Swallow on the Wing Part Four “Peter! What a lovely surprise, its some time since you have been to visit us.” Vincent offered a seat beside the table as Peter came down the steps of Father’s chamber. “I’ve been busy. There’s been a flu epidemic, or it seems like it, hasn’t anyone down here had it?” Vincent shook his head, “Nothing but the odd snuffles.” “Then you’ve been lucky. I even got it for a time, and I’ve had an injection against it.” “So what do we owe the pleasure of your taking time out to visit?” “Do I need a reason?” “No, but I get the feeling something is on your mind.” “Where’s Father?” “I’m here.” Father descended the steps, much the same as Peter had moments before, except his bones gave out sound effects. “Not taking the cod liver oil I take it then Jacob.” Peter told him, listening as the old man’s joints creaked. Father grimaced, “Never, that fishy stuff, I’d sooner have creaky bones.” “Actually I quite like the taste.” Vincent told the two of them, as they laughed out loud, neither said anything, but it was perfectly obvious, and Vincent spoke sharply, “I am not a cat!” “If you say so Vincent.” Father laughed heartily, “Though I know no other who likes cod liver oil enough to drink a tumbler full per day, plus....and I might add.” he turned to Peter, “he actually puts his finger into the glass, and licks out the remainder, can you imagine that?” “Ugh”, Peter grimaced, “Vincent how could you!” For once Vincent smiled, he knew they were just teasing, and Catherine had taught him long ago, not to get so uptight about reference to his other side. Since then he had been mercilessly teased by such things, as ‘jumpy as a cat’, and ‘cat got your tongue Vincent’. He didn’t really mind, anymore, some of it was just for fun after all by people who loved him. “Well, as it happens.” Peter was saying, “I do have a reason for being here, I got a telephone call this morning from Catherine. She is on her way home this afternoon, and she is bringing a woman and a child with her.” Father and Vincent exchanged looks. Peter went on, “Apparently the woman is Devin’s wife, and the child is his daughter. It would appear that Devin has disappeared. And his wife needs your help.” “I told Cathy not to do anything without contacting us first.” Father exploded, “I can’t believe she would be so careless, as to bring a complete stranger down here.” “She isn’t Jacob. She’s taking her to the apartment.” “Oh.” “And then she will decide what to do. They have a lead on Devin, and plan to start there, the problem is they need someone to look after the baby. Apparently she is three months old.” “My granddaughter,” Father mused, “flesh of my flesh.” Peter nodded, “I take it you’ll have her here then?” Father nodded, “Yes, there’s no question of it. I have to do, don’t I?” “Then I’ll leave Cathy a message at her apartment.” Peter told him. *** *** *** It had been a while since Catherine had been to the apartment, and Beth could tell straight away that this was the case, “Obviously you don’t live here now?” “No, I live with Vincent, and Devin’s father, Jacob.” “Vincent, Jacob and Catherine, but of course.” Beth murmured, as Catherine raised an eyebrow. “Charles mentioned you three, Devin never did, and I often wondered who you all were.” “Oh I see. Yes Charles was taken with Vincent, they had common ground.” “Is Vincent deformed as Charles was?” It was the first time Beth had ventured to ask about Vincent. Catherine’s face lit up, she shook her head, “No, Vincent is different, but he’s not deformed. To me he is beautiful. To many others also.” “You said he rescued you after you were attacked, then many times after you made reference to a place called Below, can you not tell me what you meant?” “Not yet. That information is not mine to give. First I’ll send a message to Father, that is your father-in-law, everyone calls him Father, he is head of the community where we live, and I’ll ask him to come up here to meet you. From there whether or not you can be told any more will be up to him.” “Sounds strange. Creepy even.” “Its not meant to be Beth. Where we live is a secret place that a lot of people depend upon for peace and security, the authorities don’t even know it exists.” “So you have criminals there?” “Never. Father wouldn’t allow it. The people there are kind, loving and generous. They needed sanctuary for reasons of their own, and Father took them in. Having said that the final say is not his, every newcomer goes up before a council, and they decide, having heard all the facts so to speak. People come away from there a better person than they went in, I can tell you.” “But not Devin?” Catherine shook her head, “I can’t judge on that. I wasn’t there when he left home, I only know the story as Vincent and Father