From The Stars

Thought Stella (From First Born Colonist) deserved her own story. So following immediately on from there.


Stella found Mikey where Eve had said he would be; at his favourite night fishing spot. He was laying back, hands behind his head with his shirt open and his fishing rod in the crook of his knee. ‘He is kind of cute now’ Stella thought ‘when did that happen?’
“Hiya Mikey! Caught anything or are you just drowning worms as usual?” She said, dropping to the ground beside him.
“Oh, it’s you Stells.” He said, opening his eyes. “Bored with the wedding talk already?”
“Yep!”
“So you thought you’d come and torment me.”
“You’re on form Mikey boy. I thought you’d like to know you’re my number one target now.”
“I thought I would be.” He sighed. “Couldn’t you have left it a couple of days?”
“No time like the present.”
“Why me? Isn’t there someone more your age you could pick on?”
“Where’s the fun in that? Besides, you are my age.”
“I’m a year older than you.” He said, sitting up.
“Eleven months actually.” Stella retorted, attempting to pinch his arm and failing. “Ooo! Eve was right, you are muscley now.”
“And YOU are still a pain.”
“I know, I know. I don’t know why you put up with me.”
“I have a choice?”
“Not really.” She tried to pinch him again, on the stomach this time.
“Will you stop that?” Mikey said, grabbing her wrist.
“No!!” Stella said laughingly. She sat across his chest.
“Get off!”
“Nope!”
“Then I’m forced to do…THIS!” He suddenly rolled to the side and pinned her down with one hand and tickled her with the other.
“STOP!!! STOP!!!” She gasped between laughs. “I’m sure there’s a law about tickling a government official.”
“There probably is. But YOU are only a temporary deputy.” He continued his assault. “So it doesn’t count.”
“Stoppit, stoppit! I concede, I concede.” She giggled. Mikey obligingly rolled back off her and resumed his laid back fishing. Stella looked at him sideways.
“Mikey, would you miss me if I went away to be trained properly as a government official?”
“Yeah! I’d really miss being teased all day by a nutter.” He opened his eyes again and looked into her face. “Any way, that’ll never happen.”
“Why not?” She pouted.
“Face it Stells, you’re just to wild to become an official.”
“I am not! And I’ll prove it too!! Tomorrow I’m asking D if he can get me onto the government training course.” She crossed her arms huffily.
“Never gonna happen Stells. You might have the brains, but not the temperament.” He grinned smugly. “Everybody knows that.”
“I HATE YOU!” She screamed, getting up and stomping away. “I’LL PROVE I CAN DO IT, TO YOU AND EVERYBODY ELSE!” She shouted over her shoulder as she stormed off.
“That was easy.” Mikey mused. “Maybe I should have tried that before.” He closed his eyes again.

Stella knocked on the station door even earlier than usual. D opened it looking bleary-eyed and half-dressed. “What’s the matter Stella? Couldn’t it wait for an hour?” He asked yawning.
“Maybe it could, but I want this done as soon as possible.”
“WHAT do you want done?”
“Well, I was up all night…”
“You do look tired, or are those the remnants of tears?”
“I was up all night looking through my deputy handbook.” She ignored the question. “If you recommend me as your permanent deputy, I can go to the academy on a one year course straightaway. Then when I pass I’m guaranteed to come back here to work for you!”
“And that’s what you want is it?” D sighed. “All right, come in and I’ll start the ball rolling.”
“Thanks D!” She pecked him on the cheek and followed him to the radio in the main cabin. “Morning Eve!” She called as she passed the sleeping quarters.
“Stella! What are you doing here so early?” Eve asked incredulously as she came out of the bunk room, a sheet wrapped around her.
“I want D to send off my application to become an official government official as soon as possible.” The years of teasing Eve proved too much. “I don’t need to ask why you’re here so early, or is it so late?” She asked slyly. Eve went red and ducked back into the sleeping quarters.
“I thought you were going to stop teasing her?” D called from the radio.
“Sorry, but that was too good too miss.” She came up behind D. “Have you sent it yet?”
“No, the radio is still warming up. What’s the big rush anyway?” He asked.
“It’s Mikey’s fault.” Stella declared. “He said I’m not the right sort of person, and then he laughed.”
“He laughed?” D said disbelievingly.
“All right, he smirked in that annoying way of his.” She admitted.
“So?”
“So I want to prove him wrong. Nearly everybody thinks I’ll fail anyway and I want to prove them all wrong.”
“I believe in you, Eve believes in you, your parents and Dave and Lisa believe in you.”
“But that’s all! Everyone else thinks of me as the wild child, the rebel without a cause, the girl who shuns responsibility. I’m growing up now; it’s time I did something sensible.”
“All right, I’ll do it. As long as it’s not some knee-jerk reaction to yesterday and you’re really serious.”
“I promise I’m serious D. I want you and Eve to be proud of me. She’s been like my big sister, everybody’s big sister and I want to pay her back by lightening the load for you. It’s the best way I can think of.” The radio hummed as it came to life finally.
“Here we go then.”

Ten days after the last small transport had visited ‘Sideways Landing’ another one was waiting on the landing site. Stella had been approved and was to report to the training academy. Her parents and Eve and D were saying their farewells. “I won’t be long, so don’t all look so sad.” Stella said. “Mom, tell Maggie she can have my room. I’ve left her a few things. And tell her she’s to be Eve’s bridesmaid now, her other big sister.” She turned to D and Eve. “I’m sorry I’ll miss the wedding, but this is important to me. I have to do it, you both understand?” They nodded. “Tell Lisa I’m sorry too, but Grace will be just as good as me as a bridesmaid, and she’ll good with the class too. I never was, they all saw me as their naughty older friend. Perhaps this will change things.” Eve hugged her, she couldn’t say anything. D shook her hand, and then pecked her on the cheek.
“Things will be dull without you.” He said.
“Maybe.” Stella grinned as she boarded the transport. “Maybe not!” Then, with a last cheeky smile and a wave she was gone.
“What did she mean by that?” D mused.
“I have an inkling.” Her father said. “I suggest you keep an eye on Maggie.”
“Sweet little Maggie? Why?”
“Just a feeling. I do know both of my daughters and they are more alike than you think.” He said darkly.

Mikey was watching the departure from a distance. He had really confused feelings. He tried to tell himself that he wouldn’t miss his daily teasing from the effervescent Stella, but he knew he would. He knew she was doing this to prove him wrong, the whole village knew, but he hoped going away wouldn’t change her. He loved her free spiritedness. His thoughts crashed to a halt. That wasn’t all he loved! He suddenly realised that he loved Stella and that he had to tell her before she left. He began to run towards the transport but he’d left it too late and it took off before he could get there. He arrived, out of breath, amongst the others. “Damn! Damn! Damn!” He shouted, kicking viciously at a fence post.
“What’s the matter Mikey?” Eve asked quietly.
“Sorry.” He apologised. “I just realised that there was something I needed to say to Stells, but I’ve blown it.” He sat down heavily, a look of defeat on his face. “How does she do it? She even manages to wind me up when she’s not here.”
“I think it’s just a knack in your case son.” Stella’s father said, a knowing look on his face. “Don’t worry; she’ll be back before you know it.” The older man patted him on the back.
“But I’m going to be so bored. I spend half my time looking out for her next trick.”
“Then I think you’d better keep an eye out for Maggie now too.” D said. “Come on everyone. There’s still work to be done.”

The year passed at different speeds for everyone. For Stella it flew by. The course was intense but she buckled down, possibly for the first time in her life, and enjoyed the strictness of the regime. Being Stella, she let off steam in her own inimitable way and soon gained a reputation as the academy’s clown outside of the classes, but once inside the classroom she also got the respect of the tutors for her willingness to learn. Back at ‘Sideways’ the time went in spurts for most of the villagers. Before the two weddings it sped past, afterwards it slowed to its normal pace. The only person who felt the whole year seemed never-ending was Mikey. Even the teasings he got from Maggie, who had taken on her sister’s role as tormentor for the village, didn’t make up for the fact that he was missing Stella more than he thought possible. He completed his work without comment, and then went to help someone else, anyone else. He had to fill each interminable day to the fullest to ease the ache he felt. The only time he allowed himself to think about his loss was when he went night fishing. While his line was in the water he determined that he would have to say something to Stella when she came back, if she came back. He had a nagging feeling that being away from the small settlement would change her and either she wouldn’t come back or she would be like someone else, not the fun-loving free spirit he had fallen for.

“This is transport 737K requesting landing clearance.”
“Sideways Control. Clearance granted.” D replied.
“Thank you Sideways Control. Landing in about ten minutes. Out.” The voice over the radio seemed oddly familiar to D. It was cool and precise, but there was a hint… Suddenly he knew. He raced from the station over to the newly built post office run by his wife.
“Eve! Eve! Come quick. Stella’s coming back. She just called up for clearance.”
“Well, her year is up, I suppose it could be her.”
“It is I tell you! Is Mikey about?”
“No. He’s on the island building a proper clubhouse for the youngsters.”
“Might be for the best.” D said thoughtfully.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, he’s always been convinced that she won’t come back the same, and I have to admit, she did sound different on the radio.”
“Then we’d better go and see hadn’t we?”
The transport touched down in a perfect landing. It looked fairly new too. Eve and D waited impatiently as the pilot finished all the checks before opening up. The hatch opened agonizingly slowly and then someone in a sparkling new official uniform stepped out. “Officer Stella Bartowski reporting for duty sir!” She said, snapping off an immaculate salute. Both D’s and Eve’s hearts dropped. It looked like Mikey had been right; Stella had changed beyond recognition. D managed to half-heartedly return the salute and then stepped forward with his hand extended.
“Welcome back Officer Bartowski.” He managed to say. Suddenly Stella burst out laughing and ran towards him.
“Oh the looks on your faces. You expected me to be different didn’t you?” She hugged a bemused D and then ran to an equalled shocked Eve and hugged her too. “All I’m going to say is ‘Gotcha!’” D found his voice.
“You teasing little minx! Why didn’t you call ahead?”
“No fun in that is there!” Stella took a step back from Eve. “Hey ‘FB’, are you putting on weight?” Eve blushed and looked down.
“Sort of.” She mumbled. D looked embarrassed too. Stella had a sudden insight.
“You mean I’m going to be an auntie!! How wonderful!”
“Stella, slow down a bit.” D said. “You’ve only been back five minutes and you’re already annoying again.”
“Sorry about that. I’m just glad to be back. It was great at the academy, but this is home. This is where I belong. Don’t tell me you didn’t miss being teased?”
“Actually we didn’t. It seems your sweet little sister Maggie ‘found’ someone’s notes on how to wind everybody up and is now the most feared seven year old on the planet.”
“Ah.” Stella looked contrite momentarily. “Hey! Come and look at our ship.” She said brightly.
“Our ship?”
“Yeah. They thought we might need one now, so I took pilot’s lessons for an extra credit. She’s built from parts of the hulk of the colony ship. I had something special built in. Come and see.” The bubbling new officer led D and Eve inside the small craft and pointed to the partition behind the pilots’ seat. It wasn’t painted like the rest of the ship, it was still in the colours it had when it was part of the colonisation vessel. Stencilled on it, faded by time but still readable, was the designation D42. “I thought you might appreciate it.” Stella looked worried that she might be wrong until D grinned and kissed her.
“Thanks, I love it.”
“Good. Come on, let’s get to the village. I want to meet everyone again.”
“Everyone? Even Mikey?” Eve asked.
“Especially Mikey. I did what I set out to do, so now he can say sorry.”
“Don’t be hard on him Stella; he’s had a rough year. He’s been moping around looking lost and lonely most of the time.”
“Okay big sis, I won’t rub it in, I promise.” She stopped suddenly. “I’ve just thought, where am I going to stay? I gave my room at home to Maggie.”
“You can have the station, we’ve moved into the post office.”
“A post office? Anything else new?”
“You’ll have plenty of time to catch up. Go see your parents and then you should stop at the hall with Grace and the class. They’ll be thrilled to see you.”
“Okay, let’s go.”

