'See told you, now do you believe me' stated Joni.
'Sorry Joni, but how on earth did you know, how could you have know' Pete questioned.
'He told me and George, honestly Dad you are so silly at times' laughed Joni.
The women stared at Pete, Margaret and Marie knew the child spoke the truth, Louise had always believed there was more to life than it appeared, she too had seen spirits when she was a mere child, but Pete was fighting it, he was scared and not ready.
'I'm going for a smoke, I need to think' said Pete as he stood up, 'Just give me five minutes, I won't be long.'
Geena's voice whispered in Louise's head, 'Go with him, he needs you, this is your chance'
'Hang on Pete, I could do with a ciggie, I'll come with you' said Louise.
Pete relaxed, yes why not, maybe just maybe, his life was about to change.
As soon as Pete and Louise were safely out of earshot, Joni told Marie and Margaret all that had happened, how she and George had met Peter and his parents, and how Henderson had taken them to their Heaven, to her it was just a matter of fact, not strange and certainly not frightening.
Marie sat deep in thought, the child was not lying, Joni always spoke the truth, so much had happened over the past few days that nothing would ever surprise her again, then she remembered Judith's letter, something about the flu that many of the children were suffering from the day the school photograph was taken, could George have caught that virus from Peter, was Peter that carrier, George's doctor did say that the virus was an old one that died out in the late 1940's, did it die out the day Peter was drowned.
'Penny for them' said Margaret.
'What?' questioned Marie.
'Penny for your thoughts' smiled Margaret.
Marie looked down at Joni who was intently examining each photograph, was she listening, she probably was as Joni never missed a thing.
'Joni sweetheart, will you go and see if George is awake, if he doesn't get up now he won't sleep tonight' she asked kindly.
'Okay' grinned Joni, 'I'll stay upstairs for a bit if you want to chat, I don't mind.'
'Thanks Joni, there's a good girl' laughed Margaret.
As soon as they could hear Joni stamping across the ceiling into George's bedroom Margaret moved off the armchair and joined Marie on the sofa,
'I think that we are alone now' she comforted, 'so fire away, just what are you thinking.'
Marie poured everything out, she knew that Julian was listening, she knew that Sydney and Lionel were close by too, but many things had to be said and Margaret was the only person she knew, that would understand.
'I think I always knew that Jack and I were ill matched, to be honest I don't think we ever had much in common, sort of fooled myself for a long time that we would be happy, but deep down something told me he was not the one for me' Marie said softly.
'I've often blamed myself for what happened, maybe I should never have left Lembury in the first place, maybe if we had stayed then Stella and Jack would have been together from the start' replied Margaret.
'Oh no, just think if that had happened then we wouldn't have George and Joni, no everything is for a reason, and we wouldn't have met either, so never blame yourself Margaret, cos I couldn't imagine what life would be like without you all' urged Marie.
'You have a point there and who knows what lies ahead, something tells me things are going to work out just fine' grinned Margaret.
'You won't think I'm mad if I ask you something will you?' asked Marie.
'Ha me think anyone is mad, me who has been talking to Lionel since I was just a little girl, most people would think me mad, I know that both my so called daughters do' laughed Margaret.
'Well I was thinking, do you think it is at all possible that George caught this flu from the seaside, Joni was rather adamant that they had seen that boy Peter and played with him, and there was something in Louise's mother's letter about there being a terrible flu virus going around, and the doctor did say it was the same strain that was about in the 1940's' asked Marie.
Margaret sat back and pondered the question, the same thought had ran through her mind, was it possible and if so why, was there a reason for George being so ill, or was it just bad luck.
'It did cross my mind I have to admit, and what you said about everything being for a reason makes me believe in all honesty that we have to consider what would have happened if George hadn't been ill, so you tell me' teased Margaret.
'Well we wouldn't be having this conversation, and I wouldn't have seen any of the Guardians or Shenkans, and most of all I wouldn't have seen Julian' Marie seriously replied.
Julian, who was sitting in the armchair that Margaret had previously vacated, leant forward and decided to speak, he wasn't going to leave it any longer, he felt brave.
'Marie, there is still much I have to tell you, but there is time enough for that; at present my main concern is for George, he is still so weak and it troubles me so; he needs time in Shenka, it will help him recover. Would you consider travelling there with me, even if it was for only a few days.'
The room fell silent, it would take a huge leap in faith to agree to this, but what about the others, what about Margaret and Pete, Joni would want to come along, and Louise what about her, Pete had seemed to take a shine to her, she did not want to stop something before it had chance to start.
'Let me think about it' sighed Marie, 'I need time to sort things out in my head first, and how on earth I can explain it to Pete.'
'If everything was revealed to Pete would that make a difference' pleaded Julian.
'It would make all the difference in the World, then I would come at the drop of a hat, maybe we could all come' smiled Marie.
'Well count me in too as my own daughter's don't want or need me, and all I have are the people and children around me' asserted Margaret.
'I will see what I can do then, please excuse me whilst I go and speak to Denis and Geena' said Julian as he rose from his seat and started to make his way outside to where Pete and Louise were deep in conversation; 'Oh and by the way, you were right about everything being for a reason, something had to happen to bring Pete and Louise together' grinned Julian as he left the room.
