~ ~ ~
~
George
and Rowena Raymond did not sleep well that night. They chatted till
the early hours of the morning.
“
George, there is no way he could have recognised it unless he
is the Protector. He has arrived. I am sure.”
“
But, honey, why did she not recognise him? The first time we
met, we knew. I knew that I was to protect you the moment I set
eyes on you. Why does she not know? And him? Why does he say
nothing?”
“Because, this time it is different. Everything has been
different. It never came to me when I was alone or in the daylight
hours. George, it is getting stronger. Maybe this time, love will
not win. Maybe this is the end. Our baby could be the
last.”
“Come
now, dear, things have been different. But Rebecca has coped very
well. She has managed to use her life to help others. Do you think
we should bring him to her?”
“
No. They must find each other. We don’t know what will happen
if we interfere. It might harm her or him. We just don’t know,
George. What can we do to help our baby?”
“
I don’t know. Perhaps we should go to her. I know she must
help herself, but my baby does not need to be alone. Something is
different. We can’t leave her alone, Rowena.”
They
decided that they would visit her. The next morning they left their
home in Mayville and drove into the city to see their precious
baby.
~ ~ ~
~
Rebecca
was not surprised when her parents phoned to say they were coming
to visit her for a few days. They must have been worried about her
after that conversation. She was quite pleased because she would
not feel so lonely with her thoughts. When they arrived, she saw
the worry lines on her mother’s face and hugged her tightly. Her
father was very relieved to see his daughter. He made her turn
around, like he always did when she was a child. It made him feel
better when he saw all of her. They spoke and settled in and
Rebecca felt like a pampered child. Her father wondered around her
garden, while her mother made herbal bath potions for her. It was
so lovely to feel like a child again.
When Jackie arrived that afternoon, they chatted to her and
she seemed to like them. She liked her mother, with her bubbly
smile and clever words. Her father said very little. Then her
mother said, “Rebecca, your father and I have been thinking. You
must bring more of your friends over. I will cook for them.
How’s that?”
“
Oh Mum, that is not necessary. Just relax and enjoy the
stay.”
“
We would like to meet some of the city folk and the cooking
will be fun for me. Come on. What do you think, Jackie? Dinner,
tomorrow?”
“
I think that it very kind of you to offer, Rowena. Jono would
be delighted. Thank you.”
“
Fine. You, my dear, must decide who else to
invite.”
Her
parents left the room and Jackie smiled.
“She is
a wonderful woman, Rebecca. Don’t look so horrified. It makes them
feel young and special when they treat you like a child. You must
learn to indulge her. It won’t be too bad, I’m sure. I love the way
they talk with their eyes. It is so intimate.”
“Yes,
but also very frustrating. When I was a child, I would ask for
something, they would ‘discuss it’ and then turn to me and say ‘yes
we agree’ or ‘no, not at this time’. I would get so angry because I
couldn’t argue with their silent discussion. It drove me mad and it
would make them laugh.”
~ ~ ~
~
When
Jackie left, she went straight to her husband.
“
Well darling, she does have a tattoo. I didn’t even have to
ask. She was wearing shorts and a cropped t-shirt. It sat proudly
on her back. It was definitely Clayton’s butterfly. What do you
have to say about that?”
“I’m
surprised. She does not look like the type to sport a tattoo. Why
is it ‘definitely Clayton’s butterfly’?”
“Because, my dear, the missing colour patch is exactly as
he described it, long ago,
before he met Rebecca.
”
He
scratched his chin for a while. “I don’t know.”
“We are having dinner with her parents
tomorrow night.
They are a very
strange couple. They talk to each other with eyes. It is quite
beautiful to watch. Jono, it is truly magical.”
“Now
that
, I’m sure
is your imagination.”
“
Okay, you will see.” She turned and left him there. He was
being so stubborn about all these things. He was so rational
sometimes.
~ ~ ~
~
Rebecca
was relaxing in the garden talking to her mother when the phone
rang. Her father, close by, rushed to answer it.
“
Hello.”
There
was a short silence.
“
Hi, can I speak to Rebecca?”
“Yes of
course. I am George, her father. Who are you?”
“
I am a friend, Clayton.”
“
Oh, Clayton, my boy. Rebecca is having friends over for
dinner tomorrow, will you come?”
Rebecca
was furiously waving her arms at her father to stop, but he
promptly ignored her.
“
I don’t know. I had better speak to Rebecca about
that.”
“
Okay, here she is now, bye.”
“
Hello?”
“
Princess.”
“
How are you Clayton?”
“
Just hold on. I need to get rid of an inquisitive father
first. George, go away.”
“
I am fine, thanks. I phoned to see if you could do something
tonight, but you are clearly busy. What about another
time?”
“Since
you behaved so well the last time, no accusations.... well yes. How
about coming for dinner tomorrow?”
“
If it is alright with you. I don’t want to
intrude.”
“
It’s okay, really. Double J will be here. Jono could do with
the support. Also, my father will never leave here until he meets
the man who phoned me. So save me, please!” He laughed at
her.
“Okay,
but only as a favour. It does not count. We will still do something
in the week. Is that a deal?”
“
Deal.”
“
Rebecca, I really enjoyed lunch yesterday. It was very
pleasant. Thank you.”
