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From Heaven... Ch. 01

By: soroborn



As I came in to land, I folded my wings, settling lightly on the balls of my feet. The path was rough, small stones and twigs pressing through my thin soles.

I looked around. It was getting dark, and I could feel that the breeze was cooling. I gave the little shrug that I'd been taught, and my wings vanished, leaving me with only a slight tingling between my shoulder blades.

I started to walk toward the lights in the distance, remembering the instructions I'd been given: Find him, help him.

As I reached the first buildings, I looked around, trying to take everything in. Lights were everywhere, flashing and swirling, forming pictures I had to concentrate to make out. People were walking in couples and groups, and I thought some of the girls were dressed a little like me, though more revealingly.

I felt eyes on me, and turned, seeing a group of young men looking at me. "All by yourself, darling?" one of them called, his companions grinning.

I walked on, searching for the one face that meant something to me. I reached an intersection, and as I stepped out I felt a hand on my shoulder gently restraining me. "Careful – you just missed the green."

I turned, and felt the shock of recognition. It was him.

I took a deep breath. "Thank you, Tim."

His brow furrowed, a puzzled smile playing on his lips. "I'm sorry, have we met?"

I smiled. "You could say that – it was quite a while ago."

He grinned. "Can't be that long ago – you can only be around my daughter's age, right?"

I returned his smile, but didn't speak.

He shook his head. "Sorry, the memory's not as good as it was, remind me of your name?"

"Ariel," I said. He waited for a moment for a last name, then said, "Well, pleased to meet you again, Ariel. I'm sure when you tell me how we met, everything will start to come back to me."

"Please, call me Ria, most people do," I said.

"Well, Ria," he said, "are you in town for long?"

"I don't know yet," I said truthfully. "Depends how things go."

"Where are you staying?"

"I haven't found anywhere yet, I've only just arrived."

He smiled. "Then that's easily solved. You're welcome to stay at my place for as long as you need – now Sally's at college, there's plenty of room."

"Thanks, Tim," I said, "that'd be great."

"I was just walking back to the car," he said. "Is there anything else you need to do in town just now?"

I shook my head. "Then let's get home," he said, "and I'll make us something to eat. Do you have any luggage anywhere?" "No, travelling light," I smiled.

We walked together to a side street where his car was parked, and he held the door for me. I settled in the leather seat, and he slid behind the wheel.

"Don't forget your seat belt," he said, leaning close to me as he reached across to fasten my belt. "Compulsory in this state."

I nodded, distracted by a hint of fragrance, different to anything I'd known before. "Nice smell," I said, without thinking.

He smiled. "Glad you like it – Sally usually gets me aftershave for my birthday, and this one's my favourite."

He started the engine, and I looked out of the window curiously, trying to get used to the strange sensation of moving without any effort on my own part.

After a few minutes, Tim turned into a driveway, and pulled up outside a building, only its outline visible in the dark. He pressed the catch to release my seatbelt, then got out and walked round to open the door for me.

I got to my feet, again feeling the stones of the driveway pressing against my soles.

Tim opened the door, turning on the lights. We walked into a wide hall, the floor polished wood, a small but brilliant chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

He indicated the stairs. "Up to the first landing, the door on the right, that's Sally's old room. It has an en-suite, take your time freshening up while I start to cook."

I followed his directions, and closed the door of the room behind me, sitting on the bed to gather my thoughts. So I was here, I'd found him – that must have been a divine appointment in a city this size. He'd accepted me, though I'd have to be even more creative in explaining how he and I had first met.

I glanced at myself in the long mirror on the wall, wondering how he saw me – dark hair, eyes that were never quite the same colour twice, the soft, almost feathery texture of the dress that reached to just above my knees.

I opened the door and followed the sound of Tim singing quietly to himself. I reached the kitchen, and he turned. "Hope you like Chinese."

"Love it," I nodded, hoping I was right.

"Have a seat. What can I get you to drink?"

"Just water, please."

He poured a long glass for me, adding ice cubes from a dispenser, then raised his own glass, full of a dark liquid. "Cheers."

I sipped, the water cool against my tongue.

"So what brings you to this part of the world?" Tim said, continuing to stir the pan.

"I have a job here," I said.

"That's good," he said. "Doing what?"

I hesitated briefly. "I can't really talk about it."

Tim picked up my hesitation, and held up his hand. "Don't worry, I understand. The world's a lot more complicated these days, and even the good guys have secrets."

He tasted the sauce he was stirring. "Mm, think this is ready." He filled two plates, and put one in front of me. "Don't worry, I won't make you use chopsticks," he smiled.

I watched him pick up his fork and take a bite, then did as he'd done. The rich taste of the sauce on my tongue was like nothing I'd ever experienced, and I closed my eyes to concentrate on the flavour.

"You really look like you're enjoying that," Tim said.

I opened my eyes again. "It's really good." I ate slowly, and Tim watched me, smiling.

Finally I put my fork down and sat back a little.

"Let's get more comfortable," said Tim. I followed him into the living room, and sat down in one of the deep armchairs.

"Can I get you a coffee, or something stronger?" Tim asked.

I shook my head. "But don't let me stop you."

He refilled his glass, then sprawled on the sofa opposite me. "So, put me out of my misery, when did you and I first meet?"

"I suppose it was when Sally was about ten," I said. "I think she had a bit of a tough time."

Tim nodded. "I did what I could, but it was hard, Sarah not being there." He shook his head. "I still don't remember, sorry."

He looked up. "But thank you for doing what you could for her – I'm grateful."

I nodded. "No problem."

He glanced at the clock. "Do you want to turn in yet? I usually read for a while, but you can go to bed if you like."

I hesitated. "You're going to think this is a little strange, but actually I don't sleep."

He looked puzzled. "You mean, like insomnia?"

"Kind of. It's just the way I've always been."

He shook his head. "I've heard of it, but you're the first person I've met. Well, there are plenty of books – help yourself. Or you can put the TV on – I don't hear it when I'm upstairs."

He stood. "Think I will call it a day, actually. Do you have to be at work in the morning?"

I nodded. "Not early, though."

"OK. Well, I'll say goodnight, then. Sleep tight."

I watched him walk up the stairs, then heard a door open and close.

I waited a few minutes, then went up to my own room, closing my eyes and extending my senses outwards. I saw the garden, silent – then movement, a fox walking across the grass, vanishing back into the woods. In the bedroom across the hall, Tim's sleeping form, his breathing slow and steady.

I tentatively lay back on the bed, feeling the softness of the pillow. I turned, resting my cheek on my folded hands, and settled down to keep watch.

In the morning I sensed Tim stirring, and carefully withdrew my inner gaze from his room. I walked down the stairs, and when he came into the kitchen, his hair wet from the shower, I was sitting at the table.

He shook his head. "Wish I knew how you girls do it. This time in the morning, and you're already dressed, not a hair out of place."

He looked more closely at my face, and seemed to be about to say something else, then changed his mind. "Did you find something for breakfast yet?"

"I've had what I need," I assured him. I watched as he poured cereal into a bowl, then added milk. The crackling of the cereal was intriguing, and he noticed me listening.

"These are Sally's favourite, too," he said. "We always used to listen to them together."

I watched him eat, then he stood to drop his empty bowl in the sink. "I'd better get going," he said. "I've left you a spare key on the table by the door. Do you know what time you'll be back in tonight? I usually finish about six."

"I'll be here when you get back," I promised.

"Great. Well, I hope your first day goes well," he said. "Don't let the boss be too hard on you."

"Thanks," I grinned, wondering what Tim's reaction would be if he had the slightest idea who my boss was.

I heard the door close behind him, and a few moments later the sound of the car engine starting. I got to my feet, and went up to my room, standing in front of the mirror. I closed my eyes and willed, feeling the familiar sense of lightness, and when I opened my eyes again, the mirror reflected only the empty room.

I walked back down the stairs, passing the key on the table without a glance, and stepped through the closed door, feeling a faint hum as its insubstantial outline passed through me.

I stood on the gravel of the drive, and gave a shrug, feeling again the familiar sensation of my wings arching behind and above me. I flexed them, rising into the air, and soon I was behind and above Tim's car, watching as he drove down the freeway humming and tapping the steering wheel to the beat of the music from his favourite radio station.

I extended my senses, and noticed a truck on an intersecting road, its driver oblivious to the lights against him at the approaching junction as he spoke on his cellphone.

I thought, then made a rapid decision. I projected my will at the lights, turning the one facing Tim red. I watched as he slowed, the speeding truck shooting across the intersection in front of him.

I felt Tim's heart accelerate, then he shook his head. "Someone must be looking out for me," he muttered.

He continued on his journey to work, parking outside the office building, and I following him up to his office and took up a position in the corner.

Nothing as dramatic happened for the rest of the day, though I did surreptitiously prevent his mug of coffee from sliding off the edge of the desk as he moved a stack of papers. At the end of the day, Tim made the journey home, and as he approached the gates at the end of his drive, I pulled ahead of him, landing in the hall and quickly returning to visibility. I slipped the key into a fold of my dress, and went through to the living room, settling back into the chair I'd occupied the previous evening.

I heard Tim's key in the door, and he walked into the room, looking weary. "Hi, Ria. How did your day go?"

I smiled. "OK – think the boss was pleased with one or two things I did. You?"

He nodded. "Though I nearly didn't get there at all – some idiot ran a crossing as I was on the way, it was pure luck that the lights were changing to red as I got there."

I managed what I hoped was a convincing frown. "Wow, I'm glad you're OK."

He smiled. "Well, maybe it's more than luck, maybe someone up there is looking out for me."

He glanced at his watch. "Not sure I can be bothered to cook – I can phone for pizza if you like?"

I nodded. "That'd be lovely." I pulled a sense of something strongly-flavoured, spicy, from his mind. "Not too spicy, though."

He grinned. "Sally's the same. Don't worry, I'll get you Hawaiian, I'll have pepperoni."

He went out of the room to call, then came back in with two glasses.

"No excuses today," he said. "A drink to celebrate your first day at work, and my narrow escape." He saw my hesitation. "Or do you not drink at all?"

"It's fine," I reassured him. "I'm just not that used to it."

I took the glass from his hand, and sipped, feeling warmth spreading over my tongue, down my throat, through my body.

"This is amazing," I said.

Tim grinned. "Glad you like it – there's a little independent wine merchant nearby who imports just a few bottles of this from the growers."

I sipped again, relaxing. A few moments later the doorbell rang, and Tim went to answer, returning with two boxes. He handed one to me, and I felt the warmth as I placed it on my lap.

"Might as well eat in here," Tim said, opening his and carefully lifting a slice. I followed suit, and the contrast of the tangy cheese and the sweet pineapple was almost overwhelming.

I closed my eyes to enjoy the flavour as I had done the previous day, and Tim said, "Ria, you're amazing. I've never met anyone who, well, savours life quite the way you do."

We ate in comfortable silence, and when we'd finished Tim took the boxes out to the kitchen. He refilled our glasses, and I drank again.

I wondered if it was my imagination or whether I was feeling a little light-headed. "Think that's enough wine for me," I said.

Tim nodded. "Work again tomorrow, but then we can enjoy the weekend."