*
Pete tossed and turned in his bed, he could hear the gentle breathing of Joni in the next bedroom, a gentle humming breath of contentment, but sleep wouldn't come. Over and over in his mind he ran through the day's events, and he knew that something in the deep recesses of that same mind there was something trying to emerge, something urging him to remember.
Denis's voice whispered in his ear 'Relax, it will come if you relax.'
Pete sat up and told himself to relax, he stretched out and turned on the Tiffany lamp that sat on a small cupboard next to his bed, he swung his legs out of bed and quietly walked over to the bedroom window, pulled back one of the heavy curtains that blocked out the illumination from a street light that stood on the pavement next to his house, opened the window and breathed in the night air. A brown and red moth flew in and briefly fluttered around Pete's head, for the first time in his life his fear of these delicate creatures had left him, now he saw the moth with new eyes, admiring it's beautifully patterned wings, seeing in wonder how it had been attracted to the light. The moth landed on Pete's hand and sat motionless for a few seconds before it took flight out of the open window, disappearing into the darkness.
Leaving the window open he returned to his bed, clear your mind he instructed himself and forget everything you ever thought was true and logical, because maybe you have been wrong, blame your job if you will, for that requires logical thinking, but life doesn't, and maybe just maybe Joni knows more about life than you do.
Denis edged closer, 'Remember Pete remember, what is it that is buried so deep in your memory, let it flow to the front of your mind, relax it will come.'
Pete closed his eyes, he was half asleep when the dream he had as a child came back to him, he could see it all,
remembering every word spoken, the images played out in full colour, he relaxed and relived the dream.
Pete was nine years old and in his dream he was standing in a room high up in a strange tower, a man was there painting frescos on the walls, the man turned and spoke to him.
'Hello Pete, good to meet you' he said.
'Who are you' Pete asked.
'Someone from the long gone past, and someone from your future' the man replied.
'How can that be' replied Pete.
'You will find out in good time' smiled the man.
'Where am I' asked Pete.
'See those steps over there' the man said pointing to the steps that led to the top of the tower.
'Yes' answered Pete.
'Well, what are you waiting for then, go on, climb to the top and see for yourself'
So Pete climbed the steps and emerged on the roof of the tower, he looked around and saw a beautiful land surrounded by mountains, in the distance he could see the smoke from the chimneys of small cottages, he could see men and women working in the fields, and immediately below the tower he saw wonderful garden in full bloom. To his right he saw a spectacular city whose walls shone in the evening sunlight and when he strained his ears he could hear singing, happy singing of men, women and children. When he returned to the room below the man was still there, he had finished painting and was now enjoying a glass of wine.
'Here, have a drink of water, you are too young for the wine' the man said as he handed Pete a tall glass of clear water.
'Thank you' said Pete.
'Tell me what do you think of my frescos' said the man.
Pete gazed at the drying paint, 'I like that one best' he said as he pointed to the fresco that depicted a beach and a boy in the sea, 'but I don't understand it.'
'You will' smiled the man.
'When' asked Pete.
'In your future, but do not forget it, for it may be important' the man demanded.
'I will try not to' promised Pete.
'Now when you have a daughter be sure to listen to her words, for she will speak the truth' urged the man.
'What, so I will get married then and be happy' grinned Pete.
'I didn't say that, you must learn to listen' replied the man.
'But I don't understand' whimpered Pete.
'You will' replied the man.
'Will I ever be happy' asked Pete.
'That is up to you, do not miss your chances Pete, listen to your heart' advised the man.
'Where is this place' asked Pete.
'If I tell, you must promise not to speak it's name until your daughter is eight years of age' the man demanded.
'I promise' replied Pete.
'It is called Shenka, and without you it could disappear or be destroyed' spoke the man.
'Me, what will I have to do' cried Pete.
'Did I say that you would do anything, oh Pete you must listen, without you there will be no daughter, please try and understand, it is not necessarily you that will be important but maybe your heirs will be, and without you there will be no heirs' said the man.
'I think I understand' said Pete.
The man finished his drink and placed his empty glass on the wooden floor,
'Now I have some papers to write, do not forget what I have told you, now I bid you goodbye'
Pete remembered waking up from the dream, he remembered how it had disturbed him, but he had no mother to call out to in the middle of the night, no father to comfort and re-assure him, for he was between foster parents when the dream took place, and he was sleeping in a dormitory where five other boys slept, in yet another children's home.
He opened his eyes, for a second he saw Denis sitting on his bed, but he had no time to look, he hastened into Joni's room and gently shook her awake.
'Joni, Joni wake up please' he whispered.
Joni opened her eyes, when she saw her father she smiled and wrapped her arms around him.
'Did you have a bad dream Daddy' she asked.
'No sweetheart it was a good dream, can you tell me the name of the place again, the place where Belle and Henderson come from' he asked.
'Of course Daddy, but you must remember this time, it is Shenka, that's where Belle, Henderson, Lord Ralph and the Lady Veronica live; and I would so much like to go there, can we go there, please Daddy' she cried.
