BOOK 4: PREPARATION / CH. 14:YET ANOTHER PROBLEM

6.30PM, TUESDAY 5TH DECEMBER

“George, I've got another problem.” Karen said into her wrist unit.

“Oh? What subject?”

“Wedding. Potential disaster, in fact.”

“I'm all ears, love.”

“My cousin and I got chatting. She's having five bridesmaids.”

Karen was being careful, George realised, possibly she was in company. “Well, that's sort of normal, given who she's marrying.”

“She's worked out she needs them. In case it's muddy. Don't I need the same precautions?”

“Ah. Yes. Sarah had the church swept spotlessly clean, and two train carriers.”

“Whereas I have my cousin to help in the background only, Sarah is definite, Eliza was a possibility but she's been told no, she needs to keep her hands free, just in case. Even if it's not muddy, that's not really going to work, is it? I was so banking on Eliza, but even then, with mud it doesn't work.”

George thought of how the train had just kept coming and coming as Sarah walked up the aisle. “No. You'd need a total of four or five”

“In two and a half weeks.”

“Friends?”

“Now in a panic about revision, I think. Maybe not all, but one's just asked how late the reception will go on, because she thinks she'd rather get home that night, rather than stay and travel the next day. She didn't say revision, but she'd been planning to stay and play tourist last time I talked to her. I'm going to keep trying.”

“O.K. So, shall I come over?”

“No, just tell me if you think May would be willing?”

“Which one? Ngbilla or Kray?” George asked.

“Excellent idea. Why not both?” Karen replied.

“Do they know each other?”

“Not as far as I know.”

“It might be just the thing they don't need, you know, filling their heads with famous people and glamorous dresses.”

“Ha, they don't need me for that. Especially not your cousin. For all I know she's picked her dress fabric already.”

“You might be right.” George laughed, then thinking of Karen's plan to introduce May to Pris, he had another idea. “Pris is out of her wheel chair now, isn't she?”

“Yes. Oh George! You're a genius! I love you! I''m so glad you're my genius. Lets get married.”

“O.K. Are you planning of doing anything in two and a half weeks?”

“Yes, lots and lots of new and exciting things, so be there and don't bring too many course books for the honeymoon.”

“You neither!” he laughed, “But do bring some, or we might both regret it. So, shall I try and arrange for May to meet May and you, while you convince your honorary big sister to do you a favour?”

“I guess I'll talk to Mummy first. She might veto the whole idea. Could you sound out both sets of parents/foster parents, no hint to the girls?”

“Of course.”

“Thanks.”

----------------------------------------

“Hi May, are you at home?”

“Yes. Why?”

“I want to talk to your foster parents without you knowing about it.”

“So you're telling me this first?”

“Of course, isn't that what everyone does?”

“George, you're nuts. Mum, It's my cousin George. He wants to talk secrets with you. What's it about, George?”

“Christmas is coming up, isn't it?” George asked.

“So's your wedding.”

“Ooh, you surprise me. So do you want to totally spoil the surprise, or will you leave the room after turning off your monitor program?”

“How did you know?”

“I guessed.”

“Oh all right. It better be a big surprise.”

“It's an idea. If you hear it and it gets vetoed then it's a big disappointment. I don't want to do that to you, cuz.”

“Oh. OK. So it's better I don't listen at the door either?”

“Got it in one!”

“OK. Here's Mum.”

“Turn off the monitor too.”

“All right. It's off.”

“Talk to you sometime then.”

“You'd better.”

“Hello?” George heard Mrs Brown, May's foster mother. “Hello, Mrs Brown? George Kray here. Has May left the room?”

“She sprinted out of the room and upstairs.”

“Hmm. If I know my cousin at all then even if she's been told it might be a massive disappointment then she's still listening in. She's probably got it relaying to a console in her room, or something. I didn't mention that.”

“I've never actually caught her doing it, but possibly.”

“So, I'll just change a setting on my wrist unit. The line will go dead for a moment, but don't hang up please.”

“O.K.”

George changed to 'remote energy saving mode'. It turned off a number of other functions on the receiving wrist unit, so that, for instance parents or employers knew that their children/staff were paying attention to them and not continuing to watch a film, or he'd discovered, by lawyers to make sure that their conversations with their client were not being recorded. Because it turned off a lot of the functions, it could increase the battery life a lot too. “Can you hear me?”

“Yes, but the screen's gone blank.”

“''Remote energy saving mode'. The screen and non-essential functions turned off, such as relaying to another device.”

“Handy. And she doesn't know about it?”

“I have no idea. But there's very little she can do about it now, except thumb screws. But I presume you have rules about that.”

“So, what's the big secret. I hope you're not considering getting her a pony.”

