BOOK 4: PREPARATION / CH. 6:PRIVATE JOY.

7.30PM FRIDAY, 24TH NOVEMBER

[Albert, are you free?]

[Yes, Eliza. You've done your essay?]

[Yes. And Bella needs an award for creative gossip writing.]

[Why?]

[I'm sure Maria will tell you eventually, but someone leaked to a reporter that your love interest was probably on our committee, meeting at the Institute. Nice article built around it. Did I know about the impact, how was I involved at the institute, was I a thought-hearer or staff.]

[Ouch! Me and my big mouth!]

[Don't worry, the article's been withdrawn. Journalist was actually someone at John's church. She's replaced it with gossip about you talking to an attractive red-head in Security when you were at the university, were you following in your father's footsteps, and so on.]

[How did you do that?]

[Bella wrote about you calling her for no apparent reason, another agent my age, wearing what I assume was a gorgeous-looking red wig, visited

pretending that it had been her that dumped you in my lap and convinced the reporter that she didn't mind protecting me by giving away some gossip.]

[So, if I'm asked about a red-head, I have this agent to thank.]

[Yes. She's also called Eliza, by the way, just to add to the confusion.]

[That is confusing.]

[It shouldn't be. I'm the one you love, she's the security agent you've never met, as far as I know.]

[True. And I'm not going out with either of you.]

[Oh, don't be silly, Albert.]

[Eliza, I don't want you to get killed because of me.]

[Albert, I think you're supposed to marry for the sake of the succession, no? Any woman you marry is at risk.]

[Yes, but for you the risk is far greater.]

[No, it's not. That's the big mistake you're making. Actually I'm probably safer with you than without you.]

[How do you work that out? You need have a new face, hide, you can't do that beside me.]

[Albert, do you really want me to get my face surgically rearranged?]

[Not really. I like your face.]

[Good, because I refuse to change what God's made. So I'm not doing that. Nor am I going to change my name. I had thought of it, but I don't want to. Eliza is who I am, and the only time I plan to change my surname is by marrying someone. Therefore, I'm ignoring some advice about how to stay ultra safe, and taking my chances. With or without you, I've accepted that risk, because I'm not happy with the alternatives. I'm accepting the protection at the moment, because they think what I can give evidence about is important, but after the trial, I'm back to being Eliza Underwood, Master's student. I'll move house, but that's about it.]

[Urm... OK. I can understand your feelings.]

[So, since there are hardly any other Underwoods around, and I'm not going to start lying about who I am, the safest place for me is amid permanent security, which I notice you do happen to have, with another name, which I hope that you'll offer me one day. So, if you think about it, the safest place for me is beside you, and if you dump me then you're putting me at risk. As well as hurting me a lot, which you claimed, I remind you, you didn't ever want to do.]

[I'm sorry, Eliza. I thought it was for the best.]

[And now?]

[I... I don't know. I wish I'd have thought of those things myself before hurting you.]

[Did I just hear a but?]

[But now I don't know if they're real arguments or just your reaction to the pain.]

[Albert. Do you love me?]

[Yes.]

[Do you know that I'm in love with you?]

[Yes. That's pretty clear.]

[Will you trust that I do know my own thoughts?]

[I suppose so.]

[Did you think to ask if I was planning on accepting surgery?]

[No.]

[Well, I wasn't, and I never did.]

[I'm glad... But you should really...]

[Albert, I won't. If you dump me, I won't. If you marry me, I won't. If I have an accident, even then I probably won't accept more than the bare minimum. My mother was addicted to cosmetic surgery, Albert. I saw what she did to herself in the name of beauty. I do not want it. The idea of starting to follow down that road, even to stay safe, revolts me.]

[I see your point. OK, I'll not mention surgery again.]

[Good.]

[But if we go out, get seen together, and then it doesn't work out, then it'd the worst of all, wouldn't it? You'd be recognisable and exposed, rather than just recognisable.]

[So you're trying to convince me that you should dump me now to protect me from you dumping me later?] she asked, incredulous.

[Or you dumping me.]

[Albert, I remember that I told you I'd do all I could to strengthen what my father wanted to tear down. I'm not going to say that I'm sure God's put that thought in my mind, but he might have. I suppose that means that if I see I need to dump you to strengthen the monarchy, then I will. But, I'm proud enough to think that you need me. Is that wrong?]

[No Eliza. I don't think you're wrong. I probably do need you. At least... I need a wife sometime and you're the only candidate for the position that I've met so far.]

[I actually meant is my pride wrong. It is, I think. But what if Bella hadn't spurned you? I know you were attracted.]

[She's not a Christian.]

[I'm working on fixing that. So, if she becomes a Christian, changes her mind about changing her job...]

[She still wouldn't be able to do this.]

[Really, a phone would work just as well.]

[Not in the middle of meetings.]

[Sorry for that.]

[It was.... nice, but not very sensible.]

[I agree.]

[But talking of phones, can I have your number?]

[It depends. Are you changing the subject deliberately? You know Bella, you don't know lots of other women with the power, but they're out there. So, why not one of them, rather than me?]

[OK, Bella, for instance, yes, when I thought she was the only person with the power I'd ever meet, it seemed possible. But I don't actually find the way she likes chucking criminals around like rag dolls an attractive point. Quite the opposite, in fact.]

[Oh, she told you that did she?]

[Yes.]

[And the others?]

[Eliza, stop it, please! I love you. I don't want to dump you, and I don't see any reason why I should ever dump you.]

[That's nice. And what if someone tells you that I'm safer without you again?]

[I hereby promise that I won't make any more decisions about breaking off our relationship without talking it through thoroughly with you first. Satisfied?]

[Yes.]

[So?]

[So what?]

[So, if I need to talk to you in an emergency, say because someone's telling me to break up with you, can I have your number please?]

[Of course!] And she told him.

[Thank you Eliza. So... when can we meet?]

[We don't have any plans to meet, remember.]

[I know, but I need to give you some flowers or something in apology.]

[I don't think you can Albert.]

[{sadness}I really want to, Eliza. I've put you through a terrible time.]

[True. But I've survived worse.]

[What about if I just happened to visit the church you go on Sunday?]

[I'm not often allowed out to church, Albert. Quite frankly, witness protection is a sort of prison.]

[Well, it keeps you safe.]

[Yes. It does. It also meant that I met you, so it has its good points.]

[I'm glad you're in protection then.]

[I guess I am. But... How many assassins are really likely to see me at church?]

[If you went to the same one every Sunday, they might catch on.]

[Hmm. But I'm not part of any church here. I think I want to try and persuade someone to let me visit some different churches.]

[Sounds like a good idea. Can I come too?]

[Not if you're serious about bringing me flowers. That would be a bit too obvious, unless you brought a truck-load and gave them to all the ladies.]

[It could be arranged....]

[Be sensible, Albert! I'll cherish the thought for the moment, and you can give me some when we're official.]

[Where would you go?]

[I'd probably go to John and Sarah's church. Arwood's on the committee too, so I know three people there. Oh and Karen, I guess George too.]

[It occurs to me that visiting the churches there is a little gesture that I could be making, in the interests of showing solidarity etcetera.]

[Nothing to do with your love life then.]

[Well....]

[I think you need to talk to Security about that idea, and I need to talk to them about my idea.]

[And admit to them that we've been thinking about visiting the same church?]

[They'll find out anyway and we'll get in trouble. If Eliza's willing to wear her wig again, then we could even throw some fuel on that little subterfuge.]

[I don't know... She's works in witness protection, after all. Let's not draw too much attention to her, or she won't be able to work.]

[You're right. Silly of me.]

[It would be safer not to meet, wouldn't it?] Albert remarked.

[Of course it would. Be safer not to get out of bed in the morning, too, except that there's an asteroid coming.]

[So... I'll go and talk to my parents about visiting the same church you do.]

[And I'll try and persuade someone to let me. And you can call me when you're done, if I haven't called you first.]

[I love you Eliza.]

[I love you too, Albert.]

Eliza opened her eyes and stretched, to see Bella grinning at her. “Have a good chat?”

“Yes thanks. I have a question though...”

“Oh yes?”

“How would I get permission to go to church on Sundays? It wouldn't need to be the same one every week. We know people at at least three different ones, I think.”

“Urm... I'll ask my boss.”

“I should also admit that Albert is thinking of visiting some churches here too, to show solidarity with the populace, etc.”

“That sounds like a plan to meet, to me.” Bella said with a smile.

“But not for a date.”

“No. So, you've convinced him?”

“I hope so. At the very least he's dropped the idea of us breaking up immediately.”

“Well, that's progress.”

“What do you think, about me getting to church?”

“I really don't know. You know the drill, all trips need to be justified, approved, etc.”

“OK. Justification: it's against the teachings of my faith to give up meeting with other Christians.”

“Oooooh, pull out the big guns... Any documentation for that?”

“Urm... one of the letters 'Do not give up meeting together.' Do you want an exact reference?”

“That's from the Bible?”

“Yes. I can't remember if it's in Paul's letters or Hebrews though. I'll look it up.”

“Any other reasons?”

“It's also against my faith to not worship God through singing together, praying together, and let's face it, Bella, Christianity is a social religion. It's a community bound together by faith in Christ. I need to be part of that worshipping community.”

“I wonder how Pris and George cope. Well, Pris is sort of stuck anyway.”

“I'm going to ask George right now. Hold on.”

[George? Eliza here, quick question if it's OK with you.]

[Hi Eliza, what's up?]

[How do you cope with missing church, you know, stuck in protective boredom?]

[Eh? I don't.]

[Do you mean I've been missing out on going to church just because I didn't ask?]

[I guess so.]

[Midweek meetings too? Or just Sundays?]

[Only Sundays. Must admit I didn't ask about mid-week meetings.]

[Thanks George. You do the varying routes thing?]

[Oh, they take me on all sorts of detours, and sometimes I'm there half an hour early, other times I sneak in late. Sometimes the front door, sometimes the side one. You must know the drill.]

[Yes. Make sure there are so many variables that I don't know anything, let alone would-be assassins.]

[Exactly.]

[Who did you ask for approval?]

[Urm, I seem to remember Karen asked her mother.]

[Well, I'll try from the bottom up, see if that works, if not I'll go that route. I really do want to get to church.]

[Eliza, can I be a bit nosey?]

[I expect so... What is it?]

[Karen said that she was feeling a bit responsible for your current situation, and then said 'oops' and went all quiet.]

