THE TROUBLE WITH DECEIT

Part 22 The Swap

Yet again the assembly warning greeted the students as soon as breakfast was finished.  Once again Mr. and Mrs. Howard stood together to address them.  "Ok guys, no need to look so worried, an update and good news for all of us.  The mission we recently undertook to obtain blood from a donor in this time has been entirely successful and already a vaccine is being mass produced.  You have all been a part of a medical breakthrough and a part of the first-ever collaboration between present and bygone agers, and I feel sure this will not be the last time that we shall see this happen.  Which brings me to the next part of my news, we are all going home, already we have been here much longer than anyone ever has before, and so we are all departing this era at 3 pm today and returning to our own time.  Within approximately one week of our arrival, we will all receive an inoculation against the Pollen Flue, thus becoming the first people to receive this breakthrough protection.  It's fitting isn't it guys, after all, it is down to us that this particular flue jab even exists."  Fey's hand shot up, "yes,"  Derek said, "what about the others sir, Kip, and the professors?"   "Ah yes, in fact, they will follow a little later as there is still a minor problem to clear up."  As they left the little stage Lucy whispered, "a minor problem, slight understatement, they are already there, and we have an old lady, about to be served her breakfast and be reunited with her Reece, who just happens to be 100 years and 34 days away!  

Mary woke up late, unusual for her, but she had felt mentally exhausted when she had gone to bed the previous night.  She got up and showered and dressed and pressed the bell on her wall, Derek Howard himself answered it and greeted her.  "how are you feeling today my dear? you look rested, I hope you had a good sleep, you certainly looked in need of it."  Thanking him she assured him she had. "I would like to come over to the main building and see Reece, please.  I know it's only been a short while but I feel as though I haven't seen him for ages, and I want to reassure myself that he really is alive and in one piece.   I can't stay here any longer, as I have things I need to do, so I think I would now like to go back to the shop, and of course, take Reece with me."  Stalling for time Derek said "I'm afraid you can't be permitted to enter the main house because as you must have guessed the things our students study in there are sensitive. In fact, they have all signed the official secrets act.  Also as you know Reece was very seriously hurt and will need a doctor to accompany him to settle him in properly, and make sure that he has the correct medications that he will need to continue his recovery.  I suggest you sit quietly here and have a read and a  nice cup of tea that I myself will bring you, and by 3 pm we will have made all of the arrangements needed to transport you, him and a doctor to your home."   Although she felt as though she was somehow being manipulated, she couldn't really make a fuss as she only had to wait a few hours, and then they would be away from this place forever, well, except for the complication that Reece had fallen for the lad that was living here, but that felt like a minor problem now.  Also, there was Reece's dad, although his son often stayed over at the shop these days with her, she knew he did care a lot for Reece.  After his mum had died, nearly three years ago, his father had become increasingly distant, which she felt Reece mistakenly mistook for disappointment in him.  She had an uneasy feeling that he hadn't even been informed of the stabbing.  She resolved that her first port of call after getting Reece back to the shop would be to go and make sure that he had been told, and if he hadn't then she would bring him up to speed herself.

Reece looked up as someone knocked on the door of his little hospital room and his whole face lit up when he saw it was Kip, and he was on his own.   Rushing over and hugging him Kip eagerly told him his news.  Frowning Reece said "and when he gave you the ultimatum you agreed to return to my time forever?  never to see your family and friends again!"  Taking hold of both of Reece's hands in his own he said earnestly, "what was I to do Reece, choose them over you, I love you so much, sir, unless you don't feel the same about me."            "Baby!" Reece choked out as he grabbed him kissing him hard on his lips, "you would do this for me!"  Kip explained that it was going to be done soon.  That they were to be sent back at 2 pm this afternoon and at 3 pm the stranded travelers would be returned forwards to their own time.  He told Reece how it had been decided that once they were back they would be informed that he had bravely lost his life while assisting with obtaining the blood sample a couple of days earlier. But that the decision had been taken to suppress the news until everyone else was safely back to their own future.

At exactly 2 pm as had been promised Kip, Tom Arnold, Gregory and his patient Reece stepped into the transporter vortex and emerged back in 2018.  the hostel minibus was there waiting and Lottie herself drove them all back to the big old house.  Instead of pulling up on the front drive it took them around to the rear of the building and they were quickly ushered into the infirmary.  Then Lottie drove the bus back round to the front and parked it in its usual place.  Barely had she pulled up when the main doors opened, and everybody excitedly streamed out to the bus, ready to be taken the short hop to the old MOD building, that they would depart to their own time from.