They waited until the storm had almost cleared before Alec walked Claire home and the conversation was obviously around what had just happened. Are you sure about this Claire? I suppose I am but I’m not sure if I still believe if all of this has happened, and you are going to through with it? I don’t think that we have any real choice Alec if she is right we will either be saved or cease to exist seems a simple choice to me. Alec, Sue was right in her estimation of you, how do you mean? you’ve always been a bit of a determined character, you always need to see the answer before you before you make your mind up, am I that shallow replied Alec, yes sometimes you are and that’s what I like about you. They then kissed and said goodnight to each other.
The next day came far too quickly as far as Alec was concerned it seemed as though his work day had been shortened by hours lunchtime came and went in an instant and it seemed as though he had hardly started again when Claire appeared. He wasn’t standing outside as usual she had to go into the store to attract his attention, she sneaked up on him and tapped him on the shoulder. Hell!! he said is that the time!! that’s a nice greeting she frowned, oh I’m sorry Claire today has passed so quickly and I’ve had a lot on my mind, about tonight? she said, well yes and what is to come. I am a little bit as well but I’m more excited about it than anything else although I’m still scared, let me do the worrying for you I’ll always be by your side. What time should I come over? Best time I would have thought would be about 7.30pm it’ll be just starting to get dark then, okay she said I’ll see you then.
At 7.15pm Alec was pacing the floor and kept saying aloud I don’t like this, I don’t like this one little bit. Alec, a voice near to him said I know you don’t but this is something that has to be done you’re early?, yes I know but your thoughts were causing me concern. There was a knock at the door it was Claire. Alec let her in giving her a hug and a kiss, that’s nice she said a special honour? No he said with a grumble in his voice, come in SHE’S already here.
There was silence for quite some time it was if everyone was waiting for each other to speak, finally Sue materialised. You are both worried about where we are to go and what will happen so I will briefly tell you what we are about to do. We must travel to the cathedral near here, there’s only one said Alec and that’s Durham Cathedral, it has on its north door a knocker in the shape of a lion like head, “the sanctuary knocker” they said together, yes that is the one and that is where the dimension slip resides. The hardest part of this will be the merging with you Claire as this has never been done with your kind. Sue knelt in front of Claire, take my hands again and look deep into my eyes and relax for I need to see inside you again. They were connected in silence for about 10 minutes until Sue closed her eyes and broke contact, all seems well Claire but when I merge with you, you have to accept me when I ask you to. I know said Claire and I must be much more relaxed and open to you for it to succeed. That is good you have seen inside of me briefly and I you and you now know what must be done for us to merge, I do Claire responded softly and understand fully what you need of me now and I am happy to do this.
Alec looked bewildered by this all and finally had to make himself noticed. Hello!! Excuse me?? he said, Alec I am so sorry said Sue my concentration has been fully focussed on Claire you need to know what you must do. That would help since I don’t have a clue what’s going on. Your task although it may seem simple enough is to take us to the Cathedral and once Claire and I have merged which must be done out of site of anyone else is to ensure that I get to the knocker and for me and me alone to knock on that door 5 times very loudly and I will be able to enter the dimension slip and seek my fellow gatherers and if we are in time do what needs to be done. I must warn you however and insist that when I merge with Claire it must not be seen by anyone and that includes you Alec, why? Alec was curious. Your tenacity is as good as I thought it would be Alec. If anyone were to see us part of me may merge with them by accident and thus weaken me and I would not have the strength and power to perform my task. How long will this merging take? That would all depend upon Claire and how she accepts me. When are we going to do this asked Alec? The day you call Saturday and no later