“No. Bigger, in some ways. Karen's just realised that with a five metre long train she needs another three or four bridesmaids to keep her train out of any mud or snow.”

“Oh. OK, and you'd like our input?”

“Yes, please.”

“Can I call you back? I can't think of any reason why not, but I'd like to check and see what Ray thinks.”

“OK. There are actually a few reasons. Partly because of Karen's parents job, and the guest list, it's going to be high profile. It can't be avoided.”

“When you say 'High profile', you mean pictures in the local paper?”

“I think, quite possibly, multiple international news channels. Almost certainly multiple national ones.”

“Oh. Wow. Is your Karen royalty or something?”

“No, but she did once, age four, I think it was, crawl into the lap of a certain foreign head of state, demand a story and tell him to shave off his beard. He's on the invitation list. So, is that much press attention going to terrify May, make her a into a egocentric monster, or confirm her in her desire of seeking greatness through planning and effort?”

“Hmm, yes, she is a planner, isn't she? She also brings most of them to fruition, too. I'll speak to Ray.”

“Thank you.”

“This is fairly urgent isn't it?”

“It is rather, sorry.”

“It's OK. He'll be relieved, I think, he's got a boring meeting that this just might get him out of.”

“Try not to share too much of what I've said with anyone except Ray, please.”

“Of course not.”

“Thank you, Talk to you later.”

George called Arwood and Hannah next.

“Hi, Hannah, George here. Karen and I would like your parental input before we ask May something.”

“A wedding something?” Hannah guessed.

“Yes. You've seen the train. Karen did have Sarah plus another bridesmaid, but that one's had to drop out and it's just occurred to us that there could be mud or snow, so more like five in total would be better.”

“Oh, you poor things!”

“So, would you be happy for us to ask May? We're not going to publicise the guest list beforehand, but I'm sure that there's going to be Tony's colleagues. It'll probably go international, given the context. There's going to be important people from where Karen grew up, too.”

“OK. So you're concerned about what this might do in terms of school, social, and so on?”

“Yes, and any other reason. Like has she been grounded for anything.”

“I presume you've got some more candidates?”

“My cousin May, and Pris. Both pending appropriate approvals. May's the same age as your May, Christian and a very decisive personality. She's picked herself a boyfriend from youth-group and told the world that they're going to marry after university. I get the feeling he's not opposed to the idea, but if he was he'd need to run away to Mars or something.”

“So how did she choose him?”

“Faith and intelligence, apparently.”

“That's hopeful. So as long as she listens, your cousin would be a good influence. It's a good job you didn't call last week. She was within a

milimetre of getting herself grounded until Christmas. Yes May, of course I'm talking about you. So, George, I think it's both of them or neither, if that's OK.”

“Thanks, Hannah. That beats an outright refusal. I'll let Karen know.”

“Bye, George.” Hannah said.

“That was Karen's George? Asking 'bout me?”

“Yes, May.”

“And what was the question?”

“If he could ask you a question. I said maybe, girl, because of last week.”

“You know what the question was?”

“Yes, girl, of course I do.”

“And what does the maybe depend on? I can be good!”

“Don't make promises you've shown you can't keep. It all depends on someone else now.”

“I don't understand.”

“Can I walk on water? No, I'd need God's call to do it, and let's face it more faith than I've got. But it doesn't depend on me. Can Karen ask you what she wants to? We don't know yet. I've set a condition.”

“What's the condition?”

“That George's cousin's parents say yes, and George's cousin says yes.”

“Why?”

“Because she's got sense you seem to be missing, and you ain't getting involved unless she does. Girl, you don't listen to me much any more. Don't deny it, it's true. Maybe you'll listen to George's cousin. She's called May too, I don't suppose you know her?”

“May Kray? Yeah, I've met her. She's got a boyfriend, why do you dump on me every time I go out with someone?”

“Maybe, I'm just guessing here, maybe it's because she asks permission before she goes out, tells her folks where she's going to, gets back before midnight, and chooses the right sort of boy to hang around with. It sounds to me like she's got a brain, girl, so you find out from her about boyfriends, and about being good.”

“What, now?”

“No. Now you finish your homework.”

“Awww, Mum!” May protested.

“May, girl, you need to do your homework, and if May says yes and you get that call, then you're not going to be able to concentrate.”

“So what is this, some kind of trip?”

“No clues, just homework! I'm going to check on you soon, like I did when you were twelve and if you're not doing it then maybe I'll call George and tell him the answer's no after all.”

“Mum!”

“Homework May, Or else!”

----------------------------------------

7.30PM, 5TH DECEMBER

“Thanks for coming home, Ray.”

“So what's an 'urgent family crisis, no one dying?' And where's May? Surely she's not in trouble?”

