“You’d better come in. I take it you’ve come to discuss my future education?”
He came in, took his hat off and allowed me to hang his coat up.
“There’s a lot we need to discuss. If this is a bad time, I can come back later.”
Mummy came out of the sitting room with Alice Weedon and her mother. She barely glanced at the Major, but let the pair out of the front door.
She returned and looked at the Major, smiling at him.
“Now, who have you come for?” she said.
He glanced at me, so I answered.
“He’s come for me, Mummy.”
It was half an hour before everyone had left, leaving just Mummy, daddy , Charlie and me with the Major.
Mummy asked daddy to take Charlie out to check on Fancypants. Daddy was uncertain, so I had to give him a tweak to help him.
We sat in the sitting room, Mummy and I on the sofa and the Major on one of the armchairs.
“Mrs Lowe, I’m not sure if your daughter has mentioned me to you?”
Mummy looked at me, frowning again.
“No, she hasn’t.”
“Well, I represent the British Government. Amber’s history is known to us, that is, her real identity and origins.”
Mummy looked very worried then.
“Please don’t be alarmed, we’ve taken steps to secure her current status and identity, bringing it in line with the story you’ve fabricated.”
“Why should you do that?”
“Because, Mrs Lowe, your daughter is unique. She represents the hopes and aspirations of many people over a long period of time. Are you aware of the exact nature of the research in which her true parents were involved?”
“No.”
“Do you know anything about her parents?”
“Only what Rhona, her grandmother told me.”
“And that was?”
“That they were both at a secret research facility during the latter days of the war and into peacetime. The research was looking into the mental abilities of people, with a view to catching spies.”
The Major nodded.
“That’s right. The research was specifically looking at artificially enhancing individuals’ mental powers with a view to preventing secrets from being stolen and, of course, using those same powers to, ah, obtain details of threats against this country and our allies.”
“You mean spying?” I said.
He looked at me and smiled.
“Yes, spying.”
“Go on,” said Mummy, looking at me crossly.
“Well, Amber’s parents met at the facility, and it is understood that Amber, or Andrew, to be precise, was conceived while both parents were testing a performance enhancing enzyme. This enzyme improved their mental abilities by a huge margin, but it wasn’t sustainable. The enzyme was attacked by the body’s immune system and wore off after a matter of days.
“Following that, the research grant was cut, the facility closed and all progress ground to a complete halt. The leaders of the project went their separate ways, and then Andrew was born. We have traced and invited the two main scientists to return to the fold, so to speak, and they are anxious to meet Amber and to identify the scope and nature of her abilities.”
“Like a guinea pig, you mean?” she asked.
“No, Mrs Lowe, like the unique and very special person she is. The biggest danger is that she is identified for what she is, and foreign or corrupt powers attempt to use her for their own ends.”
“Unlike you, you mean?”
The Major smiled at her sarcastic tone.
“Mrs Lowe, I am prepared to offer Amber an education at any school that you would select for her; a place at any university, and a guaranteed contract of employment for as long as she wants. No strings, no ties, but we are determined that she is both protected, nurtured and allowed to develop fully, no matter how far that takes her.”
“As long as she does your dirty work?”
“No, Mrs Lowe. There will be a simple clause giving her the right and opportunity to say no. What you have to understand is that I know that we could never make her do anything. She called us, way back when she saved those two children at the seaside. She suggested to me, and my boss, that we wait until now to act. Mrs Lowe, your daughter has been controlling us, so none of us knows how powerful she is yet. Do you honestly think anyone will be able to make her do something she doesn’t want to?”
“Then why does she need protection?”
“Simple; if anyone else even suspects she has powers like she has, they will kill her to prevent us from using those skills, regardless of whether she does intend to or not.”
“Assuming they can get close enough,” mummy said.
“Amber can be surprised, I proved that just now. She sleeps, so while concentrating on one thing, I doubt very much she could stop a high velocity bullet fired from several hundred feet away.”
Mummy went a little pale, looking at me with a worried expression on her face.
“I’m due to take common entrance this year. If successful I’d move up to St Helens with nearly everyone else. I’d like to stay with my friends if possible,” I said.
Major Rider nodded.
“I think we’ll have to see you for a bit in the Easter holidays, just to make an assessment to see what really is the best option.”
“Why?” asked mummy.
“Mrs Lowe, do you know the extent of Amber’s powers?”
“Not really, but why is that important?”
“If she has these powers, it is possible that those people who are not exactly friendly with this country at the moment may also have individuals who are as equally gifted. I do not want to risk exposing Amber to danger unnecessarily.”
“Are you suggesting that I do?”
“Not at all. I’m simply pointing out that none of us, even Amber, knows exactly what she can and can’t do. I believe it is important that we find out before someone else does.”
“Is it likely?”
“I honestly have no idea. But, the longer we leave it, the greater the danger.”
Mummy nodded, but didn’t look any less worried. We heard Daddy and Charlie slamming the back door. The Major stood up.
“Don’t look quite so worried, Mrs Lowe. We’re not a threat, as we will ensure that whatever past you created is the truth as far as everyone is concerned.”
“What do I tell Gareth about you?”
“Simple, I’m from the MOD and it’s about pensions and welfare. Explain that your daughter is being offered a possible scholarship due to the unusual circumstances of your history.”
“Really?”
“In effect, yes. Remember, Amber can reinforce it if necessary.”
“I suppose leaving us alone is not an option?”
“No, Mrs Lowe, leaving you alone is definitely not an option!”
Daddy chose that moment to enter the room.
“What’s not an option?” he asked.
Mummy looked helpless for a moment.
“Daddy, this nice man is from the government. It seems that because of the way my real daddy died, I’m possibly due a scholarship if I do well in my common entrance. Mummy asked if we could have the money instead. I think she was joking.”
Daddy relaxed slightly, but Charlie looked aghast.
“Does that mean we’ll get split up if you go to a different school?”
“No, we’ll be together, won’t we Major Rider?”
“I doubt anything will get between you two, until you both fall in love with the same young man,” he said with a smile.
“Major?” Daddy asked.
“I’m with the MOD. It’s not my department, but we’re helping clear the backlog of army pensions and entitlements. I was down here on another matter and they asked me just to confirm our records are up to date. Because of your wife’s peculiar circumstances, we’ve taken a while to track her down.”
“I see. I imagine it’s all a bit of a nightmare.”
“That’s the understatement of the century. Still, I think I have everything I need. I’ll be in touch, thank you.”