He glanced across at me. "Unless you already have plans?" I shook my head. "I don't want to be in your way, though."

He grinned. "Are you kidding? Having company will be a real treat, and I can show you around a little as you're new to the area. We can get out of town, it's not far to the desert and I know some places where we can see some amazing wildlife."

"I'd love that," I said, my voice sincere.

We talked for a while longer, then Tim suppressed a yawn. "Well," he said, "I'll leave you to it – see you for breakfast."

Again I waited till he was upstairs, and this time went into his room, willing myself into invisibility before sitting in the chair that faced the bed, watching the rise and fall of Tim's chest as he slept.

The next day passed without incident, though I followed Tim's car closely through the heavy Friday rush hour traffic. This time he cooked Italian, and I enjoyed the rich tomato flavour of the sauce, enhanced by the parmesan Tim offered to grate over my meal.

The following morning, we had breakfast together, and I finally sampled the cereal. "Do you want sugar on it?" asked Tim.

I shook my head. "The milk's really rich, creamy."

"How about a picnic for lunch?" Tim suggested. "I've got stuff in."

"Good idea," I said. He quickly packed a bag, and we got in the car. A few miles out of town, Tim turned off onto a dusty track, driving for a few more minutes before pulling up.

"It's a bit of a walk down to the canyon," he said, "but I've brought water, and it's worth it when we get there."

After we'd walked for about an hour, Tim was starting to perspire, and he wiped his face with a handkerchief, taking a long drink from the water bottle.

He looked across at me. "You look as cool as a cucumber," he said, "you obviously tolerate heat better than I do. But you still need to drink."

He wiped the top of the bottle with the back of his hand, and passed it to me. I drank, then handed it back.

We reached the bottom of the canyon, and Tim stopped. "Cooler here."

He pointed up at the rock face. "There's what we came to see."

I shaded my eyes and looked. "There's a ledge."

He nodded. "Wait." He leaned against a boulder, and I leaned next to him, feeling his arm just touching mine.

After a few minutes, I saw movement in the air above the canyon, and a bird came to a graceful landing on the ledge. It was carrying something in its talons, and I thought I saw movement further back in the ledge. I carefully extended my senses to look closer.

"Oh!" I said. "There are chicks."

Tim smiled. "You have good eyes – I can hardly see them. Yes, there are four – and the mother seems to be a good hunter, they're all doing well."

I saw the image in his mind of the female bird swooping on an unsuspecting small creature, and reminded myself that in this world, death was an integral part of life.

From Heaven... Ch. 02



We watched the chicks being fed for a few minutes, then Tim said, "Let's walk a little further up the canyon. We might see the other bird of the pair hunting."

We set off, Tim pointing out various features and interesting plants as we walked.

"Up ahead a little way there's a place where crows roost," pointed Tim. 

I looked, seeing the black shapes among the dusty leaves. Suddenly, all at once the birds took flight, beating their wings strongly and vanishing towards the west.

Tim frowned. "That's unusual. I didn't hear a shot, and we're too far away for us to have disturbed them."

As he spoke, I felt a tremor beneath my feet, then the shaking became stronger. I saw momentary panic in Tim's face, then he said, "Quick – we need to shelter in the lea of that boulder."

He moved towards the rock, but before he could reach it, there was a cracking, splitting sound and a section of the canyon face directly above us started to detach. Without a moment's thought, I sprang towards Tim and wrapped my arms around him, my hands shielding his head. I felt the first impact, then a rain of rock striking me, being deflected. I sank to my knees, pillowing Tim's head closer into me as the torrent continued.

Finally the rockfall subsided, and I released my hold on Tim, stepping back. I shook dust from my hair, and looked anxiously to see if he was all right. As my eyes met his face, he scrambled backwards, away from me, his face a mask of shock and fear.

"Who – what? – are you?" he gasped, stretching out one arm as if to push me away.

"Don't be afraid," I said, reaching out both hands, palms upward.

He was silent for a moment, then seemed to draw in on himself, wrapping his arms round his body. I sensed that the earthquake, and the falling rocks, and the shock of my intervention, were close to overwhelming his mind.

I knelt again, my hands still outstretched. "It's OK," I said softly.

He looked up, and this time hope was mixed with the fear and confusion in his eyes. I moved slowly across the fallen rocks towards him, and when I was close enough, I reached out to take his hand.

"It's OK," I repeated.

He held my hand for long moments, then took a deep breath, exhaling slowly.

"Can you explain?" he asked.

I nodded. "But let's get you home first – you have a few scratches, and you're covered in dust."

We picked our way out of the canyon, and back to the car.

"Are you OK to drive?" I asked. "It's not a skill I've mastered yet."

Tim looked baffled again. "That explanation had better not be long in coming, once we're home."

He started the car, driving slowly back to the house. When we arrived, I said, "How about you have a shower – call me if you need anything."

Tim climbed the stairs, and shortly I heard the sound of running water. I went into the kitchen, and reached into my memory to find the steps he'd followed in making our meal the day I'd arrived.

When Tim returned, I was carefully stirring a pan of sauce. "How do you feel?" I asked.

"Much better," came the reply. "None of the scratches are still bleeding."

He sat down at the table, and I put a plate in front of him. "I hope I got it right."

"Somehow it doesn't surprise me that you're not eating," he said.

I nodded. "I've really enjoyed all our meals, but actually it's not something I need."

He started to eat. "This is very good – tastes just like when I do it."

I smiled. "I followed all the steps exactly."

Tim looked up at me, his face showing a trace of the overwhelmed look he'd worn in the canyon. "Please – tell me what's going on?"

I sat opposite him, resting my hands on the table. "Pretty simple really. I've been... well, sent, shall we say. To help you."

He nodded slowly. "You seem to be doing pretty well so far – you've already saved my life once."

I smiled. "That'd be twice, actually. If I didn't know you better, I'd think you were accident-prone."

He looked up. "Twice?"

"That speeding truck?" I prompted.

"But you weren't even..." his voice trailed off. He shook his head. "Perhaps you'd better tell me exactly what you're capable of, apart from having rocks drop on you."

I hesitated. "I'll tell you some of the main things – I'm not sure you're ready for all of it."

He smiled wryly. "Well, you'll have to be the judge of that."

"So," I began. "I can't be harmed physically. Ah, invisibility, and I can walk through solid objects." I pulled out the key he'd left for me. "You can put this back in the drawer."

A glimmer of amusement crossed his face. "You'd better hang on to it if you're staying – I can think of times when it'll make more sense for you to come in the conventional way. What else?"

I hesitated again. "Fly."

"Now that I'd like to see," he said. "What, you just twitch your nose, or tap your heels together or something, and float into the air?"

I gave him a puzzled look. "No... Like the birds we saw today – wings."

He shook his head again. "If I didn't know what I'd already seen, this is the point where I'd definitely call a shrink." He tilted his head from side to side. "Ria, I don't... see any wings?"

"They stretch out when I need them," I said.

"OK," he said, nodding slowly. "I think you were right, that's about as much as I can deal with right now."

He thought for a moment. "So can we go back to the 'why' – did you know I was going to be in danger?"

"Not exactly – but there's always a purpose when one of us is sent."

He raised his eyebrows. "I suppose I should have realised it wasn't just you. When you say, sent?"

"I'm not really supposed to talk about that part – it's too hard to explain why we come to some people and not to others."

"OK. So do you know what'll happen next?"

I shook my head. "I can see more of what's happening than you can, just because of my abilities, and I can know what's in people's minds, but the future, no. I have to do my best, and trust, the same as you do."

"Hang on – you can see what's in people's minds? You mean mine too?"

I met his gaze. "Only if I choose to, and there has to be a reason."

He relaxed slightly. "Well, be careful. You'd probably be shocked by some of the things in my private thoughts – I'm only human."

I reached out my hand to his. "'And that is both honour enough to erect the head of the poorest beggar, and shame enough to bow the shoulders of the greatest emperor on earth.'"

He looked puzzled. "That sounds familiar somehow."

"Anyway," I continued, "you can be sure I won't pry. Now, hadn't you better finish eating?"

He concentrated on his food, and soon the plate was empty. He sat back with a sigh. "That was good – well done."

"Would you like a drink?" I asked. "It seems to relax you."

"If you have one too," he said.

I nodded. "It does feel a little strange, though."

We walked through to the lounge, and Tim poured us both a drink, this time from a glass decanter.

I sipped hesitantly. "Gosh, this seems stronger than the wine."

He grinned. "Yes – don't swallow it all at once."

I sat down in my usual chair, and Tim settled into the sofa opposite.

"Do you know how long you'll stay?" he asked after a moment. "Will you get a – I was going to say, phone call, to say I don't need you any more?"

I shook my head. "I told the truth about how you and I first met – I really was sent to help Sally for a short while. I think she saw me as a sort of imaginary friend, who listened to her and stayed with her when she cried."

Tim looked close to tears himself. "I wish I'd been more aware of your presence," he said.

I nodded. "It doesn't always work that way." He thought for a moment. "So how long did you stay that time?"

"About six months."

"And you've been, well, wherever you go, for ten years since then?"

I hesitated. "Time doesn't quite work the same when I'm not here."

He sipped his drink thoughtfully, his thoughts diverted from exactly how long I might be with him.

"So what shall we do tomorrow?" I asked.

"Do you..." He stopped himself. "Usually I'd go to church."

"Then we'll go," I said. "I can just be an old friend of your daughter's who's in town for a while, you're putting me up."

He grinned. "It'll be a battle to keep from telling them just a little of how special you are."

I returned his smile. "But no-one would believe you if you told them – I'm certainly not going to show off, unless the church roof falls in – and then who'd be calling the shrink?"

He shook his head. "There may be a lot you don't know, but you're smart."

"Why, thank you," I grinned.

He stretched. "Well, I'm ready for some sleep." He paused. "At night, when you're not sleeping, are you watching me?"

I nodded. "Does that bother you?"

He thought for a moment. "I'm not sure. If you were, well, human, and female, and the age you look, it'd be – well, I don't know exactly what it'd be, but there'd be something not right about it."

He got to his feet. "Well, goodnight, anyway." He reached out to touch my hand. "And thanks."

He went up the stairs, and I waited till I could tell he was sleeping, then took my place in the bedroom chair.

Sometime in the night he stirred, opening his eyes. He looked across at me, but I sensed only peace in his thoughts, and he turned over and slept again.

In the morning we set off for the church, Tim wearing dark trousers and a shirt. He glanced at me as we walked, and said, "Ria?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you always look the same?" He hesitated. "Apart from the wings, I mean, and assuming you're visible." He shook his head. "Can't believe I'm hearing myself say that."

I looked around, seeing no-one in sight. "Watch – I'll only do this for a second."

He looked at me, and for a fraction of a second his face was lit by a warm, unearthly light as I let him see me as a pure flame of fire, then stood before him again in my conventional form.

"OK," he said slowly. "That was really something."

We reached the church, shaking hands with the minister at the door. Tim introduced me as we'd agreed, and we found seats near the front.

I stretched my awareness, and caught the edge of a couple of conversations. "...half his age, is she really just a friend of his daughter... dress is a bit short for church, no decency these young people..."

I leaned over to Tim. "Some of the people in your church seem a bit ready to judge."