'Maybe sweetheart, yes maybe' he replied.
'Thank you Daddy, I love you' smiled Joni.
'I love you too my lovely one' said Pete.
*
Shenka was in mourning for Lord Albion, for three days no music was played and curtains in all homes were drawn. Old men sat in coffee houses reminiscing of the old days when Lord Albion would visit amidst great fanfares and celebrations, street parties were held and all the children would be given time off their studies to play games, they would come together to sing in massed choirs, the joys of their mutual understandings; this hadn't happened for a long time as the red mist of the mountains had engulfed their minds that were full of foreboding. Something though was changing, over the past few days they had noticed the heavy load that had lay on their shoulders for so long gradually easing, part of the red mist had given over to a blue sky that was slowly breaking through and the chill of the late autumn was not so severe as previous years; no-one dared to speak of it, they did not want to challenge fate. Children went to their lessons as normal, but instead of learning their maths they were taught about the life and times of Lord Albion, how his wisdom was respected throughout Shenka and Grafflin, he was the most loved and admired of all the Grafflin Council, refusing to become the Head of the Council as he wished to stay in touch with the real World and not to be distracted by endless paperwork and administration.
On the fourth day the mourning gave way to celebrations of Lord Albion's existence, curtains were flung open and the air was filled with the sounds of joyful music. Every meeting hall held a party for their own village or town, dignitaries danced with elderly ladies, men puffed on their pipes and drank ale, small children played party games and ate far too many sweets and candies, young women wore their finest clothes and flirted madly with available young men. Every street was decorated with bright bunting and on the low hills that stood between the towns and mountains beacons were lit and from the top of the Shenkan tower the flags of Grafflin and Shenka blew in the light autumn breeze.
On the fifth day the Council of Grafflin arrived, bringing with them Rupert and Bertie, for on this day the celebrations had ended, now together with Shenka's own Grand Council the wisest of minds would meet to discuss all they had learnt thus far and what may lie ahead, and for this they needed to recall Julian from Earth, for it was he who had observed the most.
Together they sat around a large oval table, there was no seating arrangement for no one being was more important than the other, Shenkans and Grafflins sat side by side and once Lord Ralph could see that everyone was settled he stood up to speak.
'Welcome my friends, and a special welcome to Rupert and Bertie who are here with us for the first time, I hope you find our hospitality to your liking and if there is anything you need please let either myself or the Lady Veronica know, we are here at your biding.'
Rupert nodded his head in acknowledgement, Bertie who was a little nervous mouthed words of thanks.
'I would like to hand the meeting over to Julian Speaksafe, he will tell you all he has learnt over the past few weeks from his time on Earth, of course when Julian has finished speaking I am sure he would welcome any questions you may wish to ask' continued Ralph.
Julian stood to thunderous applause, blushing slightly he bowed, gently coughed and for the next hour told the Councils all that he knew, all that he had seen, and when his speech was at an end he begged for single request, that he may bring the Earth folk of whom he spoke to Shenka, he knew it had been many hundreds of years since Shenka had been visited by those who inhabit Earth, but he felt it to be the right thing to do.
A
n elderly Grafflin held his hand in the air for permission to speak, Ralph who was chairing the meeting, nodded his head in approval.
'Am I right in thinking that Mr Speaksafe has a vested interest in bringing these people to Shenka?'
Julian hesitated, 'It is true Sir that I have formed a sort of relationship with the woman we know as Marie, for I cannot tell a lie. But Sir, one of the frescoes in the mighty tower showed this to be part of my own future, and that cannot be achieved on Earth, for on Earth I am merely a spirit, here on Shenka I can be in bodily form. However, even if my heart had not been stolen by the woman of whom you speak, I would still ask the same, the boy needs to be with us, he is still so very weak, he needs healing, he cannot come alone. As for the other Earth folk I feel they have so far earned the right to come as well, especially now that I have just received news from Denis the Guardian of Mr Pete Masters, that Mr Masters himself had remembered the dream I told you about earlier. But I am in your hands.'
Julian sat down, his heart was sinking, he didn't anticipate having his motives questioned, he even wondered if he too had put his own desires first, but then he remembered Lord Albion Brightly's advice and why the great man himself had relieved him of his Grafflin responsibilities.
The Lady Veronica stood up, 'I for one would like to grant Julian's request, I have always put great store on his wisdom, without him I doubt if we would have got so far, let us not stop now, maybe George and the girl Joni, I mean let us not forget about Joni, maybe they need to be here, for there is still more to be done, we have not unravelled the mysteries behind all of the frescoes, so maybe our Earth bound friends need to see them too, maybe they are the ones that could have the answers.' The Lady took her seat, her heart was pounding, this was the first time she had spoken in front of both Councils, but it had to be said and she had said it.
The elderly Grafflin who had questioned Julian sighed, he looked at Julian through his watery blue eyes, he had been saddened that Lord Brightly had not been succeeded by Julian, he was sorry he had questioned Julian's integrity but he wanted to make sure that Julian was on the right path, he would hate for Julian to give up his Grafflin robes for nothing more than a whim.