The Alchemist's Key

  ‘I have never felt better,’ he assured her.

  And as John danced her round in circles Grace witnessed the years rush from his face. By the time they’d finished their romp, she was staring at a dashing young gent not much older than herself.

  ‘Now for my demise.’ John closed the bag containing his precious keys, and grabbed up his other belongings.

  Grace hurried out of the temple to await the Baron. The house was in darkness as all were in their beds.

  As John joined her on the lawn under the stars, the smell of smoke began to permeate from the dwelling they abandoned. ‘Well, Grace, this is it. Bless you for your help.’ He shook her hand, as this was how he would bid farewell to a respected colleague.

  ‘I shall miss you, Baron.’ Grace was flattered by his gesture. ‘Thank you for all this knowledge. Ashby shall not be the same without you, I fear.’

  ‘I am not leaving Ashby, Grace. I am merely going away for awhile.’ John began to back away from the manor of his birth. ‘You know what to do.’

  Graced nodded to confirm that she did and once John was well out of sight, she began to scream. ‘Help! Fire! The Baron is trapped! Somebody, please help!’

  John stood at a distance watching his beautiful temple of knowledge burn to the ground. He felt no remorse, as it was a dwelling, nothing more, and it had served out its usefulness in this age. One day, however, in the late twentieth century, the secret his temple concealed would resurrect itself. ‘My home shall always be here.’

  Wade was pleased to have his teaching position and his manor back. He arranged to have the whole house and Glenoak College rewired in the wake of the damage caused to the electrical circuitry on both properties.

  It was sheer luxury to be able to use his equipment without fear of ending up in another time zone or being invaded by the dead.

  Wade was up late working on his multi-media game, ‘Ghost’s Gold’, because Baron Foxworth had run a few segments of Wade’s program past his executives. They’d been so impressed with the concept that they’d made the young Baron an offer for the worldwide distribution rights. The money meant little to Wade. It was the outlet for his product that he was so excited about.

  Thus, in stoned delirium he worked away on his computer, quite unaware that he had an unexpected visitor until the door to the music room was heard to creak.

  ‘Please, let that be a draft’, Wade mumbled, before turning to find Arthur seated by the door. ‘Oh no,’ he whined, ‘what are you doing here, puss? I thought we’d solved this problem.’

  At that moment Arthur began to change. The feline grew as he mutated into a human form — a form that Wade well recognised.

  ‘Father?’ he uttered, aghast.

  The ghostly figure nodded in accord. ‘It is I,’ he said.

  ‘All this while, it has been you leading us?’ When his father nodded once again, Wade was even more taken aback and was not too sure how he felt about the deception. ‘But why the disguise? Why didn’t you make yourself known sooner?’

  ‘Because I wanted you to draw your own conclusions, son, and you did just fine.’

  ‘Well and good,’ Wade stood, suddenly enraged, ‘but you could have warned me about this Baron business, and what I’d be up against when I took on this manor.’

  ‘Calm down, Wade,’ his father insisted. ‘I fully intended to tell you about your birthright, but in all honesty you discovered far more about the history of this manor than I ever dared to. I honestly had no idea what caused all the weird anomalies here, and only in passing did I find the courage to return here to help you solve the mystery.’

  ‘Oh.’ Wade was again seated, finding his situation altogether too strange. ‘I’ve spent the last two years missing you and mum, and now that you’re here, I yell at you. I’m sorry, Dad, it’s just such a shock, you showing up like this.’

  ‘I was procrastinating over whether or not to make an appearance before moving on,’ his father sympathised with his predicament, ‘but I wanted to let you know how proud I am that you’ve succeeded where so many of your forefathers, including myself, failed.’

  ‘Hold on.’ Wade was back on his feet again. ‘You’re leaving now?’

  ‘Well, my work here is done,’ he explained. ‘By ridding this house of that infernal machine, you have freed all your forefathers from its hold and torment, and we can move on.’

  ‘Move on. Move on to where?’

  ‘Ah,’ his father smiled, ‘the answer to that question will be answered when it is your time to go. But let me assure you that you have much living to do before then. And when your living is done, dying is not that unpleasant either.’

