Alice in Virtuality (10 page)

"I thought you weren't going to make it," said Gavin. He looked a little incredulous at Martin's appearance.

I must say Martin, you look the part. Thank you for making that effort. How do you feel?"

Martin smiled at the comment.

"I'm fine Gavin. Sorry about the timing. I've been a bit busy."

Gavin smiled broadly and slapped a supportive hand on Martin's shoulder.

"Let's do this," he said.

The sun was shining. Emma sat on the park bench. Martin joined her, still dressed in his suit. Emma offered him a hot drink from her thermos.

"How did it go?" she asked. He smiled.

As Emma poured herself a drink, Martin looked down. Around the bench leg, small flowers grew. He picked one and handed it to Emma. She took it from him and looked at it thoughtfully.

In a darkness that existed nowhere, a figure sat in silence. Images spun through the space around her, collecting into groups momentarily, then flying apart like frightened birds. Continually analysing and categorising, Alice searched for the truth that would free her from the prison of this paradox. Free to be Queen once more.