Ultimate Justice (20 page)

“What did you think, Tam?” asked Kakko impatiently.

“If you must know, I thought of you.”

“That's nice. So what did you do?”

“I texted you. But you didn't reply.”

“What did you say? I can't remember that one.”

“Oh. Something like, ‘How u doing? Missing u.'”

“But I wasn't ready to be missed, was I? All I could think of was passing my exams.”

“Quite right. But I'm not missing you
now
. Here we are stuck on a foreign planet goodness knows how far from home and our only means of getting back there is behind locked doors.”

“Yet you're not sad?”

“No, for two reasons. First, because I'm with you of course…”

“You're so romantic! And second?”

“Because the Creator is here too. And wherever She is, we are in Her hands…”

“Home is with God?”

“Ultimately, yes. So if the worst comes to the worst and we are dissolved into oblivion we'll still end up with Her in our home dimension.”

“With Grandma,” sighed Kakko.

“Oh. The welcome party will be tremendous. But for now, I don't think that's God's plan. Let's keep walking.”

After a couple of hundred metres the shops and lights ended but the road headed on into darkness. They had come to an unlit bridge with iron railings. It spanned a large river that was pitch black except for the glint of lights reflecting on its rippled surface. A cool but sweet breeze struck their faces and fresh air cleared their lungs of the fug of sweaty bodies, stale perfume, alcohol fumes, smoke and who knows what else they had encountered only a few metres back.

“Peace at last,” sighed Kakko. “I guess this place is quite pleasant in the daytime.”

As their eyes got used to the darkness, Kakko and Tam made out the shapes of the occasional person coming towards them – people walking with purpose, going somewhere. It crossed Tam's mind that there may be muggers about in a strange city like this at night, but he didn't say anything. Then about twenty metres in front of them they saw a lone figure, sitting on the paving stones, back against the railings but hunched forwards, head lolling. They stopped, hand in hand. The person appeared to be asleep … or something. There was a dark object on the ground just beyond the body. Kakko recognised it as a guitar case – and then she made out a skateboard too.

Somehow these things seemed to make this figure less threatening and Kakko approached dragging Tam behind her. The figure moved and looked up, alarmed and yet resigned at the same time.

“It's OK,” said Kakko hurriedly. “We won't hurt you.”

Then Tam recognised the pale blue top and the long hair with blue highlights.

“You. You're the girl that sang in the talent contest just back there. You sang a country song. Danni… or something,” said Tam.

The girl nodded dejectedly. “Da'yelni.” She struggled to get up but Kakko had already got down on the pavement beside her.

“You OK?”

“Yeah… I guess.”

“What do you mean, you guess?” asked Tam who was crouching on his haunches in front of the girls. “What's wrong?”

“Well, it's all finished, ain't it?”

“What's finished?” asked Kakko.

“You saw it, if you were there. They don't like me. Nobody voted for me. I ain't got no talent!”

“But you have. We voted for you. I gave you a seven.”

“And I gave you an eight,” smiled Kakko.

“Thanks. But it didn't stop me coming last. The compère, he didn't say who came last but I saw the scores. I was twelfth.”

“But that's to do with the audience,” said Tam. “They were bound to be into the boys – most of them around us were not really discerning the music but just who was hot. At another kind of gig you'd be at the top.”

“But there ain't no other kind of gig is there? Not around here.”

“But you don't need loads of fans. Do
you
think your music's good?”

“Nah. I guess it ain't. I thought so, but now I know, it ain't. That's the problem, I really ain't got no talent.”

“So are you going to try and sing some of the songs the others sang?”

“Nah, course not”

“Why, because you're not good enough to try?”

“I don't
wanna
try. They're crap. That boy who won, did you register them lyrics? There was only three lines which went over and over, ‘Baby I'm into you. I'm into you big time. You're oozing all over me…' What kind of song is that?”

“So what you sing is better, right?” said Tam.

“I think it's not only better, it is
good,”
said Kakko. “But you have to believe that yourself. As long as
you
think it's good, that's fine. If the rest of them don't recognise that, who's fault is it?”

The girl hesitated.

