Where You Need To Be

A follow up story from the extended 'View From A Bridge'. As I was writing that i had some ideas for Kelly. This is the result. Certain historical liberties have been taken, but I'm sure most people will recognise the shipwreck I based this on. I mean no offence to any victims or survivors of that tragedy.



Kelly sat at her desk staring at the wall. Time had dragged since Dave and Susan had left to go back. She had been at her happiest for a long time while they were here, but no-one at the radio station had that same spirit now. Maybe it was her. She sighed; maybe she was the boring one and they were all too polite to tell her. Whatever it was, it was making her feel restless. She didn’t feel she was contributing enough anymore. She let out another big sigh.
There was a knock on her office door.
“Come in.” She called.
“Thank you Miss Kelly.” The guide said, entering and sitting across the desk from her.
“Guide, what are you doing here? The station is still doing its job isn’t it?”
“Yes it is Miss Kelly, quite the best idea you have ever had in your thirty or so years working for me. But you feel there is something wrong. I heard your sigh.”
Kelly smiled to herself, even after all this time she still forgot how extensive the guide’s powers were.
“So you came to see me and find out what my problem was this time. And after all the time I’ve spent here, isn’t time you started calling me ‘Kelly’ like everyone else?”
“As you wish. I suspect, Kelly, that I know what your problem is. It’s the same one you’ve always had; ever since I threw you in at the deep end as a junior guide, when I should have accompanied you on your first multiple collection.”
Kelly reddened and dropped her head.
“I suppose you’re right sir. But it was my mistake more than yours. It was a busy time, that was why you needed juniors, and it was me who lost those souls, not you.”
“Dear Kelly, I suppose it’s pointless for me to tell you that you have more than made up for that mistake.”
“It doesn’t affect the fact that there are a thousand souls lost out in the wilderness of time because of me.”
“Would it surprise you to learn that less than half of those souls are still lost?”
“Yes it would.” Kelly leant forward, her interest piqued. “How?”
“I keep lists of those who are lost. And recently a number of those on your list have been turning up here.”
“Again, how?” Kelly was stunned at this revelation.
“They made their way into the city from the wastelands beyond.” The guide shrugged. “This has caused me to suppose that the rest may also be out there somewhere.”
“Why are you telling me this? It doesn’t make me feel any better.”
“I would like you to complete your mission Kelly. I know you miss your friends Miss Susan and the inestimable Dave, and I think this undertaking will fill the void their departure has left.”
“I don’t know sir.” Kelly answered dubiously. “It has been a long time since I did any guide work.”
“I know my dear.” The guide was patient with her. “That is why I propose to send someone with you, someone who is a little more attuned to this kind of work.”
“Who? Dave and Sue?” She asked hopefully
“No. I have no wish to disrupt their lives further. I have been trying to train a particular junior for quite some time. His name is Brad and he is proving a little…troublesome. I wish you to go with him beyond the city and find those missing souls out there. Will you do it?”
“Well, the station doesn’t really need me any more. Practically anyone can make the decisions I have too these days.” She paused. “Give me a couple of days to find a replacement and I’ll accept.”
“I hoped you would agree, so I have brought you one or two possible temporary replacements.”
“Only temporary?”
“Of course. This is your project and I would never dream of taking it away from you. I will bring Brad here tomorrow and we can sort out what you’ll need and where you’re going.” The guide stood and offered his hand. Kelly shook it, once again astounded by his prescience.
“I have to ask sir. Why me?”
“Mainly because I think you still feel responsible dear Kelly. You still torture yourself over your error. Hopefully this is what you need.” He turned and walked out.