He gave me a resigned look. "Think you're right."

The service started, and Tim looked at me, startled, as I hit the first note of the hymn in a clear, pure voice, the sound seeming to float toward the vaulted ceiling of the old church building.

When we sat down again, I grinned as I whispered to him aside. "What, you're surprised that I sing?"

He was about to reply, when the pastor announced the Bible reading. We waited as an elderly gentleman found his way to the passage, then began.

"In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent –"

I leaned over and whispered in Tim's ear, "There's something that's a mystery to me, the whole thing about how people have children. Perhaps later you can tell me how it felt from your point of view, and Sarah's."

The pastor spoke briefly after the reading, then we sang another hymn and he gave the blessing.

"You have a lovely voice, dear," said an elderly lady who'd been standing in front of us."

"Thanks," I smiled. I followed Tim around as he chatted to various people, then he said, "Shall we go?"

"OK," I said. We shook hands with the pastor again, and walked down the path from the church.

"What would you like to do for lunch?" I asked.

Tim thought for a moment. "You can eat if you want to, right?"

I nodded. "Actually I enjoy it – the flavours are all new to me."

"Well, let's go for something Indian – I know you don't like things too spicy, but I know I can find dishes you'll like."

We returned to the house, then Tim drove us for a few minutes, pulling up outside a low building. We walked in, and we were quickly seated.

Tim looked at the menu, and ordered for both of us. The waiter quickly returned with the crispy poppadoms, and Tim pointed to a dish on the table.

"That's mango chutney – you'll like that. The others are probably a little spicy."

I took a spoonful of chutney, and took a bite of the crunchy starter. "Mmm, this is good."

We quickly polished off the poppadoms, then the main dishes arrived. I watched fascinated as the waiter lit the candles, and placed dishes on the brazier. Tim helped me to rice, then spooned the sauce on top. I began to eat, and again closed my eyes to enjoy the flavour. "Wow," I said, "this is amazing – it's a little spicy, but mostly just rich."

When we'd both finished our curry, Tim attracted the waiter's attention, and spoke to him in a low voice. He used a word I didn't understand, but I picked the image from his mind – a sweet, milky dessert.

The dessert arrived, and I tasted it. "Mmm, this is great to finish with."

We sat talking for a few minutes, then Tim paid, and we walked back to the car.

"Let's not go home just yet," said Tim. "Is there anything special you want to see? I promise to try and avoid earthquakes."

I grinned. "You know the creatures that really fascinate me?"

Tim smiled, waiting.

"The sea creatures – the dolphins, the whales. Have you ever heard the whalesong?"

Tim shook his head. "OK – I know where we can go."

He started the car, and we headed off in a different direction. We drove for at least an hour, then as we crested a rise, I saw the sea.

"Incredible," I said. "So blue, and the way the horizon meets the sky."

Tim turned in at a sign, and parked the car. We walked into a large building, and Tim directed me down a long flight of steps, the dim light at the bottom seeming to ripple strangely. I found myself facing a wall of glass, dim shapes moving in the water behind it. Carefully I stretched my senses into the water, and turned to Tim, my face beaming. "Orca!"

He raised his eyebrows. "Most people think they're merciless killers."

"No different to the birds we watched yesterday," I said.

I walked up to the glass, and put my palm flat on the surface. Tim glanced up, and his eyes widened as he saw the black and white shapes purposefully making their way toward us. Their blunt noses bumped against the other side of the glass, and I projected my voice gently into the water. The closest whale moved its head up and down, then we heard its unmistakeable song, a piercing note, rising and falling.

The whales drifted away, and I turned to Tim. His mouth was open, and he shook his head. "Unbelievable."

I smiled. "Not really. Granted I used one or two of my special abilities, but these creatures are not as far from you as you think..."

We climbed the steps, Tim's face still thoughtful. When we reached the car, he said, "Ria?"

"Hmm?"

"Is there a limit to what you can show me?"

I thought for a moment. "As long as we don't attract attention, most things are OK."

I took his hand. "But I won't mock you – there are some things that you just wouldn't be able to understand. Not in this life..."

Tim looked serious. "I suppose you even being here is proof that there's something beyond."

I nodded. "But I'm not the one to tell you about that – you already have everything you need to find your way."

Tim shook his head. "That's going to take some thought."

He started the car. "Anyway, time we got back. Work tomorrow, and the way things have been going, you'll need to be on your toes to keep me out of trouble."

When we arrived back at the house, Tim said, "I'm pretty tired, actually."

He hesitated. "If I go to bed, will you come and talk to me for a while, before I sleep?"

I smiled. "Of course."

He climbed the stairs, and when I sensed he was in bed, I followed, entering the room and taking my usual place in the corner chair.

Tim turned out the light, and looked across at me. "Is it my imagination, or... are you glowing a little?"

I smiled. "I couldn't resist. Will it disturb you?"

He shook his head. "It's comforting. Like the nightlight I had when I was a child."

"What do you want to talk about?" I asked.

"Tell me, if you can, about other places... other times... you've known?" 



From Heaven... Ch. 03



I thought for a moment. "Well, perhaps the beginning – of your world, I mean – would be a good place to start."

Tim settled more comfortably into his pillow, and looked at me expectantly.

"When we arrived," I began, "everything was dark – I'd never been anywhere without light before, it was really strange.

"Then suddenly there was light again – so bright it was dazzling. We moved a little closer, and I couldn't help giving a gasp of wonder. Against the blackness, like a jewel on velvet, hung a blue-green ball, spinning slowly."

I paused. "I knew even then that it would be a wonderful place. I drew closer again, and I could feel the air beginning to tease my wings. I let myself fall, the air slowing me, then I glided, the moist air cool against my face."

I smiled, remembering. "When I landed, there was already grass, and the trees were in full leaf. I heard the rushing of wings, and looked up, astonished by the sky full of so many kinds of birds. I was tempted to join them, then I felt the ground shake as a huge herd of animals – buffalo, I think – rushed past.

"The stars were coming out, and I watched them for a while, amusing myself seeing shapes in the constellations. Then something remarkable; a glow on the horizon, then a huge orb rising. I watched open-mouthed as the landscape was drenched in a silvery light, each blade of grass distinct.

"I heard the sound of singing begin, and I added my voice, as my sheer joy in this new world overwhelmed me."

I looked across at Tim, and he nodded sleepily. I smiled, and dimmed the glow in the room to let him rest.

When the first light of dawn filtered in through the window, Tim opened his eyes.

"I really enjoyed last night," he said.

I nodded. "There's more to tell – maybe tonight we can carry on. But don't you have to be at work today?"

He nodded, sitting up reluctantly. "Give me a minute..."

I smiled, and got to my feet, going out of the door and downstairs.

After a few minutes, Tim came down, dressed, his hair damp from the shower, looking more awake. He poured a bowl of cereal, and I listened to the crackling as he ate.

"Are you coming with me today?" he asked.

I nodded. "Just in case of earthquakes, careless drivers, falling jumbo jets, the usual."

Tim grinned, finishing his cereal. "Actually, it's very reassuring."

He got up from the table. "I'll get going then. If the day's uneventful, I'll see you back here."

I watched him get into the car, then as he drove off I followed in the normal way. As Tim sat down at his desk, I was already in my chosen corner, and I watched as he checked email, went through papers, drank his first coffee of the day.

A few minutes later he got up and went through to the outer office. I quickly walked to his desk, and picked up the pen he'd been using, putting it back in the desk drawer. Tim returned, and as he sat down I saw him frown in puzzlement, looking round his desk and lifting his papers to check under them. He opened one drawer, then another, retrieving his pen.

He looked up, and spoke into the empty air. "Very funny – thought you were supposed to be keeping me out of trouble, not causing mischief."

From the outer office I heard the voice of his secretary. "Did you say something, Mr Smith?"

"No," called Tim. "Just muttering to myself about this last email from Marshall."

I let myself fade into visibility for a moment, grinning, then faded out again.

Tim rolled his eyes. "Now I know where Lewis Carroll got the Cheshire Cat from."

The rest of the day passed without incident – I watched Tim eat his lunchtime sandwich, wondering if I'd like ham salad – and I followed Tim home, letting him find me as usual in the kitchen.

He came in grinning broadly. "Actually I quite like knowing you're there – I don't really mind the odd trick."

He sat down opposite me. "How about I take you out for dinner?"

I smiled. "I'd like that."

"I'll go and change," he said. He paused. "We'll be going somewhere fairly formal – do you, ah, think your dress could be a little longer?"

I raised my eyebrows. "I'll see what I can do." While he was upstairs, I reached out my senses to the colour supplement of the newspaper Tim had bought on the way back from the office, viewing the pictures in my mind.

When Tim returned, I was standing in the living room, and I smiled, turning slowly. "What do you think?"

He blinked. "Wow – that's a more dramatic change than I expected."

I'd kept the feathery quality of my dress, but the style was now off the shoulder, and the hem swept around my ankles.

"Gorgeous," he pronounced. We walked out to the car, and as usual he held the door for me.

We set off, and after a few minutes Tim pointed to lights in the distance. "There's the restaurant."

We pulled into the car park, and walked towards the lighted doorway. The maitre'd approached, and we were quickly seated.

Tim turned to me. "Would it be all right if I ordered champagne for us?"

I smiled. "Something new again – I'd like that."

The bottle arrived, in a bucket of ice, and Tim poured for us. As I sipped, the bubbles went up my nose, and I sneezed. "It tickles."

I picked up the menu, and glanced at Tim. "Choose something for me?"

He nodded, and when the waiter came over, Tim ordered for both of us. When our meal arrived, I took a bite. "Mm, this is good." Tim relaxed. "I wasn't sure if you'd like it."

As we ate, we listened to the quiet playing of the pianist, and I said, "I like music – it reminds me of, well, where I come from."

Tim nodded. "I know you can only tell me so much – I'm looking forward to tonight's bedtime story."

I put down my fork, and Tim said, "Dessert?"

I nodded, and Tim caught the waiter's attention. The sweet trolley arrived, and I looked with fascination at the range of desserts on offer.

"Help me out here, Tim," I said. "I'm really having trouble choosing."

Tim grinned, and said, "Try the chocolate profiteroles."

The waiter placed a bowl in front of me, and Tim reached for the cream jug. "Just a little."

I nodded, and watched as he poured. I picked up my spoon and started to eat. "Mm," I said, "I've never had anything quite like this before."

When we'd finished our meal, Tim drove us back to the house. "I'll see you upstairs," he said.

I waited a few minutes, then walked up the stairs, opening Tim's bedroom door and going in.

He raised his eyebrows. "You kept the dress."

I smiled. "I could tell from your face that you liked it."

I sat down in my usual chair, and Tim said, "So what do you have for me tonight?"

I hesitated. "Tim, you know that something went wrong after the wonderful beginning I described?"

He nodded. "I wondered if you were going to talk about that."

I shook my head. "None of us were there. The first we knew about it was when a guard was posted – I had to ask what a sword was."

"The next time we came to see your world, it was a very different place. Dark, covered with clouds.

"But there was still something remarkable going on. I watched the animals, one here, one there, lifting up their heads as though they heard some kind of call. I followed them, so many, all coming together, and the birds. Then they were all shut in, and the rain started."

