Before 24 Billion and Counting

Chapter19 Part 3 A possible way out and love found on the way

Ellen stabbed the button and the screen lit to show Jacob, looking troubled.

"Ellen, sorry to disturb you, but I suspect you have been already. I fear that you may not be able to take our - um - wild card anywhere along the road immediately or in the near future, cage it. The big bird just left a check point five hundred feet below me - so we're all trapped. See you later."

The screen went black.

"What's that going to mean for you?" asked Ellen.

"Let me get dry and warm, I can't think like this."

I went into the bathroom, dried my goose-pimpled body, and donned pyjamas and dressing gown. I returned to the kitchen where Ellen was serving the meal.

"We've got to eat, looks as though this is verging on breakfast ".

I looked at the clock on the cooker. Three in the morning. No wonder I felt trashed.

"This is good," I said taking a delicious forkful.

"Ellen I know you astronomers talk in heights so where is this checkpoint likely to be?"

"I know where Jacob means, there's sort of plateau between two ridges, through which the road runs, its easy to close the road, and keep a large number of vehicles trapped while they examine them. And there's a nice flat place for a camp for the troops and such, and as you know for landing a big helicopter."

"I presume I'm the 'wildcard' Jacob referred to. And he thinks I shouldn't run the gauntlet of the checkpoint."

Ellen chewed her food and swallowed.

"Yes, I'm sure that's what he meant."

"So can I walk round it?"

"Not on your own. It's tough, rough country. I know my way around - I've explored a lot of it when doing my wildlife photography. You need a map and a compass, there's no mobile connection. I know there's a mast at the observatory, but to get round that checkpoint you fall into a radio shadow."

"Satnav?"

"Not a chance, they don't put goat paths and climbing opportunities on the database. Just roads, and you can't use the one road."

"But I can't leave Kelly to face the police on her own and I don't know how long they'll, the police, feel supported by our government once the US security people start to put the real pressure on. So far it's all been a bit amateurish. But that helicopter shows they mean business now. They don't fly for less than $10,000 an hour."

"Ok, Charles, I'll have to guide you round. I can get a taxi back."

"Come with me to New Zealand. See if we can't get rid of all this. Live a life together - somehow."

"Oh God. Oh, my dear, I would have wanted to explore this with you. But I was hoping we could spend time together, not take a hasty decision when our world is in turmoil around us. "

"No. Stupid idea. Sorry."

"Don't be sorry. It's a wonderful idea. But it wouldn't work. Not now. Perhaps later."

"Later never comes."

"Oh pooh, don't be so gloomy. You must be exhausted. Go to bed. Leave everything to me. I'll guide you round the checkpoint."

I left the table, and she rose and gave me a hug, with her warm body pressed into mine. I put my hand behind her head and we kissed. It was so long since that willing exchange of affection had crossed my life.

When we separated we touched each other's cheeks to find the salty water running down them.

"Go to bed," she shrieked , "please. Now isn't the time."