[Oh did she! Well, she did bless me quite comprehensively. Tell her I'm praying the second half for her too!]

[No clues?]

[Well... Oh, just tell her I said she can tell you the first half, but to leave you guessing on the second.]

[OK, I will.]

[Oh yes, other news to pass on... Kate tells me I'm sane, and Karen should pay attention to phrasing.]

[You're being very cryptic.]

[Good! I'm sure you're happy for an excuse to talk to Karen.]

[Especially if it's not about wedding plans.]

[Isn't everything arranged?]

[You'd have thought so, but apparently not.]

[Oh well, you go natter to Karen.]

[I will, don't worry. Bye.]

[Bye, George. And tell her I told you to give her a kiss.]

“Well, that's a side of her I haven't met before!” George declared.

“Who were you talking to?” Karen asked.

“You weren't listening in?”

“No. Should I have been?”

“It was Eliza. She said I should do this.” Quickly hiding, he gave her a kiss.

“That's a change, then.”

“Hmm. She was asking about getting permission to go to Church, said Kate had declared her sane, and was also very cryptic about a few things.”

“Such as?”

“She said that she was praying the second half of the blessing for you and that I should tell you you can tell me the first half.”

“Oh, that's nice of her!”

“And she also said you needed to pay attention to phrasing, which I think was the most cryptic of the lot.”

“Careful attention to phrasing? That is cryptic.”

“Yes. What's the first half? Of the blessing, I mean.”

“Let's test your language skills.” And she recited the blessing to George.

“Wow. I didn't get everything from it, but I can sort of guess. I heard lots of love and care words in there.”

“George, what was the context for her telling you about the blessing?”

“I said you felt responsible for her situation but had gone quiet, then she said that you had blessed her quite comprehensively.”

“The sneaky things!”

“Care to expand?”

“No, but you can pay careful attention to phrasing too, can't you?”

“If I know the context.”

“I think, George, the context is Eliza's good mood, and the blessing.”

“You told me that they'd thought to each other and then said it wasn't going to work.”

“But what was the exact phrasing? It was something about them not having any plans to meet.” Karen said.

“And the prince has been dropping hints having talked to a wise and beautiful woman, but denying they're going on any dates.” George remarked.

“Which of course they can't, since she's in witness protection.”

“But they can talk can't they?” He pointed out.

“No wonder she's acting much happier.”

“So why didn't she just say it?” George asked.

“Wanted us to know, without shouting it from the roof tops. Ultra top secret until they're more certain of each other, maybe?”

“Could be. Are you going to congratulate her?”

“Let's both do it. Now.”

[Hi sneaky! Do we understand that congratulations are in order?]

[Hey, that was fast.]

[Well, you didn't ask, and I didn't say, but Karen was there when you called.]

[Oh. Did you get your kiss, Karen?]

[I did, thanks. So, tell us all about it, if you're not breaking state secrets.]

[Well, he tried to dump me this morning, but I think I've convinced him not to.]

[What!]

[Actually, what he said was that he loved me too much to put me at risk, so it was better to break off the relationship.]

[Ouch. So, he's been talking to people and they've pointed out about the risks you face?]

[Oh, not you too, Karen! I'm not going to change my face or my name, so I pointed out to him I'm much safer in the middle of his security web than outside it.]

[Good argument. You might like to point out that you can spot assassins from a continent away, too.] George added.

[Is that your plan? I'm not sure how much we should use the gift for self-preservation.]

[Nor are we.] Karen admitted [But we generally use it to look out for each other when we're moving or leaving a building. Since he doesn't have the gift, then I think you should be on the look out for the both of you. Lets face it, Eliza. If it's all going wonderfully between the two of you and then you get assassinated or crippled for life, it'll not just affect you and him.]

[You mean, I've got a duty to stay safe, Karen?]

[Sort of, yes. But I don't think you need to lie about who you are to do that, just... be careful.]

[Thanks. Oh! Albert's calling.]

[He's calling?] George was confused.

[I told him my number, bye!]

[Oh, bye!]

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

[Hi Albert. You rang?]

[Yes. You didn't pick up, I was getting worried I had the wrong number.]

[I think it makes more sense for me not to pick up. There's always the risk that someone's hacked the phone system.]

[You're probably right. But what if I need to pretend that we're normal people?]

[Well, you could give me a couple of rings, ring off and then ring back. Then I'll know you need to talk. Or I could try and call you a bit quicker.]

[Were you busy?]

[Just talking to Karen and George.]

[Any progress from your end?]

[Well, George has been going to the same church for almost all his time in protection. Unpredictable routes and things, but still getting there. So that's either special treatment, or I should have asked ages ago.]

[That's good news. My news isn't so good, I'm afraid, but it's not a disaster, either.]

[Oh?]

[My parents liked the idea of visiting churches there. They're going to come too. What they're actually going to to is politely request all the churches to meet in one place — probably a sports arena — but that'll take too long to organise for this Sunday.]

[Oh. So, I don't see you the day after tomorrow?]

[No. But since they'll be there, I can just put on jeans and a T-shirt and mingle.]

[What if you're spotted?]

['Excuse me, are you Prince Albert?' 'Oh, people ask that all the time. I guess I must look like him.']

[And you can get away with it?]

[Usually.]

[What if you don't.]

['You are him, aren't you?' 'Shh, please don't tell anyone. I'm trying to escape my security detail just for a bit. Isn't there anywhere nearby I can get a good curry beer surprise bunch of flowers for my mum?' depending who I'm talking to.]

[You're outrageous! What do Security say?]

[They know where I am. Special issue panic button — they can query it anytime to find out where I am.]

[That's sensible. Works even if you get gassed or something. Sarah's got an implanted panic button. You too?]

[Yes. Would you object to that much surgery?]

[No. That's not cosmetic, it's just, um, a sensible precaution.]

[I'm glad you see it that way.]

[George suggested I point something out to you, by the way.]

[Oh?]

[He thought you might find it reassuring to be reminded that I can spot assassins a continent away, if I look. And, for the sake of the nation, I will try to keep both of us safe, Albert.]

[George was right. Thank you for telling me that. It's nice to know that no one's going to be able to sneak up on you.]

[I can't look all the time, Albert! But I'll try to remember to check on leaving buildings, that sort of thing. I don't think I can spot drones and things like that, either, but hidden marksmen or people in the crowd with a knife are easy.]

[How does it work? Karen talked about counting dots.]

[I decide what sort of people I'm looking for, and concentrate my mind on where, and then do some kind of thing with my brain which is a bit like relaxing a muscle in my head, or letting out a breath. Then I see glowing dots on a three-dimensional map.]

[Just like that?]

[Yes.]

[And what are you doing now?]

[I'm focussing on your head. If I focussed on your feet I'd know where you are, on your skin and I'd just get an idea of your emotions. If I focussed on you, and you were close, then I'd see everything thats going on in your mind. Karen says we can get longer range if we look at someone's heart — the things that are concerning them, rather than their every thought, I guess. I've never had a need to do that, but it could be useful.]

[You've not practiced much then?]

[No. It's not a toy, I'm using it a lot to talk to you, but that's OK. You've agreed to me using it on you, and there's general agreement — it's fine to stay in contact with people using the gift, especially...]

[Especially?]

[I wasn't referring to us, just people in general, but I realised it might have sounded like I meant us. I was going to say especially when people are engaged or married.]

[We don't know each other well enough to talk much about that yet, do we.]

[Not really. But just so you know, I do find the idea appealing. Hmm, interesting that.]

[I find you appealing too. What's interesting?]

[When I first found out about there being such a thing as the gift. Maria used the analogy of royalty. Did I find the idea of being a royal appealing? Some privilege but lots of responsibility. I said no. Then I found out that I've got the gift and here I am finding out that the idea of eventual extra responsibility isn't scaring me either.]

[Interesting that, indeed. Eliza, I hope you don't mind me prying...]

[We're supposed to be getting to know each other, aren't we? I can always ask you to hold off on something if it's too personal. Ask me anything.]

[Thanks. I've told you I've never had any girlfriends... what about you, any boyfriends?”

[No, Albert. There's just this one guy who keeps telling the press we're not going on dates. He's sort of special to me.]

[Oh, I wonder who that might be. But the question I'm really nervous about asking. When you were a captive...]

[And the question I need to ask you in reply is how much it would matter to you.]

[It would matter a lot, I think. It wouldn't stop me loving you, but I'd find it hard to forgive them, and you know, I've heard that there can be flashbacks and things.]

[They took my wrist unit from me, and my liberty, and once or twice they tied the ropes too tight. Nothing else. They threatened, but nothing happened. Didn't I say this, soon after we met yesterday?]

[I thought you'd said something reassuring along those lines, but I wasn't sure if I'd heard correctly.]

[And it wasn't as important then?]

[No.]

[Because you were fixated on Bella?]

[No, well, maybe.]

[Just wondering... We're 'not officially going out, just talking'. Have you ever been 'not officially going out, just talking' with anyone before?]

[No. I haven't. But... I think I'd rather think of us as 'doing lots of talking in lieu of going out' wouldn't you?]

[{grin} I much prefer that, yes. I'm afraid I haven't been very good at keeping you a secret.]

[Oh? I wouldn't have thought you'd have met many people.]

[No, but I gave too many hints to Karen.]

[Fair enough. I gave too many hints to the entire Emergency Committee.]

[Not my name, I hope.]

[No, but they know you're in witness protection. That's why I suddenly panicked about putting you in danger.]

[I did wonder where that came from.]

[Oh, I forgot, earlier... the minister for religious affairs thinks everyone there would join him in expressing their best wishes for us, and hoping that they get to meet you some day. That was just before Father told them that press interest was bad news since you were in protection, and the minister for justice started talking about drastic surgery, and you being safer without me.]

[I don't think I like the justice minister.]

[Blame me, not him, Eliza, I was the one who got scared for you but my father started wondering if you'd be safer not testifying.]

[I don't think that'll help at all, for the record.]

[Why not?]

[His modus operandi — kidnap relatives of people who upset him once, kill them if they do it again, moving on to a new relative.]

[So why wouldn't you be safer not testifying?]

[Because they almost certainly want my father to testify, not just me. I mean, he's got the real information. I expect I'd be just as much a target if he testifies as if I do it myself. Maybe even more. If he testifies, then he's a former colleague upsetting Ibrahim a lot, so killing me would be a good way of getting back at him. If I testify, I might get elevated to an enemy he'll want to sort out personally.]