Mikey had set up his rod at his favourite spot for night fishing. He had seen the transport pass overhead earlier but thought nothing of it. There had been an increasing amount of smaller craft coming in and out recently and he had so lost track of the passing months that he didn’t connect it with Stella. In any case he had convinced himself that she wouldn’t be coming back. Some time back he had come to terms with never seeing her again. He closed his eyes and laid down on his back into the position her normally assumed when fishing. After a while he sensed someone come and stand beside him. “Have you got a permit to be doing that?” An obviously female voice trying to sound deeper said.
“Buzz off Maggie; I’m not in the mood.” He said without opening his eyes. He felt a gentle kick in his side.
“Who do think you’re calling Maggie? I go away for a while and you forget me. I’m very disappointed in you Mikey.” His eyes snapped open.
“STELLA!!?”
“Still as sharp as ever Mikey. Missed me?”
“Since you set your sister up to torment me when you left, no, not at all actually.”
“Liar! Eve all ready told me about you moping about.”
“Co-incidence.”
“Liar!”
“Have you just come back specifically to annoy me?”
“Yes. Now tell me the truth.”
“Oh, sit down Stells, you’ll scare the fish.”
“I’ll sit down if you tell me the truth.” She pouted.
“Just sit will you.” Mikey swung his arm round and knocked her feet from under her. Stella landed hard on her bottom.
“Oww! That hurt! And watch the uniform, it’s brand new.”
“Sorry. And yes, I missed you. I couldn’t have a decent argument with anyone.”
“That’s sweet. Well, sort of.”
“What about you? You miss me?”
“I suppose. Teasing other people wasn’t the same and they only argued about sensible stuff. Nothing like the silly things we argue about.” She smiled. “But now I’m back we can just carry on where we left off.”
“In that case…” Mikey reached over quickly and started to tickle the newly appointed officer.
“Stoppit! Stop!!” Stella giggled between breaths. “Please stop, I haven’t been tickled for a whole year.” Reluctantly Mikey stopped.
“I suppose you’ve found out the correct punishment for tickling a government official now?” He asked.
“Yes.”
“And it is?”
“You have to be severely kissed. Like this.” Stella declared, rolling over and planting a kiss full on his mouth. He held her and kissed back.
“Stells, you haven’t changed a bit. I’m so glad.”
“I have changed in one way. I realised something while I was away.”
“What?”
“I realised that…” She faltered.
“Shall I go first?” Mikey asked kindly. “Because I realised something too, the day you left. Officer Stella Bartowski, I love you.” He said it matter of factly, looking deep into her eyes.
“I love you too Mikey.” She kissed him again and then stopped. “Wait a minute; you’ve been teasing me the whole time?”
“Yes.” He grinned.
“Another kissing offence I’m afraid.”
“Do you know, I reckon you’re making this up.”
“Disbelief, anther kissable offence. You’re really racking them up here.” She laughed.
“Guilty as charged.” Mikey threw his hands up. “Carry out the sentence.”
“STELLA!” The radio crackled with D’s voice. “You do know that your radio has been on the open channel for the past half an hour don’t you.”
“WHAT!!?”
“Interesting and instructive as this has been, Eve says I’d better tell you before you get carried away. There may be children listening.” She could hear the suppressed laughter in his tone. She quickly turned the radio off and then turned around to see Mikey hysterically laughing.
“And laughing at an official is definitely punishable by…” Before she could finish Mikey had kissed her again.
“Yes, I’m a terrible lawbreaker.” Another kiss. “I think I’ll need constant supervision before I’m able to reform.” Another kiss. “Will you be able to help out?” Kiss.
“It’s my duty to help you overcome your lawlessness.” Kiss. Kiss.
“Good.” They melted into each others arms, thinking only of each other. The care of the new uniform and scaring the fish completely forgotten.

First Born Colonist

A sort of sequel to 'Space Wreck'.


This settlement had been here longer than the first colony. The two original settlers crashing here in a damaged escape pod more than a year before the colonisation ship arrived. Over the years people who wanted an even simpler life than that in the new colonies had heard of it and made their way here and asked if they could set up home nearby. Dave and Lisa had just waved their arms wide and said ‘pick somewhere’. So now there was a small but tight-knit and self-sufficient farming community that had built up over the last twenty years. I was approaching it for the first time, leading a pack animal, a six-legged beast called a sextoped, that carried the tools of my trade and my personal belongings. I was to be their new lawman. Until now they had handled their own problems, but with the settlement increasing in size the townspeople had asked for an official peacekeeper to be sent out and I had volunteered.
It had taken a week to get here walking and riding. There were only a few of the hover transports and the next one scheduled to come here to ‘Sideways Landing’ wasn’t for another month, so I had said I’d go and make a start and the rest of my stuff could follow. I had barely got past the first outlying farm, waving to someone working in the field, when I saw an older man and a young woman coming towards me down the track. We got closer together until I could call out ‘good morning’. The two people replied in kind and stopped and waited for me to reach them. The man held out his hand. It was a hand that been used to work hard, but now showed signs of softening. I took it and we shook. “You must be our new lawman?” He said with a smile.
“I am sir. And you are?”
“I’m Dave Lynton.” He said simply. My eyes widened: It was him! One of the original pair who had landed here in an escape pod.
“It’s an honour to meet you sir. I’ve read such a lot about you.”
“A lot of it is inflated out of all proportion I’m sure.” He laughed. The laugh of a man who’d heard it all before. “This is my daughter Eve.” He indicated the girl stood beside him. She smiled at me and shook my hand as well. It was a very pretty smile and it lit up her eyes even more than the rest of her face. “We worked out that you’d be along this road sometime this morning and thought we should meet you.” He saw the question on my face. “You’ve been passing the farms of our friends for two days now.” I nodded in understanding. One or two people had passed me on my way here.
“And you are?” Eve asked. Her voice was as pretty as her smile.
“Oh! Sorry. They call me D.42.” I saw the look on their faces. “It’s a long story that I’ll tell you sometime.”
“But that’s not a name.” Eve said. “That’s just an initial and a number.”
“Evie!” Dave said in mild rebuke.
“No sir, she’s right, but it is my full name. Like I said, it’s a long story.” I smiled back.
“Come on then Officer D.42. We’ve about an hour and a half of walking ahead of us. You tell us your story and I’ll answer any questions you have about ‘Sideways Landing’.”
“The first one that springs to mind is why ‘Sideways Landing’?
“Easiest question to answer!” He laughed. “Because that’s how Lisa, Evie’s mother, and I came in, sideways across the landscape.”
“That must have been scary?”
“Didn’t have time to be scared, and Lisa didn’t know enough to realise how close we came to …” He tailed off as he remembered his daughter was listening too.
“Tell me about your name Mr D.42.” Eve asked, spotting her father’s sudden hesitation and deliberately butting in to cover for it.
“I suppose that’s simple too in a way. That was what was written on the bulkhead where I was found.”
“What?” They both asked in surprise.
“I shouldn’t have been on that colony ship.” I shrugged. “I was discovered moments before departure by one of the crew, next to bulkhead ‘D42’. All the settlers were in hibernation and no-one claimed me after we landed. The primary flight crew took care of me until I was old enough to be put into hibernation as well.”
“How long was that?” Eve asked.
“Well I was about five when we landed, so, about five years.”
“The alternating crews all took turns caring for you then?” Dave said.
“That’s what they tell me.”
“You don’t seem worried that you have no parents.” Eve seemed concerned.
“But I have. The whole flight crew adopted me. I have so many parents that it’s impossible to follow all their advice. Luckily they all understand that too.”
“How utterly fascinating.” Dave said. “How does that qualify as a long story?”
“There is more to it than just that sir. Call this the edited highlights.” We all smiled. “Can I ask why you decided that you needed a lawman sent here?”
“That’s not very complicated either. As you’ll have noticed, there is a bit of a generation gap on the entire colony. There are almost no adults between the ages of twenty and forty.”
“Except me.” I nodded.
“And me.” Broke in Eve.
“Both due to exceptional circumstances.” Dave grinned. “Anyway, all of us at ‘Sideways’ agreed that we were probably getting a bit old to double up on jobs.”
“Dad! You’re not that old!” Eve exclaimed. Dave smiled.
“Anyway, none of us felt able to take on the peacekeeper job and our normal work in the fields or, in my case, in the store. So that’s why you’re here my boy.”
“There can’t be that much for me to do?”
“Well, not in the crime department maybe, but there other things you can do for us as a government official. Mediate perhaps, be responsible for arranging the transport flights in and out, and I believe you have some medical training?”
“Some, certainly, but I couldn’t act as a doctor.”
“Enough to keep someone alive long enough for one to be sent out?”
“Maybe. But I can’t give you any guarantees.” He could see the doubt on my face.
“But that would be one less responsibility for one of us. It will help everyone more than you think.”
“And I don’t think I’d be much good at a childbirth.” I was really dubious about that.
“I wouldn’t worry about that too much.” He laughed. “Most of the women won’t want you there either!”
We went on like that the whole way back to the main settlement of ‘Sideways Landing’. Me asking questions about what was expected of me, Dave filling me in on the layout of ‘Sideways’, and Eve making the odd comment here and there. She was an intelligent girl and what you could call ‘interesting attractive’ from what I could see. The clothes she wore made it difficult to tell. They were obviously made for comfort while working more than anything else.
As we came upon the lake there were more signs of habitation more frequently. Barns and outhouses, and then farms. As we approached what was obviously the centre of ‘Sideways’ there were what seemed to be half-finished buildings. Dave noticed my interest in them. “Those are going to be the retirement complex.” He smiled. “Most of us older folks are building them bit at a time against the time when we can’t really work anymore.”
“It’s an interesting idea.” I mused.
“It’ll keep us old un’s in one place. Be easier for you to find the troublemakers.” We both laughed. Eve didn’t though; if anything she looked annoyed or worried. I couldn’t tell which. Dave stopped at a junction in the track. “Eve, can you show Officer D to his station? We’ve been gone a while and I think I should go and help your mother in the store.”
“Sure dad. Shall I stay and help him settle in too? Then I can bring him over for dinner tonight; that’s if he wants too?”
“That’ll be fine love. Is that all right with you D?” I nodded. He kissed his daughter and turned toward the row of buildings that included his store as well as the community barn and what looked like a village hall.
“Come on then Mr D. This way.” Eve shyly took my hand and led me to what was to be my new home and place of work.
When I saw it I was dumbstruck. It was the original escape pod Dave and Lisa had arrived in! “What’s the matter?” Eve asked.
“But this is a piece of history, you shouldn’t just be handing it over to the likes of me.”
“It’s the only thing around here with a solid locking door, and nobody uses it anymore. With the radio and everything it will be a perfect police station.”
“Yes, but…”
“Don’t get hung up on what it was. We use whatever’s available out here.”
“I suppose you’re right.” I sighed, seeing the logic.
“Come on, I’ll show you where everything is and how it works.” Eve skipped on ahead of me and opened up the pod.
The pod got its power from a windmill and a waterwheel, the power stored in the original batteries. Most of the flight controls had been removed to make room for furniture. The bunkroom and galley had been left untouched. “It feels nice.” I said.
“It gets a bit warm in the summer.” Eve replied. “But it stays warm in the winter too.”
“I’ll get my stuff.”
“You haven’t brought much, have you?”
“Most of it will come in on the next transport. This is just enough to get started. For the next month I’m going to have to get around on foot until my bike arrives.”
“You could try riding the sextoped.”
“Doris? I don’t think so. She’ll have a nice easy life until I can arrange for someone to take her back.”
“There are a couple of newer farms that would be grateful to offer her a home.”
“I’d have to check that would be okay, she is colony property, but thanks.”
We spent the rest of the day putting my few belongings away and re-arranging the rooms to my liking. We didn’t talk too much other than asking each other questions about where stuff should go or where something was. I spent more time than I should have watching Eve; she intrigued me somehow. Probably it was because she was the first female I’d ever met that was close to my own age, or maybe it was that she was the first-born, the first child born on this new planet. Eventually she noticed my stare.
“Why are you watching me like that? It’s very off-putting you know?” I didn’t know what to say, I didn’t really know why myself. “It’s because of who I am, or rather what I am, isn’t it? I get it all the time, the…the reverence. The first-born!” She spat out the words like they were a curse, and then looked as if she was about to sob, but no tears came.
“Eve, Miss Lynton, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been staring. And you’re only partly right. I do feel a certain ‘reverence’ as you put it; but most of it is something else, something I can’t describe. The only thing I can say in my defence is that I’ve never met a girl close to my own age before, so I don’t know how to act. Please don’t cry and please, please forgive me. I’ll never do it again.” She sighed deeply.
“All right, I believe you.” She looked out at the setting sun. “We’ve just got time to clean up before we go to dinner.”
“Where?”
“Dad set up a sort of shower for Mom under the waterfall out back. I’ll show you.”
The meal was nice and homely, and delicious. In addition I finally got to meet Lisa. She was still really pretty and blushed when I said so. It was no surprise that Dave had fallen in love with her. He just laughed and Eve scowled slightly. I wondered if they knew the pressure their daughter felt she was under. But the way they still looked at her, they knew, I decided.

I soon settled in and was readily accepted by the people of ‘Sideways’. I soon found that I had a lot of spare time on my hands, the only crime as such being a spate of underage drinking amongst the older teenagers. That appeared to stop when I came upon them one evening, but I felt they had just found a better hiding place. In any case it wasn’t serious, and they had been causing no trouble other than appropriating the bottles of wine from their parents. With all this time on my hands I decided to help out as much as possible. Eve had set up a nursery-cum-school for the younger children, who were delighted when I took over the class every so often. There was a Book Exchange as well and I took over the organisation of that. If anyone needed a hand and my official duties allowed me, I would pitch in and help; from stacking in the store to helping any farmer who needed a little extra hand. But mainly I helped Eve. I liked to be around her and I didn’t know why. She was the central point for the youngsters who all adored her in one way or another. It was here that I first met Stella (‘because I’m from the stars’ she laughingly told me.) She was sixteen and the next oldest girl in the village. Stella was a happy go lucky spirit who would have been a rebel if there had been anything to rebel against. In general she and Eve got along, but they did seem to rub each other up the wrong way at times. Stella kept calling Eve ‘FB’ (for ‘first born’) to wind her up. I asked them individually what the problem was. Eve said that she got annoyed with Stella because the girl took nothing seriously and was able to do whatever she wanted. Stella in turn just shrugged and said that all she was doing was trying to get Eve to loosen up a little, that she took everything too seriously.