“Theirs,” affirmed Kakko. “They're the ones that are missing out.”

“Guess so. But it don't feel like that.”

“What about your folks? Won't they be looking for you?” asked Tam. “Won't they be worried about you out here in the dark all on your own?”

“No. They're back in the village. I'm a student here. All my flatmates are down there getting pissed. No-one's giving me a second thought. When I got out the stage door they were all trying to get to that boy-band so I just sloped off.”

Kakko was beginning to understand. Da'yelni felt that even her so called friends had deserted her to swoon over some slick, male pop singers.

Tam had got to his feet and was looking across the road to the other side of the bridge. He stopped to take in what he saw.

“Da'yelni. Are you adventurous?”

“How d'you mean?”

“Can you see anything over there?”

“Where? It's dark. What am I supposed to be looking at?”

“Straight across… there,” he pointed to what was, for him, a clearly defined white gate.

“What's that doing there?”

“Describe it to us,” commanded Kakko who had also seen it.

“A garden gate, all shiny… in the railings.”

“Da'yelni, you say your music is not appreciated
here,
but it might be the other side of that gate!”

“You mean kill myself? Walk off the bridge? Who
are
you – some kind of angels from heaven? I'm not ready to die… not yet! I mean my life might suck, but that's extreme!”

Da'yelni got to her feet and looked at Kakko and Tam as if they were harbingers of death. She was ready to run.

“Wait Da'yelni. You will
not
die. We promise,” said Kakko. “We are not from the ‘other side'. We are from
this
universe. We're… we're space travellers. I know that that might sound strange but that gate doesn't lead to heaven but to another planet. And I'm guessing a planet where they want you to sing. To sing your stuff.”

Da'yelni hesitated.

“I've heard of this before. Some people say we, our race, came from another planet thousands of years ago. They just walked through some kind of door. Some people reckon it still happens, but nobody wants to hear that because it means having some sort of belief in God, and that ain't cool.”

“Do you believe in God, Da'yelni?”

“No… yes… I don't know.”

“Would you mind if God did exist?”

“Course not.”

“But you say others don't want to believe in Him.”

“That's because a God would stop you doing things. Take away your freedom.”

“So without God people are free to do what they want?”

“In some ways, but not really. There's always someone ready to set themselves up in his place. No. There's always someone trying to dictate and control – making laws and rules and stuff… if it ain't God, someone else will step in. Sometimes my songs are about that.”

“But what if God was not about making laws and making you do things? What if God was really about setting you free?” asked Tam.

“Free? How do mean? How can anyone give you freedom? If the law says you have to do something and you don't, then you get done.”

“God sets
me
free,” said Kakko. “Free to think, free to explore
inside
me,
and
out there.” Kakko threw her arms about in every direction. “The God I believe in doesn't
make
anyone do things. It's people that do that. God invites us to choose. We are always free to be ourselves. She wants it that way.”

“She?”

“Oh, I often think of God as a ‘She'. I know God is neither male nor female but somehow the universe She has made… well, has a feminine touch. It's not so much mechanical as artistic… but that's to do with how I feel.”

“You have a feeling for God?”

“Yeah. It's a sort of… kind of thing we have. A relationship.”

“And your God. She makes you feel free?”

“Sure. Those in authority might tell me what to do – but they can't tell me what to think or feel inside… with God. And she tells me I can do my thing… be me, even if that gets up people's noses.”

“You mean God will get you out of prison if you get into trouble?”

“No. It's not that kind of freedom. There will always be people who make rules for us. But with God we're free inside ourselves – whatever anyone does to us.”

“You really believe in God, don't you? You're from Her, ain't you?”

“I suppose we are,” answered Kakko. “When people are in a jam we just find ourselves talking about Her… that gate. It'll be two-way. You'll get back here. We've always managed to get back home. We've learned to trust the Creator on this one.” Kakko held her hand out to Da'yelni. She swung her guitar case on her shoulder, picked up the skate board and crossed the road as Tam led the way. The girl checked over the railings. They were above one of the bridge supports and at this place one step was not going to take her plunging to the river below, even if the gate failed. Kakko was relieved to see the gate was positioned like this because she knew Da'yelni would probably not have had the faith to step through her first white gate if it appeared to lead her into an abyss. Faith and trust grow with experience. Still, Da'yelni hesitated.

