Being Grey (Beings Trilogy) (18 page)

“I love you sis, but I’ll sort it out eventually. I was actually thinking about travelling.” I haven’t, but it’s a decoy I can play with her for a while to lessen the nagging.

“Good idea! See some of the world, meet new people, new cultures. Isn’t that what your friend Annabel did?”

I nod, “She has some amazing stories and has met some incredible people.” This makes me think of Glen and how she knew exactly the right person to speak to ensure he got a great job and the way she could speak to him. If I am to help people with my ability, perhaps I should get out more and meet more people? Actually not a bad idea.

“Maybe I could come with you?” Lisa smiles.

Maybe a bad idea. “I’m not waiting another 2 years for you to finish your degree.” I say, “But I could go now and then we could always go together later and I’d know the best places to hang out?”

Lisa laughs, “You’re nothing but a job dodger.”

“A job dodger?” It sounds funny.

“I just made that up!” Lisa’s giggling. “Shall we go out?”

“No.” I say too quickly. “I think I’m shattered! I worked hard in your garden today!”

“And I’m very grateful.” Lisa replies.

I keep thinking that there is nothing I’d like more than to be out tonight in the hope of meeting Ian. Talking to him. Touching him.

But not tonight.

Chapter Thirty Three

Last full day so I’m shopping, again.

Today I am learning that my student sister would give Poppy a run for her money.
Bath
has quite a small town centre, but there are side streets and arcades running from it everywhere. And Lisa knows them all.

And she just
has
to shown me each and every last one of them.

I’m doing well out of the smaller boutiques though. I’ve bought Poppy the most beautiful full length summer dress that I know she’ll adore – it’s vintage and unique. Robbie has a t-shirt with ‘I’m a killer, not a lover’ printed on it (I’m sure he’ll see the funny side of it). For Annabel, I found a gorgeous pair of bohemian style earrings that I think will look amazing on her but I’m not sure if they’re her style unfortunately. Stefan got some shot glasses. Not exactly unique, but he’ll get more use out of them than the others will of their gifts!

The day has been hard work, so we stop for a late pub lunch at Lisa’s local, the Bell Inn. It’s cool and quiet in there today, as the lunch crowd has emptied out already. We get a table near the back and Lisa goes up to the bar to place our order. And that’s when I feel something.

It started out like a memory. Not unpleasant, almost like daydreaming when you know you’re wide awake, pleasant though. It’s as if a subconscious alarm is going off. I look around the restaurant and then I
really
look around.

The guy at the end of the bar, obviously a regular judging by his friendship with all of the staff, has a pale grey
Being
. The group of three mummies with, thankfully, sleeping babies, are all varying shades of grey. The two young men finishing off their third beer, and that’s only since we’ve been in here, both a middle shade of grey. Nothing spectacular. Everything normal, just as it should be. Normal people enjoying a normal afternoon at the local.

And then they walk in. A man and a woman, a couple? I’d guess they were both in their late twenties and to my shock; they’re making their way directly towards me.

Luckily, Lisa gets to me first. She places my diet Pepsi in front of me and starts chit chatting about the days shopping which we are surrounded by. I’m hardly listening though. The couple stopped when Lisa appeared and are now leaning on the bar watching me. Are they two ‘Gifted’? Their
Beings
are magnificent, radiant. But they look at me with such curiosity that’s its unnerving.

I jump when Lisa suddenly says, “Are you even listening to me?”

I also manage to knock my Pepsi over, Poppy style, but Lisa just laughs and calls me clumsy. I go to the bar for a new drink and a cloth.

“I’m here visiting my sister.” I say when I’m close enough for the couple to hear me. “She doesn’t know.” Sometimes it’s far easier to simply state the obvious before someone says something that you have to make excuses for.

The man nods, “We were across the street and we sensed your presence. You’ve a strong one for someone so young.”

What on earth did that mean?

“My name is Maggie Goldsmith,” the lady says, “and this is my husband, John.”

“I’m Alice Shaw.” These are formal introductions I think. But they offered their full name so it seemed the polite thing to do the same.

“Where are you from
Alice
?”

“
London
.
Wimbledon
.” I smile. “Do you live here in
Bath
?”

John nods, “I was born in Frome just down the road.” His south western accent is very strong. “I met Maggie in school.”

“How long are you here for,
Alice
?” Maggie asks.

“Only until Thursday. Then back to my own turf.” Sounded a bit daft but I feel like I’m imposing suddenly.

They both nod. “Well, have a pleasant stay in
Bath
. Perhaps we’ll meet up again one day?” This sounds more like a promise than a casual remark.

The barman has poured my second drink, so I smile goodbye and head back to Lisa. I feel like I’m in the twilight zone or something. That conversation was certainly odd. A bit ‘me Tarzan, you Jane’. I wipe the table with the cloth the barman gave me, and when I turn back to the bar, Maggie and John have already left.

It’s the first time that I’ve met ‘Gifted’ people outside of our group. I have no idea what the protocol is, maybe a secret handshake or code word? I just hope I didn’t come across rude. Or worse, ignorant.