[Why does that make you safer?]

[Because he'll want me alive so he can personally burn out my tongue or something. But I don't make a good kidnapping victim any more.]

[Unless he keeps you drugged.]

[Even then, Karen, John, Sarah or any of the others could find me in an instant.]

[Urm. OK. But as a lever he might ignore you if you're too well protected, but if you're an enemy he's not going to, is he?]

[You win some, you lose some. We can always hope that he gets given the death penalty, or put into his uncle's care.]

[I thought his uncle had promised to execute him for treason?]

[Yes, I know. I don't call people evil lightly, Albert. Subject to some miracle of him repenting his sins, it fits him well.]

[You don't think he might?]

[I don't know. Who knows what'll happen between now and then.]

[God does.]

[Yes. That reminds me...]

[Yes?]

[Where do you stand on predestination versus free-will?]

[Do I have to choose? God's in charge, and has predestined us to have moral responsibility for what we do. We think we're free, our decisions are important and he's still in charge.]

[Good answer. I think I'd emphasise God's rule a little more, I mean, if he's keeping all the electrons spinning or whatever they do, then he has to be in total control. But I like your answer. Your turn.]

[For what?]

[Getting to know each other through theological discussion.]

[Oh. OK... Urm... what about God giving spiritual gifts to his church?]

[Urm... Albert... How are we talking?]

[OK, but, this is so weird that it's not even mentioned in Scripture. What about the ones that are? Or, perhaps better, what did you think about them before you got your gift?]

[OK. That's a better question. Before I was kidnapped, I think I believed that God could do miracles, but didn't believe that he'd ever do any in my life. When I was held captive, I really hoped that he would, but I couldn't believe it would really happen. Then it did.]

[How did you escape?]

[I prayed a lot while I was held prisoner. You know, the normal, 'please let me get out of here, God.' I went through a sequence... I started off praying God don't let anything bad happen to me. Then, don't let me be raped, even if they do beat me, a few days later it was don't let me lose my sanity if they do rape me, then that I wouldn't kill myself if I did go mad, then by the end I prayed that I'd stay faithful whatever happened.]

[Wow. That's powerful. It sounds like you were... I don't know, growing up is totally the wrong word. Maturing, getting your priorities right?]

[I guess so. Near the end I told God that I wanted to serve him heart, mind, body and soul. Two days later while I was tied to the water pipe, they had a big argument which I somehow understood bits of, and when they came to check on my ropes the guy thought about putting the car keys in his pocket back where they should be on the hook in the hall, and I understood that too. Then he was so upset about the argument and worried about the keys that he didn't do my knots up properly. I slipped my knots while they were arguing some more, stole the only working car, and got found by some soldiers, just before the fuel ran out in the car. They'd known where to find me because Karen had found where I was, even before I'd escaped.]

[Eliza, when was this?]

[Kidnapped on the seventeenth of July, escaped on the fourteenth of August. Why?]

[Well {embarrassment} I've been praying occasionally for the woman I'd marry.]

[That's a nice thought.]

[Just I've got a note in my prayer diary for early July which says: prayed for F.W. to know God's protection and blessing. F.W stands for future wife.]

[Well that's pretty standard.]

[Yes. Then a week later on the 16th: prayed (2am) for F.W. to stay safe if she's in trouble.]

[Two in the morning? What were you doing up then?]

[I'd woken up, couldn't sleep until I'd prayed.]

[I see.]

[Then, a couple of weeks after that: prayed for F.W. to value life and grow deeper in her faith.

Then, I've got: 5am, prayed for F.W. to trust God for everything and serve him whole-heartedly.]

[Any date on that entry?]

[Hmmm. Yes there is.]

[Come on, Albert.]

[August 11th.]

[And on the 12th I prayed that God would help me to serve him.]

[Yes. Interesting isn't it?]

[When did you start praying for... your future wife?] Eliza asked.

[A few years ago, I'd heard someone suggest it years before, but the idea came back to me that really I should start to do it.]

[I don't supposed you've got a date, have you?]

[I was going to ask you... when did you become a Christian?]

[Four years ago, at a Christmas service. Why?]

[That's what I prayed for first: that if you weren't a Christian you'd turn to Christ and if you were that you'd stay close to him.]

Eliza heard the switch. [You're sure it's me?]

[Well, I did pray that prayer for about three months until Christmas four years ago, at which time I felt that perhaps I'd prayed it enough.]

[I started going to Church after Mum died. That was the end of September. Thank you for praying for my salvation, Albert.]

[God's good. God's so very good, Eliza.]

[Yes. He is. He blesses us far more than we know. Albert?]

[Yes?]

[Don't stop praying for me, just because you've met me, please. And just because I prayed some intense prayers and have a scary gift, don't assume that I'm perfect, please.]

[I won't.]

[How can I pray for you?]

[Wisdom, maturity in the faith. I've been praying for you to grow wise, but I've not done so well myself.]

[I'll pray that, certainly.]

[Can I tell my Mother, about the answered prayers?]

[Yes, Albert. I'd be very happy for you to. I've never kept a prayer diary, perhaps I should.]

[I'm glad I did.]

[Me too.]

[It's nice to meet you after all these years, Eliza.]

[It's nice to know you've been praying for me. And I do like that name you prayed for me by, too. Very much.]

[It certainly solves one thing.]

[What's that?]

[I can't very well say we should break up and stop getting involved now, can I?]

[Well, we might decide to wait a few decades.] Eliza counter-argued.

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[Would you want to?] Albert asked, surprised.

[No, of course not. You?]

[No.]

[Albert... I think you should know how gracious God's been... it's a bit of a confession.]

[What is it?]

[Well, if I did have a prayer diary, mine would have been fairly empty over the past weeks.]

[Really? Why?]

[Silly! Because I've not been praying much.]

[I'd understood that. Why haven't you been praying?]

[Oh sorry, I shouldn't have called you silly. Because my life was changing so much and it was all God's fault, I think, that was part of it, but mostly it was because (I now realise) I'd got quite depressed about my Dad. You know, I'd been hoping that one day I'd get to know him — that's how I got lured into the trap, by the way. Then on the day I escaped, Maria comforted me with the thought that my Dad had been distraught about me, while causing havoc and mayhem.]

[That's not particularly comforting.]

[No. She didn't really want to tell me, but I could hear her dithering.]

[Maria? Dithering? That's shocking.]

[Looking back on it, it must have been terrible for her. She wanted to tell me that I could count on her, not just as ambassador's wife but as my aunt. But she knew what her brother was like and knew that if she told me part then the whole was going to come out. And I told her that I had the power and knew she was struggling to decide to tell me something.]

[Oh. So you forced her hand.]

[Yes. I did. I discovered that I wasn't as un-shockable as I'd thought I was.]

[So you got your freedom and lost your hope of a good relationship with your father in quick succession?]

[Yes. The final nail in the coffin was when Maria arranged a video call for me. He was surprised to see me with Maria, and in order to 'protect me from her lies and distortions' he told me about his motives for planning a new world order with him as supreme leader. It wasn't particularly rational.]

[Ouch.]

[So, yes. Not much hope for a good father-daughter relationship there. And then to top it off, it seemed that everyone I met was newly married or on the way towards wedded bliss, while I was locked away not meeting anyone, the world was ending, and Kate warned me that I shouldn't be looking for a husband in any of those circumstances. Everyone else gets wonderful relationships, I lose the one I'd hoped for for years and get told that I'm still too emotionally unstable to think of forming any.]

[So.. jealousy?]

[Yes. On the way to the palace, Sarah was explaining how she can't cope with crowds unless John was with her.]

[Why's that?]

[It's an odd variant on the power — she hears too many intentions, which turn into pain in crowds. If John's with her then he can sort of blot it out by 'smothering it in his love for her' or something equally romantic. I was almost sick with envy and how soppy it sounded to me, and said so.]

[Just before we met?]

[Yes. Then John reminded me that I really ought to pray, Sarah told me they loved me too, which I did need to hear, and then Karen modified a cultural blessing for me, which was... very comprehensive. I really did feel loved. It was so.. healing, I guess. So I prayed that God would help me to know what he wanted me to do, and that I would be able to stop worrying about the whole relationship thing and trust it to him. I got out of that transit a whole lot more sane and at peace than when I got in, I can tell you.]

[I knew Bella was coming, and was confused about what I felt for her. I didn't want to fall in love with a non-Christian, no matter how close she was to that decision. So, I prayed that I'd find something in Bella that I didn't like if she wasn't the one, and that I'd meet my future wife soon, and that when we met we'd both be right with God.]

[And what did you find in Bella? Her joy in beating up thugs?]

[Yes.]

[When did you pray that?]

[When I woke up yesterday morning.]

[Thank you for praying that I'd be right with God. I'd have struggled today if I hadn't been.]

[And thank you for not giving up on us easily. Oh. I've got to go. My parents are calling. I love you, my future wife.]

[I love you too, my future husband.]

[Hey, does this make us engaged?]

[Probably not. Just... aware that we will be one day. Go on!]

[I'm going, don't worry!]

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

8.30PM

“Mother, Father, you called? Hello Maria.”

“We've been discussing what to do about Eliza and the trial, Albert.” the queen informed him.

“Oh. Any conclusions?”

“We'd like to hear your thoughts about the options first, Albert. We can see several options, all of which avoid her being in the public eye quite so much. She could make a affidavit before the international court's representative, she could testify live by phone but anonymously, she could testify over a video link, with her face masked from the press, or she could just not testify at all.” the king said.

“I've just been talking to her... she told me she should testify, and that it wouldn't change the security situation much, or might actually improve it. I'd value your thoughts on that, Maria.”

“How does she come to that conclusion?” Maria asked.

“She pointed out that she was held prisoner to ensure her father's good behaviour, and assuming that he testifies then she's a target, probably for some anonymous assassin. On the other hand if she testifies then she's likely to be someone that Ibrahim wants to deal with personally, but that she's not a good person to try to kidnap now.”

“Well, that has a certain amount of logic to it.” Maria agreed. “Unfortunately, my brother will probably not be testifying.”

“Oh?”

“He was removed from court today to a secure psychiatric unit.”

“What about the trial?”