I shuddered. "It was awful. The water rising, everything fighting to reach high ground, then covered. The most horrible part was the birds – they just flew round and round, looking for somewhere to land. When they were exhausted, they just tumbled to the surface of the water, floated there, dying."

I stopped, lifting my hand to my face, feeling wetness.

Tim looked across at me. "Are you OK?"

"I don't understand," I said. "What's happening?"

"Come over here," he said. I went and sat on the bed by him, and Tim took my hand.

"Do you not cry?" he asked softly. I shook my head. "Not before."

He traced one finger down the wetness on my face. "Maybe being here is changing you."

I hesitated. "I didn't think that was possible, but maybe you're right."

Tim squeezed my hand. "Well, here's the deal. You look after me, like you do, and I'll look after you. Just tell me when you feel something you don't understand."

I nodded. "Do you want to sleep now?"

Tim smiled. "Think so. But you can stay there if you like."

He settled more comfortably, his fingers still twined in mine, and after a few minutes I heard his breathing slow. I watched through a gap in the curtains as the stars turned through their nightly course, listening to Tim's heartbeat, and it seemed only a short time before the first rays of the sun reached into the room.

The next day began pretty much as usual, Tim and I making our way to the office. But I could tell Tim had something on his mind, and I held back on any of the usual playful tricks I'd use to remind him of my unseen presence.

When we arrived back home, Tim prepared a meal for us, and as we began to eat he said, "You don't have to come with me, but... today would have been our wedding anniversary. I always visit Sarah's grave."

I took a deep breath. "I'd like to come, if you'd be OK with that."

When we'd finished eating, we set off in the car. After a short drive, Tim turned in through the iron gates and stopped the engine. I looked out at the cemetery, seeing the carefully-tended graves in rows among the green grass.

"So many people..." I said, my mind struggling again with the horror of this thing called death.

We got out of the car, and I followed Tim along a curving path. He glanced across at one of the older graves, a lichen-covered statue watching over it from a nearby plinth, then looked at me. "Not much of a resemblance," he said.

I nodded, recognising his attempt at humour. After a few more yards he stopped, standing silently before a simply-cut stone.

I read the inscription. "Sarah, beloved wife and mother, taken from us September 2008. 'I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am, there you may also be'."

I put my hand on Tim's shoulder. "It's true."

He turned, puzzlement in his eyes. "What's true?"

I pointed. "The inscription – there is a place. I've seen it..."

He took my hand, his grip so tight it would have been painful. "Ariel?"

"Yes?"

"Can you tell me...?"

I shook my head. "I'm sorry."

I brightened. "But I can tell you more about what's going to happen – that's no secret. Tonight?" Tim nodded. "Let's go home."

We walked back to the car and Tim drove us back to the house, neither of us speaking.

When we arrived, Tim made coffee for us, and I sipped mine, getting used to the strong, almost bitter flavour.

"Won't this keep you awake?" I asked, remembering something I'd heard.

Tim smiled. "For a while, maybe. But I want to make sure I don't miss the end of what you have for me tonight. See you up there?"

This time when I went upstairs, I sat down on the bed, and reached out my hand to take Tim's.

"It was a while before we visited again," I began. "I didn't get to see how it really started, though I was there when we sang – I still remember the look on those shepherds' faces.

"We were there on and off for a few years, mostly at the end. At first it was amazing – the things that happened. But then it turned nasty. I was there that last night, it was so frustrating, knowing we could have stopped it if we'd been allowed."

I fell silent, and Tim squeezed my hand. After a few moments I took a deep breath and carried on.

"When everything went black, I couldn't help remembering the dark skies, the rain, the birds. I know there was the rainbow before, but this time I really thought it was the end."

Tim forced a smile. "But everyone knows the next part."

I shook my head. "We really didn't know that it would come out that way, though. I'm not surprised that some of them couldn't believe it either."

"But it was true," Tim said hesitantly.

I nodded. "Yes."

"So you promised to tell me what comes next," Tim reminded me.

"I don't know when," I said slowly, "but –"

I hesitated, trying to remember. "Your history – the end of your last big war – you remember when all those soldiers landed. There were beaches?"

Tim nodded. "But I don't see...?"

"That's what it'll be like," I said. "It won't all be over straight away – even I don't understand everything that's going to happen – but afterwards, there's that place. I can't tell you much, but... it makes everything all right. The pain, the tears, everything – it makes it all right."

I looked across at him, not surprised to see tears running down his face. I reached out to touch the wetness, then a strange sensation ran through me as Tim took my hand and pressed my fingers lightly to his lips.

"I'm sorry," he said, letting go of my hand almost guiltily.

"It's OK," I said softly. "Do you want me to stay again?"

He nodded. "I know I'd miss you now if you went." When he opened his eyes in the morning, I smiled. "Did you sleep well?"

He nodded. "I had the strangest dream, though."

"Tell me," I said, smiling.

"There was a garden," he began, "surrounded by a hedge. In the garden was a tree – but somehow the tree was you."

I raised my eyebrows. "And then?"

"At first it was like spring – the tree had new leaves, really green and fresh. Then summer came, and the tree turned its leaves to the sun, taking in the light.

"I watched, and after a while I saw that the tree had fruit, ripening. Then it must have been autumn, the leaves starting to turn, gorgeous colours."

Tim smiled wistfully. "Then I woke up. I wanted to stay there, it felt so peaceful."

I squeezed his hand. "I'm sure it means something, we'll just have to wait and see what happens."

Tim nodded thoughtfully. "Anyway, time I got ready for work."



From Heaven... Ch. 04



As we were eating breakfast, the phone rang, and Tim leaned over to pick up the handset. "Hello?"

A smile spread over his face. "Hi, darling. Are you OK?"

He switched the phone to speaker, and I heard a familiar voice. "Hi, Dad, I'm fine." There was a brief hesitation. "I didn't call yesterday, I thought you might not really want to talk..."

"Thanks, darling," replied Tim. "It was OK. Actually, I've got some news. You remember Ariel?"

For a moment there was silence, then a hesitant voice. "Sure, Dad."

"She's come to stay for a while, she has a job here at the moment and I said I'd put her up."

I could sense Sally's confusion, but she said, "That's great, Dad."

"How about you come back for the weekend and we can go out somewhere, you two can get reacquainted?"

Sally sounded more confident. "I'd love to visit – I'll see you both on Friday night, then."

"Bye, darling."

Tim ended the call and looked across at me. "That's OK, isn't it?"

I grinned. "Fine by me. I think Sally was having a little trouble tying up what she remembers of me from when she was a little girl, with a very solid visitor at her Dad's."

Tim nodded. "But I want her to meet you – to know you the same way I do."

"Maybe you'll have to do some of the explaining first, before I frighten her out of her wits," I said.

He smiled. "I'll do my best."

He glanced at his watch. "I'd better get going – and I'll be keeping a close eye on my pen at the office."

I grinned. "I'm sure I can think of some other tricks."

Tim's day at the office was uneventful – despite my teasing, I kept my mischief to a minimum – and we got back to the house quite early in the evening.

"If Sally's coming at the weekend, we'd better do some shopping," said Tim. "We can get something to make for supper while we're there."

I nodded. "Another new experience for me."

We drove to the supermarket, and Tim fetched a trolley for us. "Want to push it?" he said.

"Sure," I said. "Good practice for driving your car one of these days."

Tim rolled his eyes. "There's a bit more to it than that."

We started to make our way round the shop, Tim selecting various items for the trolley. "I'll get some of Sally's favourite biscuits," he said.

"Oh, the ones with marshmallow in the middle," I said. "I always wondered what they tasted like." Tim gave a wry smile. "It's strange, realising that you already know so much about Sally."

I nodded. "I have some secrets of hers I'm still going to keep, too."

Tim grinned. "What, like which boy in her class gave her her first kiss?"

Now it was my turn to be surprised. "How did you know about that?"

He shook his head. "I'm not saying. But I did try and keep a close eye on her, bringing her up by myself."

I reached for his hand. "You did a pretty good job."

He sighed. "I hope you're right. She does seem to have got her feet on the ground."

I looked at him puzzled. "Is 'feet on the ground' a good thing?"

Tim chuckled. "Yes – I don't suppose it makes that much sense to you."

He looked at me. "Are you missing, well, the place you're from?"

I shook my head. "I'm surprised, actually – I'm really enjoying it here."

We reached the checkout, and I did my best to help Tim pack bags. I watched curiously as he used his card to pay. "It must be really strange, having to think all the time about having enough money for the things you need."

He shrugged. "I suppose we're used to it. I'm very fortunate – I have a good job, I make enough so I don't have to worry. But not everybody's in my position." We carried bags back to the car, and Tim drove home. He unpacked, putting most of the shopping away but leaving a few items on the kitchen worktop.

"Now," he said, "let's have something to eat."

I watched fascinated as he cracked eggs, grated cheese, added herbs, then divided up the mixture into two bowls and put them in the oven.

"OK, about thirty minutes," he said.

He made coffee for us and we sat at the table to talk. "What shall we plan to do when Sally's here at the weekend?" I asked.

"Well, you both like wildlife," he said. "I'll think about where we can go to see some unusual creatures."

I nodded. "I like the sound of that."

"I have some leaflets I picked up last time one of Sally's friends came to stay," Tim said. "You can flick through those to see if there's anything particular you want to see."

He fetched a pile of leaflets, and I was soon absorbed in what the various attractions were offering.

Tim glanced at the oven. "OK, I think I've timed this about right. You do have to eat this straight away, though."

He opened the oven and pulled out the hot dishes, putting one in front of me. I picked up my fork and took a bite.

"This is good," I said. "Hey, it's sinking!"

Tim grinned. "Told you, can't hang about with soufflé."

The soufflé was quickly gone, and I put down my fork. "That was great."

"It's still early," said Tim. "Want to watch a film?"

"OK."

We went through into the living room and Tim riffled through his DVD's.

"I'm trying to find one that you won't be shocked by," he said.

I smiled wryly. "I've had enough exposure to this world to know what goes on."

Tim pulled a DVD from the pile, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "This one – I like Nicholas Cage and Meg Ryan."

He started the film playing, and we settled down side by side on the sofa to watch. As the plot began to unfold, I looked at him, seeing his eyes dancing with amusement.

"OK, I get why you chose this one," I said.

Tim smiled. "I don't suppose it's all that close to the truth."

I shook my head. "Not really."

We continued to watch, and I gasped as the main character was involved in an accident. "Is she OK?"

He didn't speak, and I looked across to see tears running down his face. "I'm sorry," he said. "I'd forgotten the ending – I don't think I've watched it since Sarah died."

I put my arm round Tim's shoulders, feeling his body shake with grief as the character left behind reflected, "I would rather have had one breath of her hair, one kiss of her mouth, one touch of her hand, than eternity without it. One."

The film finished, and after the credits the screen went blank. Tim didn't stir from my arms, and I gently stroked his hair.

Finally he sat up. "Ria, thanks so much for being here. Someone knew what they were doing when they sent you."

I nodded. "Are you ready to sleep now?"

"If you stay with me?"

I looked into his eyes. "Why would I do anything else."

He went up the stairs, and after a few minutes I joined him, this time sitting on the bed, curling my legs under me and facing him. "Sleep tight."