Kelly looked out from the edge of the city and could see nothing but the vast wilderness. Sure, it was filled with vegetation, water, possibly even animals, but no-one knew for certain. The sketchy reports from those who had arrived at the city through it described a landscape full of forests, scrubland and the occasional range of hills with a few mountains thrown in. She sighed, adjusted the pack on her back and then started to walk, calling to her young companion.
“Come on then Brad, let’s go.”
“Okay Miss Kelly. The guide thought we should head for that mountain away in the distance.”
“I doubt we’ll do that in one day. It looks a week away at least.”
“About two and a half days I reckon. It’s about fifty miles away.”
“You really think we can do twenty miles a day?”
“Sure. Unless you’re not as fit as you look.” The youngster grinned cheekily.
Kelly had been a little surprised when the guide had turned up at her flat with Brad. He looked like a fifteen year old boy, which in a way he was. People’s bodies didn’t age from the moment they arrived here. He had been in the city for five years though, and the guide had been training him for the past eighteen months as a junior guide, but was having problems with the lad. Brad for his part didn’t seem put out by his apparent failure, but he was extremely keen to prove himself one way or another. They had planned what they thought they needed for a long journey. They didn’t carry much food, the guide was certain that they would be able to find more as they progressed. Kelly hadn’t been sure about this, but Brad and the guide had convinced her. The guide had never been wrong before, but there was still a niggling worry that there was a first time for everything. The other thing she wasn’t sure about, despite assurances from the guide, was Brad. He seemed a little, well, full of himself. Probably the ignorance of youth she thought.
They had been walking for two hours now, and making good progress. Kelly turned and called over her shoulder.
“Why don’t you take the lead for a while?”
“And miss the opportunity to stare at your bum?” He smiled.
“You can’t say that!” Kelly exclaimed.
“Why not?”
“Because it’s not polite. The era I came from was much more…”
“Repressed?” Brad answered. “Miss Kelly, I know you’re from the Edwardian period, and I’m from nearly a hundred years later, but things change, you’ve changed since then.”
“Nevertheless, no-one from my time would come out with a statement like that.”
“What would they say then? ‘ Madam, may I comment on the exquisiteness of your posterior’ or ‘the juxtaposition of your facial features renders you utterly beauteous’?” He asked somewhat facetiously.
“Possibly, but it sounds better than ‘you’ve got a luvverly bum missus.’”
“I never said that!”
“You thought it though.”
“Well, yes, I did. Mainly because you have got a lovely bum.”
“Brad! Can we stop talking about my bottom?” Kelly snapped exasperatedly.
“All right, all right.” Brad grinned evilly. “There’s no need to be so anal about it.”
“Do you really think you should be talking to me like that? I could be your great grand mother or something.”
“As an unmarried Edwardian girl, I doubt it.”
“That’s enough! I can see why the guide was having such a difficult time training you, you are very annoying.”
“That wasn’t the problem.” He smiled that infuriating smile. “All right, let me go in front for a while.”
They trudged on, Brad taking the lead, not as reluctantly as he made out. Kelly had been silent for quite a while, lost in her own thoughts. For some reason she liked Brad, and his words, though a little shocking to her, had seemed complimentary.
“Do you really think I have a nice bottom?” She asked out of the silence.
“Sure. Even in those combat trousers, it looks quite pert and well-rounded.” He said over his shoulder.
Kelly blushed despite herself.
“Then I thank you, but could you please keep your comments on my body to yourself in future, I’m not really used to talking so freely about it.”
“I’ll try Miss Kelly.” He turned and grinned at her. “You know, you didn’t sound so uptight when you were on the radio, especially with Dave.”
“That was different. That was just for the show.” Kelly went an even deeper shade of red. “And I knew Dave didn’t mean it, I knew he was in love with Sue. I can’t be sure if you’re for real or not.”
“So, you don’t know if I mean it or not?” Brad was grinning again.
“No, I don’t.” Kelly shook herself. This boy was so annoying! “In any case, I’m a lot older than you. Even if you do mean it, it isn’t right.”
“Oh come on, you’re only a few years older than me.”
“Only on the outside. I’ve been here over thirty years. And in the real world, there’s an even bigger difference, something like a hundred years between our births.”
“So?” Brad took her arms. “You’re over-thinking things Kelly. Like I said, things change and so have you. You are not the same as when you arrived here, you’ve evolved, adapted. Try to take things at face value, as they are, not as they ‘should’ be.” He seemed very earnest.
Kelly stared into his eyes. He meant it. Maybe that was why the guide sent him with her. She looked down.
“Okay. I’ll try.” She said quietly.
“That’s all I ask.” He turned back around and began to walk forward again. “Come slow coach, we’re falling behind schedule.”
“I told you I thought twenty miles a day was too much.”
“Rubbish. Get those sexy legs moving!”
“BRAD! I warned you…”

The two of them sat around a small campfire, drinking coffee and nibbling the hard biscuits they carried, each lost in their own thoughts. To Kelly’s surprise they had made more than the twenty miles on this first day. Brad was wondering how he could get Kelly to open up a little more to him. The guide had suggested he try, saying there was more to her than just a dowdy administrator, but not elaborating. He had been quite pleased when she had responded so forcefully to his teasing about her bottom, and she had let slip more than she realised. He hoped this was the right way to help her, she was a nice person and this was his first assignment.
Kelly suddenly broke the silence.
“Brad, I’m sorry if I sounded snooty or prissy this morning, but I’m not really used to people talking to me as a person. Everyone just sees me as a manager, or some authority figure. It was a bit different with Sue, Sara and Dave, but even they held back slightly.”
Brad sighed.
“I’m sorry too Miss Kelly. I think arriving here so young, so full of myself, made me realise what I’d missed out on. It made me impatient. I just want things to happen straightaway, so I jump in with both feet. It doesn’t always work, and makes me a bit unpopular. So I’m sorry if I offended you, I didn’t mean too.”
“Thank you for that. I know you mean well, but there is a huge gulf between our ways of thinking. I know I need to be more flexible and I am trying, but it is slow progress I’m afraid.”
“I think if you can put up with me it will be a step in the right direction.”
“You might be right.” She smiled sweetly for the first time in a while. “I’m going to turn in now.” She said, opening her sleeping bag.
“You’re not going to sleep in your clothes are you?” Brad asked.
“No. I was going to take off my boots and then undress inside the sleeping bag.”
“That is trickier than you think. I’ll tell you what, seeing as its you, I’ll look away.”
“You promise not to peek?”
“I promise.” He said, turning his back on her and staring into the darkness. There was the rustle of clothing being removed and then the sound of the sleeping bag zipper closing.
“You can turn around now Brad, and thank you.” Kelly called.
“I think that may have been worse than watching.” Brad said turning back around. Kelly’s face was peering out from the tightly zipped sleeping bag.
“How do you mean?”
“I mean my imagination ran riot listening to the rustles and zips.” He grinned once more, seeing the look of discomfort on her face. “By the way, you might want to turn your boots upside down. That way there’s less chance of them being invaded by creepy crawlies.” Kelly shuddered and quickly leaned across to turn her boots over. Brad began to undo his own boots.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m getting undressed as well.”
“Then I’m going to look away.”
“That’s up to you.” He shrugged. “It doesn’t bother me as much as you.” As Kelly hurriedly looked away, Brad could see that she was blushing again. He smiled to himself. She looked really cute when she reddened. He climbed into his bag. “All right, I’m done.”
“You’re not teasing me are you?” She asked with a hint of worry.
“Not this time I swear.”
Kelly sat up and looked at him.
“You’re right about the imagination.” She said, still flushed about the cheeks.
“What! Even you Miss Edwardian Girl.” He said in a mocking voice.
“Yes. It’s your fault for mentioning it.” She rested her head on her knees.
“I’m sorry Miss Kelly. I wasn’t thinking.”
“Kelly isn’t my real name you know, it’s just what I’m known as here.”
“What is your name then?” He asked, genuinely interested.
“Katherine. Katherine Elizabeth Louisa Isobel Chambers.”
“Or ‘Keli’ for short. I get it. Neat.”
“Sort of neat. See you in the morning Brad.”
“Goodnight Kelly.” Brad lay awake for a while, thinking. The guide had been right. Kelly was worth trying to get to know. She wasn’t really the stuffy stuck-up manager she appeared to be in an office. Out here she was less sure of herself, more vulnerable. He liked that about her. He smiled to himself, turned over and went to sleep.

