Being Grey (Beings Trilogy) (13 page)

“Well if I’m your first call, who’s we?” Smart girl.

“Me and mum. She’s cooking roast beef and Yorkshire pudding and you’re invited and I wanted to talk to you and…”

“Your mum is cooking roast beef? I’m on my way. I’ll meet you there in two hours max.”

Argument forgotten. Yes, mum’s cooking is that good.

I shower, am now officially cleanest person in southeast, change clothes, even though have only had these on for ten minutes and call
Adrian
.

“Sorry I didn’t call yesterday. Mum spoke to you?” It’s a question and a statement.

“Are you ok
Alice
?” Is
Adrian
’s only concern.

I am a complete idiot for thinking I’m the only one involved in this. I want to cry but at the same time I want to grow up. Right now.

“Fine thanks. If it’s ok, can I call a meeting at your place tomorrow? Lunchtime ok?” I have a new found confidence. I can do this. I was born to do this. And I have more friends on my side than I knew about. There are more of us out there. If I missed Parker, how many more did I miss in passing? “I’ll let everyone know. Noon.” I almost say ‘toodles’ and hang up.

“Sounds good
Alice
. You sound good.”

Why didn’t I just go straight to
Adrian
yesterday? Six words that made me feel like I was worth a million. Six words that confirm I would fight to the death for any of my friends. All of my friends.

I love my gang; I love my mentor; my mum; my best friends mummy, OK, Lady Howard; her mentor; Glen and his perfectly pure
Being
, wonder how his first week went? I love everything worth loving. I’m having an epiphany. Everyone is worth saving. We can do this. We’re the good guys.

“I’ll make the calls, you make the cucumber sandwiches.”

I need to work on my leadership speeches.

Chapter Twenty Three

We’d just got home after dinner. Poppy and I hadn’t talked about yesterday yet. It wasn’t that we were avoiding it; more that dad was in storytelling mode about the navy. That and the fact that dinner was so good we were too busy eating. Sis Lisa had come up for the day from
Bath
so it was just a really relaxing family day. Good food, good conversation and a good slob on the couch after while we let small portions of the huge intake of food digest.

We’d said our farewells around 7 and walked the couple of houses home.

“So what happened?” Poppy asks as she puts the kettle on. “Want to talk about it?”

“Sure, but let me make a few quick phone calls. I want to see if everyone is available for a meeting at
Adrian
’s tomorrow.”

I disappear into the lounge while Poppy makes the tea and I call the gang. Robbie had already known as he lives with
Adrian
but had appreciated the call. No problem with Stefan. I left a message on Annabel’s phone. She apparently has a life, who knew? She’s getting more fun by the minute.

“I’m kind of glad we didn’t talk until now.” I say as I return to the kitchen. “It’s given me time to think.”

“Think. You, that’s a first,” Poppy says. I’m glad she’s forgotten she was mad at me, “what are you thinking about?”

I relive yesterday’s picnic for her. “I realize the importance of friends. I’m not saying I’d taken you all for granted but my first thought was that Jason was the biggest idiot ever. Now I think I overreacted. It’s still wrong what they did, cover it up, but I know now that I’d protect you at any cost.”

“Oh,
Alice
,” she’s started to blubber, “I’d do the same for you. You do know that don’t you?”

Poppy blubbering tears at my heart strings. “Of course I do. I just didn’t realize how much I loved you until someone pointed it out.”

“Jason pointed it out?” Poppy looks confused. “You didn’t mention that bit.”

“No not Jason, Parker. I know Poppy. I can’t believe you never told me. I’m not mad just amazed. How did I not notice?”

“He never said!” Poppy exclaims. “Sly old fox. I’m so glad you know. Oh
Alice
he’s so much more than the butler slash chauffeur everyone assumes. He’s kind of retired but not. It’s almost like having a guardian angel looking out for you. He doesn’t hunt good or bad anymore, just keeps an eye on me and mummy. Apparently mummy is his pride and joy and they were inseparable as mentor and student so mummy and daddy agreed to give him a position in the manor. How did you find out?”

I explain how I’d gone to the manor looking for Lady Howard and how the afternoon had progressed, including the conversation that more likely than ever there is a ‘Taker’ among Jason and his friends.

“I’m still mad you didn’t just come straight home but I’m glad you know about Parker. But can we keep it quiet from the rest of the group? Not a secret, just a need to know kind of thing?”

“But why, it’s so cool?” I’d be telling everyone.

“Why draw attention to him if there are damned
Beings
or ‘Takers’ at the party? He’s getting old now. He’s done his duties, mentored the ‘Gifted’, let him live a quiet life now. Wouldn’t you want that one day?” Poppy asks.

“Yes, I understand.”

“So now the big question is, what are you going to do about Jason?”

“I don’t know. The longer I leave it the more he’ll think I’m just a silly girl but shouldn’t we talk with the others first?”

“Maybe, but I can’t wait and don’t even pretend you have one iota of patience. I know you better than that
Alice
. Call him now and don’t go in to the lounge, I want to hear this.”

“Hi Jason, it’s me, Alice.”

“I know who it is. What do you want?”

“What do I want?” I whisper to Poppy with my hand over the mouthpiece.