“Not at all. May's done her homework and Tim called, which was just perfect timing by my book. So, they've gone for a walk, with pizza, due back at 9 as usual, and you and I are going to do the same, just in case May's bugged the house again.”

“So it concerns her?”

“It does. Don't take your coat off. I've got some tea in this flask.”

“OK, Hilda, let's go.”

“Where to? It needs to be somewhere we won't be overheard.”

“Well, if we need to talk in private, why not one of our old haunts? The bench in the woods?” he asked. It was had been of their favourite places, even before he proposed there. “Lovely idea! Appropriate too.”

“I hope you're not saying Tim's proposed. She's too young.”

“No! George called. I'll tell you more on the way, Ray.”

“The mystery deepens.”

----------------------------------------

7.45PM, THE WOODS NEAR RAY AND HILDA'S HOME.

“So, Karen needs a bridesmaid. What's the big secrecy, and why not an immediate yes?”

“Ray, we knew Karen's folks lived abroad, and you know we wondered at the choice of reception venue.”

“Yes? We figured they must be rich or civil service, didn't we?”

“Apparently there are going to be heads of state, plural, at her wedding. I gather from George that she's lived in diplomatic circles all her life, or anyway apparently she asked one head of state for a story when she was four. There's likely to be media there, the lot.”

“With our May helping hold a 5 metre long train?”

“Yes.”

“So she'd get press coverage, with all its risks, and there'd be no doubt that its her, down on the program as George's cousin. We'd have to ask Social services.”

“I did, as soon as she went out. I didn't give them all the details, but they said I didn't need to. She's sixteen, clearly makes her own decisions and knows her own mind, and we can't keep her out of the media forever, plus it's not like there have been any serious attempts to contact her from her birth-parents, not even through her brother. So, they say that the most serious risk is long gone, and it's all up to us. It would certainly help George and Karen.”

“And I don't think being on international news is going to hurt her self confidence any.” Getting near to the bench, they saw it was occupied, as they got closer they discovered who by.

“Hi Mum, Dad. What's this about me being on international news?”

“How much did you hear, May?” her foster father asked.

“Just your last sentence. I heard Mum was saying something, but not what. We weren't spying on you. Honest!”

“So, tell me, May Kray. What were you doing upstairs while George was talking to me?”

“My homework...”

“And did you try to listen?”

“George told me not to.”

“I know he did, so did you try to listen?”

“He did something.”

“Told your wrist unit to save power, yes. So you were trying.”

“He didn't say not to do that. Just turn of the monitor, and not to listen at doors.”

“And what was the purpose of that?”

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

“He didn't want me to hear. He thought it would be an enormous disappointment if you said no. But I can handle disappointment, and I learnt a long time ago that listening when people are talking about you is healthy.”

“Do you really still not trust us, May? Not even George?” her foster mother asked, pained.

“I trust you mum. Just...”

“Just you need to eavesdrop on everything, so you feel safe?”

“I guess so. I'm sorry, Mum.”

“Tim, be careful with May. She acts as decisive and bold, but needs a lot of ... unusual reassurance. You'll know you're really important to her when she plants bugs on you.” Ray said.

“You're joking!” Tim protested, looking to May for reassurance.

May just hung her head in shame. “May, that's gross invasion of privacy! They put people in prison for that.” Tim exclaimed.

“The psych computers are aware.” Hilda said. “May knows she's got a deadline.”

“Or what?” Tim asked.

“My plans fall to pieces. All of them.” May said, sadly. “I haven't bugged you, Tim. I'm resisting. I will not, no matter how much I want to. I haven't bugged anyone except Mum and Dad in a long time.”

“And let's face it, we're sort of used to it, after this long. But, do we have a decision, Ray, or do we send this pair off while we eat our Pizza?”

“You've still got Pizza?” May asked, optimistically.

“I told you it wasn't enough! Go on, have a slice. Tim, would you like one too?”

“Thanks Mum!” May said.

“No thank you.” Tim said “May gave me her last piece. She said she wasn't hungry.” he accused.

“That was then. This is now. So, Dad, decisions?”

“Decision is, that you two go away and let us enjoy our pizza and thermos of tea, and then we'll make our decision within half an hour. But May, I'd like you home by 8.30, so we've got time to talk this through. You need to learn to not show so much distrust in people who love you.”

“I know, Dad.”

----------------------------------------

“Hi, May. Karen here. Your foster parents said I could ask you a favour.”

“I thought it was George who wanted to make me an... interesting suggestion.”

“OK, are you somewhere reasonably private?”

“At home, will that do?”

“That's wonderful. So, don't say yes, don't even think yes, until you've heard all of it OK?”

“So there's a catch?”