Over the next year or so things didn’t alter much. I had my first medical call out when one of the farmers had a huge sliver of wood go through his leg while he was cutting firewood, but it turned out okay. I appointed Stella as my deputy, mainly because she said she was interested in going to the main colony to learn about becoming a government official like me. She also started to flirt with me. I had a feeling that this was just another way to wind Eve up, especially as I had recently asked her to stop calling Eve ‘FB’. It stopped as suddenly as it started; someone had had a word in her ear and I thought I knew who.
There were rumours starting to go around that there was going to be a big celebration in two years time for the twenty-fifth anniversary of ‘Colony Day’, the approximate date of Dave and Lisa’s accidental arrival on the planet. The rumours seemed to make Eve more down than usual. Things came to a head when Dave and Lisa were invited to the colony to discuss the early preparations for the big day.

After my usual check to see whether there was going to be a transport arrival, I went over to the store to give Eve a hand while her parents were away. There was a small crowd milling about inside. “What’s happening?” I asked. “Where’s Eve?”
“No-one’s seen her since last night.” Stella said.
“You weren’t winding her up again were you?”
“No, honest. We had a couple of glasses of wine and then I left. She seemed her normal self. For these days that is.”
“So where is she? Where did she go?” There was a muttering amongst the crowd, but it was obvious no-one had seen her. “Well, we’d better get organised. Stella, you’ll have to run the store today, the school will have to be cancelled for now.”
“I can run that sir. You don’t need to stop it.” One of the other teenage girls piped up.
“Thank you Grace. Right, if that’s sorted, I’m going to look for Eve. If any of you see anything, get in touch with Stella. She can contact me on the radio.” There was a murmur of assent. One of the older farmers spoke.
“Shouldn’t we get in touch with Dave and Lisa?”
“No! I don’t want them unnecessarily worried. I can cope.” I said it with more conviction than I felt, but this was the reason I was here. If I couldn’t find one missing person, what was the point?
I ran back to the station, grabbed a radio and stuck a first aid kit into a back pack. As an afterthought I stuffed a warm coat in as well, it had been raining last night. Eve might be cold and wet. As I was about to leave, but with no real direction in mind, there was a timid tapping on the door. “Yes Maggie?” I asked the little girl who stood in the doorway after I had opened it.
“Stella said I should come and see you Ossifer D.”
“I’m sure she did. Why?”
“I saw something.”
“And that was?”
“Well, the rain woke me up last night. When I looked out of the window, I saw the light of a fire on the island in the lake.”
“No-one lives there do they?”
“No. But the big kids have a play camp there.” A ‘play camp’. I thought. So that’s where they go for a secret drink now.
“Thank you Maggie. Run along back to the class now, and thank Stella for me too.”
“Okay Ossifer D. Bye!” The little girl waved as she trotted back to the village hall. I jogged down to the lakeside boathouse and peered inside. Sure enough there was one canoe less than there should have been.
“Well, there’s someone on the island then.” I said to myself. I pulled a second canoe into the water, climbed in and began to paddle towards the island.
The missing canoe was pulled up onto a tiny beach. I grounded my craft next to it. Spotting what was obviously a path to the secret camp I made my way down it. The path ended in a clearing at the centre of the small island. The clearing had a home-made camp occupying most of it and there was Eve! She was laid back with her hands behind her head. At first I thought she was ill or injured until I saw something that had been missing for weeks; her smile. “Eve?” I called out softly. “Are you all right? Everyone has been so worried.” She jumped a little and then turned to face me.
“Oh! D, it’s you! I didn’t mean to upset anyone, but I had to get away, to have some time by myself to think. It so peaceful and quiet here that I was able to forget all my troubles, but I didn’t realise it was late.”
“Eve, what’s troubling you? You can tell me. I, more than anyone, know how you feel.”
“No you don’t. No-one does. There’s only one first-born and unfortunately it’s me.”
“I do know. I’m one of kind too, don’t forget. You’re letting this ‘first-born’ thing get on top of you. It’s only a description; it’s only WHAT you are, not WHO you are. Once you can get over that you’ll be fine.”
“But I CAN’T get over it. As soon as I manage to forget it, something pops up to remind me, like this damned anniversary.” She rolled over and began to cry into the grass. I was at a loss as to what to do next; my training hadn’t covered dealing with crying females, and neither had any of my many parents. I sat beside her and began to stroke her dark blonde hair.
“Come on Eve; let someone know how you feel. There are only the two of us here and I promise not to tell. Why are you so sad?”
“I should have been a boy!” She said, her voice muffled by the grass. “If I’d been a boy I wouldn’t have this problem. Boys cope better.”
“Well, as a boy, I can tell you, we don’t. We bottle it up even more than you have. Sorry.”
“I’d have been more help to Mom and Dad as a boy!”
“That’s ridiculous. Who is it that lets all the mothers work on the farms by looking after the children? Who is it that teaches those children something more than just how to read and write? That’s more help than any amount of sawing wood or ploughing fields. And if you’d been a boy I suspect you’d have eloped with Stella by now.” She turned to look at me, a puzzled expression on her face.
“Why do you say that?”
“Because you’re so alike. The reason she’s able to bug you is because she knows what bugs her. I know she wants to be a rebel, and I think you do too. The pair of you express it in different ways though. She lets it out, you bottle it up.”
“At least the ages would have been right.” She sighed.
“What do you mean?”
“All the older men are already married and all the boys here are younger than me, so if I wanted a boyfriend he’d be more immature than me.”
“Nearly all boys are more immature than you are Eve. You grew up quickly.”
“I know.” She wailed. “I scare them all, and it’s because they all know that I’m ‘first-born’.” She sat up and looked deep into my face, my soul even, with her tear-filled eyes. “I’ve never even been kissed you know.”
“Do you want to be?”
“YES!! Yes. I want to be kissed. I want you to kiss me.” Suddenly I wanted that too. I wanted to kiss this lonely, beautiful young woman. I took her head in my hands and gently pulled her face towards me. I kissed her on the forehead, and then kissed away her tears before kissing her properly. Our lips met and I knew I had been stupid in trying to deny my feelings for her. I loved Eve, and had done since the moment I’d first seen her.
“Eve, I have a confession to make. I’m guilty of the same thing all those boys were. Because you are the ‘first-born’ I’ve been scared of my feelings for you. I’m sorry. Let me put it right now by saying I think I might be in love with you.” She looked at me in shock.
“You do?” I nodded. “That’s lucky then.” A huge grin, a smile like I hadn’t seen since that first day, spread across her face. “Because I know I love you. I got really angry with Stella when she was flirting with you.”
“I thought it was you that warned her off.” I grinned back. “Can I kiss you again?” In answer she wrapped her arms around me and kissed me as hard as she could.
“Wow! Now I know what I was missing, I really wish I hadn’t been so stupid.”
“You mean that?”
“Of course I do. But we have to get back to ‘Sideways’. Stella is having to run your Dad’s store and Grace is looking after the children. Plus everyone is worried about you.”
“Did anyone call Dad?”
“I asked them not to, but I’ve been gone so long they might have by now.”
“Then you’re right, we’d better go. I don’t want to worry my parents.”
We walked slowly back to the village hand in hand. As we did, I spotted a small hover transport approaching the landing site. “That’ll be your Dad.” I said, pointing.
“How can you be so sure?”
“Nothing was due in today.” I shrugged. “Somebody has blabbed. Sorry.”
“It’s my own fault. I should have organised someone to open the store before I ran off.”
“Will they be upset?”
“I don’t know. Dad might be angry. Mom will certainly be worried.”
“I did try to stop anyone getting in touch with them.”
“I know. Thank you for trying.”
“I think I’d better call Stella and tell her you’re all right. She can pass it on.”
“I suppose.” A frown creased her lovely brow. “I’m scared D. I don’t know what to say to them.”
“Just tell them the truth. They’ll understand that. And I’ll be there with you.” She squeezed my hand gently.
By the time we reached the store Dave and Lisa had met Stella and were waiting for us inside. As we entered everyone else came out, shepherded by Stella, who gave us both a sly wink as she passed us. Eve looked down at the floor as she was pinned by her fathers stare. I took her hand again to reassure her. Lisa hugged her daughter, not saying a word until she hugged me too. “Thank you for finding her.”
“It was little Maggie who gave me the clue, though I suspect Stella had a hand in it.” I reddened, unused to such shows of affection. Dave finally spoke. He sounded a little disappointed and angry.
“Eve, exactly what were you thinking? Your mother was frantic.”
“I’m sorry daddy, I wasn’t thinking at all.” She was on the verge of crying.
“I did try to stop anyone calling you and causing you to worry sir.” I spoke quietly, not sure if admitting this was good or bad.
“Thank you for thinking of us. It was more than Eve did.” That did it, Eve burst into tears. I held her close and stroked her hair once again. Dave gave in and pulled her to him and hugged her. “Oh, Evie. Why couldn’t you just talk to us about this?”
“Sir, I can’t help thinking that I’m partly to blame for all this.” He looked at me with a questioning eyebrow raised. “If I hadn’t been so reticent to tell Eve how I felt, then I feel this would never have happened.” Lisa smiled.
“So the pair of you finally realised what was going on?”
“Eventually. I grew up without any women close to my own age around, so I’m afraid I’m a bit dim when it comes to dealing with them.”
“You and me both son.” Dave smiled. “We need to sort a few things out I think.” He paused. “Tell me, as a government official, can you perform a civil marriage ceremony?”
“DAD! We only kissed you know!”
“I didn’t mean for you sweetheart.” He laughed now. “How can he marry himself? I meant for your mother and me.” He saw the look on both our faces. “There was no-one to do it before. And we thought we should set an example.”
“You…You weren’t married before you came here.”
“I’d never even seen Dave before he dived into the escape pod. And things weren’t easy to start with; he didn’t seem to like me at all.” Lisa joined in. “In fact I almost had to demand he kiss me.”
“I just did that!” Eve exclaimed.
“It looks like there might be two weddings on the horizon.” Dave said.
“I…I haven’t got as far as asking Eve about that yet sir.”
“But you’re thinking about it?”
“It has crossed my mind in the last hour, I have to admit.”
“Eve?” He turned to his daughter.
“I’ve thought about it every day since I first met him dad. When I thought he wasn’t interested it made everything seem even worse. I knew the ‘first-born’ thing was getting in the way.”
“Don’t blame D for that. It bothered me sometimes too. How should I discipline such a famous child?”
“Even you daddy? And mom?” Lisa nodded sadly. “I was right, it is a curse.”
“Eve. Darling Eve.” I turned her around and looked into her pretty, tear-filled eyes. “I’ve tried to tell you all day. It’s just a description; it doesn’t define who you are. If we try we, all four of us, maybe everyone, can get over this. Look at how Stella treats you. She doesn’t put you on a pedestal; she treats you as an equal. All this time she’s been trying to get you to put this nonsense aside and be human, not some mythical, mystical creature that only exists in peoples minds, particularly yours. Let it go.”
“He’s talking sense precious.” Lisa said.
“I love you Eve. There, I’ve said it. I should have said it properly before, so I’m saying it now. I love you so much that it hurts when I don’t see you. And this morning, when you were missing, I knew I had to find you, even though I didn’t know why. I do now and I know that I want to be by your side whatever happens. So.” I got down on one knee and held her hand. “Would you do me the honour of becoming my wife as soon as possible?”
“A double wedding!” Lisa exclaimed, clapping her hands.
“We’ll have to get someone in to perform the ceremony.” Dave mused.
“Oh, I don’t think anyone at the colony can deny the first-born anything.” I said slyly. Eve batted me around the back of the head.
“I think a celebration is in order.” Dave got an old bottle of wine from behind the store counter. “I’ve been saving this.”
“In a minute dad, I have to go and tell Stella.”
“Who do you think has been listening at the door on the pretext of stopping everyone else from eavesdropping?” Dave smirked. “Come in Stella, you’ll get splinters in your knees out there.” He called out. The door opened slowly and a bright red Stella came in, embarrassment dripping from every pore. “Do you think you can handle double duty as a bridesmaid?”
Eve, Stella and I were sat outside my station, the escape pod, watching the moons rise, sipping on the last of the wine, when Stella spoke. “I’m very happy that you two have finally sorted this out, but what am I going to do now? Teasing you was the only enjoyment I got.” I kissed her on the top of her head.
“You’ll have to find some boy or other instead.”
“Yes, you will.” Eve said. “What about Mikey? He’s nearly eighteen now, and looks very muscular.”
“You’re teasing me now! You know we argue all the time.”
“But he, and you, keep coming back for more.” Eve laughed. “And I happen to know he’s down by the lake fishing, he came in for some bait. Why not go and make a start?” Stella looked dubious.
“I don’t know whether I should.”
“Go on. Live a little. Take your own advice.” I smiled. “Rebel against being a rebel. I dare you.”
“All right! I will.” She got up and strode off towards the lake.
“She won’t do anything daft will she?” I asked Eve.
“Probably, knowing Stella.” She smiled. “Besides, I’ve got you to myself at last. I want to kiss you again.”
“Getting pushy aren’t you?”
“What the first-born wants, the first-born gets.” She grinned. I gave in and kissed her. A long kiss, lasting forever.