***

In the morning, he stirred, and said, "Ria?"

"Hmm?"

"I had another dream."

I smiled. "Tell me..." "Well," began Tim, "I was back at the cemetery, walking away from Sarah's grave, and I looked across at that statue we saw. But in my dream, it was you standing on the pedestal."

He glanced at me. "Your wings were amazing, spread out. Then you stepped off the pedestal, and somehow you changed – your wings seemed to fold and disappear, and you were standing beside me."

"Then what happened?" I asked.

"That was it," Tim said.

I grinned and reached out one hand to pull him up to a sitting position. "Well, dreams or not, it's time you got up."

My eyes widened as he resisted, pulling me towards him. I could easily have held my position, but instead I sprawled on the bed beside him, looking into his face.

He chuckled. "You don't look quite so prim and proper now."

I gave him a puzzled look. "I don't really understand what you mean."

He shook his head. "No, I guess not. Not yet, anyway."

He rolled off the bed and stood. "Come on then, lazybones."

I got up, deliberately moving as quickly as I could, and Tim blinked as I was suddenly standing by him.

"I'll go and put the kettle on," I grinned. He nodded, and headed for the shower.

We sat and talked over breakfast. "I'll plan a trip for the weekend," said Tim. "When Sally gets here tomorrow night, we can just stay in, order pizza, catch up."

I nodded. "She might need some time to get used to who I really am."

We finished eating, and Tim got up. "Well, I'll see you at the office. Or rather, not see you."

He grinned, and I returned his smile, already thinking of what little tricks I could play to liven up the routine of his day.

When we returned home that evening, Tim made us a simple stew, and we ate it with fresh bread he'd picked up on the way home.

We sat for a while, then Tim pleaded tiredness, and went to bed early. I sat for a while in the darkened living room, looking out of the window at the stars. I watched them twinkling, so unlike the pure, unblinking light I was used to...

I shook my head. I reached out my senses, finding Tim asleep, breathing gently. I walked up the stairs, and sat beside him on the bed, my back resting against the headboard.

I hesitated, then pulled the covers over my legs. Tim turned over in his sleep, and as the back of his hand rested lightly against me, I saw him smile contentedly.

The next day passed uneventfully. Tim stopped off at the supermarket on the way home from work to get a few things for the weekend. When he reached the biscuits, I saw him give a knowing smile and drop two large packets of Sally's favourite marshmallow centres into the trolley.

We reached the house, and I watched as Tim unpacked. When he reached the packets of biscuits, I moved, faster than his eyes could follow, and extracted one biscuit, returning to my seat at the table to take a bite.

"Hey!" he protested, grinning.

"Just the one," I said through a mouthful of marshmallow. "Mm, these are even better than I imagined."

There was a knock at the door, and I swallowed the rest of my mouthful quickly, brushing crumbs from my lips.

Tim got up and went to answer the door. "Hi, darling," he said, giving Sally a hug. They walked back into the kitchen, and I got to my feet. I felt a strange sensation, almost a shyness about meeting this young woman again after so long.

"Sally," I said, holding out my hand.

She hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and wrapped her arms around me, burying her head in my hair. We stood for long moments, then she moved back slightly. I could see the glint of tears in the corners of her eyes, and there was a catch in her voice as she said, "I never really had the chance to thank you for being there when I needed someone."

I smiled. "It's good to be back. I've been able to help Tim with one or two things."

Sally turned to her father. "Tell me everything – when did you two meet up again, what have you been doing?"

Tim grinned. "Let's talk while we eat. I thought we'd have pizza tonight."

Sally's eyes lit up. "Sure." She turned to me. "You probably know Tim likes lots of spices and hot stuff, but I prefer Hawaiian."

I grinned. "I'm with you on that one."

I gestured at the table. "And Tim got your favourite biscuits. I, er, I couldn't resist having one before you got here."

She smiled. "I think two packets should be enough for the weekend, especially if we keep them away from Dad."

She nudged Tim. "How about that pizza, then?"

He rolled his eyes and took the phone out into the hall to place our order.

Sally turned to me. "I never really saw you when you were here before, did I? I remember your voice, though."

I nodded. "This time I can be a bit more obvious. Tim's told everyone I'm an old school friend of yours who's just got a job here and he's putting me up for a while."

Sally grinned. "Sounds like the perfect cover."

Tim came back into the room. "Ah, pizza's on its way."

He glanced at us, then said, "I'll make coffee, shall I."

Sally and I sat at the kitchen table while Tim filled a cafetiere then poured coffee for us.

"So what have you got planned for us this weekend?" I asked him. Tim grinned. "If you can resist reading my mind, it's a surprise."

Sally glanced at me. "I hadn't thought of that. Be careful if you read mine, you might hear some different things than when I was ten years old."

I shook my head. "Don't worry, I won't eavesdrop on you. But if you think something you want me to hear, I'll know."

There was a knock at the door and Tim got up to fetch the pizza. "Here you go, you two," he said, returning and putting a large box in front of us.

Sally smiled at me and opened the lid. "Mm, smells good." She took a slice and bit into it, and I followed her lead.

Tim sat down and opened his own pizza. "You're sure you don't want some of this lovely pepperoni and these chillies?"

Sally made a face. "No way. Now, tell me everything – how did you two meet up again?"

Tim grinned. "Well, I was on my way back to the car from the office when I saw a young woman about to step off the kerb with the crossing at red. I put my hand on her shoulder to warn her, and when she turned round, she knew who I was."

He glanced at me. "I know I'm not that good with names, but I did think I'd have remembered if Sally had a friend at school like you who'd come round to see her."

He went on to our first trip out together, and Sally gasped as he described the rockfall.

She turned to me. "Ria, I don't know how to thank you." She hesitated. "Not that I want dangerous stuff to happen, but I'd really like to see some of the things you can do."

Tim smiled. "Ria has a few other special talents that don't involve falling rocks."

He described our trip to the sea-life centre, and Sally gave me an incredulous look. "It must be awesome to be able to have that kind of rapport with animals."

I nodded. "I can try and show you a little of how it's done."

Tim interjected. "One hint about our trip tomorrow – there are animals involved, and you'll get a chance to interact with them."

Sally closed our now-empty pizza box and sat back. "That was good – thanks, Dad."

She glanced at her watch. "It's been a long day, think I'll turn in. You coming, Ria?"

I nodded. "I hope you don't mind sharing your room with me?"

She shook her head. "That's pretty much how it was before, right?"

I grinned. "I guess so. Why don't you go on up and I'll join you in a minute."

Sally went up the stairs, and Tim glanced across at me. "I'll miss you tonight," he said.

I felt a strange fluttering in my chest. "Me too."

I grinned. "But don't worry. I'll still be watching you."

We climbed the stairs, and as I slipped into Sally's room I said, "See you for breakfast."

I closed the door behind me, and Sally came into the room from the en suite, already in a long t-shirt, brushing her hair.

"Bathroom's free," she said.

I smiled. "Don't really need it, thanks."

She sat down on the bed. "I guess I have a lot more to learn about you, don't I."

I sat beside her and took her hand. "Don't worry about it. Sure, there are a few things that'll seem odd, but I'm still me – the friend who you used to talk to all those nights."

She nodded. "If we get into bed and I put the light out, it'll be just like it was."

She drew the covers back and slid into bed. I hesitated for a fraction of a second, too short a time for her to even notice, then got in beside her. Sally pulled the covers over us, and reached to turn out the light.

"Ria?" she said.

"Hmm?"

"Are you allowed to... you know... hold me?"

I reached out and put my arms around her, and she snuggled closer to me. I felt her breath on my skin, her warmth next to me, and I sensed her heartbeat, just a little faster than I'd expected.

"Mm," she said. "I wish you'd been able to hold me like this before."

I stroked her hair with my hand, not knowing how to reply.

She settled her head more comfortably into the pillow. "G'night, Ria."

After a few moments she was asleep, and I reached out my senses to Tim in the room across the hall. He seemed restless, and I found myself wishing that I could be with him too, holding him in the way I was holding Sally.

I checked my thoughts. Surely that was something only a wife, a lover, could do in this world, wasn't it?

I settled for gently projecting a thought into Tim's mind: I'm watching. I promised.

He turned again, seeming to settle, and I divided my attention between watching his sleeping face and sensing the edges of Sally's dreaming thoughts.



From Heaven... Ch. 05



In the morning, Sally opened her eyes and blinked sleepily.

"Hi," I said. Her momentary confusion cleared, and she smiled.

"I had the best night's sleep," she said. "I know I dreamed, but I can't remember what."

I thought back to Tim's dreams, still not sure what they really meant.

Sally pulled reluctantly out of my arms, and I sat up.

"We'd better get ready if Dad's taking us out," she said.

She glanced at me. "That's one superpower I'd give a lot to have."

"What's that?" I asked.

"Not needing to spend half an hour on makeup every morning."

I grinned. "I'll go and make sure Tim's OK."

I went across to Tim's room, finding him already dressed. "Thanks for watching," he said.

I nodded. "Sally's just showering," I said. "Shall we go down and get breakfast ready?"

We went down to the kitchen, and by the time Sally appeared we had coffee, toast, cereal on the table.

I smiled as Sally poured milk onto her cereal and listened to the crackling for a moment, then started to eat.

When we'd finished breakfast, we went out to the car, and Sally and I took the back seat while Tim slid behind the wheel.

"Time for the magical mystery tour," he said.

We set off, and Sally watched the road signs. "I think I might know where we're heading."

When we pulled off the freeway, she grinned. "Definitely – unless Dad's developed a sudden taste for garden centres."

Tim turned off the road, parking by a low building. I couldn't help stretching out my senses a little, and I stopped, surprised at what I felt.

We walked through the entrance, and a young woman in outdoor clothing greeted us.

"Hi," she said. "It's Tim and Sally, isn't it?"

Tim nodded. "And this is Ria – I don't think she's ever been anywhere like this before."

The young woman nodded. "Good to meet you, Ria. I'm Jenny, you'll see a lot of me with the birds today."

She turned to Tim. "Why don't you take a walk around for a while? I'll join you in a couple of minutes, then we can get started."

We walked out of the back of the building into the open air, and I gasped as I caught sight of a magnificent eagle, standing on a perch on the ground, a short length of thick rope attached to the leather straps on its legs.

Tim grinned. "I knew you'd be impressed." I reached into the bird's mind, seeing images of desert, stunted trees, then darkness, hands reaching down. The scent of food, bones crunching, satisfaction. Then flying again, this time over green fields, leaves, water, and back to a gloved hand, food.

I felt Tim's eyes on me. "Ria? Are you OK?"

I nodded. "I wasn't sure about the birds being captive, but they don't have to worry about food, they're taken care of, they get to fly."

"Very perceptive," I heard Jenny's voice behind me. "Do you want to hold her?"

She passed me a glove, then climbed into the enclosure and let the eagle step onto her wrist. I held out my arm, and Jenny transferred the bird to me.

"Gosh, she's quite heavy," I said.

The eagle sat calmly, turning her head this way and that, and Jenny said, "I'm amazed – usually she's a little restless with new people."

She reached out. "I'd better put her back – we'll get started now. The birds we'll be working with aren't as big as this one, I'm afraid."