“The prosecution was closing their case and he dismissed his defense lawyer and shouted 'Of course I did all that, you imbeciles, how else could I gain the throne? The ends justifies the means. You're all inferior beings anyway, and your lives mean nothing, you should be bowing and scraping before me.' The court decided that that constituted a full and frank agreement with the prosecution case, that he's a dangerous megalomaniac-psychopath.”

“Oh. Is that going to be in the press?”

“I expect so. Bella's been informed, so she'll be telling Eliza soon, I'm sure.”

“Oh. How important does that make Eliza's testimony?”

“Fairly. We've got people from his country that Ibrahim kidnapped, and people here that he bribed. Eliza's testimony adds evidence that he's got a long reach and isn't just sticking to things at home.”

people here that he bribed. Eliza's testimony adds evidence that he's got a “I'm sure she'll want to testify then. I presume that the only issue is the press, am I right?”

“Pretty much, yes. You understand why she shouldn't be publicly associated with you until after the trial?”

“Harming her evidence, she said, but I'm not really sure how.”

“The defence would probably make attempts to blacken her character, make out that she was there of her own free will, because she's after a celebrity husband.”

“Oh.” the prince realised how damaging that could be, to both of them.

“We've got medical data to prove that she was tied a long time, so it's not a very real threat.”

“And if she testified in person that's better than a written testimony?”

“Far more powerful. However she testifies, there's no difference as far as Ibrahim is concerned — he didn't have many international hostages, after all. He's going to know it's her. But the question is really what it does to her image here and abroad. Does making the fact of her being kept hostage public make her come across as the victim who's grown stronger through her experiences or does it somehow damage her in the eyes of the people? Or does it do both?”

The queen offered “My expectation is that if people know, they will think she's been harmed. Either physically or emotionally. It'll take a lot of proving otherwise before people are fully confident in her.”

“Our public reticence about her could add to that, couldn't it?” the King said.

“Possibly.” agreed Maria.

“So, on one hand, we could go for a bold statement, this is who she is, there's her dad in the secure facility, this is what happened to her and why. God strengthened her through it, and she's been certified sane. But that might hurt her testimony and somehow it might blacken her character. Or we could ask her to use her mother's name, keep low key, hide the fact she was hostage for a month, and hope it doesn't come out. Is that the choice, really?” Albert asked.

Maria winced: “I hope not. I was more hoping for a bold statement and then obscurity, but that's doomed to failure.”

“Well, I could name her, tell the world how we feel about each other, and then leave the press trying to break your secure arrangements for her.” Albert offered.

“Albert, you haven't even told us! All you said yesterday is that you'd be talking, and that you were getting along well.” the queen said, “Today you went awfully quiet in the committee, and you've been hiding in your room ever since the press briefing.”

“We've been talking... I got a bit of a shock from what the justice minister said.”

“I'm afraid that Bella's rattled on you, your highness.” Maria said.

“Oh? What did she say?” the king asked.

Maria asked Albert “Would you like me to answer that, highness, or would you like to?”

“I think I can stand it. I've been talking to Eliza a lot since, anyway.”

“Then I'll read what my agent wrote. First note: 'Client seriously unhappy at the moment due to A. breaking up with her because of threats. E. denies his logic. Frustrated about not being able to convince him otherwise, due to timing.' Second note: 'Client peaceful, issue apparently resolved, but wants to go to church. Leak from somewhere about her being on committee, links with institute, possibly thought-reader.' Third note:

'Client tells me article withdrawn, she's smiling, with eyes shut, obviously busy.'”

“I didn't know she shuts her eyes too.” Albert said, with a smile.

“So, you've been talking to her most of the day?” the queen asked.

“Not when she was doing her essay, and only a sentence or two during the press conference.”

“Albert, would you like to update us then?” asked the king “You tried to break off for her protection?”

“Yes, but she's totally averse to surgery, wants to keep her name, and is planning to testify. So, the only extra threat if she's seen with me is what anyone I'm seen with would experience. I didn't try to argue very hard.”

“You'd have probably lost, anyway.” Maria commented.

“The most recent news is that she's told me about how she became a Christian, and when, and other key events which tie in quite well with my prayer diary.”

“With your prayer diary?” his father asked “What's that?”

“It's a little pad I keep... I write down what I pray for, when.”

“So how does that relate to Eliza?”

“September four years ago I started praying for my future wife to start going to church and to come to faith if she wasn't already a Christian, or to get serious with God if she was. Eliza started going to church just after her mother died, September four years ago. I felt I should pray about something else for her at Christmas time. That's when Eliza became a Christian. And so on.”

“It could be a coincidence.” his father said.

“It could be. But there were quite a lot of other times which matched, too.”

“So, you've asked her to marry you?” the queen asked.

“Not yet. But we're quite sure I'll ask one day.” The prince replied, confidently.

“Face to face?” the queen asked.

“I think that's better, yes.”

“Of course it is.” Maria agreed. “Thank you for your openness your highness, it helps us plan. Urm... has she mentioned the term feedback to you?”

“No.” Albert said. The queen raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

“Your Majesties... once the two youngsters start spending time together, then I don't think you should expect them to campaign for a long engagement. Quite the opposite in fact. I managed to get hold of the video from John and Sarah's wedding. What you can see is that they almost totally avoid contact until they're told to kiss, and when John is putting the ring on Sarah's finger he sort of wobbles a bit, as though he's under quite a bit of mental strain. I understand that he had to hide his thoughts at that point.”

“I'm sorry, Maria, I don't understand.” the queen said.

“They love each other and when they touch they become aware of the other's love and that stirs their love for each other more. And so on. Karen told me that they felt like they were only kissing for a second or two, but it was over half a minute. That, your majesties, is the effect of what they call feedback. A total emotional involvement, brought about by skin to skin contact, and making them relatively oblivious to anything but each other.”

“Sounds fun.” the queen said, with a wicked grin at her husband.

Albert turned red.

“Yes, after the wedding, I'm sure it is. Beforehand, it is apparently far more rapid and a bigger risk to self control than simple biology. Karen and George were wondering about marrying before the end of the summer break.”

“They only got engaged in the middle of August.” the queen said.

“Yes, maam. Sarah and John got married six weeks after falling in love.”

“Surely that's too fast!” the queen exclaimed.

“They both have the gift, Maam, they didn't need much time to get to know each other very well. Perhaps it will be different for Albert and Eliza, being apart so much.”

“Or perhaps not.” the king said “Thank you for your warning, Maria. Albert, any thoughts?”

“I doubt the trial will be over in six weeks, but by the sound of it we might not care. Seriously, though, before the impact we'll have other things to worry about. Afterwards... I don't know how that will work either. A big royal wedding while people are without a home sounds like it'll be offensive.”

Maria made a decision.

“Your majesties, I have a suggestion. If Eliza makes a affidavit before a court official, then in many ways witness protection can relax. She's made her affidavit, her part in the trial is mostly done, unless they call her during the trial for clarification, but she'll have given her evidence and been questioned on it already. Her evidence will be weakened a little by going public, but I think we can weather it. So at that point, she can come out of hiding, support the prince in his public duties, wow the press, and you can plan a wedding. We really have no idea how long the UN court will decide to take collecting and collating the evidence. I'd have thought they'd have finished by now, personally, but all his posturing seems to be making them drag their feet.”

The king said “I approve. I approve of young Eliza, and I approve of getting her out of this situation. Let's let the public have something other than an impending disaster to think about. Albert, would you like to try and convince her to accept this?”

“How long would it take for it to be all organised?” He asked.

“A few days, maybe a week.” Maria said “Not in time for church on Sunday.”

“I'll call her.” he said, tapping his wrist unit.

[Hi, Albert!] she answered immediately.

[Pick up, please!]

[OK.]

“Hello Albert, long time no chat.”

“Eliza, Maria's here, with a suggestion. And a warning about feedback. You're on speaker, by the way.”

“I'm all ears.” [Feedback between us?]

[Yes. Short engagements are recommended, I understand.] “We were talking about what's best for the country and the trial. And my prayer diaries. She suggests that, since we're that serious, then in order to stop the idle speculation and rumour-mongering, you could come out of hiding before the trial. Make an affidavit, and you're done with your witness bit. Then the people can get to know you and see, before the trial and your kidnapping becomes public knowledge, that you're not damaged by it. And if they try to attack your character then we can say that it's understandable that they want to defend their client's interests, but treat it like the false accusations that it would be.”

“I'd be happy to be out of protection soon, but what would that do to how seriously the court takes my evidence?”

“Maria?” Albert asked.

“Hi, Eliza, you're obviously an important witness in terms of the size of his network, but there was enough to convict him before we knew about you. I don't think that it'll harm things too much. Quite frankly I'd like to get you out of witness protection into the public gaze as quickly as possible. Someone's leaked stuff about you to one reporter, they're bound to try again. That sort of stuff is going to make Bella's job impossible if we're trying to hide you. I've been telling Bella to think of moving jobs, a spell at royal protection might be an easy step for her to make, if you're both willing.”

“Urm, yes. We get on OK.”

“Wonderful.”

“Eliza,” the queen chipped in, “Albert has pointed out that a royal wedding soon after the impact would be insensitive. The country's going to be struggling to pay for the rebuilding project for a long time, years, probably. No matter how little the wedding costs, there will be grumbles.”

“Yes, Maam, I understand. 'How can they afford all that food when... etcetera'”

“Good. So, fully aware that it's much too soon to be asking you this, I'd personally appreciate you and Albert discussing your plans quite soon. Do you want to wait years, or shock everyone with unseemly haste? Don't answer now. At least wait until you've had some time together at church on Sunday.”

“Yes, Maam. I think we can do that.” [Albert, it's too soon, but I don't think I want to wait years.

February is too close to the impact, what do you think about mid-January? ]

[Ditto. I just hope you'll wear something sensible.]

Eliza decided to ask Maria, “Maria, in view of her Majesty's question, how sensible would the dress be for a mid-January wedding? I think February is getting too close to the impact.”

“Entirely unsuitable on its own, Eliza, like many wedding dresses. But I'm sure that a shawl could be found that would match it.”

“Thank you, Maria. Your Majesties, we've just had a little discussion and neither of us want to wait years. We'll confirm it after Sunday, but I think that the shawl answers Albert's only objection so far. So I think that we can anticipate a mid-January wedding, except for the little formality of him asking me. But I'm fairly sure he'll get round to it before Christmas.”

“Eliza, give me a chance!” Albert protested, but the queen laughed. “Well, that helps us plan, anyway. Any particular reason for mid-January?”