Shooting Star

A fourth in the 'Star' series. Well, it looks like a series now. More to follow maybe?


Interviewer: With the surprise release of a third ‘Dirty Work’ film, called ‘Emily: Not So Dirty Work’, I’m once again at the home of Karen Carragher. I suppose the first question should be ‘where’s Dave’?
Karen Carragher: (Smiles) I told him you’d ask that! Dave thought that as he only makes cameo appearances in the film I should be the one interviewed. He keeps telling me it’s my film this time.
Interviewer: I seem to recall he said that last time too.
KC: (Laughs) I think he’s embarrassed that he keeps getting better reviews than me when he claims he can’t act.
Interviewer: Any chance you can get him to change his mind and join us? I mean, he doesn’t just have acting credits for this film does he?
KC: No, he doesn’t. If you give me a moment I’ll try and get him to come in. (At this point Karen makes a phone call and after five minutes or so announces that her husband will join us shortly.)
Interviewer: While we wait, I’d like to ask why you use your married name in the producer credit.
KC: I wasn’t sure many people would notice that! As an actress I use the name on the ‘Equity’ register, but I can use my married name ‘Karen Gerrard’ as producer. I wanted to show what Dave means to me, so I use OUR name for that credit.
Interviewer: You surely don’t need to prove anything after all the two of you have been through.
KC: Not prove as such, but acknowledge. Definitely acknowledge.
Interviewer: In our ‘More Dirty Work’ interview it seemed that you weren’t planning on carrying on with Emily’s story.
KC: To be fair, we weren’t. But as I said at the time, if the right storyline came up and it fitted, we might
Interviewer: And it did?
KC: Strangely, considering he was the one who was certain we wouldn’t make another one, it was an idea from Dave that started the ball rolling.
Interviewer: Again? He keeps surprising us with his talents.
KC: (Laughing) He does. That’s why I always have it written into my contracts that he’s on set with me. Dave has a way of spotting things that can make a film better. Sometimes it’s only a little thing like a small joke, or a big thing like the ending to ‘More Dirty Work’. Besides which, it’s always nice to have him around. He buoys me up if I’m feeling down and keeps my feet on the ground if I’m getting full of myself. (At this point Dave comes in.)
Dave Gerrard: Who’s that? The coffee man? (They kiss.)
KC: If you must know, we were talking about you.
DG: I thought my ears were burning. (He shakes my hand.) Karen said you’d like to interview me as well?
Interviewer: Especially as it seems the original story came from you.
DG: It surprised me as well! I was the one who thought we shouldn’t do another!
Interviewer: Can you tell us about it?

I was having one of those nights when I couldn’t drop off to sleep, my mind was buzzing. For some reason I kept thinking about the ending to ‘More Dirty Work’ and wondering what would happen to Emily, what the big plan she and Pops had come up with was, whether it would work. As I lay in the dark, ideas began to come to me, about their plan and beyond. Things started to fall into place and I felt the need to make some notes. I slipped out of bed, carefully avoiding waking Karen up and quietly padded downstairs to the study. Still unsure this story would work; I began to make notes on the computer about my ideas. I must have drifted off to sleep at some point as the next thing I knew was Karen gently shaking me awake, a cup of coffee in her hand.
“Anything wrong?” She asked, a hint of concern in her voice.
“No, I couldn’t sleep and then I got an idea that I needed to write down.” I took the coffee from her and sipped it. “Thanks.”
“And?”
“And what?”
“And can I see this idea?”
“I don’t know that I should show you yet, it’s not fully formed.”
“A hint then?”
“I’ll just say it’s something I thought we’d never do.”
“You had and idea about ‘Dirty Work III’?” She caught on quickly. “Let me see.” She woke the computer before I could stop her and quickly scanned my notes. “This could work!” She looked at me with shining eyes. “I’m going to call Clint and Douglas.”
“Are you sure? I mean it’s barely an outline at the moment.” Karen looked at me softly and kissed me on the forehead.
“Let’s find out shall we? Pass me the phone.”

Interviewer: And what was their reaction?
KC: Well Clint was out of town, but said he’d be round in a couple of days. Douglas had shut himself away writing, but when he got my message a day later he said that he’d co-ordinate with Clint and they’d both come and see what we had before the weekend.
DG: Douglas always has either too much work or not enough. (Karen nods.) He’s either trying to complete three screenplays at once or wondering where the next one is coming from. We happened to catch him at the end of one of his busy cycles this time.
Interviewer: But what did they say about your, well, synopsis?
DG: By the time they saw it I had had a few more ideas, even down to snatches of dialogue, but it looked messy. I had no notion about how to present it to them.
KC: Which was where I came in. Although I’ve never written anything…
DG: Neither have I!
KC: No, but you keep having ideas. Stop interrupting. (Smiles.) So, although I’ve never written anything, I have seen how a synopsis look’s. I just rearranged things on the computer until they made sense. Or a sort of sense.
Interviewer: Only ‘sort of’?
DG: That was part of the problem. Every time I looked at it, I thought of something else and added it, usually in the wrong place. By the time Clint and Douglas got to see it, the story had grown.
Interviewer: They liked it though?
KC: Clint loved it, and Douglas started trying to pick Dave’s brain about how it should start straightaway. It was obvious from the beginning that we were going to make number three.

“Dave, I think that’s a cracking idea.” Clint said. “Setting up an RCV hire company is just what Pops and Emily would have thought of, so having Emily start it by herself fits in with the end of two.” He sat back. “But where’s the drama going to come from?”
“I’ve thought of that now.” I said. “I just haven’t had time to put it down anywhere.” The other three all looked at me expectantly; suddenly I wasn’t so sure about this. It was one thing suggesting changes to someone else’s story, but something else entirely to come up with a storyline that could work. Karen sensed my discomfort and clasped my hand, nodding at me. “Well, you remember the girl that Pops saves? I thought that she could come looking for Emily and they could end up working together.” They looked at each other and considered. Another thought hit me. “Her arrival could trigger a few flashbacks for Emily, of Pops.” Clint’s face lit up.
“That’ll do it.” He turned to Douglas. “How soon can you and Dave get a screenplay together? I want to start to get the backing for this.”
“A week, maybe two. I have nothing else at the moment so I can concentrate on this.” I nodded. Karen spoke for the first time in ages.
“Clint, don’t worry about the backing. We can call in a few favours; put some money in ourselves, like the first film.” Clint subsided for a moment, and then sat forward again.
“Dave, how much does it cost for a course of HGV lessons?”
“Something over a grand I think, maybe a grand and a half by now. Why?”
“I just thought it might be helpful if Karen could do her own driving.” I could see the sense in what he was saying. In ‘Dirty Work’ things had been simplified because I could drive the RCV.
“Hey! Wait a minute! Why do I need to drive the RCV?”
“You know you don’t need to darling.” I said soothingly. “But if you took lessons and a test, it would be research. It would make it easier for you when we filmed the test sequence for the pre-titles.” My mind was racing now, all sorts of possibilities coming up. Douglas was making note after note, even messier than mine had been. Karen looked at me sharply.
“You just thought of that too?”
“Yes. But it will work, right?” They all nodded, Karen a little reluctantly.

Interviewer: So this film had a different birth to the others?
DG: In a way. Once Douglas and I settled down to actually write the story and then the screenplay not much changed, whereas before we kept adding bits or changing them, this time the original screenplay is pretty much what appeared on film.
Interviewer: How was the driving Karen?
KC: I was terrified most of the time! Dave got in touch with the people who got him through his HGV test and booked me a full course and test. The medical was no problem…
DG: I should hope not too.
KC: And the theory and hazard perception I scraped through…
DG: That was amazing considering how little time we’d given you.
Interviewer; And the actual lessons?
KC: Like I said, I was terrified. Dave had always made it look easy, but a HGV is a lot of machine to be in control of, even more so for someone like me who doesn’t drive that much, but I persevered and began to actually enjoy it.
DG: It can be fun can’t it?
KC: Stop interrupting Dave!
DG: (Shamefaced.) Sorry beautiful, carry on. (Kisses Karen.)
KC: I found the reversing exercise difficult to start with. Again, that was because superman here always made it look easier than it was. The actual test at the end of the course had me scared stiff, but I passed first time. I was so happy I hugged everyone, the examiner, the instructor, the other guy taking his test.
DG: I never told you before, but it took me five tests to pass.
KC: But you make driving an RCV look a doddle!!
DG: Well it is now, but it wasn’t then. I told you that you’re more talented than me.
Interviewer: So, with all the elements in place things went well when filming started?
KC: Pretty much. This time it was my turn to make a minor tweak that made things work.
Interviewer: How so?
DG: In our original story Lucy, the girl I, sorry, Pops saved was a mechanic. Karen pointed out she would still be a little young for that, so we made her an organisational genius instead. She takes over the paperwork which Emily has been having problems with and makes the firm run better.
Interviewer: And no problems with Pops this time Dave?
DG: No. Not at all. He only appears four or five times, total screen time about ten minutes, so I wasn’t worried about screwing the whole thing up. I left it to the professionals.
Interviewer: A big change for you then. (Everyone laughs.)
KC: We were a very happy crew until… (She looks away suddenly sad.)
Interviewer: I suppose this is a good a time as any to ask about the tragedy towards the end of filming.
DG: Yes. Clint’s sudden illness came as a big blow.
Interviewer: How did you hear about it? (At this point Karen asks to be excused for a moment and she runs from the room.)
DG: Karen still finds it difficult to talk about. We heard when we were on our way home from her nephew’s birthday party.

Karen looked across at me as we drove home. “You seem to be deep in thought. What about?”
“Sorry, I was thinking about the party. The fun the kids had.”
“And what else?” I looked across at her. “Come on Dave, I can tell there’s more to it than that, I know you too well by now.”
“Actually… No, I can’t tell you.”
“Come on. Talk.”
“If you must know.” I sighed. Karen nodded her head. “I was wondering about what it’s like to be a parent. To be responsible for the upbringing of a child. It’s something I feel I’ll never know.”
“You’ve never said you wanted to be a father.”
“I didn’t want to put that pressure on you. It would be your career that went on hold for a while, and I couldn’t ask that of you.”
“But we’ve never really discussed it.”
“Like I said, I wouldn’t put that pressure on you. I still won’t. You’ve given me more than I could have asked for, and I’ve never really thought too much about it.”
“Until now?” She asked. I nodded, wishing I hadn’t started this now. “I’ve not thought about it either. Maybe I should.”
“Karen, you know I love you, but I’ll never ask this of you. It has to be your decision.” At this point her mobile rang. “Who is it?” I asked. Then I saw her face fall. “Karen, what’s wrong?”
“We have to get to the Alexandria Hospital quickly. It’s Clint; he’s in a bad way.” I put my foot down while she reset the sat-nav.

Interviewer: Clint had suffered a heart attack?
DG: He had; a massive one. (Karen comes back in.) Are you all right sweetheart?
KC: (Nods.) Just felt a bit queasy. (Dave looks a little puzzled.)
DG: We got to the hospital as quickly as possible, but no-one would let us see him.
KC: It was only when they realised he had no family, that we were the closest thing to family that he had, and that he was asking for us, that we got to see him one at a time. I was first. (Karen pauses, putting her hand to her mouth.) He looked terrible. (Karen looks down, tears forming in her eyes.) I’d known him since I was ten, my first director. He’d always treated me like I was his daughter. I sat next to him and held his hand. He looked across at me. He told me that Dave was meant for me, that we were the most perfect couple he had ever seen. We made him happy. He said I must carry on, finish the film, that my career was still ahead of me. (Karen stops, tears freely flowing from her eyes. Dave puts his arm around her and rests her head on his shoulder.) I’m sorry. Remembering that night still upsets me.
Interviewer: No, I’m sorry for reminding you.
DG: He said much the same to me, but he told me that it must be me who directed the last few parts of filming. He knew he was close to the end and wanted to bequeath his film crew to me, to carry on his work.
Interviewer: And you will?
DG: Yes. I already have a directing job lined up on Clint’s recommendation.
Interviewer: It was you who gave the eulogy at his funeral too.
DG: (Shrugs.) It was in his will, but I wanted to do it anyway. He brought so much out of me, things I didn’t know I could do. Speaking at his funeral hardly made up for that, but it was the only way I had to thank him.