“Several. And some surprises that you won't be warned about. Do you cope well with surprises?”

“Like what?”

“Oh, I don't know. Suppose you were at church and there was a guest speaker who turned out to be the King?”

“Urm, OK, that'd be a surprise. I didn't even think he was a Christian.”

“Assume he's just become one. And at the end of the meeting he wants to talk with you.”

“Me?”

“Yes. What would you do?”

“Urm, run away.”

“Why?”

“I wouldn't know what to say. Running helps.”

“Hmm. Lets imagine you're holding a really precious thing, and you'll break it if you run, and make all sorts of people unhappy.”

“Am I allowed to faint?”

“I don't think so, does that look good on the news?”

“On what news?”

“Oh, I don't know, Nation Wide News, or maybe something bigger. Just assume all your school friends are going to watch, with repeats.”

“This is the question?”

“No. This is hypothetical.”

“Phew. No way I want to do that.”

“Oh. OK. Bye then.”

“Wait. What about the question?”

“OK. Lets back up a bit. What's the most scary bit about all that?”

“Fainting on camera.”

“Then don't faint. What's the next scariest bit?”

“Urm. Talking to the King, not knowing what to say.”

“Oh. That's OK. He's all right. He'll probably just ask what's your name, any say lovely or something vague like that. But I don't think he'll be there.”

“Where?”

“Church.”

“I don't get it, Karen. What are you asking?”

“I'm asking what you'd do, if some head of state comes and talks to you while you're holding my wedding dress's train out of the mud, complete with camera crew and security guys. Does my dress get dirty?”

“Urm. I don't think so. I'd try really hard not to drop it or run away. That'd be really embarrassing.”

“Great. Want to do it?”

“What. This is still hypothetical, isn't it?”

“No.”

“But heads of state...”

“Will almost certainly be at my wedding, as will someone from the royal family. It's a tradition.”

“What, to have someone from the royal family at your wedding? How many have you had? I'm getting really confused.”

“Right, you probably need to know this, but you're breaking official secrets laws if you tell anyone, even your foster parents. OK?”

“Urm, OK. But that wouldn't really matter, would it? I'm under age.”

“No age restriction, sorry. You tell someone what I tell you, without my saying so, and you're in jail until after my wedding, maybe longer. Or if you don't trust yourself, then I don't tell you, and some bits don't make sense.”

“OK. Tell me, but tell me what I can't tell.”

“My father is the ambassador in another country. I grew up there. That's going to be declassified at the wedding, it has to be, but at the moment it's an official secret that the ambassador's daughter called Karen getting married to someone called George is me. Do you understand that?”

“Not really I mean, you're Karen, he's George, people know your name.”

“No they don't. I've been using an assumed name. I can get away with Karen since it's common enough, but practically no one knows my real name at the university, and practically no one who knows my real name knows where I live and study.”

“Wow!”

“So, you can now find out my name, but please don't. You don't need to know, and what you don't know, no one can steal from your thoughts.”

“And it's traditional that someone royal goes to Ambassadors' daughter's weddings?”

“Yes. And if there's a friendly relationship between the countries, the head of state gets invited. Since I climbed into the president's lap and demanded a story when I was little, and he's friends with my Dad, then he said he'd come. There is also a state visitor from another friendly country going to be here and they asked if they could come to the wedding too, so they could have an informal chat to the president. I've no idea what about, but he said that was a wonderful idea, so who are we to say no?”

“And you want me as a bridesmaid?”

“Yes. The train of the dress is about five metres long, it's really old and we don't want it getting dirty. So, four or five bridesmaids would be good. I've got one so far, number two had to drop out.”

“And the cameras...”

“Will be there, yes.”

“And the repeat showings?”

“Always possible. If the king does come then they'll probably show him talking to the pretty bridesmaids, but realistically, it's more likely to be the queen or the prince.”

“And if the prince is there, then his fiancee will be there too, and they can't show enough of them.”

“You got it in one.”

“And Mum and Dad can come?”

“Of course, they're already invited. You too.”

“I think I knew that, but I didn't realise.”

“Of course not.”

“Any other surprises?”

“Oh, probably. Do you faint easily?”

“No. I never have yet.”

“Good. Oh, do you know May Ngbila?”

“We've met, inter-church youth meetings. Pastor's daughter, isn't she? ”

“Yes. Any thoughts?”

“About her being a bridesmaid too?”

“Yes.”

“I'm sure she'd love it to impress the boys with.”

“Care to expand?”

“She's taken to flirting in the last few months. And I'm not certain how, but she always seems to know what to say to different people, so all the boys focus on her. She loves being the centre of attention.”

“That's not very godly behaviour. I never actually met her grandmother, but I'm sure she'd be very disappointed.” Karen said.