“My only motive was that nearer to the impact we'll have quite a lot of work to do, but we do want to allow some time for the people to get used to the idea.”

“Not to mention us.” Albert said.

“Well, yes, a little longer might have been nice, but we can always finish the getting to know each other over the following weeks.”

The king laughed. “It takes more than weeks, Eliza. Don't worry, no one really knows their spouse until years after the wedding.”

“Mother, Father, how long do we give the public to know of Eliza as my girl-friend before we announce an engagement?”

“I think, Albert, that it's up to you.” The King said. “Obviously the press are going to be mad with curiosity if you mention Eliza but she's still in witness protection.”

“Shouldn't we tell them, though? It would explain why they've not seen us together,” Eliza asked. “I mean, if Albert announced that they'd be able to meet me later in the week, after I was out of witness protection, obviously no details about the case, then we can tell them that we've been doing a lot of talking, but that he's not been going on dates with me because I wasn't allowed out much.”

“I'm not really sure...” began the Queen, then changed her mind. “Actually, yes, it's probably good. It lets them guess that the relationship has been going on longer than they know about.”

“And we don't comment on when or how we first met?” Albert suggested.

“That would be wise, highness.” Maria said. “Otherwise they might wonder at such a speedy wedding.”

“Oh, they'll probably wonder that anyway.” Albert said. “I don't think there'd be a problem with us saying that we decided to bring it forward because of the impact, would there?”

“Well, from recent history if there's such a thing as a normal length of a prince's engagement, I'd say it's six months.” Eliza said. “We're a little short of that, and as for the years of press speculation about if or when the dating couple will get engaged... Some people are going to feel cheated, I expect.”

“Well, you could always wait a couple of years.” suggested the queen. “It is an important decision, after all. Eliza you could finish your studies, Albert could...”

“Struggle against this feedback Maria told us about, and generally get impatient.” Albert interjected.

“There is that.” she conceded.

“Maria,” Eliza said “If the engagement is fresh news, then the attention won't be on the couple it should be at Karen's wedding, so for Karen's sake, my feeling is that we should be established in the public gaze as engaged before her wedding. Would you agree?”

“Thank you, Eliza, for that thought. I'm not sure how you avoid it, though. There's only just over three weeks to go.”

“That's at least partly up to Albert. I'll just have a little discussion with him.” Eliza said. [Albert, when are you planning to propose?]

[I really really want to do it in person, Eliza.]

[I see three options. We wait a week or two, which means that Karen's wedding is full of people looking at us, not her. I don't want to do that to her. The other two aren't exactly ideal either: we announce a three week engagement after Karen's wedding, or we say that we know we're going to get married, and get engaged before we're really ready. It would be far easier to have this conversation if it were settled in our minds which one we want to do.]

[I agree. So, in order that we can be fully settled in our minds... do you have any plans tomorrow?]

[I think I do, but can I put them on hold, so that I can say yes to a life-changing question?]

[You saying yes would make me very happy.]

[Me too. I love you.]

[But we'll need a ring.]

[It's not that much of a rush, Albert. Not as important as you asking. But, Sarah's family were jewelers. She's got contacts, and she's come up with a process where they can make a diamond hold data, say as an I.D. chip. I'm not sure if that's really important, but I'm sure that her friend with the shop wouldn't object to a little royal custom. I wouldn't want anything very showy anyway. Don't go ordering a bespoke ring that'll take weeks, please!]

[Thanks for that lead, it might be useful, but I've also got another idea that I'll ask my parents about. I don't suppose you know what ring size you are?]

[No. Should I bully Bella into letting me visit Sarah? I'm pretty sure that she's got the things to measure me.]

[That sounds like a good idea. Do you think you could find out tonight? I'll float the idea of me making a trip tomorrow.]

[And I'll speak to Sarah, to see if she's OK with a late night visit. You really want to know tonight?]

[Yes, please. Well, if it's possible.]

“Mother, Father, would it be OK if I went on a little trip tomorrow? There's something I'd like to ask Eliza. I had thought I'd wait until I see her on Sunday week, but really, Church isn't the right place.”

“Oh the impetuousness of youth!” exclaimed the king “You've only known her a couple of days, Albert!”

“I seem to remember that you'd only known me for twenty-four hours, love.” the queen said.

“Ah, but that was different. We had a decently long engagement, and I'd noticed you before-hand, and I'd seen you talking to that other guy. I didn't want to lose you.”

“Not very different,” the Queen replied, “and 'that other guy' was my boss, as I've told you lots of times before. Go ahead Albert, if you're really absolutely sure.”

“I'm sure.” he confirmed.

“Son, you're crazy. What about a ring?” asked his father.

“This is where I ask Eliza to go and talk to Sarah about what size finger she has, and I see if my idea finds merit with my parents.”

“O.K. I'll contact Sarah and leave you to your secret plans, Albert.”

“Thank you, Eliza. I love you.”

“I love you too. Talk to you again soon.” He closed the connection on his wrist unit.

“Well, Albert what is it?” his father asked.

“Eliza will be wearing Sarah's dress. The last member of our branch of the family to do that was great-grandma. I wondered if Eliza should have great-grandma's ring.”

“It's not the most impressive ring.” his mother pointed out.

“No, but simplicity is coming back in fashion. Eliza's just said she wouldn't want anything very showy.” Albert replied.

“There used to be ear-rings to go with it. That's where the glitter really was. But they were given away, I think.” The king said.

“They were.” Maria confirmed. “To my grandmother. Karen's going to wear them at her wedding, but if Eliza will have the ring, then think it would be very appropriate for her to have them too. I'll discuss it with Karen.”

The king said, “If we pointed this out to the press, it would certainly emphasize that although there's not been a marriage between the branches, we've tried to keep in touch with each other. And that Eliza's got other family members as well as a dangerous criminal.”

“I take it that your brother won't be at the wedding?” The queen asked Maria.

“Not unless Eliza really really pushes for it.”

“I don't think that's likely.” Albert said. “She's said that they were never at all close, even before she found out about his criminality. But it needs to be discussed, so I'll ask her. I think it should be tomorrow.”

“I agree.” His mother said.

[Albert?] Eliza called.

[Hi Eliza! Any news?]

[Sarah's a bit busy. Does it need to be tonight?]

[Not really. Not at all, in fact. I was just hoping to find out if the ring I'm planning to give you fits.]

[I'll tell her, then you can explain about this ring.]

[I will, but let me surprise you tomorrow, first, OK?]

[Oh. All right!]

“I think he's talking to his beloved again.” Albert heard queen say.

“Did I miss something?” Albert asked.

“Yes. Maria was asking if she could go and set things in motion.”

“Sorry. Eliza called.”

“We guessed.” His mother said, with a forgiving smile.

“I don't think there's more to discuss, except that I would like to go with Eliza to church on Sunday... Would that be possible? I was thinking that Karen could introduce her as her cousin, I'd be her fiancé who's always getting told he looks like prince Albert.”

“It might work, highness, but if so then it'll be the last time you use that pretense. The gossip columnist who linked Eliza to the institute goes to the same church, remember? We can ask her not to talk about the institute, but not about what she's seen and heard at church. ”

“Oops. I suppose we could visit another church.”

“You could, but with respect, sir, I think it'd be better to wait until she's not in hiding before you go anywhere with her in public.”

[I tend to agree, Albert. You'll see me tomorrow, then we'll see how long the court thing takes. It could just be a couple more days.]

“Very well, Maria. I don't want to make your job too hard.”

“Thank you your Highness. May I depart, your majesties?”

“Of course, Maria. You've got a lot of work to do.”

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

SATURDAY, 25TH NOVEMBER, 9 A.M.

After taking an early hypersonic transit and a somewhat circuitous route, just in case, Prince Albert found himself being ushered into a staff lift behind a department store.

“What's here?” He asked the agent as the lift door closed behind them.

“High security meeting room, on the top floor, sir.”

“Owned by Security?”

“No sir, the I.H.M. have the controlling share. We've been lent it. I understand it's quite pleasant and almost as secure as the palace.”

“That's encouraging.”

[Don't be too shocked, Albert, but my memory slipped up a bit. You're going to meet the rest of the committee, later on, unless you run away.] Eliza said.

[Oh. But I will get some time alone with you?]

[Oh yes. Don't worry, they don't get here until about eleven.]

[O.K. I don't think I want to run away, then.]

[Good.]

The lift opened to show him the owner's lounge. He stepped into the room and took in the view. Elegant but not overly ornate furniture which wouldn't be at all out of place at the palace, and standing in the middle, Eliza. This time, which he reminded himself was only their second actual meeting, she wasn't wearing the simple practical clothes that she'd worn on her unexpected trip to the palace. She was in a elegant dress, of a beautiful rich fabric, with her hair carefully arranged. Quite simply put, he found her stunning. He vaguely realised that Bella was there too, but his eyes were fully concentrating on Eliza. There was no question about it, she wouldn't be out of place at the palace either.

“Don't forget to breathe,” she said, obviously pleased at his reaction.

“You're stunning, Eliza.”

“Glad you think so, you're pretty well dressed yourself.”

“I knew you were beautiful, but...”

“But I wasn't very dressed to impress before, I know. I made a bit of an effort today, for some reason.”

“I was impressed before... Today, I'm very glad we didn't decided to delay a few years. I'd have been kicking myself for a fool.”

“Isn't he eloquent, Bella?” Eliza asked, with a smile. [Would you like Bella to play photographer, or leave us alone? — She offered.]

[Mixture.] “Bella Eliza tells me you've offered to photograph us?”

“If you'd like.”

“I think, if Eliza is OK with that, I'd like you to take a picture of me pretending to ask her, and then leave us alone for the real thing. Is that OK?”

“Fine by me. I'm a bit curious about why though.”

“Just some things I'd like to say to her, for her ears only.”

“Oh. Of course.”

“Plus the other benefit is that you're not waiting for any particular moment and can arrange us to make a photo as beautiful as Eliza.”

“Isn't he a flatterer?” Eliza asked.

“I honestly didn't expect anything this fast, that's for sure!” Bella said.

“Your skills as match-maker are obviously beyond measure.” Albert said.

“Can't you give her some kind of official recognition for services to our happiness?”

“I'd have to talk to my parents. Has Maria been in contact yet, Bella?”

“In what context?”

“You changing jobs in a few days time.” He prompted.