I wasn’t comfortable with making a public speech, but it was for Clint and in a way for Karen and was something I was going to have to get used to. I cleared my throat.
“We all knew Clint in different ways, but he was in essence a wonderfully simple man. He liked who he liked and wasn’t worried by who he disliked. I was lucky I suppose, in that he liked me from the moment we met. Looking back, I suppose it was because I was new to the business of film-making, I had a different, and to him interesting, outlook to everyone else on the set. It gave him a different stimulus. We quickly became good friends. And when Karen and I had our dark period he never doubted me when even Karen I suspect wasn’t certain. He kept in touch with me, offering me small parts or jobs, but never questioning me or judging me. He knew long before Karen or I that we’d be back together. He was the perfect friend and mentor. It was towards the end of those dark days that he said something to me when I thought Karen was going to end things that stays with me to this day. He told me ‘The Dream is never over’. It was a creed he lived by. ‘The Dream is NEVER over’. I try to live by it too now. It is the perfect epitaph for a wonderful human being, because even though he has gone, his dreams live on in all of us and in his many films.”
I sat down next to Karen. She put her arm around me. “That was perfect. I’m so glad I found you.”
“Thank you. I should never have left you that time. We could have worked it out. It was a stupid decision brought on by shame.”
“Shame?” She looked at me quizzically.
“I lifted my hand to you.” I shrugged. “I’ll never forgive myself for that.”
“You should. I have. But I should never have let you go; Or I should have looked for you. Like you say, we could have worked it out.”
“What if’s.” I sighed. “It doesn’t matter now, we’re together still and mainly thanks to Clint. That’s the important thing.” I kissed her gently. “I’m going to miss him.”
“We’re all going to miss him love.”

Interviewer: Am I right in assuming that Clint’s death was the reason for the delay in the release of ‘Emily’?
DG: Partially, but not in the way you might think. We, that is the whole film crew, wanted to make sure that everything was right for Clint’s last work. That included the editing. We also went back and re-shot a couple of the later scenes that we had filmed after his death.
KC: None of us were at our best for those scenes and it showed. Dave was unhappy with his direction for the scenes too, so we recalled the crew, they were all happy to come, and remounted I think it was three scenes.
Interviewer: I must say that I for one couldn’t differentiate between the scenes Clint directed and those of Dave.
DG: I’ll take that as a compliment, thank you.
Interviewer: So what does the future hold for the pair of you and the franchise?
DG: I think that the franchise has run its course. (Smiles) But I’ve said that before. As for me, well I’m going to be trying to live up to the directorial standards Clint set.
KC: (Puts her hand on Dave’s knee.) I know you’ll do just fine. You always do yourself down too much.
Interviewer: And what about you Karen? Any films in the pipeline?
KC: Actually I’m thinking of taking a break from films for a couple of years or so. There are some things I want to do before it’s too late.
Interviewer: Isn’t that a bit of a risk? People may forget you.
KC: (Laughing.) Well I can think of one director who will still employ me!

I saw the journalist out and went back to Karen. She looked at me sheepishly. “What was that about?” I asked mildly. “This ‘break’. You haven’t said anything before. I thought we were looking at doing a school comedy.” I smiled wolfishly. “I always liked you as a schoolgirl.” She grinned back.
“You old Perv, you.”
“Seriously, what are you up to?” She looked sheepish again.
“Well, I suppose I should have mentioned it earlier, but I only got confirmation this morning. You are going to be a daddy in about six months.” I sat down stunned. Since the conversation before Clint’s heart attack neither of us had talked about having children. After several moments I asked.
“What made you change your mind?”
“I didn’t change my mind. I told you before, I just hadn’t thought about it. And then I was thinking about how alone Clint had seemed, and how you are around kids, and I realised that I did want a child. I want to see you with our child.” She looked down, her face reddening in embarrassment.
“But why didn’t you tell me that’s what you wanted?”
“And spoil the surprise?” Now her eyes glittered in wicked amusement. “Besides, I knew if I said anything your natural worrying would kick in, so I decided to let nature take its course.”
“You are a scheming, devious minx, but I love you anyway.” I pulled her to me and held her close, kissing her long and hard. “That’s the schoolgirl comedy gone then.” I said when we finally broke the kiss, needing air.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, however good an actress you are, I can’t picture the mother of my child as a mischievous schoolie.”
“Sorry. You’ll have to come up with something else then, but you have got a couple of years to get it right.” She grinned that grin. The one I had fallen in love with before I even met her. I kissed her again.
“Why do you put up with me?”
“Apart from your great kissing? Because even when you’re wrong, it’s for the right reasons. Now kiss me some more.” I was happy to comply. I was always happy when I was with Karen, my soulmate. The Dream Is Never Over.

The Muse Trilogy

The three stories about the muse all together


Muse

I was stuck. Writers block. Nothing was occurring to me, no theme, no idea, nothing. Even a succession of large drinks couldn’t loosen the synapses enough to let something out. I just sat and stared at the screen of the monitor, hoping that something would come. Another drink was too much and I slumped unconscious before the computer. It was dark when I awoke. The computer had gone into sleep mode, but the radio was still playing gently in the background. I heard another sound, the sound of someone breathing quietly. I raised my head painfully and looked around the room. There was no-one to see, but I could still hear the noise. “Hello?” I called out softly. “Who’s there?” There was no answer. As I turned around further I nudged the mouse and the computer woke up noisily, the few lines I had written appearing to mock me. “Why the hell can’t I think of anything?” I swore at the taunting screen.
“That’s why I’m here, maybe I can help you?” A sweet voice came out of the ether.
“Who… Who said that?”
“That was me, your muse.”
“Why can’t I see you?” There was a sigh.
“How come no-one will accept me unless they can see me? All right here I am.” There was a sound like Hundreds-and-Thousands rolling around a cymbal, a dull glow and then silence again, except for the radio still playing. Beside me was a young-looking, alabaster-skinned redhead wearing a simple floral dress. Her fingers were interlaced in front of her.
“Where did you come from?” Another sigh.
“I just appeared here dummy, weren’t you watching? No wonder you can’t write anything.”
“Sorry.” I mumbled, too astonished to say anything else. “Wasn’t very spectacular was it?” She snorted and crossed her arms. “To return to my original question then, who are you?”
“My name is Sarakuk, I’m your muse. A muse of computer short stories.”
“Seems pretty specific.”
“Modern times need modern solutions. And I’ll be more help than that help icon, I promise.” By now I was convinced I was still asleep, that this was some alcohol-induced lateral thinking. “It’s nothing of the sort!” The girl said. “Sheesh! I come here to help and all I get is doubts.”
“How did you know what I was thinking?” I asked.
“I’m your muse. I wouldn’t be much help unless I could see into your mind would I?”
“Is there anything in there that could help me at the moment?”
“No. It’s all pretty disgusting. And you can stop thinking that too!” I went red.
“Sorry muse, but you are kinda cute.”
“Really?”
“Really cute, muse.”
“I suppose I should be used to it by now.”
“You get called on a lot then?”
“Not really. Most of you give up quickly, but you’re a special case. You usually manage to finish what you start.” She held out her hand. “Truce?” I shook it.
“Truce.”
“And can you call me Sara?”
“Sure Sara. What do we do now?”
“How about we decide what this story is about for starters?”
“Errrr…”
“I see. You have no idea. Well, you don’t repeat stories, so we can eliminate what it isn’t can’t we?”
“I suppose.”
“Come on; work with me a little here.”
“Well, it’s supposed to be a romance.”
“That’s a relief.” She rolled her emerald eyes.
“Maybe some fantasy subject?”
“Dream fulfilment?”
“All my stories are some sort of dream fulfilment.”
“They are aren’t they?” Sara stood with her hand resting on her chin. “How about this?” There was another dull glow and a strained tinkling sound.
Suddenly Sara and I were sat on a bus, a late night bus, with two other people.
“Sara, I hate to say this, but your effects need some work.”
“Picky, picky.”
“Anyway where are we?”
“This is a scene you wrote a long time ago, but never finished.” It came to me in a flash. I had written something like this, but couldn’t think where to take it.
“I remember.” I paused. “But I used the loss of memory idea in one story, and the bus became a train in one and a plane in another.” Sara looked ahead for a moment.
“Yes, I see the connections now. Let me think a minute.” She went quiet. The two other passengers talked without noticing us. I took the time to look Sara over. She was really attractive in a cutesy way, almost childlike, but with a great…
“Hey! I told you before about that.”
“Sorry again.” I blushed. “I can’t help it; you have that effect on me.” The special effects came in again.
Now we were on the banks of a lake. “No Sara, not this. I can never finish this.”
“Sorry.” Sara looked downcast. “It seems so strong though.”
“It is, that’s why I’ll never finish it. It was trying to take some secret thoughts into a story, but it will never work. The thoughts, the feelings, are too private. Try something else.” The effects fizzed again. “Why are these effects so bad?” I asked.
“If you must know, it’s because I’m so low on the list. All the great muses have spectacular effects; I’m such a minor muse I have to take what I can get. Okay? Happy now you’ve humiliated me?”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel bad. I am new at this though.” She sighed.
“I’m not exactly a veteran either. We’ll have to learn together.” Another thought popped into my head. “I’m not going to keep telling you about that. If you’re not careful, I’ll go and find someone else.” She went really red this time. I wasn’t sure if she was angry or blushing.
We were in a totally bare landscape, like a blank piece of paper, but there were several songs playing in the background.
“What’s this?” I asked, trying to pick out the tunes.
“This is a concept you had. About writing a story with songs providing the chapters.” I remembered this as well. A good idea that needed the right songs and inspiration too. I told Sara this. “Can’t you think of anything that will go with it?” She asked.
“I keep looking at it, but I think I’m trying too hard with it. Maybe I need fewer songs. Help me muse.”
“I think we’d better leave it a while longer. What about this Saturday night thing?”
“Nope, not going there.”
“The daughter’s life?”
“Needs the right atmosphere. Anyway that’s not a romance, just a series of thoughts.”
“Then I’m stuck too.”
“Are you sure you can help me? All you’ve done so far is show me stuff I know I’m having problems with. Haven’t you got anything new?”
“Look, it’s not that easy for me either. I told you, I’m new at this.”
“How do you become a muse anyway?”
“I’m not sure.” She mumbled. “All I know is that there was a need for me and I became me.”
“Don’t you get any training or anything?”
“No. It’s supposed to just happen. That’s what the others do.” Sara looked really ashamed now. “I’m not really helping am I?” I put my arm around her and gave her a hug.
“I’m sure you’re doing your best.” There was a ZING! And suddenly we were alone on a cliff looking at a sunset over the sea. “Hey! That was a much better effect, how did you do it?”
“No idea, maybe it was you.”
“I doubt that.” I looked around, this setting seemed familiar too. “This is one of my poems isn’t it?”
“Is it? I told you, I didn’t bring us here.” She suddenly looked annoyed. “I bet that Anerbert did this. Sticking her nose into my business.”
“Who?” I asked.
“Anerbert. She’s another muse. Supposed to do computer poetry.”
“Never seen her. Mind you, my poems, although rare nowadays, always just flow.”
“She’s trying to push in, to make me look bad.”
“Just forget her for a while. Let’s enjoy the moment. Just sit with me and watch the sun go down.” I put my arm around her shoulder and took her hand. She tensed, presumably expecting some dark thoughts from me, but when none came, she relaxed. We were sat in a figment of my imagination, in a non-existent place, watching a very beautiful sunset over a sea crashing onto nowhere. It was sublime. I kissed Sara below the ear.
“What did you do that for?” She exclaimed, jumping up.
“It just seemed to be the right thing to do at that moment.” I shrugged. “I didn’t mean anything else by it, nothing to do with my dark side, honestly.” Sara stared at me. I could feel her reading my thoughts. For once they were pure and sincere. Mollified, she sat back down and put my arm over her shoulder once more.
“Sorry, I wasn’t expecting nice after seeing your deepest desires.” I kissed her again.
“It must be you, bringing out the nice in me. Let’s just watch the sun going down for now.” We sat for ages, watching nature’s paint box covering its majestic canvas. Finally Sara spoke again, after the sun had finally dipped below the horizon.
“I’ve had a couple of other ideas.”
“Okay, show me.” There was another ZING! And we were in a restaurant.
“Better effect muse.”
“I think I know how to do it now.” She smiled. It lit up her face. “Now, I know this is one of your completed stories, but you wrote three sequels. How about another?” I considered her suggestion, at the same time casting my eye over two of my favourite creations, eating dinner at an adjacent table.
“I often think of adding to their story, adding in some of the blanks maybe, but…” I paused. “But I always dismiss the thought. I’ve always hated writers who reach the end of something and then go back and alter things by doing just that. Sorry.” Sara didn’t look put out by this rejection.
“I know that, but I would be remiss in my duties if I didn’t suggest it.” She looked at me. “Almost all your other stories seem to have some definite ending. So, no sequels there.” Another pause. “That sci-fi one you finished recently might have some possibilities in that direction though.” She looked at me expectantly. I sat back and considered it.
“I agree, it does have options.”
“There’s a ‘but’ coming isn’t there?”
“But I’d rather wait a while before adding to it.” I smiled. “Keep going, you’re getting close now.”
“Well, I have one last suggestion.” Sara said rather shyly. “You said you wanted to write some sort of fantasy story.”
“Yesss…”
“How about..?” She looked away.
“What?”
“How-about-a-story-about-meeting-your-muse-and-falling-in-love?” The words came out in a rush, as if she was embarrassed to say them. I sat still, stunned. I turned the new idea over in my head and decided it would work.
“Brilliant Sarakuk! Just brilliant. It could work so well, as long as I can think of an ending. Thank you so much.” I leant forward and kissed her. She just sat and beamed at me, slightly perplexed.
And then Sara and the restaurant faded away and I was sat before my computer screen once again. I began to type quickly, before I lost the gist of the thing. I could edit things in later as they came to me. Fairly soon I had the rough outline of the story, but there was one thing still missing; an ending. I suddenly realised I’d left Sara too quickly, that there were some things I’d wanted to say to her, to ask her. And I wanted her to be here, with me when I found an ending.
I worked on the story for a week. Teased it out, added bits, tweaked others, but still I couldn’t think of a way to end it. I needed inspiration from my muse. There was nothing for it; I was going to have to have a drink. I sat listlessly in front of the monitor, wondering how I’d managed to call her up before. There was a familiar ZING! I looked up. “You’re getting good at that Sarakuk.” But it wasn’t her, it was another girl.
“Sorry, but Sarakuk has been re-assigned, I’m covering for her. I’m Anerbert.” She was another pretty girl, but she wasn’t the muse I wanted to see. Then I recognised her name.
“Aren’t you the one who was trying to steal her thunder?”
“That’s what she thought.” Anerbert sighed. “But I was only trying to help her out. She is such a ditzy thing, no concentration.” She looked at me. “I was going to ask if I could help, but I can see that I can’t.”
“Sara has been re-assigned? To what?”
“The call centre. You’re going to ask why aren’t you?”
“Well, it did cross my mind.”
“The management weren’t too happy with her field work.”
“So it’s my fault?”
“Not directly, but…”
“Then I need to speak to this management.” I interrupted. “I need Sara.” Anerbert studied my face, as if considering something.
“All right, I’ll see what I can do. I want to help her too.” She seemed to go into a trance for a moment, presumably to ask permission. Then she spoke in a different voice. “Your appeal has been granted. Take Anerbert’s hand and we will speak with you.” I was a little overwhelmed by this sudden turn of events, but complied.
As I took Anerbert’s hand I had the feeling of movement and then we were in a featureless office. Everything was a pure white or glossy black apart from odd features. A potted plant, a calendar, peoples faces etc.
“Wait here a moment.” Anerbert said in her own voice. “I’ll check that they’re ready to see you.” She knocked on a door to an inner office.
“Bring him in Anerbert.” A mighty voice boomed. A little apprehensively I followed her into the office. It was huge! Away in the distance I could see people working at desks, but my attention was grabbed by the podium in the centre of the office. On it was a gigantic desk, piled high with papers. Behind it was a wizened old man. He beckoned me forward. Now almost terrified I stepped up to the podium, Anerbert beside me. “Why are you questioning my decision boy?” The voice boomed once more.
“Excuse me sir, but I’m not questioning your authority. I merely wish Sarakuk to remain my personal muse.”
“Why? Every time she suggested something, you shot it down. She is obviously inefficient.”
“Pardon me sir, but she and I were both new to this, we were learning together, and in the end, she did provide me with a superb idea. But I need her influence to finish it.”
“What do you say to this, Anerbert?”
“Sir, I will always do as you instruct, but if you are asking for my personal opinion, I think Sarakuk and this man are a perfect match. She may not concentrate like the rest of us, but the two of them seem to work well together.”
“Hmmm. You leave me with a dilemma. I do not wish to seem heedless to your needs, young man, but I have to be seen to be in charge here.”
“Could we not find some compromise sir? I don’t believe Sara should be taken from a job she obviously loves.”
“Possibly. Let me cogitate for a moment.” As he thought, I stepped beside Anerbert and whispered to her.
“Thank you for that. Do you think it will help?”
“I’m not sure, to the best of my knowledge no decision has ever been overturned, but no-one has ever offered a compromise before either, so keep your finger crossed.”
“Sara was wrong about you Annie.” I smiled at her. “You are a good friend.”
“I try to be.” She looked down, blushing. “I wish you’d had problems with your poems so I could have met you first.”
“Sorry Annie.”
The management cleared his throat. “If you two have finished?” We both shuffled our feet. “You sir, must ask Sarakuk if she would be prepared to become human. That is the only way I can be seen to be in control of my muses. She will become an unofficial muse, a human muse. Would that satisfy you?”
“I must admit that isn’t exactly what I had in mind sir. But if it means Sara is still a muse, then I will accept it in the spirit of compromise, even if it means I will not see her again.”
“Well said young man. However, you must still put it to her yourself. Do you understand?”
“Yes I do sir. Will I be allowed to say goodbye to her?”
“If you so desire. Anerbert, please conduct our guest to the call centre rest room where I believe Sarakuk is currently off-duty.”
“You… you are sure you want me to go sir?”
“Indulge me Anerbert.” She nodded and led me away.
Sara was on her own in the rest room. Annie led me in; Sara wasn’t pleased to see her. “You cow! Not content with having me re-assigned, you steal my favourite subject.” She leapt up and was about to strike Annie until I stepped between them.
“Stop it Sara. She’s been trying to help me help you.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Read my mind then, you can still do that can’t you?” Sara stopped and then slumped back down onto her seat. “She’s always just being helpful to you, you just misunderstood.” Annie gave a wan smile.
“It’s true. I’ve always felt sorry for you. You try so hard, but mess it up somehow. Please listen to what he has to say. It took a lot for him to get this deal for you.”
“You’ve made a deal to help me?” I nodded.
“I’ve tried. They won’t re-assign you, but…” I stopped. I wasn’t sure how to put this to Sara, who had become so important to me in such a short time. “If you agree, they will make you an unofficial human muse.”
“For you?”
“He didn’t say. But you will still be a muse, and I know how much you loved that.” I stopped again. “It was the best I could do Sara. If you don’t accept, I’ll understand, but I’ll give up writing.”
“You would do that?”
“If I had no chance of seeing you again, yes. Sorry Annie, you understand.” The other muse nodded. Sarakuk was silent for a long moment.
“If you’re prepared to give up so much for me, it would be churlish to refuse. So, I accept the terms.” There were tears in both her and Annie’s eyes. I could feel my eyes watering too.
“Then all I can say now is thank you, muse, and goodbye.” I leant down and kissed her.
I awoke in front of the monitor once again. I had an ending now, one I didn’t particularly like, but an ending nonetheless. I started to type once more. It was difficult because I had tears in my eyes still. The doorbell rang. Wiping my eyes, I went to answer it.
“Hello! I’ve just moved in next door, but my water hasn’t been connected yet, I was hoping you could fill my kettle so I could give the removal guys some tea.” I stood open mouthed. It was Sara!
“Sure.” I managed to say. “Come in and fill up.” She followed me into the kitchen. As she filled the kettle she turned partially round. “I’m Sarah, by the way. Sarah Cooke.”
“Of course you are. Pleased to meet you.” There was no ZING! But I felt the presence of Anerbert whispering to me.
“Best I could do.” I murmured my thanks.
“What was that?” Sarah asked.
“Oh nothing.” I replied. “Are you interested in stories by any chance..?”