Kelly awoke with a start, the sun already on her face. She groaned softly at her aching leg muscles, massaging them a little to ease the twinges. She sat up and looked around the camp. Brad wasn’t around, but he had re-lit the fire and there was a tantalising smell of fresh coffee wafting over her. She stood and stretched, letting the bag fall down. She bent over to pick up her trousers, and then pulled them on.
“Good morning lazy bones.” Brad’s voice came from behind her. She whirled round. “I found us some fruit for breakfast.” He smiled.
“Brad! How long have you been there?” Kelly asked worriedly.
“Long enough to tell I was right about your bottom.”
“You’re evil!” She snapped.
“No I’m not, I’m honest. Evil would have been having my wicked way with you while you slept. This is merely being mischievous.” He grinned cheekily.
Kelly went bright red, with anger this time. She strode up to him, her eyes flashing, and slapped him hard across the cheek.
“That was for even thinking of me like that.” She said angrily. Brad’s head dropped down. Kelly saw the movement. “And if you’re thinking about saying something about my bosom then forget it right now!”
Brad was genuinely upset about her reaction to his remarks; it wasn’t what he’d intended.
“I’m truly sorry Miss Kelly. I just thought that after our talk last night… No, it doesn’t matter. I have no excuse for what I just said. All I can do is ask for your forgiveness and promise never to speak like that to you again.”
His head was bowed but Kelly could see the distress in his eyes. She calmed down.
“I forgive you, and I’ll hold you to your promise, but I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have slapped you. A mixture of anger and embarrassment I’m afraid. Please accept my apologies.”
“Anything for you Miss Kelly, I mean it.”
“Good. Now, what fruit have you found? I’m surprisingly hungry.”

It took them a little less than the two and a half days to reach the foothills around the mountain, but most of that third day to climb one of them. Now they stood on the top of quite a lofty hill. Beyond they could see the wilderness stretching before them. Kelly turned around and looked back towards the city. She was amazed at exactly how far they had walked in such a relatively short time.
“Any idea which way we should head next Brad? Did the guide say anything?”
“Other than suggesting we head this way to start with, no. All he said was that I should be able to sense where to go next.”
“He got that far with your training?”
“Yes. There was only one thing I couldn’t do, and that was the transporting.”
“Which is why we’re walking?”
“I suppose.” He stared out over the vista before them, concentrating. Finally he pointed. “That way I think. If we follow that river, I think I sense souls in need.” He turned to her. “What about you Miss Kelly? You were a guide once, do you feel anything?”
“I haven’t been a guide for a long time Brad.”
“But you did the training; you should still be able to do it.” He looked worried, in need of a bit of reassurance that he was right.
“I’ll try.” She said. Kelly closed her eyes and let her mind go blank. It had been a long time since she’d done this. She concentrated hard. There was a glimmer of something she hadn’t felt for a long time. She raised her finger and pointed while her eyes were still closed. She opened them and looked where she was indicating. It was roughly the same direction Brad had said they should go. “Well, I think that makes it unanimous Brad.” She smiled, pleased that she hadn’t completely forgotten the guides training.
Brad smiled back, glad that she had corroborated his previously unused skill.
“Good. It seems we’re on the right track then. We’d better start down and find somewhere to camp for the night.”
“I agree. My turn to lead?”
“After you.” He paused. “Junior Guide Kelly.” He smiled at her to show he meant it as a compliment.
“Thank you.” Kelly smiled back. “Junior Guide Brad.” They both laughed and then began their descent.

