“Something’s changed since I last saw you,” she said slowly.
“I never could hide anything from you, Elsie.” He gave a wry smile.
She placed her hand on his chest, over his heart. “I’m glad,” she said softly. Then she caught sight of Alex waiting patiently behind him. “And is this the reason why?” she asked.
“Yes.” Josiah moved to one side. “Alex – this is Elsie. Elsie – Alex.”
Alex looked suddenly overcome as he stepped forward. In this moment he was Ben, meeting the woman who had been his lifeline during one terrifying week seven years ago.
“Ah, Alex – the one from the news reports,” Elsie said, looking him up and down warily. She didn’t see Ben. She saw the man who had swept into her friend’s life and changed him, and she was worried. “And you brought him here?” she asked, looking at Josiah as if he was crazy.
“Yes,” Josiah told her firmly. “Elsie, Alex knows all about the Kathleen Line. We can be honest around him, about everything.”
She took a sharp intake of breath, then glanced back at Alex, giving him a more assessing look. “The cameras lied; you’re almost too beautiful to be real.” She looked askance at Josiah. “Are you really sure about him, Joe?”
“The cameras lied about more than just his looks. I’m sure,” Josiah replied firmly.
“Well, if you’re sure, I’m sure,” she said with a sigh. “Nice to meet you, Alex, my dear.”
Alex held out his hand nervously, but she swatted it aside and drew him into a bear hug. “If you hurt Joe, then I’ll kill you with my bare hands,” she told him in a cheery tone. “But until then, if Joe cares about you, then I do, too. Now come through. I’ve made us all a nice cup of tea.”
She led them into her sunny yellow living room. Her house was spotless, but she did love ornaments – photos, keepsakes, and the like – collected over the course of a long life. Pride ofplace was given to a holopic of Peter, posing for the camera with a wave, just before Hattie leapt on him and knocked him down. Josiah had always looked away from the holopic before, but now he smiled at it, noticing how young and happy Peter looked.
“Sit down, my dears, and help yourselves. There are biscuits, too.” Elsie plonked herself down on an armchair as if she couldn’t stand a moment longer and pointed to a tray on the coffee table. Josiah noticed that she was short of breath.
“How are you keeping, Elsie?” he asked as Alex knelt down to pour the tea.
“I’m fine. Just a touch of angina, that’s all. It’s worse when the weather turns cold.” She waved her hand as if it were little more than a minor inconvenience. Alex handed her a cup and saucer – bone china, decorated with delicate pale blue and yellow flowers – Elsie was serious about her tea. “Thank you, my dear,” she said with a little smile.
Josiah took the cup and saucer that Alex offered him and sat in the armchair next to Elsie’s. Alex poured himself a cup but remained on the floor, kneeling in front of the coffee table.
Elsie stirred her tea expectantly. There was silence. Alex looked down at the carpet, while Josiah stared at the holopic of Peter, wondering where to begin. Elsie’s stirring became ominous. Finally, she tapped her spoon on her cup and fixed Josiah with a stern look.
“Are you here for my blessing, Joe?” she asked. “If so, I have to ask what the hell you’re thinking? No offence, Alex, love.” She gave him an entirely unapologetic smile. “But you’re the most famous indie in the country and you’re not free to give your heart to anyone. Joe has been through a lot, and he deserves a proper relationship – not some fly-by-night IS he’ll have to give back in a few weeks’ time.”
Josiah rolled his eyes. “You don’t need to protect me, Elsie. I know what I’m getting into.”
Elsie laughed. “You forget who you’re talking to, Joe. I know you. I know how you pour your whole heart into the people you care about and don’t hold back. That’s all well and good when they’re free to care about you in return, but that’s not the case here.” She shot another look at Alex while stirring her tea ferociously.
The situation might be more complicated than Elsie could imagine, but in true Elsie fashion, she’d seen straight to the heart of it. Alex sat back on his heels, looking dejected.
“Also, no offence again, Alex” – Elsie patted his shoulder kindly – “but I’ve seen the news, and I’m by no means convinced you’re good enough for my Joe.”
Alex nodded, his shoulders slumping. “I agree,” he said. “I’m not.”
Josiah rolled his eyes. “You wouldn’t think anyone was good enough for me, Elsie.”
“True,” Elsie chuckled. “So, I’m assuming you’re here to talk about getting Alex out of the country. I have to tell you that it’ll be a challenge. An IS this well known, and of course he’s in your custody, so?—”
“I’m not here to ask that, Elsie,” Josiah interrupted sharply. Elsie raised an eyebrow at his tone, and he grimaced. “Sorry, but I’d never ask you to risk yourself or the Kathleen Line for Alex. He’s far too famous to be helped out of the country. No, I’m here to tell you that you’re right.”
“I usually am.” She grinned. “About what exactly?”
“About what you said the other night. Iama liability for the Line. My current level of fame, celebrity, whatever you want to call it, is a threat to the entire operation – which is why I’m going to shut it down.”
Elsie stopped stirring her tea. “What?”
“I have to shut it down, Elsie. I’m putting you all in danger.”