Return of the Muse

So, there I was at the beach. Why was I there? Well, it was a combination of things. A girl I had thought I was getting along with had dumped me, and I had nowhere to go to take photographs. All that said, I needed a break from work too. A five day break on the coast was what I decided on to cheer me up. Unfortunately on this second day there was too much sand blowing about for me to risk getting any into my camera so I was sat at a beachfront café, watching life go by in front of me. That was when I saw her. She was minding her own business strolling along the seafront. An unashamed brunette in a red bikini that left just enough to the imagination. Surely it was worth getting my camera out for her? I decided it was and quickly took a few pictures before she got close enough to notice, or so I thought. I was putting the camera away so I didn’t notice her coming up to me until she was really close.
“Were you photographing me just then?” She asked. I went red and nodded numbly.
“Yes, yes I was. I hope you don’t mind.”
“No, not really. But I’d rather you asked first.”
“I’m deeply sorry. I’ll delete them if you want?” I said reaching for the camera again.
“Maybe, let me see them first.” Silently I turned it on and passed it over. She spent a good few minutes looking at the view screen before returning it to me. “No, its okay, you can keep them, as long as you get me a drink.”
“Coffee?” I asked, standing to go and fetch it and tripping over the chair.
“Milk, no sugar.” She laughed. “I did mean this evening though.”
“Oh.” I gathered myself back together. “We can do that too if you like? I’ll get the coffee.” She smiled and nodded. I hurried into the cool interior of the café and emerged moments later with two cups. We sipped the drinks. “I’m Dave by the way.” I said, extending my hand across the table. She took it and shook.
“Jane.”
“Nice name.” I sipped at my coffee again. There was a slightly puzzled look on her face. “What’s the matter? Am I spilling it somewhere?”
“No.” She smiled, lighting up her brown eyes. “It’s just that when I tell a guy my name he usually comes out…”
“…With some lame line about Tarzan?” I asked. “It crossed my mind for a nano-second, but the setting wasn’t right.” Jane raised an eyebrow. “No trees.” I explained.

Stuck again. Sarah is busy, the problem with her being a human muse, she’s not on call for me all the time. I wonder if I can get Anerbert to help me? There is a shimmer and I hear her voice. “This is very naughty of you. Sarah is supposed to be your muse now.”
“Sorry Annie, but I need to get inside my mind, and she can’t do that anymore.”
“Neither can I.” She says. I sigh. “I’ll have a word upstairs and see what can be done.”
“Thanks Annie.” Just have to struggle on I suppose.

Jane and I drank our coffee. She asked about my photography. I told her it’s just a hobby, but I do sometimes get pictures I’m proud of. “Like those?” She asked, pointing at the camera.
“Good subject, but a little shaky.” I said. “Could do better.”
She laughed. “Is that some sneaky way of asking me out?”
“You know, it could be.” I smiled. “About this drink tonight, shall I meet you here? Or pick you up from somewhere else?”
“And that sounds suspiciously like you fishing for where I’m staying.” She laughed. I joined in.
“I’m that obvious am I?”

There is the sound of Hundreds and Thousands on a cymbal and a quiet ‘Zing!’ Sarakuk appears next to me. “Hi Dave, I’m back!”
“Sara!! I’m really glad to see to back to your old self.”
“Really?”
“Yes. The human you was nice, but not the same.” I kissed her on the cheek. “How come you’re back though?”
“Apparently Anerbert has been keeping an eye on us and put in a good report about my progress. They reinstated my powers, but I’m only allowed to be your muse.”
“Do you mind that?”
“No. You were always my favourite. What can I do for you?”
“I’m stuck. I need you to take me into my mind.”
“Let’s go then.”
We appeared in the café. At least, Sara did. I appeared into my character.
“Sara?”
“I thought it might help you to become the person you’re writing about.”
“Reasonable idea.” I said considering it. I looked about. No-one was moving. It was like a picture, a 3-d picture. “Why is nothing happening Sara?”
“Well, you’re stuck aren’t you? There is no action to move forward.” I nodded. “Why are you trying to write a summer story in the middle of winter anyway?”
“It seemed like a good idea at the time.” I stood and paced around, my mind beginning to have a few notions about what could happen next.
“She’s not wearing much, is she?”
“Who?” I replied distractedly.
“This ‘Jane’ person. Is it for reasons of comfort, or are we straying into your murky side?”
“It’s just what girls wear at the beach.” I shrugged.
“Maybe I should try it.” Before I could reply, Sara had waved her hand over her body and was suddenly wearing a similar bikini to Jane, but in pink. I stared at her. Before she had always seemed to be some little-girl-lost, but in a bikini it was obvious that was just the image she projected. “Dave? You’re staring. Why?”
“Sorry muse, it’s just that I’ve never seen you like this.”
“Should I change back?”
“No. It’s fine.”
“Any ideas yet? That you can use here I mean?” This time I went red. She knew me too well already.
“I think I can take it forward from here, a rough outline. Thanks Sara.”
“No problem.” She smiled sweetly. “Could we have a drink do you think?”
“Sure, no-ones going to miss it, this is the end of the scene anyway.”

