The Afterlife of Alice Watkins 1

by Matilda Scotney

  “Yes, Principal Ryan.”

  “Oh, he didn’t say he was your nephew.”

  “Well, he wouldn’t. Barely speaks. Never much to say.”

  This was Principal Ryan’s aunt?

  Principal Katya pushed the plate of bread and a dish of jam closer to Alice and for a moment, she was back at home doing her usual things. She put the jam on the bread and took a bite. The bread was nice and the strawberry jam, divine. Alice turned her eyes heavenward.

  Principal Katya grinned. “Good, eh?”

  “Heavenly,” Alice sighed, rolling her eyes.

  “So, does he inform me correctly? Do you play the piano?”

  Alice only knew what Principal Ryan had told her.

  “So it seems, Principal Katya, I don’t remember how it happened. It’s hazy now.”

  “There is a piano here, through there,” she aimed her spoon at the library. “You may play it at any time, day or night.”

  “Thank you, but the truth is, I don’t actually recall playing,” she eyed the bread and butter and smiled. “Right now, I’m so grateful to have bread and butter and tea and for it feeling…so familiar. Thank you, Principal Katya.”

  “You are welcome,” Principal Katya took her hand and gave it a little shake. “I am delighted you are here. But even though I have promised a vacation, I must mention something that cannot wait, in case other plans need to be made.”

  Alice waited. What now?

  Principal Katya put down her cup.

  “When we were certain your new insides were successful, and you showed signs of independence, Principal Hardy suggested we set about searching for your family.”

  It would seem people didn’t become principals by sitting on their hands. It appeared pretty much all contingencies for Alice’s reintegration into society had been covered.

  “My family? Surely they’re long gone?” Alice thought about her mother and her uncle Dave, who she liked, but she didn’t know her father, who died soon after her birth.

  “Well, your immediate family of course, but we found DNA matches—we found many, but one, a match to your mother, appeared to have a stronger link than most of the others.”

  “My mother?”

  “Yes, Caroline Watkins. When she married, she became Langley. It seems your uncle, Martin Watkins, raised you following your parent’s death in an accident, we have no idea where you lived. There are no records.”

  It was Alexis Langley’s family they’d found, not hers, but Watkins? Like Martin Watkins? Alice wondered how she and Alexis were related because evidently, they were.

  “Who is it you found, Principal Katya?”

  “Her name is Mary Greer. And I believe you will find she is an excellent choice.”

  “Choice?” Alice echoed.

  “As your guardian, only until you grow confident in your new world. It had always been our intention for you to stay here but I see it would be better for you to have a home and a family, Alice, as you adapt to your new life.”

  This was difficult information to process. Alice figured her real descendants would come from Michelle’s children and Michelle’s married name was Campbell, not Watkins. Steven hadn’t married, so how did this Caroline become Watkins? Uncle Dave’s descendants?

  “She lives in the Calamities. In your home country.”

  “The Calamities?” Alice echoed again. She still hadn’t got her head around this concept. “What did she do?”

  “She is in an unholy alliance. She has married another woman, a woman of a different race.” Principal Katya delivered the news matter-of-fact, casually placing jam on her piece of bread, trying to duplicate the same eye-rolling experience Alice had.

  “But you want me to live with her?”

  “My wish is for your happiness and Mary is delightful. She has a charming home, where I spent a few, pleasant hours with Mary and her wife, Jane. They will welcome you with open arms. I will send for her after your vacation.”

  “You seem accepting of their lifestyle, Principal Katya.”

  Principal Katya raised an eyebrow at the comment.

  “Why not? It is their choice. We are all human beings, sometimes frail in our decisions.”

  Alice was disappointed, she was being sent to the Calamities even though Dr Grossmith had said she wouldn’t. Alice had never met a lesbian, and she didn’t want to become one herself.

  “As a loyal citizen,” Principal Katya continued, “you will be permitted the freedoms they are not and while your home will be in the Calamities, you may come and go as you please.”