tell it. As I understand it has a depth that only the three of them ever really understood.” “The only time Devin spoke of his father, was with bitterness. I’m not sure I want to meet this man.” “Don’t judge him Beth before you see him. Jacob Wells has had his own heartaches, and he is a good man. One day you will know everything, then you will see what I say is true.” Beth nodded, “Okay, I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt, but only because I trust you.” Catherine nodded, “Then I’ll go and send him a message, maybe you’d like to freshen up while I’m gone, I won’t be long, and the bathroom is that way, feel free to use whatever you wish.” “Thank you, Catherine... for everything. I don’t know what I would have done had you not come to see me.” “Your welcome Beth.” *** *** *** Father met Catherine at the threshold, after she had been back to see that Beth was okay, and had called for pizza delivery. They had just finished the pizza, when Catherine told Beth, that no doubt Father would have had time to get there by then, and had gone to meet him. She was surprised to find that Vincent had come with him. “Vincent, how lovely, I never expected to find you here too.” going across to him, Vincent enfolded her in his arms, “How could I not. I’ve missed you. Are you well?” “I’m fine darling, and hopefully I should be coming home soon, that’s if Father takes to Beth. She’s really lovely Vincent, and the tale is a sorry one, she needs us.” “Do you think its genuine Catherine?” Father asked concerned. “Oh yes, as you shall see. And Devin hasn’t left her, somehow, and we don’t know why yet, but somehow he has gone missing, he vanished the day his child was born, so he has never even met his daughter yet.” Vincent smiled, quickly followed by Father, “We can’t believe that Devin has a child, a wife even, its all so sudden.” “Maybe to you, as it was at first to me, but Devin and Beth have been together for four years. Married for only one mind you. Oh, and Vincent, I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but Charles is dead.” This saddened Vincent, he’d really had fellow feeling for Charles. “Will you wait here Vincent, out of the way like, until I decide about Beth?” Father was asking, “I should expect she will be anxious to see me by now.” “Yes, and be on your best behaviour Father, she has already made up her mind to be cautious of you. Something she got from Devin, though he never told her anything about his past, the little that did slip out, showed her the bitterness he felt for it.” “Oh dear, so I’m the villain am I, we can’t have that. Vincent, flick on that charm switch on my back will you, let her see what a nice man I can be.” Catherine laughed aloud, “Father!” she kissed his cheek, “When Beth gets to know you, she will see for herself how wrong first impressions were.” Vincent helped them both up the ladder back to the basement, and then walked out of sight to await their return. Father promised him, that if they were bringing Beth, he should stay out of sight, or go ahead of them, unless he called out otherwise. When Catherine unlocked the door of her apartment a few minutes later, and ushered Father in, at first Beth was nowhere to be seen, and Catherine grew anxious, but then the sound of a baby whimpering from her bedroom, made her exhale a sigh of relief. “I’ll. tell her you are here, she’s probably feeding the baby. Take a seat Father, I won’t be long.” Opening the door, Catherine found that Beth was not feeding the child, but was stood behind the door, feeling shy and nervous. “Its all right Beth, Father is in the lounge, please come and meet him, he is looking forward to meeting you.” “He is?” Beth wasn’t so sure. “Trust me, you’ll love him.” Catherine told her brightly. Beth followed Catherine out into the lounge timidly, clutching her daughter against her firmly, and heard Catherine say, “Father this is Bethany and Claudia Wells, your daughter-in-law and granddaughter.” Beth’s first impression relieved her. This kindly old man with the warm eyes offered no threat to her, and she liked him instantly. Father stood, leaning on his cane for support, and offered her his hand, Beth took it and shook it firmly, before sitting down opposite with Claudia on her lap. “May I?” Father beckoned to hold the child. “Of course.” Beth lifted the child up and Catherine took the baby from Beth and put her onto Father’s lap. For long moments, Father stared down at the child, as memories over forty years old flooded to mind, he smiled, “Hello sweetie pie,” he told the child, “So you’re my granddaughter. And I can see that you are, for you have your daddy’s impish smile.” Catherine thought she was going to cry, she brushed away a tear, and saw Beth reach for a tissue from up her sleeve