They hadn’t talked much since the second morning, each of dealing with the anger and embarrassment in their own way. For Brad it seemed the best way to keep his promise, to keep his exuberance in check. And Kelly was upset with herself for the way she had reacted, and she thought that her words had unintentionally encouraged Brad to speak the way he had. If that was the case it was better to say nothing so as not to provoke the boy into an unwanted response. What words they had exchanged was banal stuff about their route or how they were doing.
The discussion on the hilltop earlier had caused the mood between them to lighten and to cause them both to rethink a little. It looked like being a long journey and neither of them was particularly happy walking in silence. With this in mind, when they were making camp part of the way down the hill, Brad spoke.
“Miss Kelly, I’ve been wondering, can you tell me about your time here with the guide?” He thought this should be a safe subject for conversation, but he added. “You don’t have too if you don’t want too.”
“I don’t mind.” She smiled, glad that they seemed to be talking again. The smile made Brad thankful that he had asked the question.
“So, what was it like when you arrived here?”
“Well, the city was fairly new at that point. Up until then people had been arriving in dribs and drabs, easily dealt with on a one to one basis. Their problems were simpler to resolve as well, but the guide could see that all that was going to change quite soon, that a lot of unhappy people would be arriving in large groups within a short while. The city was founded so that there was somewhere for them to stay until their problems could be solved. He also realised that he would need help, so he selected a few new arrivals to train as junior guides.”
“And you were one of them?”
“Yes. He’s always been able to select people who can help him, although I think I am the only one to fail him as a guide.” She looked downcast for a moment.
“I don’t think you failed him. From what I’ve learnt he just had to use you before you were properly ready.” He gave her a sincere look. “Anyway, look at me. I’m not exactly a rip-roaring success. Perhaps he saw something else in both of us?”
“Maybe, I suppose.” Kelly sighed. “Anyway, after I messed up, I found I couldn’t do it any more. So the guide asked if I could help set up some administration to ease the processing, to speed up getting new arrivals to where they needed to be. For some reason I found it incredibly easy. Perhaps that’s what he intended all along.”
“What happened next?”
“Well for a very long time I just ran the administration for him, making the occasional suggestion that I thought would help things.”
“Such as?”
“The children’s home for example. I’d noticed that there were an increasing number of unattached children arriving with problems and nowhere to go. I suggested that it might be good for them to all be together, where there could be someone specifically to help them. Generally they’re not here long, their problems being easier to solve.”
“What about the radio station?”
“Well, I had been thinking for a long time about the restorative qualities of music…”
“I know what you mean! The way a song can make you feel better when you hear it, even if you’ve heard it loads of times before.”
“That wasn’t exactly what I had in mind, but I did notice it happening quite often after we’d started broadcasting. The thing that had actually tipped it for me was the increasing number of new arrivals who asked what sort of music we had here. At that point we had none, so I worked out a proposal for the guide. He could see the benefits at once, so he asked me to set up the station.”
“Why give up the admin job though?”
“To be honest I thought that radio controller would be a more fulfilling job, plus my assistant was champing at the bit to take over, so it wasn’t that hard a decision.”
“How did you settle on the sort of music? There is such a variety.”
“Well, we just played the music that the DJ’s liked really. I didn’t impose any restrictions on them. To be honest, I would have liked some music from my era, but most of the people in the city are from much more recent times than me, so it was better to play tunes that they enjoyed.”
“Why not play some stuff YOU like when you get back? You’re the controller; you could slip in an hour of music you like once a week quite easily.”
“I could I suppose.” Kelly mused. “I’ll think about it, thanks Brad.”
By now they had set up the camp and got a fire going. Coffee was brewing once again and they settled down to drink it.
“Why are you so interested in me Brad?” Kelly asked, sipping from her cup.
“The guide.” He answered, knowing that honesty was best in this case. “He said it would be worth my while getting to know you. He was right, I’m glad I’ve tried.”
“The guide eh?” Kelly mused. “What is he up too now?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean he told me not to take you at face value, that you weren’t the delinquent you appeared to be, that I should get to know you before I made any snap judgements.”
“I think he sees more in us than we do ourselves.”
“You may be right. We’ll see how it goes then shall we?”
“Well, it’s been interesting so far, why not?” The cheeky grin spread over his face again.
“Indeed. Time for me to turn in anyway.”
Brad dutifully turned his back to let her remove her outer clothes and get into her sleeping bag.
“I’m glad we’re coming up to a river.” He said, looking down at the state his own garments were getting in. “Maybe I can wash these clothes.”

Twelve hours later he was regretting those words. It had begun to rain for the first time not long after they had struck camp. That had been a gentle rain. Now as they followed the river it had become an incessant driving rain, soaking through their jackets and trousers, and beating into their faces. It made it difficult to keep their eyes open and watch where they were going. Out of the corner of his eye Brad spotted a protected spot where they could pitch the shelter he had been carrying but hadn’t used yet. The side of the hill and a pair of large trees would keep much of the rain off. Although she hadn’t complained, he could tell Kelly was starting to feel cold, he could hear her teeth chattering, and he thought the sooner they could get undercover the better. With that in mind Brad began to move away from the rivers edge towards the sheltered spot, taking his back pack off to get the small tent out.
What exactly happened next neither of them was sure. Kelly was protecting her face by looking down and didn’t see that Brad wasn’t leading her. Brad thought that Kelly was following him away from the river. As he put down his pack he heard a splash. He span around and couldn’t see Kelly anywhere. Panicking a little he ran back to the riverbank and saw her thrashing about in the muddied waters below the spot where she had slipped off the bank. Without hesitation he jumped into the water and grabbed her unceremoniously under the arms, keeping her head up out of the overflowing river water. He pulled her to the muddy bank and out of the raging torrent. She spluttered and splashed her way soggily to where he had dropped his pack while he fished hers out of the water. Kelly was shivering uncontrollably as Brad came up to her.
“Miss Kelly, you’ve got to keep warm.” He fished a dry blanket out of his pack. “Wrap this around yourself.” She took it and sat down. Brad massaged her arms to get some warmth back into them. She looked at him blankly, but got the hint and continued to rub her hands up and down her arms as Brad erected the tent as quickly as he could. As soon as it was up, he bundled Kelly inside, telling her to get out of her wet things, find something dry in his pack and then get into a sleeping bag. He put his pack into the tent after her, as it contained the only dry sleeping bag and dry clothes they had. As she struggled to do as he ordered, Brad was creating a windbreak with the wet blankets so he could try and light a fire, but it was raining too much for that. His thoughts turned again to Kelly. “Kelly, are you all right?” He asked at the entrance to the tent. When he got no reply he stuck his head in. She had managed to take off her wet clothing and even replace them with his spare underthings, but crawling into the sleeping bag had exhausted her. She was curled up and shivering even worse than before. Brad realised what he was going to have to do to get her body temperature back up, and she was going to hate him for it. Sighing he kicked off his boots and got undercover. Inside he took off his wet outer clothing and then, hoping she would understand that this was the only way, slipped into the sleeping bag with her, wrapping his arms around her, to use his body heat to raise hers.
“W…What are you d…doing?” Kelly asked, through her chattering teeth.
“I have to get you warm Miss Kelly. This is the only way. The blankets are soaked, so are your clothes, I can’t get a fire lit outside and I can’t light one in here.”
“O…okay. I g…get it.” She was still shivering. Brad held her tightly to him, careful where he put his hands. “T…talk t…to me.”
“What should I say?”
“A…anything. H…how d…did you g…get here?”
“I was young and stupid. I thought I could impress some friends by arriving at their party on my brother’s motorbike, but I crashed into a tree going too fast around a bend.”
“W…why d…did you end up h…here th…though?”
“I guess I had some unresolved issues.”
“L…like w…what?”
“I’m not sure, that’s probably why I’m still here.” He could feel Kelly getting warmer. Her shivering was lessening and her teeth no longer chattered. “Are you feeling better?”
“A little.”
“Then I’d better get back outside and try the fire again.”
“No. Hold me, at least until the rain eases.”
“Are you sure Miss Kelly?”
“I’m sure Brad. At least for now.”
“You had me worried for a while, I thought you might die or something.”
“We can’t die, we’re already dead Brad.”
“We can’t die in the city, but out here? Who knows?”
“You’re right.” Kelly smiled. “I’m happy to have proved your worries needless.”
“So am I. Just rest for now.”

