Chapter 11
CHAPTER 11
Y ork, present day
Cara sat at her desk, trying to focus on a client proposal. She was agitated and still couldn’t get George’s words out of her mind. He was going to London today. He hadn’t told Joanna he was leaving her, and he didn’t seem to have any intention of doing so, any time soon.
He’d sensed Cara was upset the previous evening and said, ‘Don’t be sad. We’ll talk every day. I’ll phone you tomorrow.’
She tried to be positive but was tempted to rip the plaster off and just end the relationship. What was the point? She sat for hours, unable to motivate herself to move as she stared into space, filled with dread. Then she rose from her chair, picked up her phone and sent George a message.
‘I don’t think we should stay in touch if you’re not going to tell Joanna. It makes no sense. I can’t do it. I hope London goes well. I’m sorry. x’
Barely two minutes passed before her phone rang.
‘Hello,’ she said.
‘I’m on my way to London. What are you talking about? Why would you say that?’
He’s upset.
It wasn’t his fault they were in this mess. It had come at them from nowhere, but she was angry at his lack of action to get them out of it.
‘I don’t see the point of us talking every day if we’re not going to be together. It will only make it harder on us both. If you want to stay with Joanna, then I think it’s best all-round if we call it a day.’
It’s not really over. I’ll see you in Tudorville.
She was comforted by the thought that she wouldn’t lose him completely. Never had she experienced such a range of conflicting emotions as in the past several weeks since they met. One minute she was a beaming ray of pure ecstasy, the next, an ominous thunder cloud about to burst. The emotional rollercoaster was a nightmare. If he wouldn’t fight for her, it was over.
‘Didn’t you think we might talk about this? Sending a message like that wasn’t very nice.’
His tone was high-pitched, and he sounded frantic.
Cara’s throat tightened. She was overwhelmed with sorrow, and she swallowed her tears. Hurting him, hurt her. ‘I didn’t know what to do. I’m sorry. I don’t want to be the reason your marriage ends, but I can’t be with you if it doesn’t. If you’re happy as you are, then I should leave you to it.’
‘It doesn’t work like that,’ he said. ‘My feelings for you have nothing to do with my marriage.’
‘Perhaps not, but to me and the rest of the world, it looks like they do. You’re happy enough. If you weren’t, you would leave. It’s that simple when it comes down to it.’
‘I don’t care about the rest of the world. I’m pleased it’s so simple for you. You can just end it like that,’ he said. He was angry, and his sarcasm stung. ‘From here, it doesn’t look simple at all,’ he added.
‘I said it’s simple, not easy. Your choice to pretend everything is fine is not fair on any of us. None of us are getting what we want. Joanna can’t be satisfied sharing her life with a ghost, for Christ’s sake.’ Cara only swore when she was furious. ‘You’re kidding yourself if you think you can continue to pull this off. On some level, she knows. She has to unless she’s asleep or just doesn’t bloody care what you do.’
There was a long silence which George finally broke. ‘Please. . .don’t do this Car, give me some time to figure things out. I know it’s difficult for you.’ His voice cracked.
Cara shut her eyes. She was shaking.
Hearing him use his pet name for her, made her want to cry.
A chill shot down George’s spine. He was miserable at the prospect of even one day without her.
I can’t lose her now I’ve found her.
‘Cara,’ he said.
She heard the pain in his voice and couldn’t bear for him to be so desolate.
‘I don’t know what to say,’ she said, barely able to push the words out.
I love you; you know that, but this has all happened so fast,’ he appealed.
‘Are you going to London to put distance between us?’
‘No, of course not. I have to go on business. I hadn’t planned it. I only found out I was going just before I told you.’
‘You make it sound as though it’s out of your hands.’
‘I often have to go to work at the other branches.’ He sounded miffed, like a sulky schoolboy being reprimanded.
Cara melted despite her resolution. There was something about him she could not resist. But it was no good. That’s why she was in this crazy mess. She mustn’t go soft now.
‘What does Joanna think about you going away indefinitely?’
He was quiet for a second. ‘I’m not sure. She’s used to it, I suppose. I go away a lot. We don’t spend much time together. Maybe she’ll come to the London flat at some point.’
‘Aha,’ said Cara.
‘Now you sound annoyed again.’ His tone was careful, his words measured.
‘No, I’m fine. Take your time and have a safe trip. I’ve got to go now. Client’s coming in a minute. Bye.’ She pressed the button to end the call. She couldn’t take anymore and was about to lose her composure. Tears flooded her eyes and spilt on to her hot cheeks. Her heart ached, and she longed to wail with grief. If her assistant weren’t next door, she would give in to the urge. She hadn’t wanted George to hear her that way. It wasn’t fair on him. He had enough to deal with.
I’m a wreck. This has got to stop. I have to get a handle on my emotions.