to dab at her own eyes. Father too looked as though he could do with one. Then leaning forward while he held the child firmly, he grasped one of Beth’s hands, telling her, “Welcome to the family my dear, I’m only sorry it couldn’t have been under happier circumstances.” From then on, conversation was not a problem, Beth told him all she knew, Father told her all she needed to know, as Catherine supplied them with tea as throats became dry. Finally Father asked Beth, “I expect you are longing to come to my home. Has Catherine told you anything about it?” “No, she wouldn’t.” “Well Beth, that’s because I asked her not to do. I wanted to see you for myself before we spoke of it. It’s a place that a lot of people depend upon, and the secret of it is not to be spoken about lightly, especially to newcomers. I do hope you understand that my dear, it was nothing personal.” “ I understand, don’t worry. And yes I would like to know about it, will you tell me?” Father nodded, “Yes, but there is something you must know first. What, if anything do you know of Vincent?” “Very little. Only that as boys, you brought both Devin and Vincent up, and that Devin took all the blame for things Vincent as well as himself did.” Father frowned, “I didn’t know of this.” he looked at Catherine, “Did you?” “Yes, Father its true, Vincent told me the same thing. You always believed Devin to be the rebel, when in actual fact he loved Vincent so much, and knew that Vincent could never leave, whereas he could, so he took all your wrath, so as to keep you and Vincent close. Because you’d be all Vincent would have when Devin was gone.” Father shook his head, “It would appear I have a lot of apologising to do to my son, if ever I get the chance, but really he was the most tiresome boy.” he shook his head, “I used to despair with him. But I loved him, I really did.” “Perhaps you could tell him of this, its never too late.” Catherine ventured. “That’s if we ever find him.” Beth whispered tearfully, to which Father patted her hand, “We’ll find him Beth I promise you. Have you contacted the police?” “No, I thought he was missing of his own violation, I didn’t see the need.” “Then we must get on to it straight away. Do you have a recent photograph of him?” “Yes, I have one in my purse, taken the day we were married. Just a moment I’ll fetch it and show it to you.” While Beth was gone, Catherine asked, “What do you think of her Father?” “Just as you say Catherine, she’s lovely. I think we can trust her with our secret, but how do you feel she will react to Vincent?” Beth returned, “That reminds me,” she told them overhearing, “We never finished that conversation did we, do tell me about Vincent. Here’s the photograph.” Father took the photograph from her, staring down at a face he hadn’t seen in over ten years, “He’s changed, what do you think Catherine?” Catherine looked over his shoulder, “He seems happy that’s for sure. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile like that.” “No.” Father told her sadly, “Neither have I.” he handed the photograph back to Beth, “Show that to the police Beth, let them have some copies run off, and get moving on this, someone must have seen him.” “He’s grown a beard now though.” Beth told them, “He kept getting people asking about that scar on his cheek, you know the one the lion caused, and he got fed up telling the story. It used to embarrass him, so he grew a beard to cover it up.” Catherine and Father exchanged glances, and Beth quick to notice asked, “What?” “I’m afraid my dear that Devin hasn’t been entirely truthful with you about that scar.” Father told her, not knowing whether he should or not. Wide eyed Beth stared at him, “You mean it wasn’t a lion?” “Not exactly.” Father took a deep breath, then turning to Catherine he asked, “What do you think my dear, should we just introduce her to Vincent or fill her in first?” “Tell me,” Beth asked, “You’re scaring me.” “There’s nothing to be afraid of Beth.” Catherine assured her, “Vincent is one of the nicest people I know. No, he is the nicest person I know.” “Look pardon me for asking, but has Vincent got some baring on Devin’s scar, is that what you are saying?” Beth asked anxiously. Catherine nodded, “Yes, Vincent gave that scar to Devin.” “Vincent did, but how, it looks like claw marks.” her eyes wide she grew afraid, what was this Vincent? On the one hand she’d been led to believe that everyone loved him, and he was kind and loving, and the next she is being told that he was violent and had used a weapon that had scared her husband so badly. “I’m afraid my dear.” Father started to speak, “That Vincent is the result of someone’s warped mind in the scientific field. Vincent was brought to me as a babe, abandoned in the snow, at first we