Reluctantly I let Jenny take the eagle and restore her to her perch, then we walked further on. Several smaller birds were on their perches, and I touched Tim's arm and pointed. "Look, a peregrine."

Jenny smiled. "Looks like you've chosen your bird for the day. Magnificent, isn't she."

She walked to the perches and brought a smaller bird for Tim, then one for Sally. The bird on Sally's wrist flapped restlessly, and Sally looked at it anxiously. I moved closer, and reached out a finger to smooth the bird's feathers, whispering softly.

The bird calmed, and I saw Jenny watching without speaking. She brought me the peregrine, and lifted its hood off to reveal eyes bright with intelligence.

"Right," she said, "let's go."

We walked down a short path to a large field, crossing it to skirt an area of woodland.

"This is ideal country for them," explained Jenny. "There are hedgerows, so they can catch mice and voles, and the bigger birds –" she indicated the peregrine – "can go after rabbits in the open fields."

She looked at me. "Ria, why don't you go first."

I raised my arm, and the peregrine shook her feathers, then with one strong beat of her wings was airborne, circling higher and higher. She turned to fly towards us, directly out of the sun, and I remembered to shade my eyes as though against the brightness.

Suddenly she stooped, and I stretched the time just a little to watch her perfect plummet. At its terminus was a small rabbit, and I flinched as the bird's claws cleanly crushed its skull.

The peregrine mantled over her prey, and Jenny quickly walked over to exchange the rabbit for some other item of food.

She returned, the rabbit dangling from her hand. "That'll be good for the pot," she said. "Do you want it?"

Tim glanced at me. "Sure – I think I have a recipe for rabbit stew."

We carried on, and Tim and Sally both released their birds, one catching a vole, the other chasing a terrified pigeon which managed to escape.

"Can the peregrine fly again?" I said.

Jenny nodded. "We'll fly her to the lure, this time."

I cast off the bird, watching as she climbed again till she was only a speck in the blue of the sky.

Jenny began to swing the lure on its cord, and we watched fascinated as the peregrine stooped, Jenny just pulling the lure away each time, the bird circling and climbing again.

"Time to let her have her reward," said Jenny. She gave a loud call, and the peregrine dropped from the sky, catching the lure in midair and again mantling over it as it fell to the ground.

Jenny retrieved the bird, giving her the reward on my wrist, and we made our way back across the field.

"I hope you've enjoyed working with the birds," she said. "It's pretty much lunchtime, so how about you come back after you've had something to eat and take your time looking at the rest of the birds."

We walked back past the car to the nearby garden centre, and Tim grinned. "It must be a bit strange for them here – I bet some of the people who come and work with the birds are quite different from their usual customers for rose bushes and garden ornaments."

We reached the restaurant, and a waitress seated us. We ordered drinks, then looked at the menu.

"Think I'll stick with a salad, if we're having rabbit stew for supper," I said.

Sally grinned. "Baked potato for me."

Tim nodded. "You're right – I'll just stick with soup."

Our drinks came, and we ordered our meals. "So we'll look at the birds this afternoon," said Tim, "then I have another surprise for the way back. Not quite as unusual, but I know you two will like it."

Our food arrived, and we ate, watching the garden birds hopping about in the bushes outside the window, where some feeders had been set out.

When we'd finished, Tim paid, and we made our way back over to the falconry centre. We walked around the various enclosures, and in my mind I matched the various birds of prey against the ones I'd seen arriving on that dark day so long ago.

"There are some kinds I don't see here," I said.

Tim nodded. "Well, even a place as big as this can't have everything." He paused. "But there are some species that despite our best efforts, have become extinct."

For a moment I felt a strange sensation, like the one I'd experienced at the cemetery when I'd seen all the gravestones. I realised again the power that death had over this world, even if only for a short while.

I took a deep breath, and Tim said, "Ria, are you OK?"

I nodded. "But I need to finish telling you about the end."

Sally's brow furrowed. "I don't understand." Tim glanced across at her. "Ria's been telling me a few things about what she's seen before she came here, and what we're allowed to know about the future."

Sally sat down on a nearby bench, her face thoughtful. "There's more to this than just you and me, isn't there, Dad," she said slowly.

We finished our tour of the enclosures, then made our way back to the exit. Jenny brought a neatly-wrapped package out.

"Here's your supper," she said. "It was fascinating watching you with the birds, Ria, you've got a real gift. Do come again whenever you can."

We went back to the car and Tim turned in a different direction on the way out. Again Sally raised her eyebrows knowingly, and after a few miles we turned off the road into a broad drive lined with trees, a herd of cows munching lazily in a field to one side.

Tim stopped the car and we walked across a cobbled yard to a doorway. I followed Sally in, and she watched my face as I looked around.

"Wow," I grinned. "I had no idea there even were so many kinds of ice cream."

"We usually get a big cone each – three different scoops – and a couple of tubs to take home," said Tim. "Take your time choosing."

I looked at the flavours – triple chocolate, rum and raisin, pistachio, and some with ingredients I didn't even recognise.

I turned to Sally. "I really have no idea. Why don't you pick all your favourites for yours and for mine, and we can swap."

Sally grinned. "Great idea."

She let Tim order his cone first – I wasn't totally surprised that one of his scoops was chocolate with chilli – then listed off her favourites on her fingers.

I took my cone, holding it carefully, and followed Sally's example in licking, the cold sweetness yet another new sensation on my tongue.

We walked back out, and leaned on the fence watching the cows for a few minutes. "Ready to swap?" asked Sally.

I nodded, and held out my cone for her to take.

"Ria, you have a..." said Tim, and I caught Sally's expression as he reached out a finger to catch a dribble of ice cream from below my lip, licking his finger.

When the ice cream was gone, we crunched at the cones for a while, then crumbled the last couple of inches in our fingers, scattering them for the birds. Then Tim went back to the shop to get the tubs of ice cream to take home with us.

Sally glanced at me, a smile playing on her lips. "Ria, I'm beginning to wonder how Dad really feels about you."

I looked at her blankly. "I know he's very grateful for my help, and he seems happy when I'm with him."

Sally shook her head. "I think you still have a few things to learn about people," she said, smiling.

Tim returned with a carrier bag. "Better get straight back before this melts."

When we arrived at the house, Tim put the ice cream safely in the freezer, then glanced at me. "I'm guessing you don't want to see all the details of how I get supper ready."

I shook my head. "Not really."

"Let's get a drink and sit down for a while, leave Dad to it in the kitchen," suggested Sally. "You have wine in the cupboard, don't you, Dad?"

"Sure, help yourself."

Sally opened the cupboard and glanced at the bottles. "This one," she decided, taking out a bottle and deftly opening it with the corkscrew. I followed her as she walked through to the living room and found glasses, pouring for us.

She raised her glass. "Cheers."

I nodded, and took a sip. "Mm, this is different from the one we had the other day."

Sally sat down on the sofa and I took my usual chair. She looked at me, hesitating.

"Do you know how long you'll be able to stay?" she asked finally.

I shook my head. "Not really."

She looked thoughtful. "I missed you when you left last time, but there were a lot of other new things in my life – school, friends."

"Boys," I prompted. She coloured, and said, "Oh! I remember now, that first kiss." She turned thoughtful again. "But Dad doesn't really have any of that, since I left home. I know he likes the outdoors, and he visits the bird centre, but I don't really think he has much in the way of company."

"Maybe someone will come along," I suggested.

"Maybe someone alr–" she began, then stopped herself. I resisted the temptation to catch the end of her sentence from her thoughts.

Just then Tim came through from the kitchen. "That's the difficult bit done," he said. "The stew can simmer for a while now."

He sat down in the chair next to me, and said, "Is there any of that wine left?"

I got up, and poured him a glass, holding it out to him with both hands.

He smiled, and took it, sipping, as I sat down again.

"I'm guessing we'll go to church tomorrow," he said. "What do you want to do afterwards?"

Sally grinned. "Can it be my turn to surprise you two? I need to ask Ria a couple of questions to be sure it'll work."

"Sure," said Tim. He glanced at the clock. "Oops, time to put the potatoes on."

He got up, taking his glass with him, and went back out to the kitchen.

"Come and sit by me," said Sally, patting the sofa.

I moved across. "So what do you need to know for your surprise?" She hesitated. "So... Dad told me about how your clothes are, well, part of who you are, when you're being like us."

I nodded. "I did change them a little, when we went out once."

Sally nodded. "Dad told me. But... is it possible, somehow, for you to wear our clothes? Only my surprise was to take you shopping and get you something really special."

I thought for a moment. "I think it's possible. But I'd have to change by myself – I don't think it'd be right for anyone to see, not even you. I'm sorry."

Sally took my hand, smiling. "Don't worry – I have friends who won't let anyone come in the changing room with them, and you have a much better reason than they do."

She paused. "Dad told me that you showed him your real form?"

I nodded. "It's no more real than how I look now, really, just different. Do you want to see?"

"Later?" she said.

"Sure."

Just then Tim called from the kitchen, "Supper's ready."

We went through and sat down at the table. Tim put a bowl of potatoes on the table, then a covered dish. "Help yourselves."

Sally glanced at me, and put some potatoes onto my plate, then lifted the lid of the dish. "Smells lovely."

She spooned stew over my potatoes, then served herself. Finally Tim filled his plate, then paused, putting his fork down.

"Here's thanks to our feathered friend who's provided our meal for us today," he said.

I nodded. "Not forgetting the furry one who gave up his life for it."

We started to eat, and I said, "This is good."

Sally nodded. "It makes a difference, knowing, doesn't it."

When we'd finished, Tim took our plates. "Could you cope with ice cream again for dessert?"

Sally grinned. "As long as it's not the chilli one."

Tim brought vanilla ice cream – with tiny specks of real vanilla pod – and we ate slowly.

Tim finished last, putting down his spoon, and said, "Anyone want a coffee before bed? I think Ria said she had something to tell us – we can take our drinks up to my room."

He made coffee, and we went up the stairs. Tim propped himself against the headboard, and I curled up on one side of the bed, Sally on the other.

"So," I began, "I started to tell Tim how this whole world will end – like those beaches?"

Tim nodded. "Normandy."

"And everything that's bad, unjust..." I hesitated before using an unfamiliar word, "... evil, will be finally dealt with, put right.

"That's why I thought of it when you said that some of the birds aren't around any more."

I paused. "All of them – what made them unique – they're all remembered, none of them is lost."

I felt again the unfamiliar sensation of tears pricking at my eyes. "When everything's set right again, made new, I know that I'll look into the sky, like I did when the water covered everything, but this time all the birds – even the ones that you thought were gone – will be up there, circling in that perfect sky, and nothing will ever be able to harm them again."

I stopped, my voice somehow choked, and Sally put her arm around my shoulders. "That's the most beautiful thing I've ever heard."

She glanced at Tim. "Come on, Ria, let's go to bed."

We crossed the hall to her room, and she hugged me. "I'll only be a minute."

She went out to the bathroom, and I heard the sound of her cleaning her teeth, then a few moments of silence. She returned in the long t-shirt she'd worn the previous night for bed, and got into bed.

I smiled at her. "I haven't forgotten, I promised to show you the other way I look."

