Saturday came very quickly, too quickly for Alec as he was feeling very uptight about today, most of his thoughts were of should anything go wrong, what if we make a mess of things or even worse what If I make a mess of things, I could never forgive myself should things go wrong. He wasn’t alone in his thinking Claire was also deep in thought about the whole proceedings she was especially nervous about the merge, what if we don’t or what if we can’t? Then you would have tried said a voice inside her head, it was Sue. You cannot blame yourself if we don’t she continued it would be my fault and my fault alone, but let me assure you that this will work, you are very like me in a way although we are so different, it is your love and kindness that will see us through, then she was gone.
Alec was to pick Claire up at 10.30am and drive to Durham. He was prompt if anything he was just a little early, but this was just like him for he was never late for anything. Claire climbed into the car kissed him with a worried look in her eyes, what’s wrong Claire? I’m just worried about today that’s all, you’ve got everything camera etc? come on let’s go. They parked quite a distance from the cathedral and began walking towards it hand in hand hardly saying a word to each other. They reached the cathedral and looked towards the sanctuary knocker and their hearts sank, so many people around it wanting their photographs taken holding the knocker. How the hell are we going to do this? exclaimed Alec it’s not going to be easy looking at Claire. We’ll manage somehow I know we will was Claire’s response squeezing his hand walking slowly towards it.
They were stopped by Sue’s voice we need to merge and soon. Just a minute said Alec I’ve just remembered that this knocker is only a replica the real one is inside. That isn’t a problem and I will tell you why when Claire and myself have merged, now we must find somewhere so that we can be joined. There’s nowhere private exclaimed Claire, There’s always somewhere said Alec, come with me dragging her by the hand into the cathedral itself. Let’s have a look around it’s a cathedral there’s always a quiet spot somewhere and if there isn’t I’ll make one. What do you have in mind? Sue was in his thoughts now, watch and learn Claire and I know how to make space for ourselves he said winking at her. I know what you mean Alec said Claire smiling at him.
There were only one or people milling around the tomb of St Cuthbert the main guided tour had moved on and there only one or two stragglers left behind who weren’t really keen on moving on, typical tourists thought Alec. You know what we need to do Claire don’t you with pleasure she grinned. They embraced and started to kiss each other and with each kiss they were getting more and more passionate. It had the desired effect the few people who were around them were starting to get embarrassed and left them alone very alone. Sue appeared very quickly saying now is the moment Claire it must be done now. Alec turned an moved away quickly out of their view only noticing a very dull blue flash of light he did not dare turnaround he did not want to see remaining faithful to his word. He then heard his name being called and it wasn’t a voice he recognised he turned around seeing Claire staggering towards him, he quickly caught her just before she was about to fall saying are you both okay? Yes we are said this voice, we are not used to solid form you must help us until we are accustomed to it, take us to the door. They stumbled to the door where the sanctuary knocker was and with every step Claire and Sue were getting stronger and much steadier.