“I'm sure her parents are too, what's her gran got to do with anything?”

“I never said a word about anything. Her Dad's performing the wedding ceremony, I've seen her around a lot, know who she is, but never really talked to her about faith and stuff. Lots of people would really appreciate it if you can try and talk some faith into her.”

“Why me?”

“Because we're grown-ups, and therefore probably know nothing, from her perspective, if she's too far gone.”

“You're probably right.”

“Do you know that hand slapping game, you know, move your hand before it gets slapped?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Ever play May Ngbila?”

“Once. She's really quick. I never hit her. Why are you asking me, Karen?”

“Just random thoughts that come into my head. Do you think you can try to witness to her? You know, how boy-chasing is dumb in the sight of God and sensible women of all ages. She's not thick from what I've heard, got a good brain if only she'd use it properly. If not, then maybe I shouldn't ask her. I haven't yet.”

“I can try. I'll pray about how.”

“Good. Thanks, May!”

“You've been trying to tell me something. I'm sure of it.”

“Not tell. Even hint is too strong a word. Can you get your mum on the line? I need to talk dresses with her. Bridesmaids need dresses.”

“Oh! Of course.”

----------------------------------------

“Hi Arwood, Karen here. Has Hannah talked with you? If so, Can I have a word with May?”

“Yes, she has. Cousin May said yes?”

“Yes. Also promised to try and say the odd word of sense to her.”

“That'd be great. She needs someone to. It's been getting hard to get through to her recently.”

“OK. I'll ask her, if you're happy with the idea.”

“I think we are, if you are.”

“If she can keep the dress out of the mud, then that's great by me. We'll do what we can to stop it going to her head.”

“Thanks, Karen. Shall I yell for her?”

“Yes please.”

Karen heard his powerful voice calling her to pick up the phone. “Hello?”

“Hi May. Karen here.”

“George's cousin said yes?”

“She did. So do you want in too?”

“What do I get?”

“Fame, glory, blisters maybe, sore arms probably, and my thanks if you get it right. Acute televised embarrassment if you get it wrong, probably only repeated on those 'major embarrassment' shows which no one admits watching after a year or so. And a new dress, either way.”

“The dress I understand. What's with the fame or embarrassment thing?”

“You know Sarah's wedding dress?”

“Yes. It's beautiful!”

“I think so too. So, I don't want it getting muddy, and I don't think Sarah, May, and one other is enough to keep it out of the mud when I wear it. Want to help? Because of my parent's work there's going to be the odd foreign head of state there, and maybe a royal or two. Plus cameras, and reporters to immortalise anything interesting at the event, for instance visiting head of state talks to pretty bridesmaids, or if I slip or someone drops the train.”

“I'd be famous?”

“Well, I'd rather you don't drop it, but I suppose infamy is the next best thing.”

“I won't drop it!”

“Sure?”

“I'll try my hardest. That'd be terrible!”

“But you'll do it?”

“Yes.”

“Thanks, May! Now, put you mum on, please, I need to talk dresses with her.”

“Do I get to chose a colour? ”

“No, sorry. That decision was made weeks ago.”

“A style? Length? Neckline? I've got the legs for short and I don't need to hide what I've got.”

“This isn't about parading about like a piece of flesh for sale, May, this is my wedding. Engage your brain, and get real. No bridesmaid should ever try to outdo the bride. There is no way your mother would let you wear what you imagine you look good in, let alone at a wedding. Who gave you that idea anyway? Boys with more testosterone than self control?”

“They like me, Karen, they think I'm beautiful!”

“Oh, I'm sure. And then they mentally undress you and worship you in whatever way seems good in their own lust-fueled imaginations. That's no way to keep your self respect, May. Any Christian boy who really loves a girl is going to be struggling against the side of his biochemistry and fallen nature which confuses love with lust. Do you really want to pour fuel on that fire? Or do you want to repel the decent boys by your behaviour?”

“I saw Sarah in that dress, Karen, you're going to be showing a lot off.”

“Well, I'd have liked it to show less, true, but there are far worse being worn everyday in the street by girls who ought to know better. I thought you knew better too. And the bride being wrapped up beautifully is part of the wedding, May. Can't have the groom getting distracted by the idea of unwrapping anyone else, can we?”

“Your making yourself sound like a present.”

“My body is part of my gift to George, May. Just like his is part of his gift to me, along with his self control. And before we give those gifts we're making solemn vows which will last our whole lives. That's very different to snagging a boy for a date.”

“I suppose so.”

“I know Mama Ng told Sarah you were a good girl, May. Just before you held hands with her and John. What's changed? And I haven't heard you talk about God recently, either. You used to.”

“Mama died. That's what happened.”

