by Bowring, S D
Keller travelled home. His goodbyes were a joyful occasion as the Governor felt blessed that she had finally met her son. That, in itself, was a pleasure she thought she would never have. Ash took Keller to his transport and bade him farewell. He promised him he would look after the Governor and made Keller swear to keep in touch by whatever medium was possible.
The Beginning
Keller’s arrival back at Suffolk Road was overwhelming. His mother Nola wouldn’t let go of him for a long time and alternated between anger and joy. He didn’t understand the anger. His Aunty Ida took him to one side and told him that such a period of worry could sometimes make people a little angry but it would go eventually (as long as he didn’t wander off again). Ida told to him to remember that, to Nola, he was more than a son, he was her foundling, her gift.
His Uncle Cormic was away when he arrived back at the field. He had, along with some others, been scouting for a new field for the family. In earlier years they had moved more frequently, but they made a sombre decision to remain in place for longer in deference to the missing Keller, in case he returned. When Cormic arrived back the next day, he took Keller in such a bear hug that Keller thought his rib-cage was in danger. His uncle apologised quite emotionally for letting his guard down the night Keller was taken. He had known Keller hadn’t gone off on his own whim. He knew him too well, despite the notes they later found. He also knew that the notes were, at least, an indication that he was alive.
Cormic was, however, immensely proud of what he heard Keller had done.
“We need to bring you back down to Earth - Suffolk Road Earth,” he had said when they sat down to eat later. Nola had served up a fine rabbit stew and they sat around the fire talking and laughing, filling Keller in on local gossip and teasing him for being an ‘Outsider spaceman’.
As the evening wore on, some of the families returned to their own tents. Cormic smiling, sat next to Keller. He looked over at Keller’s mother, who hadn’t left his side since the food was served. Ida and Nerys were helping her out so that she could make the most of being beside her beloved son again.
“Nola,” he said at last. “I may be mistaken, but I think that grin is going to be permanent.”
They laughed and Keller gave his mother a hug. “Don’t let him tease you mother. You can smile all you want, I am just glad to be back here with you eating good food again. They eat fish everyday on Rayleigh, and I thought I might end up looking like one if I stayed.”
Nola hugged him again. Cormic chuckled warmly, “Keller I do believe you might be confused about where you home is, here or out there,” he said, pointing up at the sky.
“Uncle Cormic, this is my home. My family are here. They make it my home. If we move upfield or downfield, it will still be my home as long as my family are there.”
Cormic’s eyes seemed to be watering. He put his hand on Keller’s shoulder and managed to say “Right. Very true, well said,” before he made an excuse to go and add wood to the nearby fire, which actually didn’t need it.
Keller excused himself from Nola. He got up to speak with Merna who had returned from taking some of the plates to the stream to rinse. Merna smiled her natural smile. Keller felt that she had known he would come across, which emboldened him, though he wasn’t sure why. Merna spoke first, “Keller, it’s been lovely today. The family are so happy again. I’m happy again. It’s been hard for all of us. How can you sleep so long like you did last night? And how come you still look tired?” Merna laughed.
She is teasing me a little, he thought. He liked this. “Merna, I did think about you when I was away. I had no idea if you would be settled on my return.”
The firelight danced off her face and he couldn’t quite see what was behind her smile. “Keller, are you asking me to walk with you?” She held out her hand.
This took him by surprise. He couldn’t always read the signs but this one was clear. “Of course, come.”
Keller caught Cormic’s eye as he left. Cormic grinned and nodded back. Nola looked away pretending to be busy with something on her skirt, as though to offer him privacy, but Keller could see a gentle smile on her face as she turned away. They left the tent hand in hand.
They walked between the tents, still hand in hand, down to the stream and sat down leaning against each other.
They talked for several hours, huddled together against the chill. He wanted to know everything that had happened since he left and of course she asked him about his own adventures. He heard some laughter nearby at one point and knew a couple of younger ones had sneaked up on them. He then heard his Aunt Nerys whispering a scolding to the youngsters and their sounds faded as she led them away. The older ones were giving them time and Keller appreciated the gesture.
They didn’t quite wait for dawn. Keller took Merna back to her tent which she shared with two of her aunts. They kissed goodbye and held each other in a warm embrace. Merna then made him agree to call on her later in the day and, she added, every day after that. She went inside smiling back at him as the tent flap closed. Keller watched her go.
He felt euphoric as he walked back to his tent. He was home with his family. His relationship with this wonderful girl he had admired for so much of his youth had finally blossomed. Dawn was already here and he could smell the wood fire and hear the cooing of wood pigeons. A new day. He felt content inside. This was his new beginning.
Certain events change a person. Some change a nation, some a world. The leaving of a baby for safe-keeping in Suffolk Road was a significant event that allowed this foundling to grow to manhood. It was an event that changed the worlds.
The continued existence of each of the human-occupied worlds was precarious to varying degrees. This uncertainty was due to natural barriers, such as lack of natural resources, climatic extremes, population, distance etc. However, as the apocalyptic war on Earth had shown in the past, mankind could create its own self-inflicted barriers to survival at any time.
Earth didn’t have enough uncontaminated areas for a large population and the off-world colonies were too small to be both advanced and totally independent at the same time. Cooperation between worlds and within worlds would allow mutual survival and provide a future for mankind to once again establish itself with a firmer foothold on the universe.
Following the “Rayleigh Incident”, as it became known, the Governors of the worlds had a rare conference at the New Exeter hub. The chairman of the Governors, a rotating role, borrowed a number of Earthly quotes when he aired the following views at the opening speech of the conference:
“We should all know…..that cooperation is not a matter of choice but a matter of necessity. We also know that necessity is the mother of invention…that invention is a means to our survival.. and that, fellow Governors and peoples of the worlds…that very survival, for the time being, is triumph enough…”
Ida’s Rabbit Stew Pot
As carefully sewn onto cloth by Aunty Ida as a young woman
For 6 People
3 Rabbits,
2 Fennel Bulbs
6 Large Sliced Carrots
3 Large Quartered Onions
Apple Cider
Fennel Seeds
Rosemary, Salt
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Cut Rabbits into Joints
Soak In Cold Water for 1 Hour
Fry Joints for 10 minutes
Fry Onions & Fennel Seeds for 3 minutes
Add Water, Cider & Rosemary
Gently Stew for 5 Hours
Add Salt to taste, Serve
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