Kelly awoke with a start. The sound of the horrendous rain of the day before had gone. The only noise was that of the tent flapping in the breeze. She caught the smell of wood smoke and fresh coffee drifting on the air. She slid out of the sleeping bag and looked around for her clothes. The only things inside the tent were Brad’s pack and his spare set of clothes with a note on them. She picked up the note to read it. It said; Wear these. She shrugged and pulled on the shirt and shorts, noting as she did that she was wearing his spare underwear. Memories of the previous day came rushing back. The sudden terrifying drop into the river. The shock of entering the ice cold water. Brad hauling her out of the swollen torrent. Him bundling her into the hastily erected tent with the command to put on his dry things and get into the sleeping bag. And the careful tender way he had held her close to him to warm her frozen body. Kelly smiled to herself as she opened the tent flap. He wasn’t really the delinquent he tried to be after all.
She popped her head through the tent opening into glorious sunshine. It wasn’t the sun that caused her to gasp though; it was the scene before her. Brad had managed to hang up every wet piece of clothing and equipment to dry out. It was all fluttering merrily in the sun-kissed breeze. With a start she realised that included all her underthings. She quickly scrambled out to see if they at least were dry. To her relief they were, so she hurriedly took them down, away from prying eyes.
“Good morning Miss Kelly.” Brad called out brightly as he came back into the camp carrying some more wood for the drying fire. “Feeling better now?”
“Yes…Yes thank you.” She said, attempting to hide the recently dry undergarments from his view.
“Why are you trying to hide those from me? It was me who hung them up.”
“I…I realise that.” Kelly felt foolish now. “It’s just that I’m embarrassed that you’ve seen them.” That sounded even sillier she thought.
“It’s not like you’re wearing them Miss Kelly.” He smiled as he knelt by the fire with the wood he had collected.
“It’s just…embarrassing.” She tailed off. “Can we just leave it at that?”
“Sure. I won’t mention it again.”
“What about my other clothes?”
“Your spare set should be dry soon.”
“What about the ones I was wearing?”
“I had to wash them properly earlier; they were caked with mud.”
“How long until everything is dry then?”
“I think we’re going to have to stay here today and start afresh in the morning. That way we should have got it all dry. That’s if you agree?” He looked up at her questioningly.
“I don’t mind. I could do with a bit of a rest anyway; I’m afraid I’m not as fit as you.”
“Of course you are. You just don’t realise it.”
“Have it your way Brad. But can we get some of my clothes dry so that I can change?”
“If you like. Any reason for the rush?”
“I just feel strange wearing your clothes.” Kelly shrugged.
“You look okay in them. But you’d rather have your own on?”
“Please Brad. It makes me feel like I’m imposing on you.”
“I’d do anything for you Miss Kelly, even give up my clothes.” He grinned. “But if you want your own back, your wish is my command.” He began to arrange her clothes around the fire so that they dried more quickly. He turned to face her. “I’ll only mention this now, never again, but you do know why I had to get into the bag with you last night don’t you? I wouldn’t want you to think I had any other intent than to keep you warm.” He looked really worried. So worried that Kelly almost laughed.
“Yes, I know why. And it’s sweet of you to worry about me.” She took his hand. “You were right before, I have changed. In fact I think I’m still changing, hopefully for the better.” She smiled to show she meant it. “Now, what is there to eat?”