“I see. And Mama died so all her advice goes out the window?”

“No. But... I don't miss her as much when there's boys around.”

“And I don't suppose you've talked to anyone about this, have you? Not even held hands with John and Sarah?”

“No. They're always busy.”

“Did you ask, or try?”

“No.”

“So, how are you using your power? It'll want to be used, I'm sure.”

“I don't use it much.”

“Just to find out what the others are thinking?”

“It's not deliberate! It just happens!”

“Sorry, May. I don't believe you. I think you're turning your back on God and starting to use your power for sin. What'd Mama say about that?”

“You never knew her!”

“Not when she was alive no, but I've heard about her since she died. She knew right from wrong. You knew her. You think about what she'd say about you misusing your power and your looks.”

“She'd wallop me good and proper.”

“Well, then! Mama made John and Sarah part of your clan, didn't she?”

“Yes.”

“So, I'm going to tell Sarah about our little conversation. 'Cos she needs to know, doesn't she?”

“I guess so.”

“Right. And you remember she's got the same gift your Gran had, don't you?”

“I'd forgotten. You know about that? I thought it was a big secret.”

“I know about that. I know you know, because Sarah told me about everything that happened that day. And it is a big secret, the biggest you know. But since you know it, then you're not going to jump out of your skin when she talks to you pretty soon, are you?”

“She'd do that?”

“May, she's clan, you're clan, and you need to talk. What do you think?”

“She'd do that. And I think I'm going to cry when she does.”

“Good thing about the power is you can cry and talk at the same time.”

“How do you know?”

“Come on May, you're not dumb. Sarah told you I have the power, remember? And how do you think I know what boys think and struggle with?”

“I just thought George told you.”

“That too. But I don't think you've really heard what they think sometimes, May, or if you've got any self respect you'd not be thinking of showing off what you've got.”

“You've heard? It's bad?”

“I've heard, and sometimes it's vile. The good ones hate themselves for having had those thoughts, and it drives them to pray for forgiveness. The bad ones think it's normal and it's what you want them to think. So think of that when you choose your wardrobe. Now, can you put me through to your Ma? I need to talk to her about what you're going to wear at my wedding.”

“OK. Thanks, Karen. I... I'd love to be your bridesmaid.”

“Then take the phone to your Mum.” May did so, and went to her room to think. Maybe even to pray, she thought.

“Hi Karen, that was a long talk.”

“Quite a few topics too. I'm going to get Sarah to call her.”

“Wow, this phone's going to be busy.”

“Hannah, I don't think they're going to be talking by phone.”

“Then how?”

“Sarah told me that Mama Ng told May to go hold hands with her and John, Hannah. Didn't you realise?”

“No what? Oh! No; May can't have your gift, surely.”

“Just the power.”

“Oh wow. Why didn't I realise? That explains why she always guesses what punishment she's going to get, I suppose.”

“She said she misses Arwood's Mama. I didn't check if its the truth, but she said this boy-chasing dulls the pain. I asked her to think about what Mama Ng would say about her behaviour.”

“And she's doing that?”

“I hope so. Like I said, I'm going to set Sarah on her. She knows Sarah's got the gift, but as far as she knows I've only got the power. And Mama made Sarah clan.”

“Do you know what that means? Sarah didn't seem to.”

“Not really, but this is what I guess: Mama was matriarch, with the undisputed right to interfere, and with the gift she had the knowledge to do so pretty effectively. Her death must leave quite a gap.”

“It does. Thank you for interfering.”

“We're all one family in Christ, Hannah. I heard some stuff from George's cousin and challenged May about some of it. I think she heard me, and she sounded like she wanted to talk. Just maybe not with her parents.”

“Ha! Tell me about it! Actually, I suspect she tried, once, and at the wrong time, then decided we weren't giving her any attention. I know I was like that. Mama didn't name a successor, except to go to Sarah for things we'd have gone to her for. I don't know if anyone has gone to Sarah, or if Sarah'd know what Mama's let her in for. But when you talk to Sarah, tell her... she's got Mama's gift and her blessing. That's got weight. None of us are going to stand against her unless she really goes wrong. She's a bit young for the job, but I think she's got it.”

“I'll tell her. I'm sure she'll have questions for you.”

“I expect so. I just wish I'd listened to May.”

“Well, maybe once Sarah's talked with her, she'll be ready for a hug.”

“I hope so. May said you wanted to talk dresses?”

“Yes! We don't have much time. My parents said they've been saving up and the venue comes with the job, so don't worry about the cost. Could you take May to be measured? The dress is going to be computer-made to measure. You know what the reputation on that system is?”

“Computer gets it right: wonderful, but if you stand funny, you're going to look funny.”