thought he was a mutation, but it became clear in time that he was the result of a scientific experiment that crossed a lion with a human being.” Beth could not believe she was hearing this, “And you expect me to believe that?” she asked them, wide eyed. “Its true,” Catherine told her, “But you can take away any thought of Vincent being a wild beast. To me, he’s more than a man, not less, and thanks to Father here, a wonderful man at that.” “What does he look like?” Beth whispered, her voice high pitched. Catherine smiled, “He’s different, hence the reason he can never leave the place he lives, though he does go out at night, hiding inside a large cloak with a hood to cover his face and hands. His features resemble a lion, but his stature is human.” “He sounds very mythological.” “He is.” both Father and Catherine erupted together, “And” Catherine added, “he’s beautiful.” “And you married him?” Beth could hardly believe this. Catherine nodded, “Yes, though it took some persuasion. Vincent thought I would be better off with a real man.” Father laughed, “But he soon got to know how persuasive a woman can be when she gets her claws into her man.” Father told Catherine. “Very droll Father.” Catherine laughed, as did Beth, thus easing the atmosphere. “And she not only married him Beth, she gave him children too. Catherine changed my son’s life, gave him a reason for living, made him feel human, you don’t know what that did for him, without Catherine’s courage and love there’s no telling what future Vincent would have had.” “But how did he come to hurt Devin so badly.” “Childhood fighting. Both were as much to blame. Vincent should have known better than to lash out, and Devin should have known not to taunt him. Though Vincent has carried that guilt with him for ever after, as much as Devin has carried the scar.” “So he’s not dangerous?” Beth asked. “Not to those he loves. He can be. Many’s a time he has used his powers to help others. But always in the right direction, Catherine can vouch for that.” “Yes, from the first when he saved my life, he has saved me many times since. And we share a Bond, a connection, that is, Vincent knows when I am feeling sad or fearful, and he can sense where I am.” “That’s remarkable. Though I shouldn’t be surprised. The lions at the park in Mombassa also had that ability.” “Really.” Father and Catherine spoke together, as Father went on, “Vincent, I feel would be most interested to hear about this.” “Devin would be the one to tell it, he was the one that really looked after the lions. Though I do know quite a bit about them myself, but now I am beginning to see why Devin had such an affinity with them.” “Well, how do you feel about meeting Vincent then Beth?” Father asked her, “Would you like to come Below now?” “Below, there’s that word again. Where is Below?” “One step at a time Beth, what about Vincent?” Father asked her, his kindly eyes smiling. Beth thought long and hard, finally nodding, “Yes, I would like to meet Vincent, he sounds intriguing, now tell me about Below.” *** *** *** Walking through the tunnels some time later, Beth could only stare at the lanterns positioned upon the walls, as they walked deeper and deeper underground, “And you live down here?” she asked them over and over again. Father smiled, “Not so much in these draughty tunnels, we live further down, we have chambers and they are warm and as homely as we can make them.” “Where is Vincent, will I meet him soon?” “Vincent is walking just ahead of us my dear, when you are ready, I’ll call him back.” Father told her. “Oh.” Beth stopped walking, her eyes growing wide again, “And you’re sure he isn’t dangerous?” surprised when she heard a very tender, velvety voice just ahead of her reply, “I would never hurt you Beth.” Catherine could have cried at the sight of Beth’s face, as it relaxed by the tone of Vincent’s gentle voice, and Beth whispered, “Where are you?” “I am here, just a few yards ahead of you. Would you like me to come back there?” Beth hesitated, “No, I’ll come to you.” as turning to Catherine she said, “Could you hold Claudia for me please?” Father, and with Catherine holding the child, watched as Beth stepped forwards, and saw Vincent light up the lantern he’d been carrying, to give Beth more light. She approached slowly, suddenly seeing clearer as the light chased away the shadows to reveal a tall figure shrouded by a long cloak that covered him from head to foot. Wordlessly she approached, her heart in her mouth, until she was just inches from him, and with hands that felt like lead she forced them to rise until they were level with his hood, and holding on to it, gently eased it back away from Vincent’s face. Much as Catherine had done, when first she had seen him many years before. The