Ultimate Justice (22 page)

“Nah,” said Dah, “at least I didn't see one.”

“He could have one tucked away somewhere. What you did was very brave. I was just thinking of that report I read in the New York newspaper the other day. Terrible things happen in New York City, you know, and this man could have come from there. I tell them, don't think that because you're across the state-line that you're safe. I mean it's not just New York is it? We're not that far from Providence, or Boston come to that. I heard about this gangster who hitched a ride in a truck…”

As Mrs Higgins was talking on, Kakko started to panic inside. Suppose this man did have a gun! Because people in Joh didn't go round toting weapons it didn't mean that they didn't in other parts of the universe. And apparently it wasn't unheard of in this place.

“Miss.” Kakko woke from her musings to see that the police officer wanted to talk to her.

“If you can tell us what
you
saw, Miss?”

“Er… nothing much at the beginning. I was over there talking to those people when I heard Dah – Da'yelni – scream and Mrs Gillespie shouting and then I saw Da'yelni run out after someone. She was almost at the gate behind him when we got there. He had rollerblades but Dah has a skate-board. That's how she got close to him.”

Dah described the events and the police officer noted them down.

“Mrs Gillespie,” he said, “is everything still in your purse? Is there anything missing?”

“No, it's all here officer. Thanks to this young lady.”

They were then aware of the sound of a helicopter. The officer left them and he and the other policeman drove off down the hill.

“Well, what a to-do!” declared Mrs. Higgins. “And it's now about time we should be rounding things up. We'll have the draw, and then I did suggest that our young friend led us in another song before we all head off home. Are you still up for it, or have you had enough excitement for one day?”

Dah recognised that she could not disappoint these old folks. She had made something of an impression on them in more ways than one.

“OK,” she said. “But this time you all have to join in.” And line by line she taught the assembled company the chorus. And nearly everyone
did
join in and Mr Williams struck his knee in time. Needless to say, Mrs Smith was in her element.

“Do you know, ‘Be Not Afraid' by Bob Dufford?” she called out when the song had ended.

“No, sorry – ” began Dah.

“I do,” Kakko found herself saying. “It's my dad's favourite.”

“Can you sing it for us, Kakko?” asked Mrs Higgins.

Tam looked at his girlfriend and nodded to the front. “Go on,” he said, “be not afraid!”

“I can't sing,” she hissed, “not like Dah.”

“That doesn't matter,” said Tam. “You've told them you know the song. You can't let them down now.”

Kakko screwed up her face at him, she was wishing she had not jumped in, but she was already on her way.

“I have to explain,” she said. “I can't sing like Dah. But my dad taught me this when I was little. He used to sing it to me when I was scared of something. Like when I had a nightmare. Dah will you me give a good note to start on – not too high and not too low.”

Dah twanged a G. Kakko nodded and cleared her throat. She tried humming it and Dah twanged again and smiled as Kakko got on the note. Kakko began to sing.

After the first line she thought of how relevant the next lines sounded now she was here on a strange planet. For the first time she understood one of the reasons the song appealed so much to her father.

“
You shall wander far in safety though you do not know the way. You shall speak your words in foreign lands and all will understand,”
she sang. Her dad had explained that it came from the Scriptures from Earth. God had spoken them to a man called Jeremiah, or someone, when He called him to go out and take on the corrupt leaders of his planet.

By the time Kakko had finished the third line she found that not only Mrs Smith and Mr Williams, but a number of the others were joining in with her. Mr Williams had a lovely voice, deep and rich. As Kakko reached the chorus, “
Be not afraid. I go before you always. Come follow me, and I will give you rest…”
he had virtually taken over. Mrs Smith was now in full voice too. Kakko was grateful to them for keeping her on course. Then Dah started to pluck the tune and by the third verse was playing full chords and even twiddly bits here and there. Even Tam was joining in.

“That was brilliant,” he said to Kakko as she rejoined him amidst the applause. “Well done!”

As Mrs Higgins brought the gathering to a close, Mr. Williams stood and declared: “The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us for evermore!” and, despite the gathering not being a religious one, there was a resounding, “Amen!” One thing was sure, noted Mrs Higgins, this new Mr Williams was by no means a shy character. She was going to have to watch him, but his antics this time had not seemed to cause offence.