“Exactly. Please drill that into her. Natural upright pose, not slouching or sticking her chest out and all the rest.”

“Karen, the bulk of the cost is in the pattern and the material, isn't it?”

“Yes. Why?”

“She needs some more clothes for school, and for that the pattern's free. It's a bit more than getting off the shelf things, and there's the risk of it going wrong, so I've never bothered, but she's feeling the peer pressure to get made-to-scan, and has said she'd pay the difference for getting something computer fitted. It's certainly worth buying a funny looking blouse or two to avoid getting a badly fitted bridesmaid dress. I'll take her and we can remeasure her if it turns out wrong.”

“Hannah, you're a genius. Thanks. I'll suggest that to Cousin May's mum. No, scrub that. Hannah, the first blouse and skirt is on me. Just as long as it's a decent length and modest neckline.”

“She's been on at you about that, has she?”

“And she knows what I think. So, you see what she thinks I'd be happy to pay for, and veto as necessary.”

“How long?”

“What does school specify?”

“Knee to calf, but some of those girls have real high knees by that standard.”

“Calf length, I think. Hannah, after our conversation, I'd like her to have something she's going to look good in, be proud of wearing, but not baring all. Fuller skirts are back in fashion, aren't they? Something she can twirl and swish in if she wants to.”

“For school? Well I've seen some nice ones, but I'm not sure they're in the rules.”

“See how much fabric you can get into the rules, Hannah, and I expect we'll all be happy.”

“I like this idea, Karen, thanks. So I'm going halves on this. And if you're going to be extravagant like this, then I think I'm getting her two skirts this trip, and skirt one had better be something more normal, just in case the measurement goes wrong.”

“OK. Then you get her skirt one, which she'll expect from when you tell her what's happening, and I'll get her skirt two in the interests of education. Call it an early Christmas present.”

“Sure?”

“Sure. George and I can afford it.”

“That sounds unusual from students.”

“Well, George got some back royalties on one of his programs. That's the honeymoon paid for, and more. Plus, Kate's a really generous employer from a student's point of view.”

“What about rent for next term?”

“We're fine, Hannah, honestly!”

“All right, you can spend yourselves back to poverty if you like. I'll let you know what the bill for your generosity comes to.”

“Thank you, Hannah. Can you send the measurement file to me?”

“Of course. You really don't need to shower her with gifts, Karen.”

“I know, I know. Actually though, maybe the long skirt should come from Sarah and John too. I'll discuss it with them. But you go ahead and get it, please. I'll pay and then if Sarah and John want in we can work that out between us.”

“If you're sure.”

“I'm sure. Bye.”

“Good bye.”

Karen was in two minds if she should call Hilda first, or Sarah. She didn't have Hilda's number, so would have to call May, and it was getting late, but she decided that Sarah was going to need time to talk to May.

[Sarah! I've just been talking to May.]

[Oh yes, which one?]

[Both. But mostly Ngbila. I've told May that I'd tell you what we were talking about. She's been missing Mama Ng, missing having anyone to talk to like this, doesn't think anyone has time for her, except for boys who she's taken up flirting with. And cousin May said that she seems to know just what to say. I didn't really challenge her on misusing her power like that, just with listening to the boys.]

[She likes listening to boys' thoughts?] Sarah asked, surprised.

[Maybe she's not done it much. That's my guess.]

[Or she's further gone than we hope.]

[Yes. Either she's good at play acting or she's not. Sarah, you said that Mama Ng had made you clan. She needs someone to talk to. Please make time for her.]

[Of course.]

[Also, I talked a bit with Hannah. Mama was matriarch. You're not, quite, but she said you've got Mama's gift and Mama's blessing, which gives you real weight, and you'd have to go pretty wrong before they'd stand against you.]

[Me, not John?]

[I think he's expected to lead you, Sarah, while you sort out the clan's problems. Now, Mama almost certainly used her gift to keep the clan in line. Beyond the ethics boundaries, but they were her kids so what do you expect?]

[Hmm. yes. She didn't exactly ask permission to check up on us. I won't do that.]

[No. I didn't think you would, or even you should. But if you ask, I bet most of them would be surprised you feel the need to. I've grown up in a patriarchal society. What Dad (or granddad) says goes, but things fall apart if he's not there or sick without an acknowledged heir. Arwood's family's not that traditional, but there's a hole, and I think you've been nominated to stand in that power vacuum at least for a while. Someone needs to.]

[Oh, joy.]

[Well, anyway, talk to May. She needs to talk.]

[That I understand. The rest... that's going to take some processing.]

[I'm sure you're up to it. Ask the others for help too.]

[The others in the clan?]

[And around the world. Remember, you said Mama said she'd spend whole nights thinking to people? I bet some of the others know all about the clan in far more detail that you do.]