first thing Beth noticed was his eyes. Beautiful deep blue, kindly eyes, much like her own, and then his unusual features which held no fear for her, with reminding her of home. Beth smiled, as did Vincent, without showing his fangs, and Beth liked him instantly. “You are truly beautiful.” she told him, and Vincent felt a tear prick at the back of his eyes. “Sometimes”, he told her in his velvety voice, “Catherine tells me that, and I find it hard to believe her, but you, a stranger to me, somehow I find myself able to believe you.” “Well thank you!” Catherine laughed out loud from her position listening to the conversation with tears in her eyes, and heard Vincent laugh. He held out his arms to her, and Catherine hurried into them. Beth thought it was wonderful when Vincent enfolded both Catherine and the baby into his arms, hugging them tightly, as he told Catherine, “Its so good to have you back Catherine, I’ve missed you.” Then watched with surprise and interest as his beautiful mouth sought out Catherine’s lips, and kissed her very passionately. Father coughed, “You’ll get used to that my dear, these two are very affectionate towards one another, and to those of us living Below it is a fairy tale come true.” “Oh Father you old romantic.” Catherine chided him, but Beth was quick to back him up, “Oh I think Father is right, Vincent is like someone that has stepped out of a dream, he’s what fantasy is all about.” she shook her head, “I’m honoured to know you Vincent, really I am. No wonder Devin missed you so much.” “Obviously not enough, it is over ten years since we have seen him.” Vincent told her sadly. “He knew where to find us.” “Perhaps that was part of the problem. I mean I don’t think he intended to stay away so long, he had Charles as a responsibility for seven of those years, and would not leave him, it was only when Charles died that we left for Mombassa, and then the lions proved their own responsibility. And in case you are wondering about that, Devin works as a ranger for the national park caring for wild animals, lions especially. And Devin was good at his job, so good in fact that when we left temporarily and then returned there, his employers gave him back his old job without hesitation. Even now, they are holding his job open for him, despite not knowing where he is, or why he left. Its a strain on the other man, Jack, who is still there to do all the work by himself, but even Jack won’t hear of having anyone but Devin working there, and he hopes Devin comes back soon.” Vincent smiled, “I find it unusual to think of my brother actually wanting to have anything to do with lions. Its seems strange to me.” Beth looked at him, “Knowing you, yes I can understand that, but lions are beautiful creatures. One needs to show them respect Vincent, because they can be unpredictable, but you know from the moment they are born, a bonding takes place with their parents, and if that parent doesn’t happen to be the lioness, they will bond with whomever is around at the time. The first two years we were there, we had two cubs to foster, and they took to Devin like a duck to water. It used to amaze me, but Devin seemed to understand them. It never surprised him when they could sense where he was without even being able to see him. Even so much as coming in the jeep, long before the sound could be heard by the dogs, those cubs were getting excited, and waiting for Devin’s arrival at the gate, but they never reacted the same way with anyone else that drove in.” Vincent was very interested, as were Catherine and Father, as the four of them continued to walk towards the home chambers. “We had to remain at the compound until those cubs were able to go to another park, they couldn’t stay at our own because of the attachment to Devin, they’d never have left him, to them he was dad and mum rolled into one. But Devin missed them almost as much as if they were his children. That’s one of the reasons’s we left. And then when we returned, he looked after sick adult lions for most of the time, then just the day before he disappeared an injured lioness he’d been tracking gave birth, and abandoned her cubs, and Devin brought them in. He knew he had a fresh responsibility to those new cubs, and he knew it would be as long as eighteen months before they could leave him, but still he left, and that was most unusual. Devin would never have abandoned those cubs unless he had a very good reason for doing so.” “Who’s looking after them now?” Vincent asked. “Jack took it on.” “And the lioness?” Father asked her. “Devin shot her.” “What dead!” Vincent exclaimed, after all Beth had just told him, he couldn’t imagine it. “We had three dogs. One of them, Bob, was Devin’s constant companion. He was an old dog, and had