  So, the decision had been made and once more, no one asked Alice but Principal Katya, as though she read Alice’s mind, added.

  “And that is our last decision we make without you. In future, you make all your decisions and we will be there to guide and support you in every way. After tea, I have organised something special for you. We will go to your suite and we will go shopping. You cannot wear only the grey. It does not suit you!!”

  Alice glanced down at her grey outfit. She agreed, but...shopping?

  “I haven’t any money, any currency.”

  “We don’t have currency, Alice. You may choose whatever you wish. How old are you now?”

  “Sixty…um, 30?”

  “Then you have 30 years of shopping. I planned to take you to the city but then, my nephew reports you value your privacy. The tailor and purveyor are ordered to attend here.”

  “Thank you, Principal Katya.”

  What could she say in the face of such kindness and generosity? Alice had an image of Principal Ryan catching her in the auditorium that night when she had been a stammering wreck. How thoughtful of him to tell his aunt of her shyness.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Principal Katya was in no rush to finish her tea and bread and butter, in fact, everything and everyone in attendance seemed to accommodate her pace. She smiled often and spoke non-stop about the Tabernacle and the surrounding area, her lively chatter leaving Alice of the opinion she should be related to Patrick rather than the stern Principal Ryan. By the end of morning tea, Alice felt as though she’d known her for years.

  Principal Katya personally showed Alice to her suite. Each room Alice had been assigned since waking up on Saturn Station, stepped up each time in comfort but this surpassed all her expectations. Tall windows, open wide to the day, provided spectacular views over the gardens and lake. Sheer curtains fluttered in the breeze and outside on the lawn, bird baths, complete with little birds flitting and splashing about.

  The room, like the great hall, was furnished in a mix of styles, many she recognised as coming from her time and which would now be considered antiques and others, more modern and artistic, but all functional and attractive. The bed lay cradled within four, turned wood posts, definitely not one of Kelly’s ‘bunks’. A communications registry panel sat on a carved desk. Alice noted the absence of the blinking and listening icon.

  With all the furnishings so easy on the eye and designed for convenience and comfort, the room exuded luxury.

  The washer, which Alice joyously recognised as a proper bathroom, sported more recognisable utilities than on the ship with not a gel pack in sight. She smiled at Principal Katya, who read her expression with uncanny accuracy.

  “Dreadful those dry showers. Here we have water, proper water. Wet water to wash with. When the tailor and purveyor have attended, you will have oils and lotions and perfumes. All the beautiful things a young girl should have.”

  When Alice was the former Alice and not this privileged version, she’d wondered sometimes about royalty, how they lived and bathed and slept and she fancied they would have bathrooms and bedrooms like this. Had she been so dissatisfied with her life, she’d created a dream life like this? It occurred to her she’d experienced little joy as a young woman and never had the pleasure of beautiful things. The only happiness she remembered was the time spent with her children and grandchildren.

  Alice’s steward, Sarah, had
once been an educator, she showed the tailor and the purveyor into the suite.

  The tailor, a young male with dark hair and an unlined face, nowhere near retirement age and the female purveyor, also on the young side for retirement, made an enormous fuss of Alice, helping her choose perfumes and products to suit while the tailor offered her a choice of whichever colour she preferred, provided she chose white, grey, a single shade of green, blue or various shades of red, except pink. The fabric, soft and beautiful to the touch, almost made up for the shortfall in colours.

  With the dresses, the tailor only presented varying styles of shifts and despite Alice considering herself to be a plain dresser, wondered if other, more feminine designs might be available. The tailor expressed surprise at her request, but suggested the addition of a draping collar to the green and perhaps capped sleeves to the white? A more flattering waist on the blue?