  Wade’s eyes filled with tears at the idea of never seeing his father again. Now that he thought about it, his parents’ funeral was the last time he remembered crying.

  ‘Fear not, Wade, we will meet again. When your time on this earth is at an end, I shall be waiting for you.’

  ‘Thanks for all your help.’ Wade held back his emotions. ‘You pulled me out of some really tight jams.’

  ‘You’re welcome.’ He smiled broadly at his son’s knowledge. ‘And we, your forefathers, thank you.’

  With that, Peter Ashby left the room and vanished before Wade could make it to the doorway.

  ‘Alone at last,’ he uttered, none too pleased by the prospect.

  You will not be the last Baron Ashby. His father’s voice resounded in his mind. A family of your own is already under way.

  ‘Hannah?’ Wade figured, a smile of disbelief crossing his face. ‘No! Surely not.’

  When no reply was forthcoming, Wade stood in the doorway wearing a ridiculous smirk on his face for God knows how long. It was only a knock on the front door that snapped him out of his daze.

  ‘Who could be calling at this hour?’ Talbot muttered, pulling on his dressing gown as he wandered through the Great Hall.

  ‘I’ll get it, Talbot.’ Wade raced down the staircase, having a fair idea who it was.

  Talbot relinquished the chore gladly, heading back to the servants’ quarters without protest.

  When Wade opened the door he found Hannah in tears.

  ‘I’m sorry it’s so late, but I had to see you,’ she mumbled, wiping her face with an already soggy tissue.

  ‘There’s no need to apologise.’ Wade embraced her in the hope of easing her crying. ‘You’re my girl. My door is open to you any time, day or night.’

  ‘You might change your mind about that when I tell you what I must.’ She pulled away from him to enter the house.

  ‘I very much doubt that.’ Wade closed the door, repressing his urge to smile.

  No sooner had he turned to face her, than Hannah blurted out her news. ‘I’m pregnant.’ Her weeping started up again with renewed enthusiasm. ‘I know it looks like I’m just after your fortune, but it was an accident, I swear!’

  ‘Hannah, that’s wonderful!’ Wade picked her up and twirled her around. He was thankful now for the warning as it allowed him to deal with the news tactfully, instead of being shocked by it.

  ‘It … it is?’ Hannah melted into a smile.

  ‘Hell, yes,’ Wade assured her wholeheartedly.

  ‘But I thought you’d be angry.’

  ‘Angry, why? Do you know how long I have been without a family? And now we’re to have a family of our own. If, of course, that’s what you want.’

  ‘I … I think so.’ Hannah hadn’t really had the chance to think about it, she’d been too preoccupied with how she was going to break the news to Wade.

  ‘Look, I know I am not your idea of the perfect husband cum father, but I’d like to try — if you’ll have me?’

  Hannah was so touched by his sudden proposal that she could barely speak. ‘Yes,’ she said finally. ‘I could not wish for a more wonderful husband, or a more loving father for this child.’

  Wade kissed Hannah ahead of wiping the tears from her cheeks. ‘Well then, Baroness-to-be, let’s celebrate!’ He took Hannah under
his arm to walk with her. ‘I seem to recall a few bottles of vintage champagne in my grandfather’s cellar, and I feel sure he was saving them for an occasion such as this.’

  When Hugh dropped by for a visit the next day, Wade didn’t mention his father’s appearance. Hugh was in no state to listen anyway, as that very afternoon he was off to finally meet Louisa’s parents.

  Their romance had been blooming ever since the night of the power surge, one month past. This was, of course, a great relief to Wade, as he didn’t have to listen to them argue anymore. Now he had to put up with their constant smooching instead. The couple couldn’t seem to keep their hands off one another.

  ‘I don’t know about this suit … perhaps I should change,’ Hugh decided after viewing himself in the mirror in Wade’s drawing room.

  ‘Hugh, I’ve told you five times already, you look fine.’

  ‘Coming from you, you think that means something? Your idea of well dressed is jeans that don’t have a million holes in them.’ Hugh looked back to the mirror to peruse his image once more. ‘Maybe I should shave?’