remarkable instinct. A great tracker too. He saved Devin’s life more times than I care to think about. It’s a very dangerous job out there on the savannah. Not only lions, there are cheetah, hippo, elephant, crocodile, rhino, so many dangerous wild animals, and Bob risked his own life to save Devin so many times. He was fearless when it came to an elephant stampede, or a hippo charge. You can imagine how Devin felt about that dog. He really loved him. The morning Devin left, he’d found Bob had died. Old age. Devin was heartbroken. He was burying Bob, when Jack called him away, to say the lioness had got into the compound. While they were tracking her, she crept behind them, and took Bob’s body off to eat. She was wounded you see, couldn’t hunt and she was ravenous. But when Devin found her eating Bob’s body, Jack said he just went mad, he held out his gun and fired it at her, killing her almost instantly. Its not something Devin would usually have done, he loves those lions, he’d give up his wages to save their hide, it was just grief that made him act so out of character, that and the fact that he was worried about me and the coming baby, and other things. A culmination of many things at once, it seems now that he was over stressed.” They reached the home chambers, and Father told her, “We’re here, this is my chamber, welcome to my home Beth.” “If you aren’t too tired after the long walk, I would really like to hear more about the lions and Devin.” Vincent told her. Beth smiled, “I’d love to tell you. And no I’m not tired, could do with a drink though.” she looked all around her, “This place is lovely.” “Is tea all right, herbal, it’s all we drink down here?” Father asked. “Tea would be fine. Now where was I.” she took the chair Vincent offered, and placed the sleeping baby into the crook of her arm as Catherine handed the child back. “Thank you for carrying her all this way Catherine, you must be tired. She’s quite heavy.” “She’s light weight compared with our three. “ Catherine told her smiling, “And it’s wonderful to hold a baby again, although I shall know all about that again soon.” Catherine patted her stomach and Beth exclaimed, “I didn’t know you were expecting, you never said, and I let you carry Claudia all that way too.” “I enjoyed every moment, don’t worry, it wouldn’t have harmed me.” “This is true.” Vincent told Beth, “Had I of felt Catherine in any discomfort at all, I would have carried the child for her.” Beth smiled, “Oh yes that remarkable Bond. I think you can see now from where you get that, for definite.” Vincent nodded, “Yes, and that is why I am so interested. I have never spoken with anyone in my life that knows so much about lions.” “Then it’s a pity Devin isn’t here, now he’s the intellect when it comes to that subject. But I too love lions. There is something so perfect about them, awe inspiring even. Did you ever see the series on TV, about Elsa or Clarence?” “We don’t have TV down here Beth, so no.” Father answered her. “I know the one’s you mean though,” Catherine told her, “ one was from Born Free and the other was about a cross eyed lion wasn’t it?” Vincent laughed, “Cross eyed, you’ll be telling me next he wore glasses.” Catherine shook her head, “No I don’t think so darling.” “No”, said Father, “You’re the only lion that needs to wear glasses.” he laughed, and for a moment Catherine thought Father may have gone too far, when she saw Vincent stiffen, but then the moment had gone, and Vincent grinned. Father however, had realised he should mind his step in future. “I’m sorry Vincent, I do apologise. That was very uncalled for.” “Which Father, the mention of my being a lion or the needing of glasses?” Beth watched this challenging exchange with some amusement. There was a definite undercurrent. Father knew it too, and held Vincent’s steady gaze, “Why” he told his son, “the reference to the glasses of course.” then he hurried away, the sound of his mirth going with him, before Vincent could retaliate. There was silence, as Vincent struggled to regain his composure. Beth watched with interest. It was almost like seeing one of the lions that wasn’t really hungry but had the chance of a kill, make a decision whether to kill for killings sake or not. Beth could almost see those rippling muscles taut up for attack, and then as Vincent relaxed, she visualised them soften again, and the lion slink away to hide in the shade someplace to sleep. Catherine watched Beth’s scrutiny with some interest, and Vincent regaining his composure turned to find her watching him keenly. Beth smiled, “That.” she told him, “Was remarkable. If you could have only of seen yourself. I’m sorry Vincent, but loath as you were to accept it, Father’s parting shot, summed you up very well indeed. But you