I had met Jane at the Café and we had gone to a club just back from the seafront. After a couple of drinks and a dance we had both decided that it wasn’t a great place to talk so we had left and were walking along the promenade talking. Jane was walking on the top of the wall when she slipped. I just managed to grab her before she fell. “Thanks.” She said. “That could have been a nasty fall onto the concrete. You are my hero.” She smiled before kissing me softly on the cheek.
“Glad to help, but I’m no hero, I’m scared of everything.”
“Everything?”
“Well, nearly. Heights, enclosed spaces, talking to women. You name it, it probably worries me.”
“I don’t believe you. Heights and small spaces, those I can understand, but talking to women? You’re talking to me aren’t you?”
“It surprises me too, and it is taking some effort I assure you.” She laughed.
“Then that makes you more of a hero, doing something that scares you.”
“You’re teasing now.” I smiled. “But thank you for your kind words and understanding.”
“Well, you’re worth it I think. It makes a nice change for me too, not having to fend off crude suggestions.”
“I could try that if you like?”
“Idiot!” She kissed me again. “What about tomorrow morning for those photos?”
“Photos?”
“You know. ‘Could do better’ from this morning.”
“Oh, those photos. Okay, how about up on the cliffs at about ten.”
“The cliffs? I thought you didn’t like heights?”
“I didn’t say anything about going near the edge, but the sky and the gorse should make a nice background.”
“Should I wear something slinky?” She breathed mischievously. I blinked in surprise. “Only kidding Dave.”
“No, it’s all right. Wear what you’d like to be photographed in. I’m not promising professional standards though.”
“Then I’ll see you at the café at ten.” She giggled and then span around on one foot before starting to walk towards the town. I stood and watched her, wondering whether she was kidding or not. Just before she disappeared into the labyrinth of B and B’s she turned and blew me a kiss. Then with a wave she was gone.

I turned away from the screen as Sara appeared with a quiet ZING! She was still in the pink bikini.
“You don’t have to wear that all the time you know muse.”
“It helps me think like the character.” I sighed, whatever worked for her I suppose. “I’ve been looking at some of your stuff that I haven’t seen before. You know, the things I wasn’t muse for previously.”
“And?”
“Are you ever going to write more about the ghost train?”
“Don’t know. I might if I, or you, can think of a worthwhile addition.”
“I’ll work on it.” She came around in front of me and sat on my lap. “I was looking through your long story too.”
“I finished that. Well sort of. I started a sequel.”
“I know. The second one is a bit broken up isn’t it? A lot of it doesn’t follow on.”
“I just wrote some bits that occurred to me, I was intending to link them in later.”
“I must say I like the ‘House’ chapter and the ’Palace’ one from the finished part, but some of it seems a bit violent.”
“War is hell.” I shrugged. “By the way, you are not to read ‘The Dark Files’ in that case. There are some things even my muse mustn’t know about me.”
“Spoilsport.” She stuck her tongue out. “Anyway, how are we doing with this one?”
“Last stretch I think Sara, but feel free to chip in with any ideas.”
“How about this?”

The sun was shining and the wind had died down next morning. I had taken quite a few pictures of Jane, who was looking beautiful in a tied shirt and wrap-around skirt over another bikini. We were just chatting about nothing in particular, except I had got her to exchange mobile numbers and tell me where she was staying. We were sat on a bench well back from the crumbling edge of the cliff. The edge was guarded by a decrepit wire and wood fence full of gaps. Two children were playing with a Frisbee behind us. Suddenly the toy flew over our heads and clipped the fence, landing on the other side.
“You get it.” The girl cried out.
“No way. You threw it, you get it. Or are you scared?” The boy taunted. Jane and I just looked at each other and smirked, both remembering childhood teasing.
“Okay. I’ll get it, if you’re scared.” The girl stomped past us, slipped through the fence and cautiously approached the Frisbee. I stood up and began to walk towards her, telling Jane I’d get it for them as it wasn’t really safe. I got to the fence just as the little girl slipped. She slid down towards the edge of the cliff. I vaulted the fence and dived after her, catching her wrist just as her feet dangled over the brink. Unfortunately I was still travelling forwards. I dug my feet in and managed to stop just before the edge. The girl was dangling with most of her body over the cliff. I looked into her terrified face and tried to calm her down.
“I’ve got you. Just hold on, help will be here soon.” She kept looking behind her, something I was avoiding doing. It was a long way down. “Just look at me. Concentrate on me. What’s your name?”
“Ellen.” She replied nervously, but doing as I told her.
“Well Ellen, the others will help us, so just hold on to me as hard as you can. Don’t worry about hurting me, just hold tight, okay?” She nodded.
“DAVE! Dave, what can I do to help?” Jane called out.
“Just get some help.”
“The little boy is doing that. I sent him down the hill to find someone, and he’s got my phone. Can you hold on?”
“I’ll hold on as long as I have too.” I said this to reassure both Ellen and Jane, although I wasn’t too sure myself. Already my arms were feeling a bit numb. I heard Jane pulling the fence aside and carefully making her way towards us. “What are you up to Jane?”
“I think I can help, don’t worry.” I felt her tie something around my ankle and then tension as she anchored it to something, probably the fence post. “If you can pull her up, I should be able to get her.”
“Her names Ellen and I don’t think I can pull up, I can’t get any grip on the ground.” I had an idea. “Ellen, Can you inch your hands up my arms, one at a time, just a bit at a time?” She still looked scared but nodded her head. Millimetre by millimetre she and I pulled her up until only her legs were below the cliff edge and I could get an arm around her. Jane had crawled down level with my stomach. She reached down.
“Ellen is it? Can you reach my hand now?” The little girl reached past me. “Okay Dave, I‘ve got her. When I pull, let her go. Are you ready Ellen?” She nodded. “NOW!” Suddenly she was past me and I could hear Jane soothing her as she began to cry. I relaxed, taking in great lungfuls of air. Now I had to get up the slope myself. I pushed backwards until my feet hit the fence. I crawled around and through it, then lay panting on my back. People started to appear from down the hill. Jane was still comforting Ellen. I could see now that she had used her shirt to secure me to the fence, but it had become ruined in the process. A crying woman took Ellen from Jane and they both came over to where I was lying.

“Thanks Sara. That was a great idea.”
“Well, you suggested it earlier in the story, and they’re all your words.” The muse shrugged. “But you still haven’t finished it.”
“I know. One last scene I think.”
“A happy ending?” She asked hopefully.
“Maybe an open ending. We’ll see shall we?”

It was evening now. Jane and I were sat on the rocks, watching the waves roll into the shoreline.
“You still don’t think you’re a hero?” She asked me.
“Nope. I just did what had to be done. It was you who pulled her clear anyway.”
“I could only do that because you held onto her.” She put her arm around me. “Anyway, there are three of us who think you’re a hero now. Looking down over the cliff edge must have been scary for you.”
“I’ve had nicer feelings, like this one.” I said, kissing her. “Three?” I asked slightly puzzled.
“Me, Ellen and her mom. Probably more if that reporter has anything to do with it.”
“That was so embarrassing.”
“Don’t be so modest.”
“Its not modesty, its genuine fear.”
“Dave, shut up! Just be admired for a while.”
“I’ll try.” We both fell silent for a while. “Now I’m worried.”
“About what now?”
“Us. Will be able to see each other again? I mean…” She shushed me.
“You don’t think I want to lose my own hero do you? Just kiss me again.” I did. The waves rolled in still, but no-one was watching anymore.

“Oh! That’s sweet.” Sara said. “But it’s not exactly a resolution is it?”
“Maybe I want to write a sequel in the future?”
“I hope so. I like them.”
“Me too. Have you got time to visit somewhere with me?”
“You know you’re my only client Dave, where do you want to go?” I tapped the screen which was showing one of my poems.
Sarakuk and I just stood and watched the Spitfire display. It was as beautiful as I remembered it. The sights, sounds and smells assaulting my senses. Sara was transfixed too.
“She is so…So stunning. So this is a love poem too?”
“Yes, yes it is.” I kissed my muse gently. “Thank you for your help, and thank you for bringing us back here so I can enjoy it again.”
“It’s all right. I might be abusing my powers a bit to do it, but I’m glad to help.”
“It’s what you do best Sara.” I kissed her again.


More from The Muse
ZING!
“Hello Muse. You haven’t appeared for a while.”
“Hi Dave, well you haven’t needed direct assistance for a while, although I have nudged you a little from time to time.”
“Yes” I smiled. “I have felt you trying to get in on a least one story.”
“Sorry about that.” She looked a little shamefaced. “It’s a good job you resisted. It became a wonderful trilogy.” She perked up. “So, how can I help you this time? Its obvious you’re having difficulties with something or I wouldn’t be here.”
“Well, I’ve got two stories started that I’m a bit stuck with, but I wanted to write some more about Jane and Dave, you remember them? And as you seem to have some affinity with Jane I thought you could help.”
“Should I put the bikini on?” She grinned. I paused before answering.
“Well, if it helps you Sara, but I have to say it is a bit distracting when you wear it. You look so pretty in it.” She blushed and laughed at the same time.
“All right. No distractions, and thank you for the compliment.” This time I blushed. “Come on then, fill me in on the basics.”
“I was thinking of doing a ‘two-hander’ about the different ways they’re handling being attracted but apart.”
“Sounds interesting. You start with him and I’ll come up with something for her.”

Dave was on a train. He and Jane had arranged to meet in Bristol this weekend for the wedding of some mutual friends. He could have driven, but that would have given him an easy escape if things went wrong. Besides, the train journey gave him time to think and plan. There were so many things he wanted to say, to tell her, but he didn’t know how. You couldn’t just drop these things into the conversation could you? ‘Would you like a coffee, and by the way, I think I love you.’ It felt like a phoney way to do it, and one thing he was determined never to be with Jane was phoney.
It had been eight months since they had first met, and since then they had managed to meet only four times. They kept in touch by phone and e-mail, but it wasn’t the same. Their last meeting had been two months ago at Christmas. That had been a wonderful time, marred only by his constant worrying that she was much too good for him. She was so pretty she could surely attract someone much better, and closer to home too. If only he could find the courage to tell her his feelings and share his worries. He made a decision. This weekend would be make or break, for Jane’s sake and the sake of his sanity. He would make himself say something and hope it was the right thing.

“Wow!” Said Sara. “You’ve filled him with all your own anxieties.” She smiled at me. “Even if he had a different name he’d be you.” I reddened again.
“Thank you.” I said sarcastically. “I prefer to think of him as me ramped up by five.”
“Whatever you say Dave.” She said, with a hint of disbelief. “Okay, my turn with Jane now. Ready to write?”
“Want to write it yourself?” I asked.
“Can I? That would be something different.” I moved away from the keyboard and let Sara sit down.
“Take it away Muse.”

Jane was on a train too, for pretty much the same reasons. She was thinking about their Christmas meeting. It had been great to meet up again, but it was obvious to her that Dave had something on his mind. She had thought about it a lot since and was hoping that he hadn’t found another girl closer to home. She didn’t want to lose her modest gentle hero. Another possibility was that perhaps he thought their long-distance relationship wasn’t working. She had tried to do something about this by seeking employment closer to where he was, but nothing had come of it so far. Maybe she should tell him of her feelings? But he kept so much to himself she wasn’t sure if that was the right thing to do, force it like that. No! She thought, this time something has to be said. They couldn’t just let it drift like this any longer, even if it meant she lost him. Hopefully though it wouldn’t come to that. Another thought struck her. Maybe nothing was wrong with Dave and she was projecting her own insecurities onto him? Whatever it was, they needed to talk. If it was all in her own mind Dave would understand and not think any the worse of her, kind and gentle man that he was. She wondered if a wedding was the right place to be thinking like this but realised that it was bound to make her think of her own relationship with Dave.

“Thank you Sara. That’s just the confused mood I wanted to catch. The job reference was a nice touch too.”
“I’m not sure it’s that good.” She replied dubiously. “I wasn’t certain exactly what you wanted.”
“No, it’s just the right tone. They’re two worried individuals, uncertain about how the other feels.”
“A case of art imitating life.” Sara murmured.
“What do you mean by that?” I asked her.
“Nothing. Nothing at all.” She replied quickly. “Come on, it’s your turn. How am I going to know where to go until I see what you write?”
“I thought you could see into my mind?”
“Well I can. But there’s so much going on in there at the moment I don’t know what relates to what.”
“Sorry.” I sighed. “Sometimes I have ideas with no story in mind. They sort of float about in my subconscious until they attach themselves to something.”
“Huh!” Sara sounded unconvinced as if she thought I was covering something up. “Anyway, I’ve been thinking too. I’m not sure I should actually be writing stuff for you. You’re supposed to be the writer, not me. I think I should go and see Anerbert and check.”
“Surely it’s the same as you telling me what to write?”
“I don’t ‘tell’. I suggest.”
“Same thing.”
“No it isn’t, and you know it. You always put your own spin on my suggestions.” Sara crossed her arms and puffed out her cheeks. It made her look childlike again, harking back to our first meeting. “So I’m going to check with Annie that I’m merely bending the rules and not actually breaking them. I won’t be long; get writing.” With a muffled Zing! She was gone. I shrugged to myself. She was cute when she tried to talk tough. I looked down at the keyboard and began to type.

The train pulled into the station only a little late. Dave hated to be late, so he got off as quickly as he could. He was to meet Jane outside the S.S. Great Britain. Not knowing exactly how to get there he decided to take a taxi. Jane was nowhere to be seen yet. He sighed with relief and sat down to wait for her. He hoped she wouldn’t be too long. He didn’t mind the wait, but he so wanted to see her pretty smile again. And when he was with her she made him feel so important although he knew he wasn’t. It always made the short time they spent together more precious. If he was going to lose her he would miss that feeling. Jane thought of him in a rose-tinted way, believing him to be something he felt he wasn’t. He wasn’t brave, his temper could be a lot worse than she knew, and he could be stubborn, moody and argumentative. I better tell her all this, he thought. She deserves the full picture of my faults.