“She's send a note that Eliza's coming out of witness protection. Nothing more.”

“Oh.” Albert said.

“You've heard more?” Bella asked.

“Well, we both heard her deciding that a move into royal protection might be good for your career.” Eliza said.

“Royal protection? Me? As in protecting the fiancée to the Crown prince?”

“Yes. I expect there are far more opportunities to subdue miscreants.” Albert said.

“Hmm, yes. And no offence to your cooking, or company Eliza, but I hear that the food and social life are better too.”

“I'm sure they are!” laughed Eliza.

“I had been going to say that I'd miss you. It looks like I won't after all. That'd be nice.”

“Does it count as a promotion?” Albert asked.

“You're kidding me? You don't know? Royal protection is probably the most sought after role I can think of.”

“So, if Maria forgets to move you there, then I'll make sure she remembers. How's that for the first installment of a thank you?”

“Very much appreciated, your highness, thank you.”

“So, photo time?” Eliza asked.

“OK. Which wall as background? Or in silhouette against the windows?”

“I think the wood panels. Could be anywhere, almost.”

“Anywhere with a few hundred years of tradition and a rich original owner.”

Eliza corrected. “I wonder what sort of wood this is. It's certainly not pine, the grain's too close together.”

“I'd guess it's oak.” Albert said, looking at the grain.

“Oak! Wow... Seriously rich. But maybe prices were different then.” Eliza said.

“I expect so. The age of chaos seriously damaged the hardwood forests worldwide. Not many survived. It used to be a building material, even. There are some old old houses still standing which have oak beams.” Albert said.

“Oak is about as expensive as gold, isn't it?” Bella asked.

“No! Far more than pine, of course, but not that expensive. But still, it would be a shame to let this room be demolished by the asteroid.”

“I wonder if the panels could be removed without damaging them too badly.”

Eliza asked.

“Certainly worth asking an expert.” Albert said.

“So, the happy couple in front of untold wealth, for those in the know?” Bella asked.

“Maybe not then.” Eliza decided.

“So, far enough away from it that the panels are out of focus, or against the window?”

“I think not against the window. The glass is semi-silvered, so you'd get reflections with the flash, and we'd be black against the light otherwise.” Albert said.

“So... where?”

“Bella, what do you get in the shot if you stand on the arms of that chair and we stand here?” Eliza asked.

Bella tried, and reported “I don't think you'll like it. The angle's not great. I get a lovely view of the sumptuous carpet, an almost risqué view down the front of your dress, and if the prince kneels then I get to see if he's going bald yet, but not much of his face.”

“As far as I know, I'm not balding, but what do you mean by risqué? I don't like the idea of publishing risqué pictures, but Eliza's dress doesn't strike me as revealing.”

“I might have exaggerated. I'll try one and you be the judges.”

“OK. Albert, do you want to gaze lovingly into my eyes for the camera?”

“I really want to gaze lovingly into your eyes for the week, Eliza, but you've said we've got company coming, so let's try a shot or two.”

He got down on his knees and gazed up at Eliza. He didn't need to fake the adoration on his face.

The camera made the traditional click sound, twice. They continued gazing until Bella asked “Excuse me, I know this is the first chance you've had to do this, but could you decide if this is a good shot, so I can get down from here before I slip?”

“Sorry.” Eliza said, and took the camera. “What do you think Albert?”

“You're beautiful.”

“Thank you, but what about the dress? I see what Bella means.”

“Yes. Perhaps if she was a little lower?”

“I get panels.”

“And if you're low?” Eliza asked.

“What, from almost floor level, looking up?”

“Yes.”

“I expect I see up your nostrils, but I'll give it a go.”

“Don't, It'll look silly.” Albert said. “Let's just go with the panels.”

“You're the prince.”

“Bella, if you don't get all of us, but say, just from Albert's waist up, what does that do to the panels?”

“Hmm, not much of them left. I'll show you.” The camera's loud speaker clicked again.

“Not bad, but I think it looks a little odd.” Albert said.

“OK, lets just go for panels then. You can always trim off the sides.” Bella pointed out.

“We'll probably want to.” Albert agreed.

“That's good, but shouldn't you be holding hands?”

“Probably.” Albert agreed and held Eliza's gloved hands in his.

“Maybe I'm sensitive, but I think that looks like you're avoiding hearing each others thoughts.”

“Oops. Thus publishing the fact that we might be able to?” Eliza asked.

“Exactly.”

They removed their gloves and held hands.

[I do love you, Eliza.]

[I love you too. But we don't know each other very well, do we?]

[No. I've no idea what music you like, or what your favourite food is.]

[Chocolate cake, that's easy. Music.. I'm fairly eclectic. You?]

[Well, I won't say I like everything, but yes, I think I'm fairly eclectic too. I'd actually prefer a pavlova with fresh strawberries on to a chocolate cake, but that's not exactly an all-year dish.]

[Delicious though.]

[Like you in that dress.]

[Hey, I'm not for eating.]

[No, but you're a delight for my other senses.]

[Scent included?]

[I like your perfume.]

[Actually... Bella's. I didn't have any, so she lent me some.]

[Odd! Is it the same one she had on when you came to the palace?]

[I think so. Why?]

[I didn't find it anywhere as nice then as it is on you now.]

[Different people's skin?]

[Maybe. Yours is nicer.]

[You're just saying that because you're holding my hand.]

[What's wrong with holding your hand?]

[Bella's probably said something we didn't hear.]

[Oh well. Shall we break then?]

[I suppose so. I love you Eliza Underwood.]

[{love}]

[How do you send emotions like that? Is it part of the gift?]

[You can't?]

[I don't think so. ]

[I've felt some from you.]

[{confusion} that's odd.]

[You just sent me confusion.]

[I guess it filled my thoughts.]

[Ah. So, you're not as filled with love for me as you think?]

[I think you can be the judge of that, better than I. It's one thing I'd like to ask you about when Bella's gone.]

[Then, let's see if her picture is any good.]

They broke hands, in time to hear Bella say, for the twentieth time.

“Hello? Love-birds? Are you receiving?”

“Sorry Bella, we are now.” Eliza said.

“It's nice you can concentrate so fully on each other, I suppose, but I recommend against holding hands in public. I got about twenty photos, since you were having so much fun. Hopefully one of them is good.”

“Let's see, then we can leave you to investigate the cookers again.” Eliza said.

“You're sure?” Bella asked.

“Of course I am. Just don't get into any fights this week, because I'm afraid, based on what you've just witnessed, that we won't notice.”

“What's this?” Albert asked.

“Last week we met here, and Bella managed to find some thugs to beat up.”

“Just making the streets a safer place.” Bella said.

“Either that or indulging her favourite hobby.” Commented Eliza.

“These photos are great Bella. Thanks.”

“I'd say set an alarm clock or something, so that the others don't burst in on your romantic idyll, but I suspect you won't notice it anyway.”

“Go and shop, Bella! You're enjoying this too much.” Eliza said.

“Of course I'm enjoying it, you make a lovely couple, and I guess I'm a romance fan. Bye!” She waved from the lift door and disappeared.

“So, Albert, what do you want to ask me and tell me?”

“First, Eliza, I want to ask you if you would please look in my mind and know me better, before you answer. I think I love you, but as you say, it doesn't fill my mind. I don't think I'm just in love with the idea of being in love. You're beautiful, and I want you to be my wife. I guess, I'm just not sure what it does to us if we marry too quickly.”

“You think you're worrying too much?”

“I'd like an expert opinion.”

“I think I'm a bit concerned, too. But on the other hand, we know what we're going into, roughly speaking. There are going to be massive changes in our lives, enormous stresses, and we're probably going to have some arguments. The real question, I guess, is will we argue so much that we can't work things out.”

“I... I guess so. But... divorce is not an option.”

“No. it isn't. But that doesn't mean a rushed marriage will be easy.”

“We could delay,” Albert said. “but I'm greedy: I don't want to.”

“And you'd like me to scan your thoughts and make the decision about whether you're driven by loneliness, greed, love or duty?”

“I guess so.”

“And you ask this to protect me, or you, or both of us?”

“Both of us, I think. Why do you ask?”

“Because.... I don't know. I guess because I'm not sure I matter.”

“Of course you matter, Eliza!”

“Not as much as the state, not as much as preparing the country for the impact, not as much as obeying God's will. I will scan you, Albert, for your benefit. But can we pray first?”

“Of course!” he bowed his head and prayed “Father God, give us wisdom, peace, and strength to make the right choice. Don't let us rush into marriage if it isn't your will. Help Eliza to know how she should answer, to answer according to her wisdom and understanding, not just on what she feels is expected of her, or flawed logic. Amen.”

“So, how do you want to do this?” She asked.

“Like this, Eliza.” He got on to one knee and said “I ask that you know me truly, and see me as the jumble of thoughts and emotions that I am. I offer my current love and my future love, my joys, fears, torments and excitement; my surname; eventual position; and my duty, asking only in return what God requires of all married couples, that we submit to each other and put each other first. I will seek to love you as Christ loved his church, but I know I am weak. Will you accept what I am and consent to marry me, Eliza?”

Eliza, was a little overawed at the long speech when she'd expected a simple 'Will you marry me?', but she focussed on him and relaxed in that special way. He was a jumble of emotions, but she tried to take in all that she could. Focussing on peace she sought to analyse what she'd seen, but she focussed far too deeply, and before she could correct herself her legs had given way.

Albert caught her and held her before she could fall and his heart filled with worry. What had happed? She returned to the normal world almost as he'd brought her to a stop, with her head cradled on his left arm and his right around her holding her close. She felt his concern as he looked at her face. [I'm fine Albert, I just disconnected a little too much.]

[{reliefconcernlove} Are you sure, my love?]

[I'm sure.] and she adjusted herself a little so she was sitting on his knee. [That's better! Now, if it's OK with you, I'll stay here while I look at what I saw. I like you holding me;] it was a secure feeling, she noticed.

[Of course, you're not heavy.{love}]

[I'll be back soon!]

As he cradled her seemingly unconscious body he marveled at her beauty and the trust that Eliza was demonstrating in him. Thoughts that might have been temptations disgusted him as he rejected them wholeheartedly. He would not abuse her trust. His heart was filled with a new determination to watch over her and protect her when her mind was elsewhere. She was so vulnerable like this, he felt, and he treasured her all the more.