I stood at the end of the bed, then saw the unearthly light on her face, her eyes widening as I changed.

"Whoah," she breathed as I resumed my more human form and got into the bed beside her. "That'd give Pastor Jefferson something to think about if you did that tomorrow in church."

I shook my head. "Not possible. But you know, he should already believe it..."

Sally turned to face me. "Hold me again like you did yesterday?"

I wrapped my arms around her, again marvelling at the softness, the warmth, the fragility of this human life.

***

In the morning after breakfast we walked down to church, and again Pastor Jefferson greeted us at the door. "Good to see you again," he said.

We found seats, and the service began. I smiled inwardly at Sally's startled face as we started to sing, and when the hymn was over Tim leaned across to her. "Don't look so surprised – Ria does sing in a rather special choir, you know."

Sally rolled her eyes, and I said, "Come on, Tim, you were as surprised as Sally the first time you heard me."

He started to reply, but stopped as the reading was announced.

A young woman stepped up to the lectern and found the passage. I cast my mind back, remembering the events behind the unfamiliar words. 

My attention came back to the present with a jolt when I heard "...the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose."

I glanced across at Sally, her face extremely thoughtful. The reading ended, and I half-listened as the pastor spoke.

The service finished, and we went back to the house. Tim had put the roast in the oven before we went out, and he soon had lunch on the table.

"So, Sally," he said as we ate. "This afternoon's your surprise – what's first?"

"You're going to drive us up to the retail park, then you're going to sit in the coffee shop while Ria and I go and look for clothes."

Tim feigned a groan. "I'd better find a book."

"We won't take that long," said Sally, grinning.

We got in the car, and Tim drove us the couple of miles to the retail park. We walked to the coffee shop, and Tim bought a drink, sitting down at a table.

"Off you go then," he grinned.

Sally led me past the shops, my eyes drawn this way and that by the glitter and the colours. "Come on," she said. "I know where we can go for everything you need."

We turned in to a large department store, and Sally stopped for a moment. "Ria, do you trust me?"

I nodded. "Of course."

She led me to the lingerie section, and I watched as she pulled garments off their racks. Sally glanced at me. "You're going to be OK with this stuff, aren't you?"

I smiled. "I think I'll figure it out."

We moved on, and I looked with fascination at the riot of different colours, fabrics, and dress styles. Sally looked at me for a few moments, then selected three garments, draping them over her arm.

"Right," she said. "Off we go to the changing rooms."

We walked towards the back of the shop, and I was relieved to see that all the cubicles were unoccupied, their curtains drawn back.

"OK," said Sally, handing me the garments she'd selected. "See how you get on."

I went into the furthest cubicle, pulling the curtain, and started to concentrate.

After a few minutes I heard a quiet cough from Sally. "Ria, dearest, you're glowing a little – I can see it under the curtain."




From Heaven... Ch. 05



"Oops, sorry," I said. "I'm having a little trouble with these hooks."

I heard amusement and sympathy mix in her voice as she replied. "If you can't quite manage to reach, fasten them at the front then slide it round – lots of people do that."

"Ah, got it," I said, a hint of triumph in my voice.

A few minutes later, I hesitantly drew back the curtain and stepped out. "What do you think?"

Sally looked at me, and I could see the different emotions playing across her face.

"It's strange," she said. "You look lovely – the dress really suits you – but I can see how it takes something away from..."

She hesitated. "Am I allowed to say, from your glory?"

I nodded. "But you have your own kind of glory."

She was silent for a moment, reflecting. Then she smiled. "Anyway, try one of the others."

I went back into the cubicle, emerging again a few moments later. This time the dress I had on was very different – close-fitting at the top, with embroidered highlights, but dropping to a long, flowing skirt, almost a train, with a split from the knee. The colour was deep blue, almost violet, and I concentrated for a second, matching my eyes to the hue.

Sally's mouth dropped open. "Wow," she said. "That really suits you."

She reached for her bag. "I think we've found Tim's surprise. Come on, let's put the others back then go and pay."

I walked with her to the desk, still trying to get used to the feel of the fabrics against my skin. Sally paid for the items we'd selected, and put her arm through mine as we left the shop and made our way back to where we'd left Tim.

"Stay here a moment," she said, pausing just out of sight of the coffee shop. "Count to twenty, then walk in."

I followed her instructions, and walked through the door to see Sally seated by Tim at the table, her eyes on his face.

When he caught sight of me, his eyes widened, and he got to his feet.

"Ria..." he breathed.

I glanced aside at Sally, seeing her broad grin.

"What do you think of it?"

Tim swallowed. "You look amazing."

He pulled out a chair for me and held it as I sat, then took his own place again.

"Would you two like a drink?" he asked.

I nodded. "But I looked at the board, I have no idea what any of those coffees and flavours are like. Surprise me?"

"I know," said Sally. "I bet you'll like my favourite."

She leaned over and whispered in Tim's ear, and he nodded. He went to the counter, and returned with three coffees. His was unsurprisingly strong and dark, the steam rising from it almost bitter-smelling.

He put tall cups in front of me and Sally, and I lifted mine to taste it. "Oh wow."

My drink was rich, sweet, the taste of the coffee tantalizingly almost hidden by a flavour which reminded me of the ice cream we'd eaten the previous day. As I sipped I caught an elusive overtone, almost of something burnt, but not bitter.

Sally smiled. "See, Dad, I told you Ria would like caramel macchiato." Tim pretended to screw up his face. "All that sugar."

I drank slowly, letting each sip surprise me again, but finally my cup was empty.

"You can bring me back here anytime," I said to Tim, smiling.

He nodded. "So do you two have more shopping you need to get?"

Sally shook her head. "Actually, Dad, I should get going – someone with a cruel streak scheduled one of my lectures for eight thirty on Mondays."

She grinned at me. "But you and Ria could look at the shops. I think there's something she needs."

She used her index fingers to pantomime something at her neck, and I looked at Tim mystified.

"Ah," he said, "of course."

Sally stood. "I'll get a cab back to the house, pick up my stuff. You two take your time."

I got to my feet. "Sally, I don't know how to thank you. This weekend has been amazing."

She looked embarrassed, and reached out to hug me. "I'll visit again soon."

We watched as she made her way out of the coffee shop, turning to wave once more before turning a corner out of sight.

"Right," said Tim decisively. "I know exactly where to go for what Sally suggested."

We left the coffee shop, and Tim turned into an area of shops off the main thoroughfare.

"Here," he said, pushing open the door and letting me go first.

I looked round fascinated. On every side were glass cases, the velvet trays they held covered with shining gold, silver, precious stones.

An assistant approached us. "How can I help you?"

Tim smiled. "We're looking for something to go with a new dress. I was thinking sapphires, perhaps a choker?"

The assistant nodded, and walked to a cabinet in the corner, sliding out a drawer. I gasped at the blaze of blue, and Tim smiled.

"Would you like to try this one?" suggested the assistant, bringing over a flat necklace studded with blue stones.

Tim took it from him, and stood behind me, fastening the catch carefully. The necklace felt cold against my skin at first, then warmed, and I looked in the nearby mirror.

"I hardly recognise myself," I said to Tim quietly.

He nodded. "Do you like it?"

"It's lovely," I said.

"That's settled, then." He nodded to the assistant. "We'll take it." Tim walked aside to discreetly swipe his credit card, and the assistant gave him a small bag with a velvet-covered box. "I assume the lady wishes to wear the piece now."

We left the shop, and I noticed that one or two people we passed didn't quite manage to conceal the looks they gave in our direction.

"Can we go home?" I asked. "I feel a little conspicuous."

"Of course," said Tim. He grinned. "But I'm glad we came."

When we arrived back at the house, Sally's car was gone, but she'd left a note on the kitchen table:

"Thanks for a lovely weekend, see you soon. P.S. I left something for Ria upstairs."

Tim raised his eyebrows, and while he tidied the kitchen I went upstairs to Sally's room. On the bed was a long t-shirt, folded into a neat pile, with a note on top:

"In case you don't feel like changing all the way back just yet. Love, S."

I went back down the stairs, and Tim smiled. "Am I allowed to know what Sally left you?"

"Later," I promised.

He nodded. "After that lunch I don't think I'll need anything else to eat. Anything particular you want to do?"

"Let's go for a walk in the garden," I said.

Tim opened the doors in the living room that led out to the back of the house, and we walked down the steps to the lawn.

"I love this time of day," I said. "It reminds me of back at the beginning, when everything was fresh and new, and I stood looking at the stars."

Tim glanced across at me. "It still feels strange to hear you talk about things that happened so long ago."

We walked on in silence for a while, then Tim sighed. "I suppose it's time we called it a day. Work again tomorrow."

We made our way back to the house, and Tim closed the doors behind us. "See you upstairs?"

I nodded, watching him go. After a few moments, I went up to Sally's room and carefully removed the dark blue dress. Sally's advice about the difficult-to-reach hooks proved useful, then I pulled the t-shirt over my head, again feeling the strangeness of the fabric against my skin.

I walked across the hall, and Tim smiled at me as I knelt on the bed. He took my hand. "I'm glad you're here again."

He settled his head on the pillow and closed his eyes. "G'night, Ria."

I sensed his breathing slow, and I settled down to keep my usual watch.

The stars wheeled slowly in their courses, and the moon rose, casting its reflected light into the room. Then, as though it had always been there, I gradually became aware of a presence, and a voice spoke, impossible to mistake for any other in the universe.

'Ariel.'

"Yes?"

'You've done well. I'm very pleased.'

I thought back to the last time I'd heard those words spoken, and waited.

'You look... very human, just now.'

I nodded. "I quite like it."

The voice was silent for a while, then spoke again.

'You know that being human can mean pain, loss, suffering.'

"Yes – Tim and Sally have taught me that."

I hesitated. "I still don't really understand why I was sent, though I know Tim appreciates me being here."

This time I sensed a smile in the voice.

'I think Sally has already guessed, but it's hard for you. Easier for me...'

Again my thoughts went back to that time so long ago. I remembered the travelling, those young women who came along, knowing they saw something special in the one who'd called them all together. The one – Mary – who, more than any of the others, loved him. That time in the garden, when he had to tell her she couldn't hold on to him, that she had to find another way.

"I think I begin to see."

'Yes.'

Again the voice paused, and I wondered if I was expected to say something, then:

'There would be no going back.'

"I know. Just one thing I'd ask."

'Tell me.'

"I know we both have..." I stopped, then made myself say the words, "we'll have to die eventually, but... I don't want either of us to be left behind without the other."

There was a pause, then:

'Ariel, I promise.'

I nodded. "Then this is what I choose."

'Very well.'

I felt the presence withdraw, and I wanted to say: Wait, what do I do? 

Then somehow I knew. I lifted the covers, and lay down beside Tim, then pulled the covers back over us. His eyes opened, and his drowsy face showed surprise, a question. I put my finger to his lips, smiling, and he closed his eyes again and slept.

I waited, and for the first time in my existence felt myself starting to slip out of consciousness. My last thought was, So this must be what death feels like too...



From Heaven... Ch. 06



As the morning light filtered through the curtains, I woke. I had to suppress a gasp as so many different sensations flooded in on me – the light feeling different on my eyes, the warmth of the bed, the softness of the pillow.