Later that evening, Lisa is taking a shower and I use the moment to call Mum. I tell her about the Goldsmiths in a rush, and she laughs heartedly down the phone. “Oh my, really? John Goldsmith, eh? He must be around twenty eight by now! How does he look?”

“You know him?”

“I met John’s parents years ago at a Who concert in
Milton Keynes
, I think. It may have been Reading. Actually, it may even have been The Rolling Stones. I can’t remember now. We stayed in touch for some time.”

“Mum?”

“Yes dear, sorry. John wasn’t born then, but he was kicking out a good tune from Isabel’s belly.” She’s reminiscing.

“Mum, they said they could sense me from across the street. Me and Lisa were in the pub. Not close proximity.”

“Yes.”

Am I missing something here? “Mum. How did they know I was there?”

Mum sighs, “Sometimes I forget how young you are dear! Yes, some have the gift of sensing the presence of ‘Gifted’ ones from great distances. You didn’t sense them?”

I frown, “Like a daydream but memory?”

“Like a welcome sense, a favourite meal, a warm cozy feeling, the smell of bacon! Or in your case, happy daydreams.”

 
“But why doesn’t that happen with the gang?”

Mum chuckles again, “It just doesn’t. It’s a kind of warning sign that the ‘Gifted’ you have not yet met is close to you. No one knows why, but once you’ve actually met someone, they very rarely have that effect on you again. Now, put your sister on so I can tell her about a new recipe I found this morning.”

“She’s in the shower.”

“Well, tell her to call me back when she’s out. Bye!” and she hangs up. Great to speak to you too.

I guess I’m not out of the twilight zone just yet. Still so much to learn.

When I woke in the morning it was to the smell of bacon sandwiches.

“I’m doing a mum and not sending you home on an empty stomach.” She says, pouring some tea.

At the door she hugs me fiercely, “Tell mum that I’ll be back the first week in July. I can’t come earlier because there are a million end-of-year parties happening. Sorry to miss Poppy’s but here,” She hands me a beautifully wrapped little box, “this is for her.”

“Lisa, the Party Animal, missing the best one.”

She gives me a big kiss on the cheek, “I love you, sis. Take loads of photo’s.”

I laugh as I jump in the car, “Love you more!”

Chapter Thirty Four

I’m sat on a beach. It’s obviously not somewhere around here as the sand is white and the ocean is a beautiful shade of blue. There are palm trees off to my left and tiki huts lined up on a pier that stretches into the ocean on my right. I’m alone.

I get up and stretch. The sun feels beautiful and I’ve never felt so relaxed and happy in my life. I notice a dark shadow in the water and step closer. A school of fish, a shark? I’m not afraid as I edge my toes into the warm water.

He stands up. He’d been swimming and the water glistens on his tanned body. He’s tall, about 6ft 3in and muscular. He could pick me up no problem. He smiles as he sees me. There’s darkness all around him but I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.

He steps forward and the electricity between us makes the sand dance.
 
It’s brushing against my ankles but it doesn’t sting, it feels more like feathers. The closer he gets the higher the sand swirls. For a moment I feel uneasy, if he gets too close the sand will be over my head but then he holds my hands and the sand dies down.

No words are spoken. The hairs on my arms are stood up and as he smiles down at me I feel like the happiest person in the world. I stand on tip toe and reach up to kiss him.

Nelly starts singing ‘It’s getting hot in here’ which breaks the spell as it wakes me from my dream. My cell phone. Got to change that ringtone.

“What?” I mumble into the phone, hating whoever woke me.

“Good morning
Alice
. I hope I didn’t wake you?”

“Well you did.” I say grumpily. “What time is it?”

“It’s time you and I met. Somewhere neutral. Let’s say the coffee shop outside the arcade at 10? I’m looking forward to it. Goodbye.”

I bolt upright. Was that….. him? Who else would it be? I replay the conversation in my head. The smooth voice, the confidence. The sexiness. I feel like I’m on fire. Between the dream and the call I feel faint but not in a pass out kind of way. Dreamy. That’s a better description. I flop back on the pillows smiling. He called me. He wants to see me. I slowly roll my head to one side and notice its 8:45am. Damn. I jump out of bed and run into the shower.

“You look nice, where you off to?” Poppy asks as I get downstairs.

“Oh, just the supermarket.” I know Poppy won’t want to go there.

“Great. Can you pick up some toilet paper, we’re almost out?”

“No problem, call me if you think of anything else. See you later.” I pick up my bag and leave feeling guilty I lied. She would go crazy if I told her the truth but I doubt very much anything will happen in a public place. OK, rephrase. I
hope
nothing will happen in a public place.

I haven't told poppy about the letter. It’s tucked under my pillow at home. I know that I should say something, but this is my secret. And for now, I want to keep it that way.

He’s easy to spot. It’s like a black hole appearing on a bright sunny day. I look around but no one else seems to notice him and I don’t sense any other darkness around. He is absolutely ravishing.