As Eliza sorted through what she'd seen in his thoughts, she saw that his words had been right, he tried to be a godly man, but he felt he didn't deserve someone who, he was sure, was as holy as her. Her gift marked her as special, amazing, fragile. He wanted to love her just for that, she saw, but his physical attraction towards her was powerful and he felt that wasn't as pure. She became aware of how she was probably putting temptation in his way by resting in his arms like this, and so withdrew a little from the peace, just in case. As she did she heard his disgust at the temptation and his decision to protect her. He'd won that battle and she realised that she loved him all the more for it. She pondered more. He didn't really feel ready for marriage, she saw, but then, nor did she. They'd not known each other long enough. But the middle of January was still weeks away, and their engagement would mean that they could spend more time together. She saw how valuable that was going to be. Thinking together was important, but he'd seen so little about the way that she reacted, the way she laughed, the danger signs she might give if she didn't like something. They needed time together, but he worried about that too. What about her studies? Well, Eliza, what about them? In some ways they were as important as ever, more so, even. But, she was a realist. She'd only be able to work on them part time. She wasn't sure if the university would allow her to make that change. But then, if they didn't, more fool them, she decided. She could carry on her research with or without the university. The certificate wasn't really an important part of her chosen career path. Her new chosen career path; what an interesting description for marriage, but it fitted. She wasn't just going to marry a handsome prince and live a fairy-tale existence. She was going to have to work hard, to the glory of God. Perhaps she should think of the adoration of the handsome prince as a perk of the job. Thanking God as she felt her remaining doubts vanish, she opened her eyes to the physical world once more. Adoration indeed, she felt it washing over her like a flood; she had no difficulty hearing the love in his thoughts now.

And she loved him. Looking into his eyes she said, “Albert, I will marry you. I don't think we need to wait a long time.”

“I think I should let you go now, though.” he said.

“Really? I like you holding me like this.”

“Yes, but very soon I'm going to find the urge to kiss you overwhelming.”

“Oh. Well. I think that's allowed, in the circumstances.”

“I'm a bit worried about that feedback thing.”

“I can feel your love for me already. No feedback.”

“And I can feel yours. No contact either, as far as I can tell.”

“There must be!” Eliza protested.

“Only through our clothes. I let go of your hands to catch you.”

“Hmm. Then perhaps you're right. Let's stand up so we can separate more easily if we need to.” she said, but didn't move.

“I hope I can kiss you without feedback.”

“We can always hide our thoughts.” Suggested Eliza.

“Should we, rather than risk it?”

“I think, you're right. Especially how I'm feeling right now. I didn't know it was possible to feel this strongly.”

“Perhaps we are experiencing feedback but just don't know it yet?”

“I don't know. Without contact? But maybe we do, actually.”

“How?”

“The fabric of my dress — in some lights it's a bit shiny, maybe it's got metallic threads.”

[Can you hear me, then Eliza?]

[Yes. I do.]

[So we have contact.]

[And maybe what we'll eventually call feedback, at the moment isn't so bad.]

[So may I kiss you, my beloved?]

[I would like that a lot, Albert.]

Albert kissed her, and with the better contact the feedback increased so quickly he dropped her in panic. He felt his heart would explode otherwise.

“Oh, I'm sorry Eliza. Are you OK?”

“My fault. We should have hidden.” she said, sitting up from her undignified position on the floor. “Nice soft carpet here.”

“Let me help you up, my love.” They touched hands and let go immediately.

Eliza laughed. “This is silly Albert! We can't love each other so much we can't touch!”

“Let's hope it's the context.”

“Yes, you and me deciding that we love each other and thinking of marriage. Help me up, Albert, I'm hiding.”

“Your wish is my command, my love.”

He helped her up and as she stood she surprised him by stepping into his embrace. “I love you very much Albert, and I do want that kiss.”

He didn't bother to answer that with words.

“Don't hide too long. Eliza.” he said, a little later.

“I know. I need to come out, don't I?”

“Yes, love. And I need to see if a certain ring fits you.”

“Hmm, yes, you were going to tell me all about it.”

“So, are you unhidden now?”

“Not yet.” and she stole one more quick kiss before trying to get out of the mud that she'd hidden in. It wasn't easy, but she managed eventually.

“That... wasn't pleasant.”

“What, the mud?”

“Yes. quite sticky.”

“No wonder people don't like long engagements.”

“Yes. We're going to have to be creative in public, aren't we?” Eliza said.

“What, all those public signs of affection that people expect to see?”

“Yes.”

“Well, at least it's not summer, so gloves aren't going to be too obvious.”

“That's true.” She agreed. “At least when we're outside.”

Albert fished in his pocket. “Eliza, I've no idea if it fits right now, but as a token of our love, I'd like you to wear this ring.” He presented her with the open box, which he realised was itself made from walnut wood — not quite as rare as oak, but almost.

“I'd be very happy to, Albert. It's old isn't it?”

“Yes. Not as old as this room, though. It was my Great-grandmother's ring.”

“Queen Beatrix?”

“Yes. The last member of my branch of the family to wear the dress. It seemed fitting to me. There were ear-rings to go with it, but they passed to your branch of the family.”

“To my branch? You mean Maria has them?”

“Yes. Karen will be wearing them at her wedding, apparently, but Maria thought that you might want to too.”

“Proclaiming my family history through dress and jewelery?” Eliza said, “That's a lovely idea, Albert.”

“Yes. That brings an awkward question though.”

“My father?”

“Yes.”

“I don't know him, and I don't know the distorted version of reality he lives in, where killing people is no worse than swatting a fly. If he wasn't locked away for the good of society, maybe I'd let him be present, if I didn't believe that he'd talk more of his poisonous lies. But I do believe he would and he is locked away. I don't want him there.”

“I can't say I'm very surprised. But thank you for being so clear.”

“I decided a long time ago that I wouldn't be inviting him to my wedding, if I ever had one. I should have said, sorry.”

“His absence makes for a slight gap in the ceremony though.”

“You mean, will I enter on my own, or with some other relative?”

“Yes.”

“I have an idea. Tell me what you think.”

“I'm all ears.”

“Let me try something. Shut your eyes please.”

“OK.”

She hid her thoughts and prepared a little memory picture for him. Eliza, newly gifted, talking with someone half the world away, a third cousin on her mother's side, a reassuring teacher who with his wife had helped her understand a lot about the gift and how it was difficult to use wisely.

Unhiding, she delivered this memory with the lightest of touches to his ear.

The brief contact didn't bring much feedback.

“Did you get it?” She asked.

“A memory-picture? I got a family tree, and sort of a reassuring presence.”

“Oh well. I guess it was a bit too detailed, and feedback interfered too.”

“And we've not had much practice at that, either.”

“No. I have a third cousin, on my mother's side, with the gift. He's fifty-ish, I think, a policeman and a good teacher. He and his wife are sort of filling the parent-gap in my life, on an occasional basis. That's to say, I'd probably turn to them for advice if I wasn't so arrogant as to assume I knew enough already.”

“So do they know about us?”

“Not really. That's what I meant about assuming I knew enough. I should have asked them about feedback, and told them just how fast we were going, but, you know, we weren't dating...”

“Does this count as our first date?”

“I think it had better. First date, first kiss, first feedback, and engagement all in one.”

“This isn't sensible, is it?”

“Not humanly speaking. Let's trust God for it.”

“So, what do they know about us?”

“Just that I'd met someone and was probably falling in love.”

“So this was what, Thursday night?”

“Yes. Crazy, aren't we?”

“Forced by events, and totally crazy.”

“So. Does the ring fit?”

“I don't know. The box is beautiful though. It's real wood?”

“Yes, looks like it. Walnut. Quite fragile but beautiful.”

“I hope that's not a symbol for our love.”

“So do I. Now, do I risk feedback, or would you like to try it on yourself.”

“Let's not risk feedback. It's too intense.” She carefully removed the ring from its box, and tried it on her finger. “I think it's a tiny bit too small. That's good.”

“Oh?”

“Sarah says that's an easy adjustment. Too big or much too small means cut and resolder, tiny bit too small means stretch the metal a little. Much easier.”

“So, who do you want to tell first?”

“I think I should ask Enoch and Rose if they can get time off work, not to mention if they want to be publicly associated with me. It won't exactly be easy to explain how we met.”

“Good point. And there will be questions, won't there?”

“Interviews, you name it. Well, if they don't want to then I could just enter unaccompanied.”

“Or ask John, maybe?”

“I'm not sure that's a good idea. There'd be similar questions, and Sarah's younger than me.”

“I guess I see what you mean.”

“I'll see what Enoch and Rose think, if they're still awake.”

“Still awake?”

“They live a long way away.”

Eliza checked. They were both awake. [Enoch, Rose, Eliza here with a little question for you.]

[Oh yes? Any progress in your thoughts about this man?]

[Urm.. slightly. He's just given me a rather pretty ring.]

[Do you mean...?] Enoch asked

[Wow girl, you're quick!] Rose said.

[It was sort of forced on us. It wouldn't be right to wait until after the impact, assuming that it happens.]

[Why not?] Enoch asked.

[Politically unwise.]

[Politically unwise? What on earth does that mean? That he's a politician? How old is this guy?] Rose asked.

[He's four years older than me. He's rather more important than just a politician....

I'd rather my biological father didn't turn up, let alone give me away, and thought, you know, Enoch's an older male relative that I know and trust.

So I was wondering if you guys would feel comfortable coming to a royal wedding.]

[Slow down girl!] Enoch said [Did I get that right, you'd like me to give you away on your wedding day? I'm sure I didn't hear you right.]

[Yes, Enoch. You're the closest male relative I have except my biological father. He set up a fund to pay for my education when I was born, but never even sent a card on my birthday. The only time I've heard from him since was when he started sending me letters from jail telling me he was innocent really, and when I called him after escaping from the kidnappers and he told me that normal people were flies and sometimes needed swatting. So I've not met him in my memory and I certainly don't like him. If someone has to give me away, It'd make much more sense if it was you, at least to me.]

[OK, I think I understand your feelings there, Eliza.] Rose said [But what was that you said about a royal wedding?]