I became aware of my own heartbeat, the blood pulsing through my veins. I took a deep breath, then exhaled. Suddenly there was a sound from outside, followed by others. Birds, singing in the garden.

Without thinking, I willed to reach out my senses to see them, and halted in shock as nothing happened. I realised that the awareness I'd had of the edge of Tim's thoughts, was silent.

Next to me, Tim stirred and opened his eyes. "This is a nice..." he began, then I saw his eyes widen, his face turn pale. "Ria?"

I didn't reply, letting him look at me.

"What..." he managed.

I found my voice, feeling my breath moving my vocal cords, my tongue and lips shaping the words. "I thought it'd be less of a shock than when you first found out what I was." I put the emphasis on the word 'was'.

Tim reached out a hand to touch my face hesitantly. "You mean...?"

I nodded.

"But – but how?"

I smiled. "I was given the choice," I said simply.

His face was a mask of confusion. "But... is this what you want?"

I nodded. "I want to be with you, and with Sally."

Again he was lost for words. I reached out my hand to his shoulder. "Don't worry, we have plenty of time."

He blinked. "I can't imagine what it must be like. So many things you'll have to learn to cope with."

He looked at me closely. "How do you feel?"

"Fine," I said.

At that moment I realised that there was a strange sensation in my stomach, an... emptiness? I'd never felt any kind of need, or lack, and I frowned, then my face cleared and I smiled at Tim. "Think I'm hungry, though."

Tim hurriedly pulled back the covers and said in an anxious voice, "Of course, I'm sorry, we must find you something to eat right away."

I put my hand out to touch his shoulder. "Tim... Don't panic, I won't suddenly fall to pieces because I'm human. Just imagine I'm any other person, treat me the same."

Tim nodded. "Ria, I understand what you're saying. But you're not just 'any other person'."

He hesitated. "I couldn't say before, when you were... what you were. I knew you might have to go back at any time, and there was nothing I could do about it. But now..."

He reached for my hand. "Now I can tell you. Ria, I love you."

I felt my eyes begin to brim with tears, glad that this was one part of being human I'd been able to know in advance. The tears spilled down my cheeks, and Tim traced their path with a finger.

I looked into his eyes. "Tim, I loved you before – but I learned something very important last night while you were asleep. The human heart has another kind of love, one that I couldn't know before. Now I can... and it's all for you."

Tim wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to him, cradling my head in his hands. "Ria..." he murmured against my hair.

I realised that being held so closely caused different sensations again in me, and I drew back a little, almost shyly. Then I remembered something, and tilted my face, touching my lips to Tim's lightly.

His eyes widened again, and I felt him return the kiss, then reluctantly pull away.

"Come on," he said, "let's get you that breakfast."

We went downstairs, and he found me cereal and milk. I started to eat, and said, "I enjoyed it before, but it's different, now that I need this. I can't really explain."

Tim nodded, then glanced at the clock. "I think I'd better call into work and tell them I won't be in today. I know you're not going to break, but I don't want to miss a single thing."

He shook his head incredulously. "I sound like someone with a new baby, don't I."

He went out into the hall, and I heard him making the phone call.

When he returned, he said, "That's fine – my boss said that things aren't too busy this week, he doesn't mind me having a few days off."

"Great," I said. "Could you make me some coffee?"

Tim nodded. "Can't quite manage a caramel macchiato, though."

He grinned. "We can go down there later, though, if you like – I want to see your face when you taste it again for the first time."

He made me coffee, adding sugar and cream, and I closed my eyes as I sipped.

"That was the first thing I noticed about you," said Tim. "The way you enjoyed everything, savoured every taste and experience."

"That won't change," I promised.

When I'd finished my coffee, I said, "Hmm, think there's something else I need."

"Getting dressed would be useful," teased Tim.

"Ah, that's it," I said. "A shower."

Tim raised his eyebrows. "OK – do you think you can manage?"

I nodded. "And there are some of Sally's clothes in her room, so I can find something to wear."

"I'll go and get ready too," said Tim. "Just shout if you get stuck."

I went up the stairs, and shed the clothes I'd worn to sleep in. I glanced briefly at myself in the full-length mirror, and wondered what Tim would think of this body...

I stepped into the shower, trying to work out the controls, and squealed as a jet of cold water struck me. I quickly adjusted the taps, and the water warmed, another new sensation as it streamed over my skin.

I glanced round, and picked up a container at random. "All over body wash," I read. "Well, sounds obvious."

The fragrance of the gel was heady, and I lathered myself thoroughly before rinsing off.

I turned off the water, and stepped out of the cubicle, reaching for a towel. The material felt rough on my skin, but it left a pleasant tingle when I'd finishing rubbing myself dry.

I found a hairbrush on Sally's dresser, and brushed my hair, then opened the drawers until I found clothes that looked more or less the same as the ones she'd bought for me the previous day.

In another drawer I found t-shirts, and I remembered that Sally had worn jeans, so I decided to try those.

Just as I finished dressing, I heard a hesitant knock on the door.

"You can come in," I called.

Tim opened the door, and looked at me. I tried to understand his expression, then shook my head. "Tell me."

He smiled. "You look beautiful. But I can't help remembering how you let me see you as a flame of fire."

He looked sad for a moment. "And I never did see your wings."

"They're just like you saw them in your dream," I reassured.

He nodded. "I guess that'll have to do."

He hesitated, then brought something from behind his back and held it out to me, his face colouring slightly.

I took the book from his hands, leafing through it. "The 'What's happening to my body' book for girls."

"It's what we bought Sally when she turned twelve," said Tim. "I thought it might help you."

I grinned. "Thanks, Tim. You're pretty smart – not everyone would have thought of that." I put the book down on the bed.

"So, what shall we do next?" asked Tim.

I thought for a moment. "Well, what seems most different for me, apart from needing to eat, is how I sense things – everything seems so much more immediate. Maybe we could go to some place where I can get used to all the different sensations."

Tim thought for a moment. "I know the perfect place."

We went out to the car, and again Tim was careful to make sure I put on my seatbelt. We drove for a few minutes out into the countryside, and Tim turned into a gravelled drive, then stopped the car.

We got out, and I breathed in deeply through my nose. "Something smells nice."

Tim grinned. "This place is really just a big garden, but there are so many different kinds of flowers and plants. You'll see practically every colour, and a lot of the flowers are scented."

He took my hand as we walked down the first path. "You can touch most things if you're careful, and there's even a sensory garden – it's designed for people who have problems with one sense or another, but it'll be ideal for you."

We walked round slowly, and as Tim had suggested, I feasted my eyes on the colours, then bent to each flower, inhaling the scent. I ran my fingers over the leaves, some smooth, some rough, some shiny and waxy.

Birds flitted in and out of the branches of the trees singing, and I found myself hoping that I hadn't lost all of my rapport with the creatures.

"You can even taste some of the plants," said Tim, reaching down and carefully plucking a tiny leaf from the tip of one shoot. He tore the leaf in half, and handed me a piece, putting the other half in his mouth and chewing.

I followed his example, and my eyes widened as the taste took hold of my tongue. "It's like the ice cream."

Tim chuckled. "I thought one of the scoops was mint."

He glanced at his watch. "Are you hungry again yet?"

I grinned. "I haven't quite got the hang of this yet, but I think I could eat something."

We walked towards a wooden building with tables outside, and Tim picked up a menu card as we sat down.

"How about a burger?" he suggested.

"Sounds fine," I said. Tim went off to get our food, and I relaxed, looking out over the garden.

He returned with a tray, putting a plate in front of me, and a cup of coffee. I picked up my burger and took a bite, tasting the beef, the crisp salad, and the vinegary tomato sauce.

"Mm," I said, "fantastic."

Tim grinned. "At least nobody can say you're high-maintenance."

I threw him a puzzled look, and he shook his head, smiling.

When we'd finished our lunch, we went back into the garden. I noticed movement among one patch of flowers, and moved closer, stretching out to touch them. I felt something brush my hand, then a sharp pain. 

"Ow!"

Tim hurried over, his face a mask of concern. "What happened?"

"Something... I don't know. It – hurts?"

Tim took my hand, looking at it carefully. "Oh..."

"What?" I asked. "Is it serious?"

He shook his head. "Just a bee sting. Come on, we'll go back to the café, borrow some tweezers."

I followed him, not understanding. When we got to the café, Tim spoke briefly to the girl behind the counter, and came back holding something in his hand.

"This is going to hurt a little," he said. I nodded, and he lifted my hand. I felt another stab of pain, and Tim said, "Got it."

I smiled. "Thanks, darling."

Tim glanced up, his face suddenly full of emotion. "Are you OK?"

I nodded. "It still hurts a little, but I'll be fine."

Tim nodded thoughtfully. "At least we know you're not allergic."

He grinned. "Considering how you came by your body, I'd expect it to be in pretty good shape."

He gave the tweezers back to the girl behind the counter and returned to me. "Do you want to go home now?"

I nodded. "But I've had a lovely day, and it's never going to be possible for me to avoid pain totally."

As we walked back to the car, Tim said with a wry smile, "I was right."

"In what way?"

"It is like having a new baby – remembering you need food every so often. And like having a little girl, bee stings and grazed knees."

"And a teenager," I said, thinking about the book he'd given me that morning. I hesitated, remembering a thought that had crossed my mind only a couple of days previously. "Tim, all those things are true, and I'm really glad you're here to help me. But even though I'm barely a day old as a human being, I'm already a grown woman."

Tim nodded. "Trust me, I'd noticed."

I hesitated. "One of the reasons I chose this life is because I love you. And I want everything that means."

Tim stopped. "So do I, darling."

He took me in his arms, holding me tenderly, then bent to kiss me. My senses swam, and I was glad he was holding me up. I felt a strange sensation in my stomach, almost as though I was hungry again, and I had a sudden urge to slide my hands inside Tim's jacket, to feel the muscles under his skin.

Tim broke our kiss, and I saw something in his eyes, at the same time soft and wild.

"Let's go home," he said.

We got back in the car, and when we reached the house, I was about to go through the door when Tim raised his hand. "Wait."

He lifted me into his arms. "I may be skipping a few steps here, but after all, you were sent to me..."

He glanced hesitantly upwards. "Can I say, by your boss?"

I grinned. "I don't have a problem with that."

Tim stepped over the threshold, then continued up the stairs with me in his arms.



Epilogue

We'd planned our day out carefully, a walk down the canyon to see the peregrines. The sky was overcast, but it didn't seem like it was going to rain imminently.

We reached the bottom of the canyon, and Tim knelt to point out the nest. "There are chicks again this year, Beth, look."

"I see them, Daddy." Then she looked further up. "Mummy, what's happening to the sky?"

I followed her gaze, and something in my heart leaped as I saw the clouds splitting apart, light blazing from the widening tear in the sky.

I took a deep breath. "Beth, we're going to meet some of my old friends."

She smiled. "Oh, I know. Will Gabby and Mikey be there?"

I looked at her astonished, then started to laugh, holding my sides.

"What?" said Tim, smiling but puzzled.

"Wait till I see those two," I said. "And now I know what he meant when I said I didn't want either you or I to be left behind without the other."

'Ariel, I promise.'