“
Yes, it was.”
“Okay, I
will see you tomorrow. Bye.”
Her
parents were both sitting on the couch in the lounge now,
conveniently needing some shade. They were having one of their
conversations.
George, did you do that? Bring him here?
No, I thought it was you. I was about to chide you for
that.
You should try, honey!
“
Oh stop it you two. Don’t do that. Just speak if you want
to.” Rebecca’s voice was trembling.
“
Sweetpea, what is the matter?”
“Oh Dad,
I really like him. I can’t bear the thought of it all going wrong.
He is a great guy. What will I do when he turns on me? I can’t bear
it.”
“
Rebecca, you must not think about that. All you can do is
enjoy the pleasure and company you can have with him. Nobody ever
knows if a relationship will work out. You just have to share what
you can with him. Don’t think about it.”
George
was torn
between his strong urge to comfort her and say
but darling, he is the one, he
will be there
or to fill
her heart with empty promises. He chose the empty
promises.
“
Just enjoy what you can. You never know what will
happen.”
It was
so hard for him not to tell her, but he knew that it would put her
and the boy at risk. Also, there was the possibility that he might
not be the Protector or might fail to protect her.
*****
Jonathan and Jackie arrived at the dinner party first and
Jonathan liked George instantly. He could see that he was a strong,
powerful man who loved his daughter very much. He also liked
Rowena, because of the arty, vague air about her. She had a
beautiful smile, which, when she was young, must have driven the
men wild. Jonathan talked to George about some famous case in the
press and they enjoyed their
legal dialogue.
What a normal couple. What is Jackie on about?
They are sweet and caring and funny.
That is what he thought, until Clayton
arrived.
The first strange thing that happened was that
George Raymond excused himself
and went to the door before Clayton rang the bell. It had been
subtle, but Jonathan, experienced in observing human behaviour,
noticed it. He stood at the door, waiting for the bell to ring and
then opened it. The next weird thing that Jonathan ever saw was
Clayton.
Clayton stood at the door, looking at George. Jonathan was
not sure, but Clayton made a sound like a lion. Then he moved
slowly to the side of George and his eyes changed colour to
white-blue. He looked like a lion trying to stalk prey.
God, what is wrong
with him?
Jonathan
thought he saw Clayton’s hair rise slightly.
No, it is not possible!
Then George let out a deep sigh
and Clayton instantly relaxed and smiled. He tilted his head
slightly, like a pampered cat and his eyes were normal
again.
“
Clayton, my boy, good of you to come. Join the men. We are
talking law. I believe you are also a lawyer?”
“
Hi. Pleased to meet you, George. Perhaps I had best speak to
the ladies first.”
George patted his shoulder and
laughed. “Astute play”.
Clayton walked over to the ladies and greeted them.
Jonathan was watching him.
Was that my imagination? He seems so normal
now.
But he knew that
his wife had also seen it. She stared at Clayton like he was about
to attack her and moved back from him slightly.
So I am not mad.
He was sure that Rowena had
also seen it, because she also stared at him, transfixed. It was
only Rebecca who seemed not to notice. She had her back to the door
when he had arrived. She chatted to him and he was as charismatic
as ever.
Jonathan was very confused. What was wrong with Clayton? He
did not seem to know how to behave around Rebecca. It was most
inappropriate to
growl
at a
girl’s father, especially at a first meeting.
What impression does he think
he is creating on the girl’s parents? Honestly, Clayton needs to
grow up.
Jackie was
going to have a field day with him with plenty of ‘I told you so,’
especially because she also had been right about the older couple.
He had seen them have one of their conversations. He wished he
could hear what they saying, because it had been lively and
animated.
Jackie was, of course, completely enthralled. Her desire
for intrigue had been ignited.
Wow! That was amazing. What is Clayton
doing? How did he do that? Does he know that he did that?
She looked at him and he seemed
so normal again.
Roaring like a lion? Well, there is a lot more to this man
than I ever dreamed. Jono must not even try to deny he saw
that.
She had seen him,
just as transfixed as she had been. Also, when Clayton had eaten
the fillet steak with such desperation and hunger, Jono’s jaw had
dropped. Clayton rarely ate meat. He had been a vegetarian most of
the time he was married to Suzanne.
At least Jono has the decency not to say
something about it. This is really crazy.
Only Rebecca seemed unaware of these goings-on.
She had not seen Clayton, which was a good thing. She would
definitely not go near him again if she had. She would have been
terrified. But he seemed his usual self now.
Rowena’s
heart was singing. The Protector was here, in her daughter’s house
and he was extremely powerful. She looked at her husband, carefully
eating his dinner.
George, George
,
it
really is him!
Not now, woman, I am enjoying my steak. I don’t want to
think.
Suit yourself, but that’s all you will get tonight with that
attitude.
Oh God, okay, what do you want? Of course it’s
him.
Does he know who he is?
Not yet, but he can feel it. It is a bit too strong for
him.
Too strong?
Yes, he can’t control it yet. He needs time.
For what? He must do his job. What bloody time?
Woman, let it be. It will come right. Please, let it be so I
can eat my steak. It is delicious, my love.
Okay, okay! But is Rebecca alright?
Look at her dear. She is in love with her Protector. What
more do you want? Get out of my head, please. The food is really
good!