As the old people got to their feet and walked, hobbled or were pushed towards the exit, the young people did what they could to help. The three people from Mrs Merton gathered themselves together to leave too and Kakko, Tam and Dah took their leave of Mrs Higgins.

“Whoops,” said Kakko. “No gate!”

“No,” said Tam. “I had just noticed that. Looks like we're stuck here for a while.”

Just then a minibus drew up with the words, ‘New London YWCA' in bright orange on the door and a young woman jumped out of the driver's seat.

“Hi, Hermione,” she said approaching Mrs Higgins. “How's it all going?”

“We have just so much to thank you for, Amy. These six young people you sent are such a wonder. Not only did they lead us in a singing session second to none – I don't know how I am going to get Mr Jones accepted again – oh dear, I mean he tries hard but he never got everyone going like these young people, and then, as I say, it was not only the singing but they also rescued dear old Mrs Gillespie's purse that some man stole from the table by the door right in front of everyone – just came in all covered up and took it, as large as you like, thought we couldn't catch him, but then Dah here, she went after him on her skate thing and got it back, these two as well, and the police are after him right now. You can hear the helicopter…”

“But Hermione, I don't recognise…”

“Sorry,” said Tam, fighting to get a word in. “We never said we were sent by you. Mrs Higgins just assumed it and…”

“It was too late to explain properly,” sighed Kakko, “by the time we got out of the loo…”

“You don't need to explain!” laughed Mrs Merton, “I can quite understand. Anyway, you seem to have made an impression. Where
are
you from?”

“To tell the truth,” Kakko spoke up, “we had come a long way and we were tired so we lay down there under the tree. Then a gentleman fell off his wheelchair and we just came forward to help rescue him…”

“Oh, I had quite forgotten about that!” declared Mrs Higgins. “What a day! We are just so glad you were here. Without them it would have been a disaster from the beginning. They had poor Bert back in his seat pronto, and then the music thing with Mr Jones being ill, and of course the thief… excuse me, I have to say goodbye to Mrs Smith and make sure Mr Williams comes again. My, can he sing!” and she was off.

“Where are you staying?” asked Mrs Merton.

“Nowhere. I mean we haven't got anything sorted out yet,” stuttered Kakko. “Is there anywhere we can stay in New London?”

“There is room in the hostel,” said one of the other three young people, “they can stay with us can't they?”

“Well, I don't see why not.”

“I'm afraid we haven't got any money,” explained Kakko. “It's a bit embarrassing really.”

“I've got some,” said Dah who produced two fifty-dollar bills.

“Where did you get that?” asked Tam alarmed.

“Mrs Gillespie gave me one of them. She just pushed it into my hand… said I had to take it. I had saved her bag. She wouldn't take it back and while I was trying to tell her I couldn't take it, Mr. Williams gave me another one. He said I have a black soul and I should take it to buy strings for my guitar. I was too afraid to argue with him… I thought I would give it to Mrs Higgins.”

“Well now, one hundred dollars will get you all full board for one night at the YWCA,” affirmed Amy Merton.

“And you can play for us tonight. Teach us some of your songs,” suggested one of the other young people. “You were brilliant in there,” she said gesturing towards the hall.

“In this YWCA place,” asked Dah, “are they all young like you?”

“Mostly,” answered Amy, “the ‘Y' stands for ‘Young'. We began as the ‘Young Women's Christian Association.' Don't worry,” she said, seeing Tam look a little worried, “we have some rooms for men. You won't be on your own. There is John here.”

“Thanks,” said Tam.

“But if they're young,” said Dah, “they are not going to like the stuff I sing.”

“Garbage!” exclaimed John. “You were brilliant. What you sing is good for any generation!”

“Careful!” yelled Kakko, looking past Mrs Merton and charging forward just in time to prevent Bert from repeating the same mistake as he had on the way in. “I reckon you should have a line of people along your route like a president to make sure you keep straight,” she said.