[Why didn't I think of that?]

[You're new to the job.]

[Why did you, then?]

[Because it's not my job, I'm happy to say! Bye, I've got to talk to May Kray before she goes to sleep.]

[Bye.]

Karen looked at her wrist unit for a moment before dialing. It was getting late. When did May go to sleep? She called George instead.

[George, you don't happen to have Mr and Mrs Brown's number do you? I don't want to wake up May if she's asleep.]

[Sorry, no. Why don't you check if she is?]

[Because I'm sleepy too and didn't think of it.]

[It's been a long day, love.]

[It has. But Hannah had a wonderful idea, and I need to pass it on.]

[Oh?]

[Rather than getting the computer to measure May for the bridesmaids dress, why not get it to measure her for some school clothes, or something equally simple? If it gets that right, then use that proven measurement set.]

[Great idea. Big stress reduction for everyone.]

[Indeed. So, I'm going to pass that on, and offer to buy May some clothes like I did for May, after all it stops us having a truly embarrassed bridesmaid. Then I'm going to bed.]

[Good idea. I'm just going to finish this bit of work and do the same. Sleep well.]

[You too. I love you, George Kray.]

[Good job we're getting married, because I love you too, Karen.]

Karen checked on May's skin. She was awake, and sad. Karen rang. May's voice, falsely cheerful.

“Hi Karen! What's up?”

“I need to talk to your mum, pass on a bright idea from Mrs Ngbila. But what's up with you?”

“Nothing.” Sniff.

“Fibber. I heard that sniff. Want to talk?”

“You wouldn't understand.”

“I can try.”

“I'm in trouble. Again. Hasn't George told you?”

“Told me what?”

“Bugs.”

“What, spiders and beetles?”

“No.”

“Electronic?”

“yes.”

“No, he hasn't told me.”

“You wouldn't understand. And the psych-computers always say the same thing.”

“Which is?”

“It's a very serious self-destructive problem and you need find the root cause before you turn seventeen.” She got the lack of intonation just right.

“That's not very long, is it?” Karen said.

“No. Just under two months.”

“What happens then?”

“I get locked up.”

“May, I'm trying to understand. You've got some psych problem which they're going to lock you up for? They don't normally do that.”

“I've got a psych problem, that I can't trust people unless I can check what they're doing, or saying about me. I don't need to do it all the time, just... reassure myself that I'm worrying needlessly.”

“So you bug them?” Karen tried to hide her amazement.

“Yes.”

“Everyone?”

“Mostly my parents. Now. It used to be more people. I'm getting it under control. But...”

“But?”

“But Tim found out tonight. Now I'm scared that he's going to dump me. And I really really really want to know what he's doing, what he's saying, who he's telling.”

“In other words you want to bug him?”

“Yes. And the worst thing is, I lied. Sort of.”

“Not good. Tell me?”

“I said I hadn't bugged him. It's not strictly true. I planted one. I've never listened to it. But I could. It would be so easy, Karen! But I don't want to. I just need to.”

“No you don't. You need to tell him what you've just told me, and tell him how to find it and destroy it.”

“Then what will he think of me?”

“I hope he'll think that you're battling with temptation, May, and winning.”

“Winning?”

“If you don't have a bug there, then the temptation is gone, isn't it?”

“But I won't be able to check on him then!”

“Yes you will.”

“How?”

“Call him and talk to him. Very good way of knowing what someone's thinking.”

“But he might lie.”

“Then you'll catch him out, scream and shout and either your relationship will be stronger for surviving it or you'll be well rid of him.”

“That's... that's brutal, Karen.” May said in a small voice.

“I'm sorry, I had a lecture at six this morning, a friend got trapped in a cave, I've been in meetings with Prince Albert, Eliza and half the university staff all afternoon, I've just been telling the other May off, and I'm really really tired.”

“It's OK. I know brutal. I'd just never thought it could be... useful. Your friend OK?”

“Yes. She got out, but it was worrying for a while.”

“You've met Prince Albert?”

“Yes, several times. Goes with the territory, sort of.”

“And Eliza Underwood, too. You've talked to her?”

“Of course.” Karen realised that had been a slip as soon as it was out. She must be really tired.

“Of course? Why is it of course?”

“Because I'm really really tired and I'm making mistakes.”

“Something you can't tell me?”

“Not yet. I will. That's why I'm making mistakes, I guess. Please don't ask. Can I talk to your Mum?”

“Of course. Then I'll call Tim.”

“Promise?”

“Yes. I can save Tim and me both pain by being brutal. I want to know.”

“Don't be too brutal, May.”

“I'll try not to be. Thank you Karen. Mum!”