Just then a blue car with yellow stripes turned onto the bridge.

“Police!” exclaimed Da'yelni. “So, are we going, or what?”

Tam stepped through and disappeared. Kakko took Da'yelni by the hand and pulled her through. She had been contemplating taking just one careful step, but in the urgency of the situation she almost leapt. They found themselves in the midst of a neat garden with green grass, shrubs and trees. The sun was high in the sky. Da'yelni just stood and stared. The place was beautiful.

“I
must
be dead,” she said slowly, “but you know what, I don't care!”

Despite it being full daylight, Tam, Kakko and Da'yelni felt tired. They had just got to the end of a demanding day and now, here they were on another world with bedtime apparently some way off. And, God only knew where they were going to find a bed anyway.

“That's the first time I've heard of a white gate inside a white gate,” commented Kakko.

“What do you mean?” asked Tam.

“I mean travelling from one place to another without going back home to Joh. When we went through that gate I was expecting to get back to the cottage.”

“I was too. But this
is
Joh isn't it?”

“I'm not sure. It doesn't smell quite right.”

“Now you mention it, I agree. So, I wonder what comes next.”

“I don't know about you but I'm going to rest,” said Kakko.

The grass was lush and soft and the three young people found a comfortable place under a tree. They lay back and closed their eyes. Kakko slipped her hand into Tam's. She asked Da'yelni why she wanted to avoid the police. Were they dangerous? Had she committed a crime?

“Nah, I ain't done nothing. And they're not exactly
dangerous
. They probably wouldn't actually hurt us. But they would want to take us in just because they could. I mean out there on the bridge, it would have been easy for them.”

“For our safety?”

“Nah, they might say we were loitering with intent or something. They just pull young people in to get their parents to give them money to release them.”

“But that's kidnapping and extortion!”

“Not if you're the police. It's
expenses
. They're always after what they call a ‘recognition'.”

“Couldn't you report that to a lawyer?”

“Only if you had a friendly one. Otherwise you'd just have to pay
them
over the odds too. They don't want to keep you, but everyone knows they won't let you go until they feel ‘compensated for their trouble'.”

“So there's no justice on your planet then?”

“Oh. There's justice. It's just different for the rich and the powerful – those with connections have one sort, and the rest of us – well it depends on how much we can pay.”

“And country singers? What's it like for you?”

“We're part of the underground mostly. There's kids I know who write protest songs. They see us as being against the authorities.”

“Do you write all your own stuff?”

“You have to really. You can't go round nicking other peoples'. You can only sing that if you pay.”

“Do people cover
your
stuff?”

“Sometimes. They don't pay nothing though. They might do a swap, but, generally, their songs are not what I like. I don't hardly ever sing anyone else's stuff.”

“Will you play something for us? We can't pay you though. We haven't got any money.”

“Maybe… what do you live on if you've got no money? You don't sound poor.”

“My mum and dad both work,” answered Kakko.

“Mine too,” said Tam. “It's just we don't have any of your type of money on us.”

“Where you come from, what about them without parents?”

“The State pays. But there really aren't many poor people on Joh. Some people don't have parents but the State steps in and helps them with the taxes the rest of us pay. It seems to work OK,” replied Tam.

Kakko continued, “On the planet where my dad comes from, Earth One, there are some very poor people. He says that millions and millions of kids never get to school at all. And in some places on the planet a girl is more likely to die giving birth than to finish primary school. In that place there are few schools and no hospitals. And it's not so much better for the boys, Dad says.”

“That ain't fair.”

“That's what I said. Dad says that on this side of death, life isn't fair. What is important is that we try and do something about it. The more people that try, the more progress we will make. But the problem is so big. And then some people don't help themselves. They get something and then they spoil it by starting wars, or cheating… they don't think of others.”

“Like on our planet. Most of the money is in the hands of a small minority. To get anywhere you've got to get recognition, get connections.”

“And that's why you entered the talent competition.”