She’d been tearful ever since he had told her he was leaving York. Any little reminder set her off—she had seen a man who resembled him, laughing and holding a woman’s hand. It was becoming clear to her; she and George would never share carefree moments like that. At least not in this lifetime. It wasn’t on the cards for them.
To complicate matters she had two timelines of memories to juggle and sometimes the two merged and became confused.
Maybe I should tell him the truth. Could he handle it if I told him we’re married in another life? She shook her head.
No, I’ll wait until I understand it all better.
She didn’t feel guilty about being with him. Ordinarily, she thought she would. But everything about their connection was different to how she would have imagined such a love affair. It was as though he was already hers. It didn’t feel wrong.
It feels so right. Why would we be thrown together like this after five hundred years, if we’re not supposed to be together?
In rare moments when she was calm, the day to day reality of his marriage seemed insignificant. It was as though their union was inescapable. They were Twin Flames; being together was their destiny, so why fight it? Yet, the second she lost touch with the magic of their love, she panicked. Other people were involved. She’d already ended it with Daniel. Of course, she wished she could have avoided hurting him, but she knew it was for the best. George’s scenario was more complicated.
How does he handle it? Even if he can reconcile being involved with two women, I can’t reconcile being one of them for much longer.
She’d ended her relationship with Daniel because she couldn’t bear to live in the grey. George was all hers in 1536, but the contrast only made it harder when he wasn’t. It had only been a short time since their lives collided in the bookshop, but it seemed like forever. Cara considered herself open-minded; not judgmental of others’ lifestyles. Still, she was shocked she was wedged in this moral dilemma.
And yet a deeper part of her knew they were supposed to be together. Perhaps they’d been together in other lives too. It seemed likely, given what Sylvia had told her about Twin Flames. Even so, if her experience of 1536 wasn’t so vivid, she was sure she’d wonder if she imagined the whole thing.
She heard the ping of a notification. It was George. She knew it was him without checking. Since he had come into her life, she didn’t doubt telepathy.
Sylvia’s office, York, present day
‘I have a problem, and I need your help again,’ said Cara.
‘Only one? Well that’s good,’ said Sylvia, smiling.
‘Have you any idea how I can expedite my travel? I have to get back to my old life in Tudorville to save my children. I know it sounds crazy, but we’re on the run to York in 1536 and if we don’t get to our children, Henry’s army will. It won’t be long before they think of using them to blackmail us if they haven’t already taken them. I’m hoping they don’t realise Thomas and May are at Willow Manor.’
‘Tudorville, that’s funny. It’s great you’ve maintained a sense of humour,’ remarked Sylvia. ‘I must say I’m a little envious of your adventure. If I hadn’t seen your gift in the cards with my own eyes, I would doubt the truth of it. It’s as fantastical as a fairy tale.’
‘Yes, I know it sounds mad. It’s such a relief to be able to talk about it with you. Thank you,’ said Cara. ‘You’ve been amazing.’
‘What’s going on?’ said Sylvia.
‘Well, I’ve only ever travelled involuntarily, but I want to learn to go back on demand. I want to go now, actually. It’s hell being here. George is married to someone called Joanna. I’ve no idea what her role is in the grand scheme of things. And I can’t stop crying. I’m starting to hate my life which isn’t like me at all. I’m usually quite a happy person. At least if I go back, I can be of use and take my mind off this nightmare.’
Sylvia reached out to touch Cara’s hand. ‘Slow down, my dear. It’s all going to be okay.’
Cara was grateful for the compassion she saw in Sylvia’s shining eyes.
‘ I will try to help, but please remember that there’s no escaping the Twin Flame cycle. It’s relentless. The sooner you accept it, the sooner you will be united with George,’ said Sylvia.
1536 looked increasingly more attractive to Cara each day.
Cara nodded but wondered how the hell she was supposed to accept this crazy love.
‘I’m also unsure as to whether I’ve messed up the future by going back, so I need to do all I can to make things right, just in case. If we don’t get our children away from the soldiers, who knows what it means for future generations. We may be wiped out altogether. If I don’t sort it out, the present day may never happen! I know it sounds wild because we’re experiencing the present, now, but do you see what I mean?’
‘I think so. But you’re right; it’s mind-boggling. I do see the need for urgency. Tell me what happens when you travel.’
Cara described the whooshing noise, the chilled air, and how she felt herself slip into a vortex just before she went.
‘I suspect I’m more vulnerable to going when I get stressed. But then I’m stressed nearly all the time these days, so I’m not sure if it’s really the case.’
‘What we need is someone on your team who has a deeper understanding of how time works. I guess that you have this incredible superpower at your disposal, but at this point, you have no idea how to use it to its full potential. From what I know of magic, your skills will develop through practice. But I do know a man who may be able to help speed up the process. I haven’t been in touch with him for a while. I’ll have to see if I can get hold of the professor now.’
‘A professor of time? Wow, that’s impressive.’
