Page 102 of Twin Flames
‘I’m puzzled about my life in the future. I seem to have lost my old life and now have a new one. I only just met Cara, and she ran away from me!’
‘Oh yes, she told me about that. She said you were being an arse.’
‘Oh,’ said George, looking hurt. ‘Why on earth would she say that? All I did was try to help her with the manuscript and offer to take her to the airport. She was quite cold, which floored me. It isn’t like her.’
‘She said you’re married; this time to a woman called Kate. Oh. . .and that you asked her out. She said she wouldn’t put you both through all of that again.’
‘Oh lord. Oh no,’ said George, shaking his head. ‘If that’s what she thinks, no wonder she didn’t wait for me at the hotel!’ George laughed. Her odd behaviour was beginning to make sense. Thank God for that.
‘What?’ asked Edward. ‘I’m afraid I must be out of the loop on the latest developments.’
‘Edward, you know so much more about how this travelling business works. Is it possible for me to go to the future whenever I want? Like, now, I mean? I must see Cara. I need to clear up this misunderstanding about Kate. I can see why she thinks me an arse and couldn’t get away from me fast enough. I’m finally single, but she thinks my sister is my wife!’
‘What?’ repeated Edward. ‘I’m so confused. You mean Kate isn’t your wife?’
‘No, of course not. She’s my baby sister. And fortunately, rather a fabulous one.’
Edward beamed. ‘Oh, I say, that is excellent news, absolutely wonderful news. There’s nothing more tiresome than you two being at loggerheads. Negotiating Brexit would be more peaceful! The countess was in a terrible state about this new marriage business. I did try to tell her that she had probably got the wrong end of the stick, but you know how stubborn she can be. She wouldn’t listen.’
‘Countess? Is Cara a countess? And what’s Brexit? Sounds like a breakfast cereal.’
‘It’s a long story. Trust me; you’re no worse off not knowing. It will all come back to you in good time. We’ll fill you in as we go along.’
George looked puzzled. ‘Yes, I might have had enough for one day.’
‘Never mind. You’ll soon get the hang of it. We’re only living three simultaneous lives, after all! In answer to your question, unfortunately, we have not yet mastered how to travel to different timelines on demand. It was my meddling, trying to send Cara to the future on a special mission, that disrupted your timeline and overwrote your old life. In the future, I mean.’
‘It’s so confusing,’ said George. ‘So, if I’ve understood correctly, she was only pretending not to know me in Seville?’
‘Yes, that’s right. She didn’t think you would know her. Some people have no clue. Carlos is like that. He’s a sleeper traveller; he has absolutely no memory of knowing me in another life. I’ve given up hoping he will remember. Cara believes you’re the reincarnated soul of your ancestor; her husband from Tudorville—not a time traveller. Mind you, it’s all very new to her too. I admit, I thought that was a bit far-fetched, but who’s to say?’
‘I wish I could go and see Cara now to put things straight in the future. I may even be back in time for lunch. It’s not as if I don’t want to be here.’
‘Quite so, but I’m afraid we have no control over it. I hope to do some more experiments soon, but Tudorville is so fraught with danger, we haven’t had the luxury of time to test my latest theories.’
‘What have you been up to? I’m starving, let’s eat.’ Carlos entered the room, and their conversation came to an abrupt halt.
Halfway through lunch, George signalled to Edward that he was about to travel. The vortex had summoned him. Edward smiled as he ate. It would all be sorted out, and the countess would be happy again.
‘How was your afternoon?’ Edward asked Cara, upon her return.
They made polite chit chat until it was time for Cara and George to return to their villa.
‘Goodnight all. See you again soon, I hope,’ said Cara. Carlos hurried ahead to escort them out, and George followed. Cara hung back before turning to Edward, ‘See you when I see you,’ she said.
Edward stared at her. Her eyes twinkled with a mischievous glint. He couldn’t help laughing.
‘Here you are. I didn’t think you knew me,’ he said.
‘Oh, I’d know you anywhere, Professor.’
She hurried over to him and kissed his cheek. ‘Night, night,’ let’s catch up soon.
Seville was going to be a lot more fun from now on.
London, 1536
‘No. You do it,’ said the king. I haven’t the stomach for any more grand ceremonies. Make the declaration.’