  Wade nearly choked at this suggestion. ‘Hugh, you haven’t been clean shaven for six years! Will you just relax. You’ll do just fine.’ Hugh was obviously still not sure on that count. ‘I have some news that will take your mind off this afternoon’s proceedings.’ Wade decided to shock his friend out of his panic. ‘I’m getting married …’

  Hugh’s jaw nearly hit the ground but before he could comment, Wade added, ‘and I’m going to be a father.’

  ‘Jesus!’ Hugh burst into a huge smile. ‘Congratulations!’ He approached and shook Wade’s hand. ‘The lady in question is Hannah, I presume?’

  ‘You presume correctly,’ Wade grinned. ‘So I’ll be needing a best man and a godfather.’

  ‘You got it.’ Hugh was more than happy to accept.

  ‘I’ll consider it a done deal then.’ The Baron waited for Hugh to give the nod, before looking to the living room doors in response to a knock.

  Talbot entered. ‘There’s a gentleman at the door to see you, my Lord. He wouldn’t give his name, but he claims to be a distant relative of yours.’

  Wade and Hugh looked at each other. This was most curious.

  ‘Should I show him in, Sir?’

  ‘No, Talbot, that’s alright. We’ll come down. After you …’ Wade invited Hugh to lead the way.

  The gentleman in question had his back to them as they descended the staircase; he was admiring the painted ceiling in the Great Hall.

  Talbot adjourned to the servants’ quarters, and Wade and Hugh approached the visitor.

  ‘Can I help you?’ the Baron enquired, his interest made plain in his tone of voice.

  ‘Ah, young Wade.’ A thirty-year-old John Ashby turned to address him. ‘We meet again.’

  Initially, Wade was taken aback, as this was the man who had greeted him that morning in the foyer of his solicitor’s building, the same man he had spotted at the races. But upon closer observation, he recognised old John Ashby in the young man before him. ‘John Ashby. What the …? How did …?’ Wade stumbled over the million questions that suddenly sprang to mind. ‘You’ve just been hanging around waiting for this whole situation to unfold haven’t you.’

  ‘Well, I had to wait until you’d set the machine in motion and led me to the future, or otherwise I would have ceased to exist. But, fear not,’ John assured both the stunned men before him, ‘I came to the twentieth century the old-fashioned way … via the passing years. The machine is still very much inactive.’

  ‘But how?’ Both Wade and Hugh questioned at once.

  ‘It would seem you were correct, Mr Prescott,’ he informed, tipping his head to the scholar. ‘The Ghost’s Gold does give life everlasting if ingested, and it expands consciousness as well.’

  ‘Amazing,’ mumbled Hugh.

  ‘Yes, indeed, for with further experimentation I figured out how to prevent the particles dissipating before they could be ingested.’

  Hugh broke into a smile of realisation. ‘So, that’s why your corpse went missing, because you never actually died.’

  ‘I suppose so,’ John confirmed, looking to change the subject. ‘So tell me, is young Andrew still in your employ?’ he looked at Wade to inquire.

  ‘Yes he is,’ Wade advised. ‘Should I send for him?’

  ‘Yes, do.’ John instructed. ‘For I have need of him.’

  It wasn’t until Andrew came face to face with the young John Ashby that he believed Wade’s claim of the inventor returning to the twentieth century.

  ‘My God!’ he exclaimed, and for the first time since Grace had been stolen from him did the dispirited expression lift from his face.

  ‘No, it is only I, John Ashby.’ John made jest of the lad’s surprise. ‘I have a letter for you.’ John handed over the scrolled parchment sealed with wax.

  Andrew accepted the communication, and walked away from the others before opening it.

  To Andrew, my first love and dear friend, Grace began. I deeply regret having never said goodbye, and I send this note in the hope that my good Baron, John Ashby, shall find you safe and well in the distant future. I so want to thank you for a wonderful adventure and a love affair that I shall cherish all my days. At first, it was hard coming to terms with the fact that I would never see you again, but as the years passed the heartbreak eased, although the memories still burn brightly in my heart. I did find love again. I have a husband and children of my own now. Still, if not for your kind act, I realise I would have hung myself in Peggy’s stead and would never have found the happiness and contentment I enjoy today. You’ll be pleased to know that Frances Ashby never bothered me, or indeed any of the female staff, again. Your promise of retribution struck the fear of God into him until his dying day. I hope this missive finds you in good heart, Andrew, and that you too will find all the peace, love and happiness that I enjoy because of you.