They broke camp early the next morning, both eager to be on the move again. So eager that all they had to do was pack up the tent, everything else having been stowed the previous evening. As they took down the canvas shelter Kelly spoke.
“Brad, why did we never use the tent before?”
“I didn’t think we needed too Miss Kelly. And you never mentioned it; it was in plain sight on my back pack all the time.” His worried look returned.
“I’m not accusing you of anything Brad, I just thought that things might have been less embarrassing all round if I’d had the tent to change in.” She smiled to show that she genuinely wasn’t upset.
“A good point. I’m deeply sorry that I didn’t think of it. We can put it up every night from now on if you want.”
“I suspect that we’re a bit past that point now Brad. We’ll just use it on cold or wet nights.”
“We? You’re saying I can use the tent with you?”
“Of course, you silly. You’re the one carrying it. Besides, like I said, I think that we, or rather, I, are beyond the embarrassment now.” Her grin broadened to show she meant it.
“If you’re sure Miss Kelly.”
“I am.” She nodded. “And you can leave off the ‘Miss’ now Brad. You’ve had your arms around me while I was nearly undressed.” She reddened shyly.
But not as much as Brad.
“Thank you.” He said. “But please don’t keep reminding me.”
“Brad! You’re not embarrassed are you?”
“To be honest, more than a little.”
“After all that talk about my bottom?”
“I’m all talk Miss Kelly.” He hung his head. “That was the first time I’ve ever been so close to a girl.”
“It was that horrible for you was it?”
“NO! No, it was incredibly nice, but it left me with feelings I don’t know how to handle. Could…could you help me try?”
“Well, I’ll give it a go Brad, but I’m not that experienced myself you know?” She paused, pursing her lips. “It’s a pity Dave and Sue have gone. I’m sure they could have helped both of us.” She sighed.
“We’ll just have to work it out ourselves then.” Brad said as he finished strapping the tent to his backpack. “Are we ready?” They both glanced around the little hollow, making sure they had picked everything up. “Let’s get going then.”

They spent the next day or so talking about their lives as they followed the meandering river. Sometime around the middle of the second day since the long stop Brad, who was leading, halted suddenly Kelly walking into him.
“What’s the matter?” She asked.
He was staring ahead.
“I think.” He said. “That I can see smoke from a campfire beyond that forest.” He pointed.
Kelly looked in the direction he was indicating, and then she saw it too, a thin wisp of smoke rising above the tree tops.
“Brad! We were right!! We’ve found someone!” She said excitedly. “Come on, let’s find out who.” Her eyes were shining with joy.
“It’s at least a day away Kelly.” Brad sounded dubious. “They might be mobile like us.”
“But we should be able to sense them. Come on, concentrate.”
They both closed their eyes and felt for the souls.
“There are only two or three of them.” Brad said slowly.
“That’s what I feel too, but it’s a start.”
They quickened their pace; Brad keeping a fix on their target, Kelly guiding them through the landscape. By that evening both of them felt that they were really close, but elected to halt and approach the camp in the morning. They spent a good deal of that night talking about what they were going to say when they met those lost souls, deciding eventually that the best thing to do was treat it like a normal collection as they had been trained.

The next morning they broke camp early and went to find the other encampment. It only took them ten or so minutes. With a look at each other for reassurance they strode in. By common agreement it was Kelly who spoke.
“Hello! Anybody here? We’ve been looking for you. Hello?”
Three men came out of a hastily erected shelter, looking at Brad and Kelly in a curious way.
“Why would base send a woman and a child to look for us? We were due back in two days.” The tallest one said. He was dressed as an Edwardian sailor.
“We never said we came from your base. You know where the others are? How many?”
“There are about two hundred of us.” The man frowned. “Look, who are you then?”
“We are your guides on this plane of existence.”
“What sort of talk is that?”
“You are dead.” Kelly said matter of factly. “We are to guide you to where you are supposed to be.”
“A boy and a young woman? I don’t believe you.”
“It’s true.” Brad spoke, for the first time.
“Be quiet! Children should be seen and not heard.” The man snapped.
“Yeah, well things have changed since you died.” Brad snapped back.
“Even if I accept that we are dead, I seriously doubt much has altered in three months.”
“Sorry, but your ship sank over one hundred years ago.” Kelly said sadly.
“A hundred years? I don’t believe you. We’ve only been here for three months!”
“It’s the truth, and it’s my fault you were not picked up then. I was supposed to collect you that night, but I made a mess of it. By the time I arrived you had all become lost in the wastes of time.” She hung her head.
“Collected? Like an angel?” One of the other men asked.
“I suppose. We have been given many names throughout time. Valkyries for example as well as angels. But the premise is the same; we guide the souls of the dead to a safe haven.”
“Surely that is not a job for a woman and a child?” The big man asked, beginning to believe them.
“Don’t keep calling me a child.” Brad sounded a little exasperated.
“Everyone is equal in death.” Kelly said, ignoring his outburst.
“You mean..?”
“Yes, both of us have already left the mortal plane. I before you, my young companion more recently.”
For all his apparent bluster, the leader now sagged in despair.
“I knew deep down that we were dead, we all did, but we hoped otherwise.” He straightened up. “What..? What happens next?”
“Well, if you take us to the others, we will guide you to where you are supposed to be, where I should have brought you a long time ago.”
“All right. Base camp is about two days away. We follow the river.” Kelly and Brad smiled at each other: They had been right about the direction then.

