The Time Rip (45 page)

“I’ve already had my BCG at school, that’s the one for TB, but you can never get enough immunity in my opinion.”

“Good, I will ask Matt to set it up.”

Jeremy had obviously been thinking this through for some time and Freya felt herself relax as the full implications of it all struck her. Jeremy was giving her space to make her own choices, to take things at her own pace. She smiled a bit shyly up at him.

“Does this mean we’re going out?”

He looked down at her in puzzlement for a moment or two before understanding crept over his face. “You will have to forgive me for not having much knowledge of twenty first century slang; it is not a period I have studied. Are you saying that you want to be my girlfriend?”

Freya glanced away from him as a smile curved her mouth and her teeth scraped across her lower lip. “Maybe,” she said, still not looking at him. She felt his laughter.

“Maybe? Perhaps I need to remind you of my attributes.” His palm edged around her neck, thumb forcing up her chin, and she felt a familiar dizzy breathlessness as his mouth hovered a whisper from hers. She waited for him to close the distance, but maddeningly he remained motionless.

“Jeremy,” she said, and then when he still didn’t move, “Please.”

She expected laughter but it didn’t come. “Please be your boyfriend, or please kiss you?”

“Both.”

“All right.”

Epilogue

Freya sighed and, dropping her head back, gazed up at the stars. The sky was inky dark, a rich void with sparkling points of light. The swing seat creaked gently as she caught the ball of one bare foot on the grass. Jeremy had designed it with Joe, and she had helped sand and seal the wood. It had taken all of the remaining summer to complete it and the garden that was still a riot of colour.

It was early October now, and they’d yet to have a frost sharp enough to wither the summer bedding plants. Freya stroked a hand unconsciously over the slight bump in her belly. She could hardly believe she was carrying Jeremy’s child. A son or daughter with his beautiful dark eyes and sharp intelligence.

They’d had a quiet wedding in the local church and visited their families afterwards. Freya had not wanted a big fuss made and with Jeremy’s job, it was as well to keep a low profile. She had worn a blue and white sundress and Joe had given her away. Matt had been best man, with Janet and Brett their witnesses.

Afterwards, the six of them had gone back to the farmhouse and had champagne in the back garden. Matt had begged a smart carriage from the London office in 1908, and Joe had handled the team that drove them between the church and farmhouse.

She remembered the laughter they had shared, the bright sunshine sparkling off cut glass and white wine. The small blue butterfly that had clung unnoticed to the back of Matt’s jacket and the night that had followed; holding hands with Jeremy, up the stairs to his bedroom, the dark glint in his eyes a promise of what was to come.

Visits to her family had been somewhat strained. Her parents had naturally been disappointed that she had married without their knowledge. Jeremy had helped smooth things over and their acceptance and desire to welcome him had done more to warm Freya towards her parents than anything had for many years. She slid her hand over her slight bump once more and felt hope burn bright that they would all step closer to burying the past.

Freya was still working out the details with Jeremy. Now that she had a child on the way, certain things had to change. It wouldn’t be easy bringing up a child with grandparents in 2112 and 2008. Freya still didn’t know how they would manage, but Jeremy had a quiet confidence that was somehow contagious.

He’d already started fashioning a cradle out of the left over wood from the swing seat. Joe had been an unexpected source of information on carpentry and Jeremy an eager pupil.

Movement near the gate caught her eye; Jeremy had come to find her. He sat beside her and she leaned into his warmth, suddenly realising how cold it was.

“Still out here dreaming?”

“It takes my mind off feeling sick.”

He smiled ruefully, “Poor Freya. Dinner is nearly ready now. Do you want to come in?”

“Okay.”

The grass was cold on her feet. Jeremy’s arm a warm contrast around her waist as they walked slowly back towards the house. Freya paused outside the gate, scanning the dark quiet meadow.

Memories of the first time she had been here flooded her mind. Hot and filled with weeds and a very disturbing man. Incredible to think she’d spent so much time running from this place, and now it was home.

She had wasted years of her life running, and for what? A handful of empty years enlivened only by Janet’s fierce refusal to leave her alone.

Her hand went unconsciously to her belly, her mind backing away from the thought of losing what she now carried. Lightening fast, an image of her parents after Nathan’s death followed, and a little more acceptance crept into her soul. She still couldn’t understand her parents behaviour towards their remaining child, but something closer to forgiveness crept in.

She glanced up at Jeremy and smiled, her face lit with love and knowledge. Jeremy lifted one hand to stroke her cheek and, returning her smile, guided her on towards the house.

About the author

Alexia James has had over thirty-two jobs in the last fifteen years and although most of them have been temporary ones, she is hoping this one will be a little more permanent.

She lives outside
London
with her husband and a budgie called George.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to my sister in law, who read through the first draft, pointed out a few gaping holes in the plot and corrected some appalling spelling and grammar mistakes, any left in are my own. Thanks also to my husband who has put up with more speculation on plot lines and characters than any sane person could be expected to cope with.

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