shouldn’t be ashamed of it, what you have as part of you, well I can tell you, knowing and respecting lions as I do, I’d exchange places with you any day.” Vincent stared open mouthed at her, “With me, you’d want to be like me?” he couldn’t believe he’d heard right. Catherine was hugging herself with glee, Beth was just what her self-conscious husband needed. Just like a dose of salts, or a breath of fresh air. Beth would be great for bringing Vincent out of himself, she was one remarkable lady, and Devin had married her! Did Devin know what a gem he had here, Catherine wondered? She was a real treasure. Just before Beth could say anymore, Mary came in carrying tea for five and introduced herself. Beth smiled, “Are you and Father married?” Mary looked away slightly embarrassed, and Father coughed, “Er, no dear, Mary is as much mother down here, as I am Father, but we are not married.” Beth looked from one to the other of the two, under Vincent’s much amused scrutiny, taken aback when Beth with perception told Father, “Well you should be, you are made for each other.” Father found his cheeks infused with heat, and Mary could not look at him. Beth almost laughed, the situation was so obvious, couldn’t anyone see that? She would have to see what she could do about it while she was there. “Thank you for the tea Mary, and it is wonderful to meet you, perhaps we can spend some time together while I am here, I’d like to get to know all of you well.” Mary smiled at her, she didn’t know what to say, the girl had hit a cord, and she was lost for words. “Perhaps Mary would like to stay while you continue about your work with the lions,” Father ventured, and Mary nodded, taking up a seat beside the table, from where she poured the tea. Father handed the cups around as they became ready, and then as Beth finished her own she started talking again, startling Vincent afresh with her words. “Whoever created you Vincent was a genius, deserving of a Nobel Prize in fact. Obviously they had a purpose for you. I’d like the opportunity to learn all about you. Knowledge from you could prove to be an asset when I return to the park. I expect you have leanings towards your other self, don’t you?” Vincent didn’t quite know how to answer. Especially with his family all around him. Beth went on, “Is it possible that you could talk about yourself from a lion’s instinct?” At last finding the words to answer her with, Vincent told her very quietly, “I don’t like to dwell on my non human side Beth.” Father coughed again, watching with anxiety as Vincent tensed at Beth’s direct questions, telling her, “I don’t think my dear that you should be asking Vincent these things. You see we have tried for decades not to remind him of what he is made up of, and have almost succeeded.” Vincent cringed, “What Father is saying in his clumsy old way is that I have been brought up as a man, a complete man, and do not wish to let the other side of me have his day.” “Then that’s wrong.” Beth told them. “Vincent, you cannot deny it. If you do you will be like a dormant volcano, that will erupt, it will, and red-hot lava will become a threat to anyone in your path. Surely you have wondered about this other side of yourself?” Vincent very quietly whispered, “Yes.” he lowered his gaze unable to meet anyone’s eyes, afraid of what he’d read there. “Would you talk to me about it?” Beth asked him very gently. Father stood up, “I hardly think Beth...” he thundered, but Mary lay a hand on his arm, Beth was right, maybe Vincent did need to speak with someone who could help him, after all they were incapable of doing so, as much as they loved him. Vincent looked up, only able to meet Beth’s eyes, “I would...like to talk about it.” he told her, “but...I don’t know if I should.” “Does it affect you badly?” “Yes.” Vincent whispered. “And that would be because you try to suppress it would I suppose?” “Perhaps, I don’t know.” Beth nodded, and turned to the others, “I know you will think this very rude of me, being a newcomer and all that, but would you all mind very much if Vincent and I went off alone someplace to talk. I think he will be able to open up more to me if no-one else is near?” Vincent stared. How well this woman knew him, she was remarkable. Catherine, Father and Mary looked at one another, as Father asked, “Its really up to Vincent, how do you feel about it my boy?” Vincent nodded, words failed him. And Catherine stood up, “Take Beth to our chamber Vincent, I’ll have the children brought up here so that you won’t be disturbed. Take all the time you need.” Vincent smiled, but his heart was racing. Did he, did Beth, did any of them know what they could possibly be stirring up here? He was almost afraid of himself to know. To be continued in Part Five.