They found out that their three new companions were one of a number of foraging parties sent out to collect as much food as they could locate. Kelly wondered why there was such a large group of people together. The guide had said that the others had been arriving in much smaller bands, the largest being about twenty-five. From the sailor she found out that they were all those who were still on the ship when she sank which seemed to make some kind of sense. They had become lost in time in packets and this had been the largest one.
As they walked Brad and Kelly discussed how they were going to get such a large group to the city. Trekking back through the wilderness might be difficult with some many.
“Can’t you transport them Kelly?” Brad asked.
“I don’t think so. That was a worry for me back then too. How about you?”
“The numbers wouldn’t be a problem, but I have problems with materialising in the right place. My spatial awareness seems to be off.”
Kelly thought for a while.
“Maybe we could combine our skills.” She said slowly. “I may be able to show you how to get them to the right place.”
“And I can show you how to cope with more than one person. This could work Kelly.”
“It might. I think we’d better ask them if they are prepared to take the risk of us messing up though.”
“I suppose.”
“It is their future after all.”
“When you put it like that… All right. We’ll give them the choice.”

As they entered the encampment Kelly looked around, appalled at the conditions, even more appalled that it was her error that had led these people to this. Brad tried to reassure her but couldn’t, he himself feeling upset at the scene. It reminded him of the pictures he had seen from refugee camps. They made their way through the rough shelters until they found the ships captain, who had gone down with his ship. One look at his drawn and haggard face told Kelly that his would not be a quick journey to self-redemption. He had the same look in his eyes that she still got when she was feeling bad. He shook their hands.
“Welcome. My seaman tells me you have come to take us to our reward. I suspect mine may be somewhat fiery.”
“Don’t do yourself down sir.” Kelly replied. “If that was the place where you were destined to go, that is where you would be.”
“Thank you for that. However I still feel responsible for these peoples plight.”
“No more than I, I assure you. But it will pass, I assure you of that too, it WILL pass.” She gave a sad smile. “Now, my young associate and I have two ideas for getting you all to our city. Both have risks. The least risky but definitely slower option is simple; we walk. You can see the problems there straight away. It took the two of us ten days to get here. I suspect it would take at least twice as long to get over two hundred people over the same distance.”
“The second option?” The captain asked.
“The second option is instantaneous transport but that involves using skills we have been taught but are not confidant in using. We are happy to try either. We leave the final decision to you and your people.”
“Which option do you recommend?”
“We think the quicker the better.” Brad said. “There is no reason to prolong your waiting. But as Kelly has said, we are not fully confidant of our abilities.”
The captain gave a wane smile.
“I think you would not have been sent if someone did not trust your skills, fully developed or not.” He swept his hand over the camp. “I will speak to those here and give you our decision.”

Brad and Kelly stood before the assembled crowd.
“You are all sure you wish to try this?” Kelly asked.
“We are.” The captain replied.
“Okay then.” Kelly sighed. She turned to Brad. “Ready?”
“Not really.”
“Me neither.” She turned back to the assembly. “If you could all hold hands please. That will help to keep us all together.” She clasped Brad’s hand tightly.
“Where are we aiming for?” He asked.
“The park. It’s big and it’s open.”
“Good choice. Let’s do this.” The two of them concentrated, each feeling the other helping them. The encampment vanished from view.

They materialised closer to the children’s home than Kelly intended, but still in the park, near the playground in fact. She took a quick look around to make sure everyone was safe; they were. She whooped with joy.
“Brad! Brad! We did it!! We did it!!!” She threw her arms around the unsuspecting boy and hugged him, kissing his face repeatedly with joy. A little surprised, Brad let her enthusiasm wash over him until she calmed down. As she pulled away he looked into her flushed and excited face.
“Kelly, you’ve done it. You succeeded.”
“WE succeeded Brad. It was you as well.”
The Captain and the first sailor they had met came over.
“We would all like to thank you for getting us here.” The captain said.
“Yes, thank you.” The sailor added.
“I should have got you here a long time ago.” Kelly said.
“But you did get us here eventually.” The captain held out his hand to each of them in turn. They shook his hand and that of the sailor. The two men went back to the milling crowd as people from the city began to arrive and sort out the new arrivals. As they left Brad turned to look at Kelly once more.
“Kelly, your eyes have gone green.” He said, with a hint of trepidation.
“They have? I don’t feel any different.”
As Brad nodded in confirmation the guide appeared in his usual unobtrusive manner. Kelly was never sure if he materialised out of thin air or just wandered up when no-one was looking.
“Guide, what does this mean?” She asked.
“You know what it means Miss Kelly. It means that the next time you wake up, you will be where you need to be.”
“But I don’t want to go.” It was almost a wail.
“Nevertheless, when next you wake, you will be where you need to be.” The guide gave her a secret smile.
Brad moved to stand in front of Kelly.
“Kelly, I’m really glad for you. You deserve it after all this time.”
“Thank you Brad. You’ve helped me so much, is there anything I can do for you?”
“C…could I have one proper kiss?” He asked tentatively. In answer she took his head in her hands and kissed him hard. Brad was a little shocked at first but soon responded in kind until Kelly broke away.
“That was nice.” She said. “Can I ask something of you now Brad?”
“You know I’ll do anything for you.”
“Then you kiss me now.” Brad gulped hesitantly. “Please Brad.”
Screwing up his nerve he put his arms around her back and pulled her towards him. As she moved forward Kelly reached behind her and moved one of Brad’s hands down onto her bottom. He took the hint and dropped the other hand to the same place. The kiss lasted for a long time. As Brad pulled back he could see devilment in Kelly’s still green eyes.
“Phew! That was worth waiting for.” She smiled a happy smile. “I think I’m going to miss you Brad.”
“I know I’m going to miss you Kelly.”
The guide cleared his throat.
“Brad, could you help get these people to the induction centre?” He asked, indicating the rescued souls now being assisted by several of the junior guides. “And then take the rest of the day off. Meet me here at eight in the morning.” He handed him a card. “I just want a few words with Kelly alone.”
“Of course sir.” Brad bustled off, but not before Kelly caught the hint of tears in his eyes.
“He will be all right won’t he?” Kelly said, reddening for no apparent reason.
“Yes, I hope he will be as right as rain fairly soon.”
“What did you want to talk to me about?” Kelly asked.
“I just want to thank you. You have helped Brad achieve his potential, and you have finally managed to complete your assignment. A good job as ever Miss Kelly. I may really miss your help.”
“Thank you sir. You and Brad have helped me too.” She shook his hand. “What should I do now?”
“That’s entirely up to you my dear. You have the rest of the day to do as you wish. Say farewells, have a party, whatever you want.”
“There are one or two people I’d like to see, but I’m actually quite tired. I might have an early night.”
The guide smiled.
“And get it over with?”
“And get it over with.”