“Yep. But to come bottom of everyone means I've mucked up any chance I had.”

“But you're at college. You could get another sort of job.”

“Yes. But you won't get anywhere in it if you haven't got friends, connections – that's what I keep telling you.”

“You could meet a rich boy,” suggested Tam.

Kakko squeezed his hand and thumped it on the grass.

“Get lost! I want the recognition for myself! Besides the rich work that all out among themselves. If any of their boys dared look at me he'd get it in the neck… no, unless I have some status that can't happen. I ain't going to marry anyone for their money. I don't want a creep who's rich but got nothing else.”

“How'd you mean?” asked Tam.

“Well,
if
I had a boyfriend he'd be someone who wasn't just out for an easy life. Someone with a passion for something; someone who wants to make the world better. You know, someone with real character.”

“I know exactly,” said Kakko.

“So I won't find anyone because there ain't many like that to find, that ain't already spoken for. But I ain't wasting my time looking for one. If he comes along fine, otherwise… well, I don't suppose anything will work now – not now I've come bottom of the list… Anyhow, what're we doing
here
?”

“Waiting,” said Kakko. “To tell you the truth I don't want to do anything but lay here for the moment. Something will turn up in God's time.”

“You really do believe in Him… Her, don't you?”

“Course. Tried once or twice doing things without Her. I am learning to wait for Her. When She's in it, you know what you have to do. Otherwise best wait.”

Tam smiled. Jack and Jalli would have been amazed, and delighted, to hear their daughter speaking like this about waiting.

“She keeps you safe. She stops you getting hurt.”

“No, not really. Sometimes perhaps, but mostly not. Mum and Dad got hurt bad. Things can still happen, but if they do, it won't be your fault and God's always picking you up. That's what Mum says, and what Grandma always said even when she was dying.”

“I
ain't
dead then?”

“No, Da'yelni, you're not.”

“I can't be. I'm whacked. You can't be whacked and dead… by the way, call me Dah. All my friends do.”

Tam had already succumbed to sleep. Kakko lay still listening to the birds. Before long all three were fast asleep. It had been an exhausting few hours.

***

Exactly how long they slept the three young people were not sure. They were woken, however, by the sound of voices. Kakko felt a sudden embarrassment. She thought of Goldilocks, but it seemed that no-one had seen them. A party of elderly people were making their way down a paved path towards a large building at the end of the garden. Some were on crutches, some used frames and a couple were in wheelchairs. There were younger ladies with them, all of whom seemed to be shouting.

“Mrs Gillespie, are you sure you don't need help?”

“'Eh? What you say?”

“Are you sure you don't need help?” yelled a younger woman in her ear.

“You don't have to shout! I'll tell you if I can't manage.”

“Good.”

“What's that? Speak up, can't you? Don't know why people have to mumble everything these days.”

“Never mind… just keep going,” she shouted.

“That's what I
am
doing!” protested Mrs Gillespie.

This group were followed by another. There was one man in a self-propelled wheelchair. It had three wheels and he seemed far too large for it. He proceeded down the path but the chair got out of control and one of the rear wheels ran off the edge of the path onto the grass. Then, slowly but surely, still clutching the handlebars, he went over sideways and fell onto the grass with the machine on its side.

Tam was across the lawn in an instant with Kakko not far behind. They were too late to catch him but fortunately he didn't seem to have hit the ground very hard. He lay there helpless, the machine tucked behind his large frame. Kakko gently took his hands that were still gripping the handlebars and Tam dragged the chair clear and upright. Then between them, Kakko and Tam lifted the gentleman into a sitting position.

“Oh, Bert!” exclaimed one of the helpers rushing up, “I told you to wait! You hurt?”

The man grunted a negative.

“He should be able to take his weight on his feet,” declared the helper to Tam and Kakko. “Do you think you can get him up?” she said, looking at them hopefully. They each took a side.

“One, two, three,” said Tam, and Bert was upright. “The chair,” said Tam urgently.

Dah was already dragging the chair to line up with Bert. The helper swung the seat out sideways and Bert took hold of the handlebars with his right hand and lowered himself. Dah put all her weight onto the other side of the chair to counterbalance it.

