Being Grey (Beings Trilogy) (11 page)

“I want to tell you this as I want you to understand me and my friends. How close we all are. You seem to want to know, so here goes.

“We were on our way to a concert. There were 5 of us in the car. Myself, Adam, Ian, David and Phil. Phil was driving. To cut a long story short Phil’s grandmother had knitted him this god awful scarf. Remember the old Dr. Who?”

I nod.

“It looked like that. Well we had the music turned up, trying to remember some of the lyrics so we could sing along later. Adam was sat behind Phil and we were just messing around. Ian was in the front playing with the volume and it just happened so fast. I was sat next to Adam in the back seat, David the other side of me. Adam had his arms wrapped around the head rest teasing Phil and the next thing I know he’d pulled the scarf up over Phil’s eyes.”

“You said Phil was driving?” I asked incredulous.

He just nods. “It was only a second.”

I give him a minute. “What happened Jason?”

“Phil panicked and pulled on the wheel. Lost control of the car. We crashed.”

I don’t know what to say at first. I start hesitantly, “But you’re ok now obviously.”

“I am yes. Phil wasn’t so lucky.”

“Phil got hurt? That’s why you didn’t mention him the other night. Is he still in hospital?”

“Phil died
Alice
. He didn’t have his seatbelt on. The wheel crushed him and as Adam flew forward the headrest did more damage to Phil on the bounce back. He didn’t make it to the hospital.”

“He died?” I’m not screaming but I feel like I should be. “Adam killed Phil with his stupid prank. How can you be so irresponsible? Why isn’t he in jail? I
knew
when I saw you both. Damn you and damn Adam.”

“Whoa there, what are you talking about? You knew what?”

Open mouth insert other foot. I knew your
Being
was dark? That Adam was beyond hope. Don’t think that’ll fly. “I don’t know what I’m saying. I’m just amazed Adam isn’t rotting in jail. Maybe even all of you, conspirators.”

“Why do you hate him so much? What did he ever do to you? Do you think he doesn’t hate what happened? We all agreed to say nothing. What was the point? Phil was gone, he wasn’t coming back. Better to just say he lost control of the car and leave it at that.”

"You all agreed?"

For a split second, he pauses, "Of course, all of us."

I think that pause before the answer means it’s a lie. I raise an eyebrow to question it.

"Look," he says, "Phil was dead. It was an accident. Why should Adam get the blame when all of us were messing about?”

"Did he put the rest of you up to that story?" I don't get an answer, just a far away look. Is Adam really that manipulative of his friends? I speak softer now, “You’re letting a murderer walk free. Are you crazy or just protecting yourself?”

“Am I crazy?" He's angry again. "What is with this crusade against Adam? It was an accident. Yes someone died but it was an accident. We were all upset but we all stick together. That’s what friends do
Alice
.” Who's he trying to convince?

“Are you sure it was an accident?”

“I think you’ve had too much sun, come on, I’m taking you home.”

He throws the remainder of lunch in the basket and grabs my wrist. I’m not worried about him hurting me. He’s already done that. I don’t think we can save him. I think Jason’s
Being
will end up damned.

Chapter Eighteen

I ask Jason to drop me off at the manor house. That’s the full extent of the conversation home.

I can’t speak to Poppy; she’ll see how upset I am. If I speak to mum, she’ll tell me not to bother with any of them; someone else will take care of them. It would be her way of protecting me.
Adrian
? Well, he’d call a group meeting and then I’d be ashamed and embarrassed in front of everyone. I’d love to speak to Stefan or Robbie but they’re boys, who’s side would they take? Annabel would certainly bring me back down to earth with a bump, but it would hurt. I feel hurt enough already.

I don’t understand why he’d tell me a story but not expect me to react and be mad. Shocked at the very least. I don’t get the guy thing at all.

“Miss Alice, what a pleasant surprise. Was Lady Howard expecting you?”

I’d been kicking the leaves off the porch one by one and I look up into Parker’s friendly gaze. The tears are starting to come now and I can’t seem to pull my bottom lip back in.

“Come in. Cook made cake this morning for the staff. I think maybe a piece of that and a cup of tea may help.

I let Parker lead me into the kitchen. I realize I’ve never been in here and it’s fabulous. There’s a huge stove that looks like it’s made of cast iron and the room centres on a huge butchers block with at least 20 stainless steel pots and pans suspended over it.

Parker pulls out a stool for me and wanders off to put the kettle on and cut me a piece of cake.

I suddenly realize I haven’t said a word since I knocked on the door.

“Is Lady Howard home?”

“No Miss Alice, she left this morning to get a few items for the party and to meet with a building crew.”

“For what?” I can’t even muster up the energy to sound enthusiastic. The one person I thought I’d be able to speak to isn’t here. Now what am I going to do? And I’m stranded in
Surrey
.

