Gods and Monsters

VIII

Canterbury Manor – Mentmore, Buckinghamshire

Maria couldn't help but be impressed by Jack Canterbury's rural manor; with its moody lighting, burnished wood panels and a cache of sombre antiques, it was exactly what she had expected, but still enrapturing. Paintings of great battles and soldiers were scattered around the house, some of which seemed to include ancestors of the Canterbury family. The manor conveyed wealth, grandeur and confidence with its Tudor furnishings, gently worn leather chesterfield sofas and chairs, a library with a large desk and more seating, and an impressive fireplace that seemingly roared both day and night.Jack sat on the opposite end of the onyx dining table, running his hands through his thin brown hair as they waited for their meal.

"Maria, I wanted to thank you for giving me another chance. I hope that incident with Mr Phillips at your restaurant wasn't too embarrassing." He said, unable to maintain eye contact.

"It was, but I'll get over it." She replied. "Besides which Jack, you deserved a second chance for being such a loyal customer." Her red lips parted slightly into a simpering smile which Jack reciprocated. Since arriving at the stately manor, Maria had only seen a few members of staff. Jack's personal butler dashed around the home, polishing and preening artefacts from all ages, and there was a small fleet of staff in the kitchen preparing the meals, but for such a large home it was awfully lonely for one man to live in, especially as Damien generally spent his time in the city penthouse.

"Jack, may I ask you something?"

"Of course, anything."

"At the restaurant, you looked out of the window and said you saw wasted potential. What did you mean?"

"No one should be forced to live in fear. In fear of the unknown, lurking around every corner and down every alley. No doubt you've heard about some of the events happening in the city; the virus at Embankment station, the training exercise at Heathrow Airport. I'm sure you're smart enough to realise that the stories spun to the public are really just a mask to cover up the terrifying truth while the citizens continue with the mundanity of everyday life. But should we not be trying to stop these atrocities instead of covering them up and avoiding them? We must stand up to these threats and ensure they do not happen again in the future. However, I feel I am alone in this ambition. People would rather waste their potential and hide away from what is beneath their noses in the hope that it gives them an easy life. Should we not resist those who would have us live in fear?" Jack was red in the face as his rage had grown whilst speaking of these perceived obscenities. He reached for the glass of water in front of him, gulping it down in one swift move as he calmed himself down, scrunching his toes into fists beneath the table.

"That was very poetic, Jack." Maria said taking a sip of her drink.

"I'm just a man with a dream of a better world."

"And what do you suppose a poet is?"

Mr Takahashi, the chef of the manor, brought the pair their meals, placing the steaming plates delicately down onto the mahogany placemats. Jack thanked Mr Takahashi in his native tongue before the small, chubby chef dashed back to the kitchen to begin work on desserts.

"I didn't know you spoke Japanese, Jack." Maria said.

"There's a lot you don't know about me." Jack replied, almost too quickly with a hint of venom in his tone before he softened his expression.

"That's what frightens me." Maria took a mouthful of noodles before looking up at Jack who sat in his chair adjusting his watch before he stood up from the table, slowly moving across the dining room to stand next to Maria. It was the first time she had really paid attention to his stature as Jack stood at 6 foot 5 and his stocky frame towered over her as he spoke again.

"Maria, you have nothing to fear around me."

It was only now that Maria realised she had been holding her breath for the last few moments. "I know, Jack."

"Then why is your knife pointed into my gut?" Jack said as Maria looked down, noticing the steel blade pressing lightly into Jack's stomach as he leaned over her. She quickly pulled away, placing the knife back onto the table as Jack stood up straight again, no significant damage done.

"I'm sorry, Jack. I've been lied to before, hurt, sometimes by good people. But they still felt the need to be dishonest about important things. Do you feel you need to do that, Jack?

Jack thought about this a moment as he wandered around the dining room. "Around you Maria, no. I will always be honest with you. But you still see me as a dangerous person. That's why you held the knife up to me."

"Are you, Jack? Are you a dangerous person?"

"Money and reputation can only buy so much. I plan on reshaping the world into a better place. A place where everyone can feel safe. However, I know that some toes will need to be trod on to make this dream a reality. I have done things that I'm not proud of. I have hurt people and I will hurt more, however, I take no pleasure in this. It is a necessary evil. I am a dangerous person to oppose, but I can promise you that it will be safe to be by my side."

Something about Jack was incredibly alluring to Maria. He was like no one she had met before. He was notoriously reserved, preferring to remain behind the scenes while assistants and staff did the talking for him, however, this shy man became incredibly animated and passionate when talking about his true passion.

"I understand." Maria said, her beautiful smile stretching across her face as Jack sat back in his seat and the two continued their meals and conversation. 

Continued in Part 9