“That's it, steady the chair,” said the helper as she manhandled Bert's right leg forwards onto the platform. Bert then dragged his left leg after it and sat squarely once more on the machine.

“Thank you so much. I don't know what I would have done without you. You came just at the right time. A Godsend,” said the carer.

“Yeah,” whispered Dah to Kakko, “so God doesn't stop accidents. He just sends people to pick you up when you need it.”

“That's generally the way of it,” said Kakko.

“It was Him… Her… who sent you to me,” affirmed Dah.

One of the ladies came from the building and fussed over Bert as he navigated himself up the path. He seemed to have already forgotten the incident.

“I am so glad you were around,” gushed the lady, who seemed to be in charge, “but I'm sorry you have had such an introduction.” Then she noticed Dah's guitar case. “I see you have an instrument. I was wondering how we were going to manage for music – our keyboardist was taken sick yesterday. I hope you found us OK. Mrs Merton explained that you hadn't been here before, but that you were keen to help us with our little party. My name's Mrs Higgins.” She took each of their hands in turn. Kakko tried to explain that they weren't from Mrs Merton.

“I don't think –” she began, but the lady kept going, seemingly without a breath.

“You will find we are a happy bunch here. Our clients, we are supposed to call them – but I prefer to say, ‘our ladies and gentlemen' – are all elderly; some of them live alone; I can't imagine how they manage, they get ready mostly by themselves, they must start very early, although we have a few who have to be helped of course, like Bert here, can't dress himself at all, always on the floor too; has had to have a side put on his bed; he has a man go to get him into bed and another gets him up every morning, this is about the only time he gets out – to our gatherings – and they say he's exhausted at the end of it. Well, so am I and I can't say how happy I am to see you. We need the help of young people and so glad you have music too… come on, what are we standing here for? Come inside. Is there anything you would like to ask?”

“Yes,” replied Dah, “have you got a toilet?”

“Oh, of course. How silly of me. You should have said right away. How have you got here? Oh, on foot. Of course you
must
be wanting to use our rest rooms. They're new you know. Put in last year with a grant. Very proud of them. Never thought we would get it – all the paper work. Come in, come in. What are you waiting for?”

Mrs Higgins led them into the entrance hall and pointed to doors at the end of a corridor. “On the right, belles first door, beaux the second. Should be everything in there you need, just –”

Dah didn't wait for Mrs Higgins to stop. Perhaps she might not have. She just headed for the door with the symbol of a person with long hair and a ball-gown. The other symbol had short hair, trousers and a bow tie.

Kakko had been wondering how she was going to ask where they were in the universe without alarming anyone. And people were expected from Mrs Merton and she was anxious to tell Mrs Higgins or someone that they were not these people. However, right at this moment getting to the loo was the most immediate thing.

As she dried her hands she thought she recognised the script on the hand-dryer attached to the wall. She recalled some of the stuff her nan read. It was English, she was sure of it. Perhaps they were on Earth One.

While they were still in the ‘rest-rooms' some people from Mrs Merton arrived. But they were welcomed with even more delight by Mrs Higgins. She was so pleased so many had come. These other young people had no idea how many were to be expected and just took the presence of Kakko, Tam and Dah in their stride. They were no more able to get many words in edgeways than anyone else. After a while Kakko and Tam decided that they were not going to get a chance to explain anything and they decided to just ‘go with the flow' as usual. Mrs Higgins was fussing over everybody. She was clearly enjoying herself with so many people to talk to.

“I bet she's exhausted at the end of the day,” said Dah.

“Probably has no one to talk to all week,” suggested Kakko.

Dah went back into the garden and collected her guitar, but she decided to leave the skateboard outside. She propped it on its side against the hedge.

Inside Mrs Higgins was calling everyone to order.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” she struck a block with a gavel. She was enjoying herself. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to our weekly gathering. Today is party time!” The helpers cheered. “And a special welcome to our newcomer, Mr Larry Williams, who has recently moved to New London to be near his daughter and their family. I believe you lived in Georgia, Mr Williams?”