[Wait a moment, I'm going too fast. I'll wind back a bit. I met Albert, my fiancé, a lifetime ago on Thursday. We got on well, he's a Christian, and has the power, so we've done a lot of talking. Yesterday we were comparing history and he noticed that he'd been praying for his future wife at all the most significant times in my life. He was praying for his future wife's salvation all the time between when I started going to church and when I gave my life to Christ; and so on. There was such good agreement, it seemed so unlikely to be coincidence. So that helped focus our minds on our feelings, which were getting pretty involved anyway. I love him a lot although we've obviously got to get to know each other quite a lot better. Ideally we'd wait longer, but however you do it, you can't have a royal wedding in the middle of national austerity. People will either grumble that people should have brought their own sandwiches to the banquet or something stupid that way, or if we don't have a big wedding then we're cheating the nation of the chance to celebrate. So we had to choose: marry this side of the impact, and not immediately before, or wait three or four years.]

[Albert, as in your crown prince?] Rose checked.

[Yes.]

[And you decided you didn't want to wait three or four years?] Enoch asked.

[We shouldn't have kissed today without hiding. First ever kiss, cut off immediately because of feedback.]

[Already? Well, I guess you're emotionally involved enough then, anyway.] Rose said. [But couldn't you have waited a week or so before getting engaged?]

[We'd planned to, it would have been more sane, but the closer our announcement is to Karen's wedding then the more we are going to detract from her special day. We don't want everyone paying attention to us when they should be paying attention to her.]

[So, you've sacrificed good sense for the good of others?] Enoch asked.

[I guess you could say that.]

[But I thought you were going to be in witness protection until the court case?]

[Yes. I was. I'm now going to swear an affidavit, answer as many questions as the justices require me to, and in general get myself out of being a witness needing pre-trial protection.]

[And then getting your picture on every screen on the world? That's not exactly post-trial protection, Eliza.] Rose pointed out.

[I know, but I wasn't going to hide anyway, let alone get surgery done.]

[May God bless you both then.] Enoch said [You know you're marrying too quickly, perhaps that'll keep you talking, talking, talking and forgiving, forgiving, forgiving. You'll need to. Expect a lot of unintended hurts, Eliza. It won't be an easy few months.]

[It won't. We're going to be busy, very busy.]

[And the media storm is going to be... Wow, I can't imagine.]

[Yes. That was one of the issues that made me think you might not want to be involved.] Eliza said. [I'll fully understand if you think it's too silly an idea.]

[Yes. It's not exactly like you've visited us for years or anything like that.] Rose said.

[So the press are going to be asking questions. Lots and lots of questions.] Eliza supplied.

[I presume you're not going to make your gift public.] Enoch said.

[No!] Eliza said, shocked.

[Just checking, I wasn't actually going to recommend it.]

[Good. I don't know what that'd do.]

[How did Albert find out about your gift, anyway?] Rose asked.

[The press haven't make a massive thing of it, but our king was one of the ones who had a confirming dream, and my protection agent is the one who had the original set. On Thursday I hadn't planned to be there at all,

but she had to go and for some reason no one turned up to take over from her. So I was there, she was there, John and Sarah were there as well as Karen. Karen's visual memory isn't good enough to collate three people's memories, and Bella already knew that John, Sarah and I had the gift. Telling a few more people whom we knew could keep secrets didn't seem to make much difference in the face of confirming the impact. Then it just seemed to make sense that John look at Sarah's memories, Karen looked at Bella's and I checked the King's.]

[Oh, so Albert saw your gift at work and told you he had the power?]

[No, actually, he'd been told Bella had the power and thought to her on their previous meeting. And she'd gossipped to me about that, so I knew too. He didn't make much of a secret of it either — when we got out of the transport he thought to her for at least ten seconds in front of us all.]

[Ah. So he's not actually that good at keeping secrets is he?]

[Yes and no. I guess he considered himself safe since we knew what was about to happen.

I do know he's going to need to do some growing up in the next few years.]

[But you're prepared to take him on?] Rose asked.

[God seems to have called me to help support our monarchy from the inside.

I accept the job, and the adoring handsome prince who comes as a perk.]

[Have you told him this?] Rose asked.

[No, do you think I should?]

[Not this decade, no, the male ego is a sensitive thing. Let him think that you're doing the job for him.]

[I'd disagree, actually.] Enoch said. [If he knows you're taking on the job, then he won't be afraid of asking for you to help.]

[But he might be tempted to let you carry the load.] Rose pointed out.

[Your call, Eliza. Sorry!] Enoch summarised.

[OK. I can accept that. I've looked into his mind, you haven't.]

[You did? When?]

[When he proposed. He asked me to look at his thoughts before I answered, and prayed that I'd see enough to help me know what was best.]

[That's pretty honest, right there. So you saw his puppy-like devotion?]

[Mostly that he's as much feeling rushed by circumstances as I am, doesn't feel that ready for marriage, doesn't want to wait years.]

[I'm not surprised when you're already feeding-back to each other.]

[That was actually after I'd said yes.]

[You said yes before your first kiss?] Rose asked

[Yes.]

[That's.... unusual.]

[All business before pleasure these two.] Enoch commented.

Rose said [If you can keep on prioritising like that, then I think you're OK.]

[Thanks.]

[Eliza, can I put your question back to you.] Rose asked. [Should Enoch walk you up the aisle?]

[Probably not. I can do it myself and that doesn't put anyone at risk of intense press scrutiny. None of us want to expose the fact that we can talk like this, after all. But I'd like you to come anyway, even without that. Do you have any plans for mid-January?]

[That's only six or seven weeks away, Eliza!] Enoch protested.

[I know. But I don't want to have to cope with a new husband and a major disaster at exactly the same time.]

Rose laughed. [You're a wise girl, then. But... you really need to start thinking contraceptives now, unless you want to risk morning sickness and a major disaster at the same time.]

[Thanks Rose, good thought. I'll discuss it with the poor man.]

[And we'll discuss your invitation. We were thinking of visiting John and Sarah some time anyway.]

[Why did you call him a poor man, Eliza?] Enoch asked.

[What, having to discuss sex with the way he feels about me already? Poor me too, come to think of it.]

[We'll pray that you can keep your thoughts pure.] Rose said.

[Thanks. I'd better pay him some attention.]

[Best wishes to you both.]

[Thank you.]

Eliza looked around the room, and didn't see Albert, then she heard some noise from what Bella had identified as the kitchen. She went towards the noise.

“Eliza, is that you?” he called.

“Yes. What are you doing in there?” she asked, looking round the door.

“Having gazed lovingly at you for a few minutes, I decided it might be more productive to make a cup of tea. Or would you prefer coffee?”

“Tea please.”

“Good. I think the coffee might be a bit old.” he said, looking at the blue fur growing on the top of the coffee grounds in the glass jar.

“I wonder when this kitchen was last used.” Eliza said.

“Not last week?”

“No, Kate brought a couple of vacuum flasks.”

“Ah. So I could be looking at an ancient life-form? I'm glad I didn't open the jar.

“I'll ask Kate.” [Kate, any guesses how ancient the tea and coffee are likely to be up here in the owner's lounge kitchen?]

[Oh. urm... there's still some there?]

[Yes.]

[About 5 years then. The room doesn't get used much.]

[Thanks. The coffee's got a bit furry.]

[Yuck. The tea's the same age. Go carefully.]

[I won't bother asking about the milk.]

[There's milk too? Don't open it!]

[I won't, don't worry. See you soon.]

“Don't open that, Albert.” she said, seeing that he'd put the milk container on the counter.

“I won't. I heard it talking to me.”

“What?”

“It said `let us out, we only want to infect you.'”

“I seriously hope you're joking.”

“Me too. Is there a dustbin or something where we can put this?”

“I don't know. It's only five years old, Kate said. They don't use the room much.”

“Crying shame. A beautiful room like this!”

“It's not quite as secure as the institute, and it's a fairly long walk.”

“They told me this room was almost as secure as the palace.”

“Oh. Maybe we should ask to move into the institute then. There's a flat or two downstairs, apparently.”

“Really?”

“Yes, George, Karen's fiancé was staying there.”

“So how secure is it?”

“Forcefield glass, autonomous sleep gas release, updated software, and I think I heard something about a generator in the basement. Plus of course a top-secret escape tunnel.”

“Oooh, nice. More secure than the palace then.”

“Last meeting the computer got a bit worried about Bella and we think it almost gassed her.”

“Why?”

“Well, she said that she didn't believe in God, and had been consorting with demons, and it knew that everyone else was a Christian. It was getting a bit worried and needed reassuring that she wasn't a threat to its precious staff members.”

“Ah. Whereas you and I are just visitors, and so lower on the protection list?”

“Just don't threaten anyone. But... I wonder if it'll answer me. Computer, years-old food residue is threat to health. Query location disposal unit.”

“Disposal unit does not appear in plans. Food residue should not be left in owners lounge. Removable container located under sink. Caution, may contain other food residue. No record of last date of emptying.”

“I think I'd just like hot water, Albert, rather than five year old tea.”

“Urmm.. me too. I won't look at that dustbin either, without a face mask.”

“Good. I want you healthy.”

“Oh? what for?”

“Amongst other things, to announce me to the world, whenever that's possible and more immediately to talk about contraception.”

“What?” Albert was shocked.

“Rose pointed out that we need to discuss it, unless I'm going to risk morning sickness starting roughly when the impact comes. Depending what we decide to use, we might be running out of time already. I really can't remember. I don't really want to start a family quite yet, Albert, let's wait a year at least, can't we?”

“Urm. Yes. I think we should wait a while too.”

“So. We need to talk about some different options. Personally I think this is going to be easier to do face to face than long distance.

“You do? Why?”

“Because that way we can see each other's reactions and we can pray for each other's thoughts to stay pure.”

“I love you, Eliza. You think I need to discuss this? You don't want to make the decision yourself?”

“It's going to affect us both, Albert. I know it's not an easy or safe topic. That's why we're going to pray now, and pray after.”

“And maybe a few times in the middle, too.” Albert said.

“And then we'll talk about who we'd like to come to the wedding. That's much safer, I think. For instance, I'd like Enoch and Rose there. Oh, it doesn't make sense for him to walk me up the aisle. I realised that. It's far too risky. I don't think I have enough money to fly them here, though. Would it be OK?”

“Failing anything else, Eliza, there's almost certainly a military plane we can get them a place on. But I'll look into how much it costs for more civilised ticket. I really don't think it'll be a problem. I don't usually spend my allowance.”

“Can you tell me sometime how that works? I've only the vaguest idea how

the whole money side of things will work. Not to mention where we'll live.”

“We've got a lot to discuss, haven't we?”

“Yes. An enormous pile of things we haven't even thought of yet.”