  My undying gratitude always, Grace.

  Andrew wiped his face in an attempt to dispel the tears. He was happy for Grace, but at the same time he felt even more heartbroken than he had before.

  ‘Andrew.’ John looked over from the conversation he was having with Wade and Hugh to note the chauffeur had finished reading the letter. ‘Would you mind helping my assistant with my luggage?’ John looked back to Wade. ‘That is if you don’t mind me staying here a while?’

  ‘My home is your home,’ Wade granted, giving Andrew leave to bring in the luggage.

  Andrew shoved the letter in his back pocket, and headed out front quickly, wanting to hide the emotions that were flooding his senses.

  The young chauffeur could barely see for the tears welling in his eyes as he approached the taxi. John’s assistant was unloading a multitude of bags from the boot, and Andrew grabbed a couple without introducing himself.

  ‘Excuse me, could you give me a hand with this one,’ she requested ever so politely.

  Both bags slipped from Andrew’s hands as he did an about-face. That voice — he recognised it. ‘Grace!’

  The young woman found this frightfully amusing. ‘John told you to call me that, didn’t he? That’s his pet name for me,’ she explained, marking the perplexed look on his face. ‘By God’s Grace, is the full expression he uses … I never did understand it myself.’ She shrugged, dropping the case she was struggling to lift, to hold out her hand to Andrew and introduce herself. ‘Mary-Anne Hunt.’

  ‘Andrew Jenkins.’ He shook her hand, still stunned.

  ‘You know, you look awfully familiar.’ She cocked her head to one side. ‘Have we met before?’

  ‘Could have,’ Andrew nodded, cracking a smile for the first time in a month.

  The sound of cars approaching down the Manor drive distracted Andrew from his delightful preoccupation.

  Lady Sinclair’s sports car preceded Hannah’s vehicle round the fountain, whereby they parked behind the cab that was being unloaded at the front stairs of the manor.

 
Louisa was pleased to note Hannah climbing out of the second car, and quickly went to greet her with a huge bunch of flowers. ‘For you,’ she advised Hannah, as she handed the bouquet over.

  Hannah was stunned a moment, then smiled as she accepted the gift. ‘Well, thank you, Louisa, they’re beautiful. But —?’

  ‘I know I’ve been a bitch in the past,’ Louisa came out with her reasons, before Hannah had to ask. ‘But no more. These are just to say sorry for the trouble I caused you and the Baron. I assure you, it won’t happen again.’

  ‘I hope not,’ Hannah said in all seriousness, before cracking a huge smile as she flashed her new engagement ring.

  ‘Oh my God!’ Louisa exclaimed, grabbing hold of Hannah’s hand to view the beautiful ring more closely. ‘Congratulations!’ She hugged Hannah, tears of heartfelt well-wishes building in Louisa’s eyes. ‘I am so, so happy for you both.’

  As the girls parted from their embrace, they beamed with excitement.

  ‘You must give me a tutorial on how you bagged a husband.’ Louisa considered she could use all the advice she could get.

  ‘Oh, Wade took a little additional prompting,’ Hannah advised, patting her still flat belly.

  ‘No!’ Louisa screeched again, gripping both of Hannah’s arms in disbelief.

  Louisa’s excitement was fueling Hannah’s own. Her smile could not have been broader as she winked to confirm. ‘The new Baron Ashby,’ she announced proudly. ‘So, how do you feel about being a godmother?’ Hannah knew this was what Wade wanted, but only now did she realise this was what she wanted too.

  That was it. Louisa’s joyful tears began to flow. ‘You would really want such a bitch as godmother to your child?’

  Hannah nodded as she placed an arm around Louisa to walk her to the house. ‘Well, someone has got to teach him how to run the family business.’

  Louisa smiled through her tears. ‘That shall be my great honour, Baroness.’

  The girls passed Andrew and Mary-Anne who were exiting the house to get a second load of luggage from the car.

  ‘Good morning, Andrew,’ commented Hannah. ‘Grace,’ she added when she spotted his companion.