On the High Frontier

3. Unavoidable Business (part 6/6)

As she approaches the block, Kimiko has a moment of deja vu when a familiar figure steps out of the shadows. Jefferson has been her mother's security chief and fixer as long as she can remember.  He often runs an outer perimeter whilst she is, as he likes to put it, wandering. "Hi Jeffers, I take it she's up in the flat."

He gives her a small bow. "Yes, Miss Kimiko." He knows exactly who she means.

"Nice to see you, this time." He grunts at her back-handed compliment. He has to have been around earlier at the office, the restaurant, and probably the cargo hall, but she hadn't noticed him. Not that it is ever easy to spot him when he wants to stay unnoticed. It's a game that all of her children have played at one time or another.

There are voices from the living room as she removes her work boots, putting them next to what she recognises as her mother's fashionably perfect footwear. It sounds like Saki and their visitor are having a good chat. "Yes, Kimiko's never liked that." What's that they're talking about, they sound like old conspirators. Was it too late to leave?

"Excuse me Fujiko-sama, I think I hear something in the hall." Nuts, sometimes it seems Saki can hear someone putting a glass down without a coaster three flats away. The door to the living room opens, and a face peers out. "Kimiko-chan, don't hang around out there. Your mother and I were just talking." And apparently on first name terms, not disturbing at all. Nothing for it she will have to face them.

"There you are dear." Her mother is sitting in the large soft chair in the corner, like a queen holding court. In her hand is the old dBlock she always carries, and on the big display at the end of the room are, of course, pictures of Kimiko when she was younger. There's that one when they visited the reservoir park, with a wet Kimiko glowering at the water. She still shudders at the thought of being completely immersed.

She has never figured out what sadist invented photography, but it seems to be specifically for parents to embarrass their children. At least as the second child there aren't pictures of every little moment in her life. "I was just chatting with Saki-san, and we were looking over the old albums."

"Oh goodie." Kimiko response is not enthusiastic.

Saki gives her a disapproving look. "Don't be like that, you were such a cute baby." Oh no. They've been through those pictures. "Well as you've arrived, I guess we should have tea. Fu .... your mother brought us some delicious looking cakes."

Whilst Saki is fetching the tea Kimiko and her mother sit staring at each other. "Anything exciting happen this afternoon?" Her mother tries to show interest in her work.

"You mean apart from almost being detained by the VE? Twice. I did cite someone for a faulty converter that almost blew out an entire prime circuit. Dad would have loved their novel ideas on wiring and grounding."

"I was talking with Chief Jenkins, and apparently you have some quite colourful characters showing up on the station. You really should be careful or things could get very exciting."

She is just trying to decide how to respond when Saki arrives with the tea and cakes. She has raided the good matcha, and Mother has outdone herself on the treats, delicate cream cakes with slices of real strawberry. She hasn't forgotten Kimiko's favourite; she's even willing to forgive her the photos for these.

                                                  *     *     *

"Well, it's been a pleasure to meet you Saki-san, and it was nice to see you again dear. It's reassuring to discover you have a good influence in your life." Her mother approves of her life, Kimiko isn't sure whether to celebrate or worry. "But all good things must come to an end, and business calls."