“Oh Annie! I don’t know what to do!” Sara cried.
“I really don’t think it matters that much: it is only bending the rules a little, not actually breaking them. Not like taking him into a poem that you both know is finished.” Sara looked guilty.
“You know about that? Does anybody else?”
“Don’t worry, only I know. I am the muse for computer poetry after all.” Anerbert smiled at the worried Sara. “And I’m not telling, I promise.”
“Thank you. In any case, that’s not what I meant. I meant he thought that I was making up the stuff for Jane, but I was using my feelings for him.”
“Really?” Annie was surprised. Sarakuk had never mentioned her feelings before.
“Yes.” The reply was emphatic.
“You think that you might be…” She couldn’t think of any other way to put it. “…in love?”
“Oh I don’t know.” Sara wailed. “I could be utterly wrong. All I know is that when I’m with him I feel complete. Help me Annie, what should I do? Should I quit?”
“I think you should find out he feels before you do anything that drastic.”
“I’ve just remembered something. He said earlier I looked pretty in a bikini. And distracting.”
“Distracting eh? That sounds promising.” Annie hummed.
“Will you come back with me? As a friend not as a muse.”
“As a chaperone perhaps?” Anerbert smiled. Sara blushed.
“Sort of, I suppose.” She looked so crestfallen and worried that Annie gave in.
“All right, I’ll come. But I’ll stay invisible and quiet so he won’t know I’m there. Come on.”

I sat and read through what we had put down so far. Sara’s piece seemed so much better than mine, more emotional for one thing. I sighed. Perhaps she had a point. And if she was breaking rules by helping me in this way maybe I’d better write it all myself. I didn’t want her punished or taken away from me. I knew I’d miss her visits, infrequent though they were. Keeping her as my muse would be more than worth having this story not as good as it might be. With that thought I started to write the next section about Jane.

Jane’s train was arriving. She collected her bags and wandered out of the station, looking for a taxi to take her to the meeting place, some old ship that Dave obviously wanted a look at. She didn’t mind that, he was bound to get there first and have to wait, so he could probably take some pictures until she arrived. She felt in her coat pocket for the compact camera she’d bought, initially for the wedding they were supposed to be going to, but she could also get some pictures of him for a change.
She spotted him before she got out of the taxi. She had been right; he had got his camera out and was shooting pictures of the ship, what was it? The ‘Great Britain’? Jane paid off the cab and went to the bench where Dave’s bag was, sitting down and pulling out her own camera. She got in a couple of shots before he turned around and saw her. He smiled and came and sat next to her. “Been waiting long?” She asked.
“Not really, but I couldn’t resist taking a few pictures.”
“So I saw. I got one or two as well.”
“Of the ship?” He looked puzzled.
“No, of you, you muppet.” She laughed, kissing him on the cheek. He could be so dense sometimes. “Come on, we’ve a hotel to book in to, then we can catch up properly.” A momentary look of worry hurried across his face. She wondered why but said nothing. It did set her thinking though; maybe her own worries were not so far-fetched. They picked up their bags and went to the taxi rank.

There was a different sort of ‘ZING!’ with an echo to it. Sarakuk was beside me and looking at the screen. “You carried on without me.” She said with an accusing tone.
“Well, I was thinking that you were right, and I shouldn’t get you to write stuff directly for me if it’s going to get you into trouble. I couldn’t bear that.”
“Oh!” She seemed surprised.
“You’re my muse; I don’t want to lose you.”
“Your muse. That’s all is it?”
“Can it be anything else?” I was bemused. Sara seemed put out by my attitude, but I couldn’t think why. She was my muse and I was very fond of her, but she wasn’t real was she? The only relationship we could have was writer and muse as far as I could tell.
“Apparently not! Finish this yourself; I’m going to find someone else to help.” With that she was gone. I sighed and turned back to the screen. ‘Perhaps I can put this in.’ I thought. ‘It seems to fit.’

“We have reservations.” Dave said to the receptionist. “Two single rooms for one night.”
“Ah, I can see the mistake. We have it down as one double room for two nights.”
“Well change it.” He was annoyed now. Jane had not seen him so wound up before.
“I’m sorry. All our single rooms are taken for the night sir. The double is the only one available.” Jane tugged Dave out of the way.
“We’ll take it.” She said.
“We will?” Dave was surprised.
“Yes.” Jane took the key and led him to the stairs, remembering his fear of small spaces.
Once they were in the room Jane sat the still agitated Dave down and poured him a drink. “Now calm down. It’s a silly mistake, not the end of the world.” He took the alcohol and knocked it back. “Good. Now what is on your mind? You’ve looked worried since we met up by the ship.”
“Well…” He started to tell her but stopped, unsure how to say what he wanted to despite all his planning on the train. “I don’t know how to say it.” He looked down and then up at Jane. To his utter shock she was crying.
“I knew it.” She wept. “You’ve found someone else haven’t you? All the distance apart beat me.” Dave was completely thrown by this sudden turn.
“Jane, darling dearest Jane. You’re so wrong.” He pulled her to him and kissed her full on the lips. “See?”
“Then what can’t you say?” She said, tears still running down her face.
“I can’t …” He shrugged and then sighed. “I don’t know how to tell you I love you.”
“That sounded like a good attempt.” She grinned, her tears drying. He looked surprised.
“It came out easier than I thought.” He smiled. “Now how are we going to resolve this accommodation issue?”
“I think we can come up with something.”

“You can’t say it but you can write it.” A voice from nowhere came. It wasn’t Sara though. “It’s me, Anerbert.” She appeared beside me.
“How long have you been here? And what do you mean?”
“I arrived with Sara. And what I meant, you thick-headed numbskull, is that you can write down that you love her, but you can’t tell her.”
“Who are we talking about here? Jane?”
“SARA you idiot.” Anerbert shook her head. “I’m the poetry muse, but I can tell it’s obvious you’re Dave and Sara is Jane. She picked up on it as soon as she read the first paragraph, that’s why she wrote that second paragraph from her heart. Then you try to help her out and instead tread all over her affections.” I paled.
“I did? I didn’t mean too. I just didn’t want to lose her as my muse.”
“No, that’s just your rationalisation. You don’t want to lose her at all, and you know that.” I sat back and thought. Annie was right, I did love Sara. I always had. That was why I’d made a deal to keep her as my muse. And now it seemed like I’d messed it all up.
“Annie, what do I do?” I asked quietly.
“I honestly don’t know.” She calmed down. “As far as I know, no-one has fallen for their muse before. I really don’t know what might happen. What would be allowed to happen.” She sighed. “But I know who does. We have to go see HIM again.” I gulped.

Sara had run off to hide in the story where she had started as a muse. She noticed for the first time that the title was just ‘Muse’. She also read through the whole thing for once, instead of bits that she had helped with. She was a bit surprised to find out about the visit to the management. It seemed that the feelings she had were not all one way, back here he was the one in love. How had it turned around? When had she started to love him more than he loved her? She felt a momentary tremor, wondering if this was all her fault and then gave in to the tears, curling up and crying to herself, feeling lost and unloved and totally alone.

Anerbert and I arrived in the outer office of the management. It was still as white and stark as before: Except for one desk, out on the edge of my sight. There were splashes of colour all over it, knick-knacks, little toys, strange mementos. Instinctively I knew that was Sara’s desk. I began to move quickly toward it.
“Hey! Where are you going?” Annie called out, running after me.
“This is her desk isn’t it? Maybe she left a clue as to where she went.” I began to search the desk, ignoring the stares of other muses. “Help me Annie; I have to find her before she does something as stupid as me.” She put her hand on my arm.
“I said I didn’t know where she went to, but if you concentrate, I’m sure you will. You go and find her and I’ll see the boss and arrange a meeting. Now go!” I thought hard and suddenly knew where she would go.
“How do I do it?” I asked, before realising I was already on my way.

It was the restaurant where Eddie and Kitty were dining again. I had been right; Sarakuk was hiding as one of the other customers. She was sat way at the back, (like her office desk, I thought) watching my two favourite characters with a dark look in her eyes. Carefully, so as not to scare her, I made my way around behind her and then slipped into the spare seat at the table when she had her back turned.
“Hello Sara.” I said simply. Her head snapped back around, a venomous look in her green eyes, now reddened with tears.
“YOU!”
“Yes Muse, me. I want you to come back with me.”
“Why should I?” She pouted. She was reverting to the little girl lost I’d first met. The one I’d first started to fall for.
“Because we have to go and see the management.”
“They want to sack me again I suppose.”
“No, it’s me who wants to ask questions and I think you need to hear the answers.”
“I still don’t see why I should come with you.”
“Because there are things I need to tell you. We can’t just let it drift like this any longer.” I deliberately chose the wording she had used in her paragraph, hoping she caught my inference. She did, reaching across the table and putting her arms around my neck, hugging me closer than ever.
“All right, if it’s with you, I’m ready.” We stood and Sara took us back to the office.

Annie was waiting as we appeared outside the door to the inner office. She didn’t look worried, so I relaxed a little. Sara and Annie hugged. “I’m sorry for rushing off like that.” Sara said. “I was confused and upset and angry all at once.”
“It’s okay. I stayed a while and watched him for you. It turns out he does care more than you know.”
“Yes, I’m sorry Sara. I thought that it wasn’t allowed for me to fall for you. So I didn’t say anything, and stupidly didn’t notice your feelings until …. Well just now.” The three of us hugged now and didn’t notice the office door open.
“AHEM!” The manager’s voice boomed. We all jumped apart. “You requested an interview Anerbert.”
“Yes sir. For Sara and her writer. They have something to ask you.”
“Well, you better come in then.” He grumbled.
The office seemed smaller, a lot smaller. It now looked like a study for a professor. The old man noticed my interest. “I downsized it a bit since your last visit. Now, what can I do for you this time? Sarakuk not helping you enough?”
“Nothing like that sir.” I replied, not as scared of him this time around. “I need some information about the rules for your muses, what they are allowed to do.”
“Really? Sit down the three of you.” We complied. “I don’t know as there are that many rules, lots of guidelines of course. So if you are worried that Sarakuk did some actual writing for you or that you asked her to take you into a poem that was already finished, then don’t” All three of us gasped.
“How…How did you know sir?” Sara asked meekly. He leant forward.
“Because that’s my job Sarakuk, and it has been for millennia.” He winked at her.
“Actually sir, it’s more serious than that.” I said. “I’ve fallen in love with Sara, and more to the point, she appears to have fallen in love with me. Is this going to cause problems, especially for you?”
“Well, seeing as Sarakuk is exclusively your muse, it’s not going to bother me too much. The biggest problem is going to be for you two.”
“How come sir? We’ll be together won’t we?”
“Yes, but you see Sarakuk won’t age and you will. Can the both of you handle that?”
“Well it won’t be too bad for me.” I said. “But will you be alright Sara, watching me get old?” Her lip trembled a little.
“I’d like to find out.” She said a touch quaveringly.
“Then in that case, sir, I would like your permission to ask for Sara to marry me.”
“You carry on my boy.” I looked into the glowing faces of Annie and Sara and slipped onto one knee in front of my muse.
“Yes.” She said before I asked anything.
“And I know where the wedding is.” Said Annie.

Jane hung onto Dave’s arm, holding him close, determined not to lose him. He kissed her gently, vowing the same thing. They stood as the bride, Sarah, started to walk down the aisle. Anne, the bridesmaid, gave them a wink as she passed them. Down at the front Dave, the other Dave, was waiting, smiling as Sarah approached.

At the reception I met them, Dave and Jane, and told them to believe in each other and it would be all right, I promised. I was looking at the sunset nursing a drink when the management came over to me.
“I’d like to ask you a favour young man.”
“Sir, I’m not that young.”
“You are compared to me, everyone is.” I smiled.
“Go on then what is it? The favour?”
“When your time comes and you leave this mortal world, would you come and work for me?”
“As a muse? I don’t think I could.”
“No, I have plenty of muses, and new ones keep popping up all the time. I need a hand in the office. An assistant. Even a replacement. I think it would be about time for a holiday by then.”
“Would I still be married to Sara?” He smiled a huge smile.
“If you want, yes. You might be tired of her by then though.” I looked around at where Sara was dancing, realising she was dancing with someone else from my stories, another me in fact. All the wedding guests were my story characters and they were all here to wish me luck.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be tired or bored with her sir, eternity will not seem long at all with her at my side.”

It was late into the night before I carried Sara to our room. “What were you talking to the old man about?” she asked.
“Is that any way to talk about your father?”
“He’s not!”
“Of course he is. The father of all the muses, and the boss too.”
“Even if he is, what were you talking about?”
“He offered me a job.”
“You’re making this up! You make it sound like a wedding from a soap opera.”
“I am telling you the truth, and you know you can read it in my mind.” She concentrated for a while and then a huge smile split her face.
“He gave you eternity with me.” She flung her arms around me. “What a marvellous wedding gift!!”

.