“To say sorry you dope” She whispers back.

“I wanted to call and say sorry you dope.” Eek. “I mean I may have overreacted Jason.”

“I’d say. What is your problem with Adam? You barely even knew him when we were younger and you sure as hell don’t know him now. I just don’t get it
Alice
and I don’t want to spend time with someone who doesn’t get on with my mates.”

I’m scared he’s just going to hang up so I just blurt anything out to keep him on the phone. “I want to spend time with you.” No hang up yet. “I said I’m sorry, I guess I’m a little jealous,” too much I mouth to Poppy. She shakes her head, no. “There used to be a time when you stuck up for me like that.”

Dead silence.

“Jason? Are you still there?” I ask.

“I don’t know whether to laugh or say goodbye. You’re jealous of my friendship with Adam?”

“I guess.”

“You are aware that what I feel for you is very different from what I feel for Adam. We’re mates, you, you’re…… impossible.” He sighs.

“Can we start again? If you like maybe I could meet Adam and the rest of your friends this week?”

Poppy is shaking her head an emphatic no. Too late I shrug. I’ve already asked.

“I don’t know
Alice
. Maybe.” He laughs. “I didn’t ask the guys if they wanted to go to Poppy’s party after we argued. Perhaps I’ll do that and see if a party at the manor is still eating Adam away. And, well, I guess it wouldn’t hurt for you to meet them first. But can you promise me if, or when, you do meet, you won’t call Adam a murderer to his face?”

“I can do that.” I say with a false confidence.

“I’ll call you in the week. And I’m glad you called
Alice
.”

“Me too. Bye.”

I hang up and turn to Poppy with a big smile. That disappears when I see the look ‘how stupid are you’ on her face.

“I’ll be ok and nothing has been agreed on yet. I’ve got to get them to the party Poppy. It’s the only way we can all be together. As Adam isn’t the ‘Taker’, well, we have to find out who is.” I say adamantly.

“I know, but I don’t like it. Next time, no foray into the woods. Stay close and let me know where you are at all times ok?” She pleads.

“Deal. Now let’s catch up on TV, before the meeting tomorrow.”

Chapter Twenty Four

I wake up to the sound of my phone chirping. I have a message from
Adrian
. ‘Change of plan. Meet at the Eye at noon.’

I smile. He always was one for an adventure. Why go for a coffee at his when we can have a birds eye view of
London
instead?

When I get downstairs, Poppy is sitting at the kitchen table yawning. “Did he wake you up too?” she asks sleepily.

I nod.

“This had better be good!” she grumbles, “I was dreaming about Johnny Depp.”

We hop off the train at
Waterloo
and make our way slowly out of the station. The London Eye is less than a five minute walk from here. And it’s a beautiful day for it. I’ve only been once before. When I was 10 my dad brought my sister Lisa and me. It had been open for less than a year back then, and millions of people have been on it since. Some originally saw it as an eyesore, but I always looked at it exactly as it is – a really huge Ferris wheel.

Poppy leads the way to the ticket booth and introduces herself, “I’m Poppy Howard. Penelope. I’m meeting some friends here.”

The woman behind the glass smiles. “That’s nice for you, love. £8.50 each please.”

I burst out laughing – can’t control it – only to be tapped on the shoulder by a security guard. “You and your friend are to follow me please.”

Poppy smiles, “Yes Sir, of course! Did
Adrian
send you?” She really is pretentious sometimes, but that’s her charm.

The guard, however, ignores us and stomps away leaving us having to do a little jog to catch up. He leads us into a VIP area, where the rest of the gang is waiting. I check my watch thinking we might be late, but it’s only ten to. I guess they’re eager to hear the latest.

Adrian
, looking exquisite in a suit and open necked shirt, smiles warmly and says, “I thought this would be nice for a change.”

I can tell we all agree, though Stefan is pulling one of his ‘I’d rather be in the pub’ faces.

A man in a navy suit and pink tie enters and asks us if we’re ready.
Adrian
nods and we all follow him out of the room. Before we know it, we’ve skipped the queue and are being herded in to a pod.
Adrian
must have rented the whole pod for us, as no-one else gets on behind us.

It’s eerily quiet as we start to make our slow assent. It hardly feels like you’re moving, although I do remember that my sister got motion sickness when we were younger.

“I need to tell you all about Jason.” I say. I know we only have half an hour in here, and if I’m to get any answers, I can’t waste any time. A few minutes later, I’ve given them the shortened version.

“Well, you couldn’t do subtle, could you
Alice
!” Stefan laughs. “If you’re like this all the time, remind me never to ask you out. Cold.” He tease referring to his temperature changing ability.

“Leave her alone, Stefan.” Poppy snaps, “She happens to really like this guy!”

“Really?” Annabel asks, “I mean, really? After that story you still like him?”

“He sounds like an idiot.” Robbie adds.

I have nowhere to run so I simply turn my back on them and look out over the
Thames
. The people on the boats look tiny and we’re not even half way up yet. The guys behind me have fallen silent. I’m not angry at their comments, as I know they’re all justified. They just didn’t get to meet the old Jason. They’d have all liked him.

“It does sound like there is an influence.”
Adrian
’s voice is thoughtful. “What do you think we should do,
Alice
?”