you're the only thing that's keeping me alive

chapter 6

They see the locket around my neck and Vic asks if he can look. I unfasten it and hand it to him.

"That's my parents" I tell him. On the other side is the Lords prayer, written by my mam in the tiniest writing.

"So, if you were born in 1900, you're technically 114 years old now" Jaime suddenly says.

"I suppose so" I say, suddenly laughing. "I certainly don't feel it though."

My unexpected bout of laughter makes everyone smile. I'm glad some things are making a little bit more sense now. Not much, but a bit. 

"Where's Tony lately?" Jaime asks. "I haven't seen him for a while." 

"He's meant to be coming over tonight, to talk about the new album" Mike says. I just sit there having no idea what they are talking about. Danielle heads for the kitchen, so I painfully follow her, my feet still throbbing. "Do you need help with anything?" I ask. 

"I'm just about to make dinner" she says. 

"Can I help?" I offer. I feel like I need to be doing something constructive to help pay Vic and Danielle back for their kindness. She smiles at me and hands me a block of cheese to grate, knowing I can sit at the counter to do this and not put my feet through any more pain. 

"What are you making?" I ask. 

"Enchiladas" she tells me. She must see how puzzled I look as she then explains it's a Mexican dish the guys have a particular fondness for. We get all the ingredients prepared and she shows me how to cook it. I tell her I've never eaten something so exotic sounding before but the smell is mouth watering. 

I hear the door bell ring and Danielle calls to Vic to answer it, seeing as we are making their meal. I hear another voice join the others and I feel the urge to go and see who it is. I stand up from my place by the counter and limp through to the lounge, hiding myself slightly. I see a tall man with his back to me and he also has those pictures on his skin. Mike sees me looking and motions me to join them but I shake my head and go back to the kitchen. I don't want to intrude. I help Danielle set the large table that easily seats ten people and she gets Mike to help her carry the drinks and food through. I stay in the kitchen, as no-one has said anything about me joining their meal. I sit at the counter and Vic comes to find me.

"Why are you hiding away in here honey?" he asks. I look at the floor and mumble "I wasn't sure if i was allowed in there."

"Why wouldn't you be?" he asks. 

"You have guests" I say, knowing that back at the big house, the servants always ate separately.

"You're one of our guests" he says. "We wouldn't make you eat or wait for us to finish in here" he tells me, holding out his hand. He sees my distress and without warning, he picks me up and carries me through to the others. Danielle smiles at me and gestures for Vic to seat me next to her. I smile gratefully at her and she tells me to help myself to some food and a drink. I finally look up and see the newcomer - Tony I think they said his name was, and my heart skips a beat. Is he the one I've been sent to save? I have this strange feeling inside me as I look at him and see the sadness behind his eyes. The same eyes I saw in my dream.