“Keep on the straight and narrow,” repeated Bert. “Keep on the yella brick road… heh, heh…”

“Come on then,” said Amy Merton when all the elderly people had departed and Mrs Higgins had retreated inside to ‘straighten things up', “get your things. All aboard.”

Dah collected her skateboard and shouldered her guitar case. Kakko and Tam just stood and looked sheepish.

“Is that it then?”

“Yep,” said Kakko, “we forgot to bring anything!”

“Stranger and stranger! I expect you'll want a toothbrush and some soap.”

“That would be great.”

“Oh. We'll give you something to make sure you smell nice… for all our sakes. Come on!”

Amy drove up to the hostel. They bundled in through the main doors and their new friends showed Tam, Kakko and Dah to the dormitories and found them some soap and tooth paste.

“You will need a change of clothes – well something while you get those things you are wearing clean. It looks as if you have been dragged through a hedge backwards!”

“I suppose we have,” sighed Dah, “chasing that thief.”

“OK, we'll find you something to wear while you take those things to the laundry.”

Amy Merton produced a variety of stuff to choose from. It was mostly jeans and T-shirts.

“You'll be decent at least. Take a shower. We eat at six-thirty.”

***

Kakko and Dah emerged into the dining room rather self-conscious in things which were too big for them, but no-one seemed to notice. In fact most of what the young people were wearing seemed rather shapeless. Tam was already there helping to set the table.

“Apparently there is an all-comers concert in town tonight,” he said. “Some of these people have come specially for it.”

“Good job they ain't expecting me,” remarked Dah.

“Oh, they
are
. John has been telling everyone you're special. They want you on the programme. Kakko too.”

“Me!” blurted Kakko

“Yes you. You're to teach them all ‘Be not afraid'. Mrs Merton – Amy – says that it is important to keep reminding themselves of the ‘C' in their name, the ‘C' in ‘YWCA'.”

“That's Young Women's
Christian
Association, isn't it?” said Kakko. “‘Christian'. That's for Jesus Christ.”

“Yes. Pastor Ruk told us the story. Mostly, these people still follow Jesus Christ who promised never to leave them whatever happens – spiritually that is. Hence ‘Be Not Afraid
'.
It's a Christian song.”

“Oh. I see,” said Kakko. “But I really couldn't sing…”

“I can play the tune,” interrupted Dah. “Sing it to me again so I can get hold of it properly and we'll do it together. You have a nice voice. It ain't bad.”

“It's not like yours!”

“It's different, but I reckon we can make a good duet. I'll teach you one of my songs and you can help me with it. You said God sent you to help me.”

“Well, I hadn't thought about singing!”

“But that doesn't mean God hasn't,” laughed Tam.

“So I don't have a choice?”

“Oh. You have a choice,” said Tam. “You can say, no. Nobody, especially God, wants to
force
you to do anything. But it's pretty obvious what we all want you to do. Besides you did it for the old people, what's the difference?”

“Most of them were deaf. And besides that, Mr Williams was brilliant. He saved me… Tam you've got to sing it too!”

“Me!”

“Yes,
you
. And don't tell me you don't know it. If Dah can learn it, so can you!”

“OK. Why is it you always win? I mean you always seem to have the last word!”

“I don't know. I didn't mean… sorry.”

“No, don't say that. Don't apologise for being you. You needn't worry, I can stick up for myself. Trouble is, you're right. There really is no reason why I shouldn't join in with the singing…” But Kakko was upset. “Kakko, it's OK, it really is.”

“But I don't want to always have the last word!”

Dah took over the table laying, instinctively knowing that her new friends needed space.

“You're making too big a deal of it. The thing is, I love you as you are. I promise, if I thought you were going to do something dangerous I
would
stop you
now
, because I know you wouldn't despise me for it.”

“You mean, you
knew
I was making a mistake on the cliff ?”

“Well, yes. I wouldn't have been so quick myself. But, honestly, if I had told you to slow down, think, what would you have done?”

“Probably told you not to waste time. Told you that you were only saying it because you were a wimp.”

“Right. So it never
occurred
to me to say anything. It wouldn't have made any difference – except that I would have been right off your list of friends; and I didn't want that, did I?”

“But I wouldn't do that
now
, not after you saved my life – saved me despite my stupidity.”