Kelly found the friends she wanted to see and then made her way back to the flat she had occupied for so long. She found her mind was full of thoughts about how improvements could be made to the collections, the admin and the radio station. She sat at her desk and began to write out a few suggestions for the guide to find. The first thing that she wrote down was the idea that Brad should take her place at the station. It had made her happy and she thought it might do the same for him. Without realising it Kelly worked on the list until late into the night when it was quite long. She read through it one last time and then with a sigh began to get ready for bed. As she slipped beneath the covers she started to think again. She was going to miss working for the guide. She was going to miss working at the station even more than she thought possible. And to her own enormous surprise she was really going to miss Brad. Kelly finally drifted off to sleep with thoughts of Brad running through her head.

She awoke slowly, wondering where she was. Only one way to find out, she thought, and snapped her eyes open. To her utter shock she was still in her bedroom! Something must have gone wrong. She looked at the clock and saw that it was after seven in the morning. Whatever had happened, that was the time to get up. She slid out from beneath the sheets and walked over to the window. As she looked out she could see that it was a lovely day out there. There was a whistle from someone passing below. She suddenly realised she was only in her underclothes. She realised that the past few weeks had changed her. Sleeping in just her skimpies had become a habit during the quest, before she would never have even thought about such a shocking thing. And as for letting anyone see her with so few clothes on… Pulling on a dressing gown she found her mind returning to their arrival in the park. She now began to remember little things the guide had said. Or more importantly, how he had said them. She would wake ‘where she needed to be’. He hoped Brad would be all right ‘fairly soon’. He ‘may’ miss her help. And that knowing smile. It seemed that he was hinting that she wasn’t destined to leave here after all! There was a knock at her door. Before she opened it Kelly knew that it would be the guide.
“Hello guide. Come in. You don’t seem to be surprised to see me?” She asked as she opened the door.
“Not surprised, glad actually. I had to leave the choice to you. There was a faint possibility that you wanted to leave.” The guide smiled, following her into the flat. “I believe you may have some suggestions for me?” She pointed to the list on her desk. He picked it up and gave it a quick read. “Sorry about the first one. Brad will have to make do with being your assistant.” He grinned.
“I can accept that.” She grinned back. A thought struck her. “Actually it might be even better. Between us Brad and I can assume the responsibility of selecting candidates for the jobs at the station. It will be one less thing for you to do.”
“You know Kelly.” The guide smiled benignly. “I think one day you might actually be able to take over from me.”
“Oh, I couldn’t do that sir!”
“I think you could, but not for a while yet eh?” He said with a twinkle in his eye. There was another knock at the door. “That should be Brad.”
“How do you know?”
“This was where I asked him to meet me yesterday on that card.” He shrugged. “But I can sense it’s him anyway. Are you going to let him in, or shall I?”
“I think you had better. I should probably put some clothes on.”
“For your sake or his?”
“I’m not too sure. Just let him in please.” She said over her shoulder as she went into her bedroom.

Brad was a little surprised when he realised that the guide wanted to meet him at Kelly’s flat. What had been Kelly’s flat, he corrected himself. He had been here just that once, before they had set out into the wilderness. Perhaps the guide wanted some help to clear it out, but it seemed a bit menial for the chief to be doing that. The guide opened the door to him.
“Ah, Brad. I asked you here to meet your new boss.”
“Someone else has moved in already?” Brad asked a little shocked.
“No! I’m still here.” Kelly said as she came out of the bedroom, zipping up her skirt.
“Kelly! But I thought you got ‘green-eye’?” He stared open-mouthed
“I did. But apparently this is where I’m supposed to be.” She grinned at him. “Close your mouth Brad, it looks silly.”
“Sorry.” He shook himself. “Did you say she was going to be my boss?” He asked the guide. “Doing what?”
“Knowing Kelly, you’ll have some title like ‘personnel procurement officer’, but basically it seems she wants you to help her run the radio station.”
“You do?” He turned back to Kelly, who was now brushing her hair.
“Don’t you want to work with me?” She asked, tugging at a knot.
“More than anything. I… I think I love you Kelly.”
“I think I knew that. Just as well, because I love you too.”
“You do? That makes me really happy.”
“I can tell. Your eyes have just gone green.” Kelly looked across at the guide. “He’s not going to go away now is he?”
“Well, as with you, it is up to him. But I doubt it somehow.” For the first time that Kelly could ever remember, the guide had a cheeky grin on his face. “Kiss him again to make sure.”
“Why not?” She said, walking up to the astonished Brad. They wrapped their arms around each other and kissed. They kissed for so long that the guide had gone by the time they finished.

The guide walked away, smiling to himself. This was what the city was really about; a place where people could find themselves. That was why he called himself ‘The Guide’, not because he guided people to here, but because he guided them to find themselves when they got here. He walked on.