Sylvia picked up her phone and pressed his name. ‘May I speak with Professor Eddie Makepeace, please? Oh okay, thank you, yes I’ll wait.’
She covered the phone with her hand and whispered, ‘They’re trying to locate him now. This is a number he said I’ll always be able to reach him on. They’re transferring me to Royal Holloway. He must be working there now. Oh, here we go.’
‘Eddie? How lovely to hear your voice. This is Sylvia. Sylvia Skye. How are you?’
‘Hello, Sylvia. It’s been ages. I’m well, thank you; very well. I must say, I’m stunned to hear from you out of the blue. What a wonderful surprise. Is everything okay?’
‘Yes, thank you. I know you’d said this number was good in an emergency. I have a rather unusual assignment for you. I don’t want to say more on the phone. Could my client possibly come and see you?’
‘I’m teaching at Royal Holloway. I should be around for the next week or so and, of course, anything to help. I’d be happy to see her. I’ll give her a call later, and we’ll see what we can do.’
Sylvia gave the professor Cara’s details.
‘Cara Bailey,’ he said, rolling the name on his tongue. ‘Ah yes, I’ve been waiting for Cara. She’s certainly taken her sweet old time.’ Sylvia was familiar with the professor’s strange outbursts and let him have his moment.
‘He’s a quantum physics geek and specialises in time-related phenomena,’ she explained to Cara after the call ended. ‘If anyone can help you, he can. The only thing is, he has, how can I say? A loose relationship with time, so don’t be surprised if he calls at an unsocial hour. He’s a good soul and is quite brilliant. You can trust him.’
‘Wonderful, thank you. I’m so grateful. I can’t tell you what a relief it is to discuss all of this with you. I’ll wait for the professor’s call and will let you know what happens.’
‘I should warn you; he says he knows you. Mentioned something about waiting for you. He can be a trifle eccentric.’
Cara smiled at the irony and thanked Sylvia once more.
The psychic tarot card reader thinks the quantum physics professor is eccentric. I couldn’t make this stuff up.
Cara left Sylvia’s office with a renewed bounce to her step. She felt lighter at the thought of the mysterious professor who understood time.
Royal Holloway University, Bloomsbury, present day
‘I’ve been waiting for you, Lady Cara.’ The professor bounced out from behind his desk, grasped her hand and gave her a hearty smile and handshake.
Cara felt a flash of recognition, similar to when she met George, minus the fuzzy emotions. She knew the professor—she didn’t know how. It was like meeting an old friend after years of being apart.
‘It’s coming back to you, isn’t it? I can tell. The minute Sylvia said your name, I knew it was you. Cara Bailey. I knew you must be my dear friend, Lady Cara Cavendish. It’s so good to see you.’ He embraced her in a warm bear-like hug.
We must know each other from Tudorville; it’s unbelievable.
‘Gosh, my mind is blown. I feel like I know you, but I can’t quite remember how. I do have a sense that you weren’t a professor back then. You were, you were. . . Thomas and May’s tutor! I can’t believe it. You are the very person I need to get back to in 1536. The children are in your care at Willow Manor.’ The words tumbled out.
‘Come and sit down, my lady, let’s catch up. I’ve missed you. I hope you’re not in a rush. It’s been about five hundred years,’ he said, a smile playing on his lips.
Her phone rang; it was George. She would call him later. It was probably better she didn’t mention she was with their children’s tutor from five hundred years earlier.
‘Was that the earl?’
‘Yes, indeed. How did you know?’
‘You’ll see soon enough. Or perhaps you’ve already noticed. We know things that other people don’t.’
‘Sylvia said you might be able to help me learn more about how time travel works. I can’t believe I’m saying those words to a professor on the campus of Royal Holloway, but there you have it.’
‘Yes, we need to formulate a plan. I’ve been having vivid dreams. That usually happens when I’m about to be assigned a mission. As I said, I’ve been expecting you. But then that could mean you’d come today or in ten years. Time is a capricious mistress; unrelenting in her march and unpredictable by nature.’
‘I need to get back to 1536, Professor.’
‘Please, let’s drop the formalities. Call me Eddie. In 1536, you were my employer. We became great allies and dear friends in the dangerous days of Henry VIII. I would do anything for you and His Grace.’
‘I’m frightened to ask, but do you know what became of us? Do you know if we got away safely? Were we able to save Thomas and May?’
‘Honestly, I don’t know. But rather than sitting here talking about it, shall we go back there now to find out?’
He took her hand. ‘Just relax. Think about 1536; think about Thomas and May.’
A few seconds later, Edward’s office on the Royal Holloway campus, grew cold and a whooshing sound enveloped them both. Cara looked at Eddie in alarm. She’d wanted to go, but this was sudden. She was nervous about what awaited her in Tudorville. But then they were gone.
If anyone had entered the room, they’d have seen Dr Cara Bailey and Professor Eddie Makepeace, chatting like old friends.