“So we have both learnt things. You have learnt to think twice and I have learnt to be bold and to say ‘slow down' if you forget.”

“And I have learnt something else. I have learnt that you really love me, and that you're not a wimp – never was and never will be.”

“Now, don't overstate your case. There is definitely the wimp about me in lots of things! But I do really, really love you… and I
will
learn your song. It says that whatever happens God never leaves us. I believe that. One day we will move on from this universe – we don't know how or when. But the God who made me has got me and won't let me fall.”

“Scary, all the same… dying! Guess that makes
me
a wimp.”

“No, it doesn't. You're not ready to die. When it comes to it, you won't be a wimp. You'll be saying, ‘OK God. Bring it on!'”

“Like Grandma.”

“Yeah. Anyway, doing something when you're really scared means you're certainly
not
a wimp. The opposite – you have to be really brave!”

“Like Tam rescuing his Kakko.”

“Yep! I still wobble at the knees at the thought of it,” he laughed.

The YWCA volunteers rolled into the dining room in ones and twos.

“Hi, I'm Sue.”

“I'm Peter.”

“Tam and Kakko.”

“Love those names. West Coast?”

“Joh.”

“Oh, right,” said Peter doubtfully. He didn't want to admit he hadn't heard of Joh.

Dah was already engulfed in a group on the far side of the table. She didn't seem too perturbed at meeting so many strangers but John from the old people's party was in the group and was behaving as if he had known her for years rather than just an afternoon. He was proudly relating the dramatic events of the day.

The assembled people took a place at tables of six. Amy called them to order and began the meal with a grace:

“Lord, bless this food to our use and keep us mindful of the three ‘p's. We remember those who will not eat today. Amen.”

“Amen,” repeated everyone and then fell back into conversation, while the person at the end of the table got up to fetch the first course from the hatch.

Everyone on Kakko and Tam's table introduced themselves. There was Zoe in a white, loose-fitting T-shirt like Kakko's, Lucy in a very close-fitting top that just met her low-rise tight jeans, and Beth with long brown hair wearing a green and white cheerleader's uniform – sleeveless top with a short, flared skirt. It was adorned with large red stars, one above her left breast and a second at the top of her right thigh. The other was Jane who was just reappearing with a tray of food. Jane was smartly dressed in a blue trouser suit and white blouse.

“What are the three ‘p's?” Kakko asked Beth.

“Oh. It's from Grace Dodge. Eighteen hundreds or something… Grace became the first combined president of the YWCA in the US. I know it, but I keep forgetting it exactly…”

“Profanity, promiscuity and porn,” said Zoe.

“Zoe!” exclaimed Jane. “We are in mixed company! Please excuse our Zoe,” she said, “The three ‘p's are ‘purity, perseverance and pleasantness'.”

“Right,” said Kakko. “That represents a challenge.”

“Impossible I would say,” said Zoe. “Jane. You have to choose just one for me. Which one shall I be today?”

“Right this moment, Zoe, I reckon you should at least be pleasant,” said Jane, “but there's no reason any of us can't manage all three with God's help.”

“OK. I'll try and be pleasant,” replied Zoe, “but I'll leave the purity to Beth. Had a good day with your hunk, Beth?”

“What hunk? I was with the girls.”

“Sure you were, being thrown up in the air showing off your panties to all the guys – especially Joseph McArthur from the engineering department. We know you fancy him,” said Zoe.

“I was not showing off anything to anyone. It's part of the cheerleaders' routine that's all! And anyway, they're not panties, they're briefs.”

Tam found himself wondering whether Beth's ‘briefs' actually matched the rest of the outfit, and then contemplating if he was going to get a chance to find out!

“Same difference,” said Zoe. “And you want me to believe cheerleaders aren't showing off! Tell that to Grace Dodge. No sweat Beth, I mean
I
don't mind. You show what you've got and catch your man. Joseph McArthur's quite fit. Good luck with him.”

“But it's not like that! I…”

“Methinks the lady protesteth too much!” teased Zoe.

“Zoe, you said you were going to try and be pleasant,” reminded Jane.