  Slacks and smart white blouses which Alice loved were presented, and the tailor showed her boots and sandals with odd little socks that fitted inside the boots. She was measured for hats to protect from the sun, jackets and other personal items were selected. It was like being a child in a toy store and having unlimited money. Alice was quite overcome until she remembered an important item of clothing. Her stash of panties from the station was almost depleted, she hadn’t put them in the gel washer for fear of discovery of her periods, rather, she had disposed of them, so her supply was fast running out. She couldn’t say anything to Principal Katya, knowing she was related to Principal Ryan and definitely not the tailor, he was a man. How would she say she wanted knickers?

  Sarah stood by the door. Alice smiled and sidled over, hoping Principal Katya wouldn’t notice.

  “Sarah. I need something, and I can’t ask the tailor. Where I come from, we don’t discuss personal items of clothing.”

  “Which personal items? I’ll ask him as he leaves. Don’t worry, I’ll be discreet.”

  “I need—” Alice looked to make sure they weren’t being overheard and whispered. Sarah bent her head to hear better. “—I need knickers.”

  “Knickers?”

  “Panties.”

  Sarah smiled in understanding.

  “That’s no problem, Dr Langley, the tailor will know about them. Many older women and men wear them, not usually an item for someone as young as you.”

  “Men?” Alice couldn’t fathom it, but no time for that now. “Would you mind asking him? Quietly, like you said? I’d be so grateful.”

  “Consider it done.”

  Alice had to trust.

  Principal Katya remained with Alice for a few minutes after the tailor and purveyor left.

  “Thank you, Principal Katya, that was amazing! Just like Christmas. I must admit, though, I would be rather interested to see a city.”

  “We no longer have Christmas, Alice, not for centuries. In time, you will see the city. You will see many of the cities of the world and many of the wonderful places we have on Earth. I see you get on with Sarah. A kinder, more attentive woman you couldn’t wish to meet.”

  “May I ask, Principal Katya, why the tailor is so young? I understood these positions were only for people over 65 when they retire.”

  “Not in all cases, Alice. The professions, which make up the branches of science, education and agriculture are offered to all our youngsters. Music and creative arts, across all mediums, are encouraged alongside their studies. Sometimes a child will discover their love of music or textiles or painting exceeds any interest in the professions. That child will become our performer and composer of the future, or our tailor or purveyor or possibly, our chef or baker.” She pointed out the paintings in the room.

  “The children whose creative ability shines and who wish to follow their hearts, are afforded the respect, recognition and entitlements given to any profession.”

  “Do any of them live in the Calamities?”

  “Only those who need to. If there is a need for bakers or chefs or tailors and none is resident, then one will be assigned. Now, no more questions. You are on vacation. What would you like to do?”

  Alice looked with longing at the bath.

  Principal Katya nodded. “I understand. Enjoy. Sarah will call me if you need me and if you don’t need me, she will find you when it is time for lunch.”

  Alice watched her leave. Patrick and Dr Grossmith were right about Principal Katya. What a delight! She hadn’t met one unpleasant person since waking up on Saturn Station, then adjusted that thought and singled out Dr Clere as the possible exception, even though he grew her a new heart for which she was most appreciative. Now, she was being treated like royalty.

  The bath was light blue, deep and wide, with water that flowed with a wave of her hand. There wasn’t a tap, only a panel on the inner surface but, at least the water was real and delivered at the perfect temperature. The purveyor left behind small bottles of all the lotions and bath additives she had chosen, to use until her own arrived.

  Alice hated showers in her old life, finding her stiff hips made it impossible to reach down to clean her feet but a bath, a nice, deep bath like this… The water moved in gentle ripples, and she rested her head against a soft pillow Sarah had placed there for her. Alice closed her eyes and drifted off.

  She woke, gasping for breath. A burst of geometrical shapes and sharp colours evaporated as her vision cleared. The youthful man with the pure white hair from her earlier dreams had appeared swathed in the colours. He was so real; she was certain he was here, in the washer. She sat bolt upright and looked around, reaching for a towel to protect her modesty, her heart racing. She had seen him; she was sure, and he’d smiled but mingled in with that smile, she also saw pity or—or...concern in his expression. Alice blew out her breath as her heart slowed to normal, then checked the room again, making sure no-one was with her.

