenny man, I’ll hea them withoot a problem you know?” Frank knew the Ridgebacks very well and had always marvelled at their discipline and hunting ability. Ken was so pleased that he could’ve kissed the red faced farmer. And so the deal was done, Ken would bring the hounds around later that day to give them a chance to get used to their new surroundings. Frank said that he would come and dismantle the wooden kennel and then erect it in his farmyard. That idea suited Ken to the ground. Looking at Frank’s rotund belly, he also knew that Mrs Ball wouldn’t be letting her latest additions starve. In the end, Frank had said he would take the dogs straight away. Ken agreed with relief. Frank gave him a lift back to the Lodge and sadly said goodbye to Jane and Mike, as he was leaving, Frank turned and asked Ken if they would need a lift to the station or somewhere?
Ken waved and said, “Nah, its OK thanks, Frank, we’ve already made previous arrangements – cheers for the offer though, I appreciate it.” Frank smiled, and after loading the Ridgebacks and their food into the back of his newly acquired Range Rover, walked over and hugged Jane. He also shook hands with the men and then drove back to his farm. Jane had already said goodbye to the dogs and couldn’t face seeing them again. They left it at that. Ken and Jane would never see Frank or the dogs ever again, not in this dimension.
They continued with their packing for another day, Mike was a great help, humping and dumping things for them and keeping a regular supply of brews on the go. Jane made sure all of her painting things were placed in a neat pile by the back door, when Ken looked at her she simply said, “I know I am going to need them, I just know!” He never argued and instead matched her pile with one of his own. Soon there were two piles, one of painting equipment and one of guns and ammunition. “I thought you were fed up with all that stuff?” Jane asked.
He paused for a while, before saying, “Yeah I am, especially after what happened to you, but we don’t know what’s going to happen do we, and it’s better to be safe than sorry I would say?”
She laughed at him and said, “It’ll be fine, we’re going to the farm, we’ll get a place of our own somewhere and then we’ll all live happily ever afterwards!” She was almost right.
On the night of the twelfth day they held a party at the now nearly empty Lodge. People had been coming and going for the last few days anyway, popping in to collect the furniture and other items, which they had chosen. It had been a frenetic few days but now the job was done. Ken and Mike had walked across to the old barn the night before and quietly loaded the Spears with all the items they had decided to take on their trip. Once loaded, Mike had zapped them and then placed the miniatures back into the case, and then zapped that, too. He slid the matchbox sized container into his pocket – Ken looked at him and shook his head. The sight of two massive vehicles that happened to contain the sum content of their lives, reduced in their entirety to a tiny square box and then stuffed into his best friend’s pocket, was, to say the very least, totally mind-blowing. Mike put his arm around Ken’s shoulder and together, chuckling as they went, the two men walked calmly back to the Lodge.
The packing was complete, a
nd apart from a few bits and pieces they were almost ready to go. People turned up from all over the place, several all the way from London and also a few of Ken’s friends who had been living abroad, they all came to say goodbye and between them they had a good laugh, told some very tall tales, and also managed to get gloriously drunk in the process. Jane kept off the drink as her stomach and back weren’t really feeling that great anyway. She spent her time engaged in small-talk with everyone, she studiously stuck to the story: “Ever since Ken’s injury we’ve been planning on ‘doing one’… we want to travel without ties and, well, we’re going at last!” She smiled when her friends remarked how lucky they were. “Yeah, I guess so – really lucky, but Ken has worked hard, you know, so we thought we may as well go and make all that effort worth it?” They also asked Mike what he was doing – he simply said that he would be tagging along with Ken and Jane for a while.
“Then I’ll be off on some travels off my own, I guess?” If they had known him better then perhaps they would have seen the strange glimmer in his eye. The night was a great success, sometime after midnight the last guests had either left for home or crawled onto one of the camp beds, which Ken had erected about the empty Lodge. It was had been a wonderful evening, but it was still with some relief when they all crawled into their own sleeping bags for some much needed sleep. The following morning, after a slightly hung over breakfast, they said their final goodbyes to the stragglers and then painfully completed the final packing. Their efforts left them with a small cardboard box and a few plastic carrier bags containing the last remnants of their time in the Lodge, and of their life so far.