“Sure thing. But I'd do the same if I had Beth's figure. I don't blame her for showing it off!” Beth's face had gone the colour of her stars, and even Zoe thought it was time to change the subject. “Kakko,” she said. “That's a good name. Where does it come from?”

“Kakko? Oh, I was named after one of my parents' friends. Someone they met right at the beginning of their relationship.”

“She an American?”

“No. This is our first time in America. Are you all Americans?”

“Sure are. I'm from Texas, Jane here is from Massachusetts (you can tell can't you?).”

“And I'm from Michigan,” said Beth looking a little less red.

“California,” smiled Lucy.

“Yes. And who is this? Your brother?” asked Zoe.

“No,” Kakko declared, “he's my boyfriend.”

“Oh, shucks. That's a shame. He
is
rather cute. What do you call yourself, honey?”

“Tam,” answer Tam timidly.

“Oh. You don't need to be scared of Zoe,” said Jane. “She's committed to ‘purity' in this hostel.”

“And perseverance! Yeah. You're safe with me, Tam. I don't mess with people already taken. Still, it's a pity you ain't her brother all the same…”

“Erm, compliment accepted,” smiled Tam.

“So, tell us about what happened this afternoon,” said Lucy. “I mean with the old people. You chased down this dude who stole a woman's purse.”

“It was Dah. He would have got away if she hadn't used her skateboard,” explained Kakko.

“Tell us about it. She sounds cool.”

So Tam and Kakko recited the story once again. The imagination of the others embellished the story for them. Zoe would have preferred to have had Dah chasing the man up a tree begging her not to hurt him.

“Some of us watch too many movies,” said Jane.

“Movies?” asked Kakko.

“Films, I think you folk from England say,” explained Jane.

Kakko was still not sure what she was referring to.

“You
are
from England aren't you?”

“No. Not exactly. Nan and Dad are English, but Mum is from Raika.”

“Scotland?” asked Lucy

“No.”

“Wales? Ireland?” added Zoe.

“No. It's complicated. Nowhere on Earth.”

“You mean to tell us you're
aliens
?” asked Beth, astonished.

“If you mean, do we come from a different planet then the answer is ‘yes'.”

“Shut-
up
!” exclaimed Lucy. “I don't believe it!”

“It's true. I'm afraid. But we're human like you.”

“You ain't, like, shape-shifters?” asked Zoe.

“You mean we make ourselves
look
like this? No. This is how we are. We have one hundred percent human DNA like you.”

“Go on!” said Lucy. “How's it all work then? Are you here to take over the planet?”

“Hardly,” said Tam, “there's only two of us. And I doubt if I am a match for, what's his name, Joseph Mackathy.”

“McArthur, Joseph McArthur,” corrected Beth.

“So, you
are
keen on him then. I knew it!” said Zoe.

“Quiet!” ordered Lucy. “Don't interrupt them. How come you came here?”

“It's a long story,” began Kakko. And she explained how the white gate had led them to the garden outside the hall. She described Planet Joh and how it had been settled many years ago by people like her parents who had arrived through portals. Planet Earth One was probably the mother planet, although the original memories had been lost in legend. Her family were the only ones currently connected through portals as far as they knew – and now Tam of course. She finished by saying they were really privileged and really wanted to listen and learn – and help where they could. The Creator always seemed to have a task for them, something where they could make a difference for the people they met.

“So you believe in God, then?” Zoe concluded.

“Yes,” replied Kakko, “because of all the things that have opened up for us. My mum and dad reckon She introduced them to each other. And Grandma died a few months ago certain that she was in Her hands.”

“God is a She?”

“Well, I generally call Her ‘She'. Sometimes we say ‘She' and sometimes ‘He'. God is neither really because God is God – which incorporates all there is of both masculine and feminine.”

“That,” said Jane, “is an idea that would have intrigued Grace Dodge. I like it.”

“But,” said Zoe, “it's OK believing in God when He… She… gives you free trips to another planet or matches you with some cute man… sorry honey,” she added to Tam, “but it's not like that for most. For some of us, life sucks.”

“Agreed,” said Kakko. “We are privileged. But it has not been all plain sailing for our family. Some pretty awful things happened to my parents on the way.”