“Here you go.” Tea and cake are placed in front of me. “Now, I don’t think you came all the way here to talk about building crews. I can see you’re upset. Do you want to talk about it?”

Yeah right. I’m pushing the cake around my plate. I love Parker but he’s an old man. Older. 60’s. I’m really going to talk to him about Jason Long Legs and damned
Beings
and a potential ‘Taker’ and uh oh, here come the tears.

“It’s all so much today.” I sob.

“Miss Alice, look at me.”

I look up through my tears, do a half attempt at a smile and continue playing with my cake.

“Alice Shaw for the first time in your life will you look at me when I’m talking to you.”

I do. I actually knock the stool over as I jump back to look at him. Parker, been around
forever
, Lord and Lady Howard’s right hand man. I think he just shouted at me.

“I think I can help he says.” His eyes now crinkling at the edges as he picks up my stool.

So I look. I really look and my mouth drops open. How did I never see this?

“I’m old, retired from the hunt but I still have a little of it. Do you see?”

It’s definitely white but it’s more like he’s stood in front of a cloud. Next to Poppy and Lady Howard you wouldn’t notice that Parker has a mist. Why would I ever have looked for it even?

“But how? I mean what? I mean who. I mean, Parker why didn’t you tell me?” I say exasperated by today more than ever.

“I’m retired now. I’ve watched you and Miss Penelope grow up for years. I’ve known about you even if you didn’t notice me. I noticed something special in you the very first time I laid eyes on you, shooting with Miss Penelope in the grounds. There was no need for me to tell you. You have a great mentor in
Adrian
, you have a tremendous group of friends, and what could an old guy like me do to help you develop yourself? But don’t think when I saw you on the doorstep looking like you were going to explode into tears I’d turn you away. No, I’m retired but not useless you know.” He’s patting my hand. My grandfather used to do that and I feel better already.

I have a million questions and they all come out at once. “Does Poppy know? You’ve worked here forever, were you still hunting while you were a…a…. butler? Chauffeur? Do any of the others know? How well do you know
Adrian
? Oh my god, does my mum know?”

“One question at a time Miss Alice. Drink your tea, eat your cake and I’ll answer them on one condition.”

“Mmph, sure, anything.” I’m cramming cake in my mouth and trying to swallow it down with tea at the same time as nodding. This is huge. And exciting. And I fell comforted by it all without even knowing why.

“I’ll tell my story then you tell me what upset you so much.”

“OK. Thanks Parker.” I think I can do that.

“Well I don’t want to go too far back for fear of making you fall asleep with a long story, but I was actively ‘Gifted’ once, just like you. I rescued pure
Beings
and eliminated damned
Beings
. When I was in my, let’s see, must have been mid thirties I was approached by my mentor, Rachel,”

“There are female mentors?” I ask, crumbs flying everywhere.

“Why yes, why wouldn’t there be? As I was saying, Rachel, my mentor approached me and asked if I wanted to mentor. At first I wasn’t sure if it was something I could do. Everyone is introduced to their ability through their parents but to help develop skills, explain how to dispose of remains. Ensure everyone knew self defence? To explain to young adults there may come a time in your life when you could get caught. What if I didn’t do a good enough job? What if one of my ‘Gifted’ got caught disposing of a damned
Being
and ended up in jail? Can you even imagine that?”

Parker gets up to pour more tea. I hadn’t thought about that. Imagine being imprisoned with so many damned
Beings
; hundreds of them, maybe thousands. You couldn’t kill them all in an enclosed place like a prison. You could try but I wonder how many you’d take out before someone took you out? But if you didn’t try you’d go insane.

“I didn’t mean to scare you Miss Alice but it has happened.”

I didn’t realize I was shaking. “So what did you do?”

“I deliberated for many years. One day I just realized that I couldn’t have made it through life without Rachel and I wanted to pass on what she had taught me to other ‘Gifted’. I’ve mentored for 28 years.”

I’m so amazed that Parker is telling me this story. Parker. Back up. “What was that last bit?”

“I mentored for 28 years now.” He’s smiling now.

“But you said you were retired.”

 
“I am. From most of my students. But I chose to stay close to my most successful student.”

“Who?” I ask but I know the answer don’t I? “Lady Howard?”

Parker smiles and says something about the drawing room and he’s left me alone for now. I know it’s so I can think about what he’s told me. Parker is Lady Howard’s mentor just as Uncle Thomas was my mum’s. Wow, it’s really cool. I wonder how many generations this has been passed on for. This is the first time I’m really interested in the history behind us. I know Lady Howard is hierarchy so what does that make Parker if anything? So many questions and do I ask Adrian as my mentor, or Parker as my new found friend, and soon to be my new ally? Because I know I’ll tell him everything about today. He’s sure to have heard it all before!