  A soft, sweet humming came from her bedroom. Climbing out of the bath, Alice found a robe folded on a nearby shelf and slipped into it as she peeped into her room. Sarah was there, she saw Alice peeking around the door.

  “Hello, Dr Langley, I thought you might be fast asleep in there.”

  “I didn’t sleep for long; the water’s still warm. Did you come into the washer a moment ago?”

  “No, I wouldn’t do that unless you called for me. The water is still warm because the temperature stays the same for the duration of your bath. You’ve been there a good hour. Now, I’ve laid out these clothes for you. I see you only have a few but that will change when your new wardrobe arrives tomorrow, then you’ll have more choice. It’s a lovely day, you won’t need a jacket.”

  Alice sat on the bed and watched Sarah being busy. Still unnerved by her experience in the bath, she distracted herself by asking Sarah a question.

  “Principal Katya says you’re an educator?”

  Sarah nodded. “That’s right. When I turned 65, I requested stewardship here because it’s such a beautiful environment. I can come here for a day or two every few weeks and still pursue my first love.”

  “Oh, you have a husband?”

  Sarah laughed at Alice’s misunderstanding. “I do, but I was referring to art. I like to paint. It’s how I met my husband, something we had in common outside of educating. He’s retired now but I still enjoy these days here and we live so close to the Tabernacle, it’s ideal.”

  “So, you’re an artist?”

  “Yes, I am. I taught creative arts as part of my educator role. I loved it, but when my time to retire came, I decided enough was enough and it was time to do more for myself. It wasn’t too long before I found I missed working outside my home, so I asked for a reassignment.”

  “But a steward?”

  “I like to serve. If the day comes when I stop enjoying my work, I’ll walk away. What about you?”

  Alice hesitated. It was conceivable, as an educator, Sarah would know of her. She wasn’t good at conjuring up stories, besides, Sarah was nice and Principal Katya obviously liked and trusted her. In her position, Principa
l Katya would be an experienced judge of character.

  “Do you know anything about me?”

  “Should I?” Sarah stopped what she was doing, looking at Alice with curiosity.

  “You might. Heaps of people do, most of the world, in fact, but only a few know what I’m doing now.”

  Sarah, intrigued, had to ask, “Well, who are you?”

  “I was in a glass coffin, a sarcophagus,” Alice said, abridging a four centuries old mystery. “Asleep for hundreds of years. I’m not sure I’m meant to talk about it.”

  Sarah sat down beside her, her half-folded bundle on her lap.

  “You’re the Sleeping Beauty?”

  “I don’t know if anyone actually called me that,” Alice said, feeling it was not a very accurate description. “That’s what they called the project. I woke up, got a new heart and kidneys and now I’m here.”

  Alice had told no-one any of this, the only people who knew were directly involved with her, so she couldn’t gauge what Sarah’s reaction might be. She didn’t feel important, but she understood Alexis Langley’s historical significance.

  Sarah stared down at the bundle in her lap. Whether she was shocked, or just believing herself to be on the receiving end of a prank, it was difficult to tell. When she spoke again, Alice heard only calm acceptance.

  “I learned something of the project at school, but there has been no news of you in many years. I remember the doctor who referred to the project as ‘Sleeping Beauty’, believed you would wake without help but, when it didn’t happen, or we thought it didn’t happen, as people do, we turned our attention to other things.”

  “I hope I can fade into obscurity.”

  “Your privacy will be respected, Dr Langley,” Sarah said. “Anyone who learns of this will have questions I’m sure, but that’s natural. You’ve no need to fear you’ll become a curiosity or be on display. As before, we will in time, find other things to amaze us, though I expect you will be written up in scientific journals for ever more!” she laughed. “But to your friends, you’ll just be yourself.”