‘What the hell do you remember, then?’
‘Very little, to be honest, and what I do remember doesn’t seem to correspond with events as they appear to have happened. You could say I’ve not been feeling myself these last few days.’ Zachary grinned at his little joke but noticed that it failed to bring even a hint of a smile to his brother’s face.
‘Well you certainly sound different,’ Pete somewhat grudgingly admitted.
Encouraged, Zachary said, ‘Look, if it’s not asking too much, could you sketch out what I’ve done since I left university. It would help me a lot, Pete.’
‘What are you talking about? You didn’t go to university. What on earth put that crazy idea into your head?’ Peter sounded quite scandalized by the thought that his brother could have done anything quite so worthwhile.
‘I told you, my memory of past events has disappeared but I’ve got this idea that I went to Bristol University to study mechanical engineering, while you went to Cambridge to study physics.’
‘You really are in a mess if that’s what you believe.’ Pete looked suspiciously at his brother, unsure whether Zachary was pulling his leg. ‘You’ve got it all wrong. I went to Manchester University. I certainly didn’t go to Cambridge. As for you, you couldn’t wait to leave school, which you left when you were sixteen. In fact, the only thing you got right was that I studied physics at university. But I repeat, that was at Manchester not Cambridge.’
‘Is global warming your subject, Pete?’
‘No, it isn’t. I’m a nuclear physicist.’
‘As you can see, Pete, I’m thoroughly confused. So, if I didn’t go to university, what did I do after I left school?’
‘Not much, if you want the truth.’ Then realizing he was being unnecessarily blunt and hurtful, Peter said, ‘You’ve had a few jobs that I know about but you never hold onto any of them for very long.’
‘How long have I been married,’ Zachary prompted.
‘Don’t you remember that, either?’ Peter looked and sounded aghast. Shaking his head in a mixture of wonderment and disbelief, he continued. ‘You married Jeannie about ten years ago and I’ve no idea why she puts up with you. Brenda would never tolerate you and your gambling. She’d have kicked you out years ago.’
‘Who’s Brenda?’
‘My wife, of course.’
Zachary shook his head. ‘You see, Pete. I’ve got a picture of you married to someone called Kay; you’ve got two children, Margaret and Robert, and you’re the Head of the Department of Climate Studies at Newcastle University.’
I don’t know what made you dream up all that rubbish. Are you sure you’re all right?’ Then, suddenly detecting a flaw in what Zachary had said, he pounced. ‘You’re having me on, aren’t you?’ he growled, not looking at all pleased by the thought.
‘No I’m not, I swear it,’ Zachary said anxiously.
‘If you can’t remember anything, why do you remember your wife’s name when a minute ago you claimed you couldn’t even remember being married?’
Sounding relieved, Zachary explained about finding the telephone number in his pocket. Fortunately, he still had with him and he showed it to Pete. Not wishing to mention his recent involvement with the police, he said he had rung the number and had spoken to someone he assumed was his wife. ‘I couldn’t remember her name though, so I rang the public library in Croydon and asked them to look it up in the electoral role,’ he continued. ‘As for knowing I was married, I’d already guessed I was. If you remember, I asked you how long I’d been married, not if I was married.’
Pete looked at his brother in surprise. Suddenly, and even though he claimed to have lost his memory, Zachary sounded much more positive and focussed than usual. It was strange he had not explained his loss of memory to Jeannie but other than that, he was not at all like the evasive, dithering waster he had grown to despise. He had even used the services of the public library system in a reasonably intelligent manner. That had to be a first. Perhaps his brother was at last attempting to put order back into his life. To say the least, this new perspective bewildered Peter. Before meeting his brother, he had been convinced he knew all the answers. Now, he was not quite so sure.
‘I don’t know what to make of what you’re telling me, and that’s the truth, Zak. It’s against my better judgement but I’m going to humour you just one more time. But if I find out you’ve been spinning me another cock and bull story, that really will be the end of our relationship; do you understand?’
‘As I said at the outset, Pete, even I find what’s happened to me hard to believe and I know there’s no way I could explain it to you at present. In fact, I'm not sure I could. All I can do is assure you that, incredible as it sounds, I’m telling you the truth, as far as I know it, that is.’
Zachary could see that his assurance had still not completely convinced Pete, so he hurried on.
‘What sort of person am I, Pete? Please be completely honest and don’t be afraid you’ll hurt my feelings.’
Peter looked doubtful. ‘Are you sure that’s what you want?’
‘That’s what I want,’ Zachary said, gritting his teeth.
‘I suppose you’re hoping that something I say will jog your memory back into line, but I don’t think you’ll like what I’m going to tell you.’
‘I’m passed caring about that, Pete. Go ahead; enjoy yourself.’
Peter shot another suspicious glance at his brother before he launched into a short but damming indictment of Zak’s life.
‘You left school at sixteen with minimum qualifications and you drifted from one uninspiring job to another for the next ten years. Somewhere along the way, you got involved with a bunch of layabouts whose idea of living was to go boozing and gambling. From that time on, you only got a job when your money ran out which it always did, of course. As I said, you’ve been married to Jeannie for about ten years and, I’m sorry to say, I’ve no idea why she continues to put up with you. You’ve certainly put her through it these last few years. She may not be the greatest brain in the world but, in my opinion, she’s far too good for you. You’ve let her pawn just about everything she owns so you can go on feeding your habit.’ Looking hard at Zachary, he said, ‘Quite honestly, it sickens me to think that a brother of mine could do that to his wife. You’ve made me ashamed to be related to you.’ In a much more gentle tone of voice, he added, ‘There, is that frank enough for you?’
With a sigh, he stood up. ‘I think I’d better have that drink. What do you want? The same again?’
‘Yes, I suppose so, Pete. It’s a pint of best, Thanks.’
Even before asking, Zachary had guessed he would not like hearing what his brother would have to say about him but he still felt depressed and deflated. To hear one’s life summed up in such damming terms was not pleasant. He sat deep in thought while Peter went for the drinks.
It was strange, on one level he could divorce himself from the activities of his other self, recognising they were the actions of a completely different man. On another level, he realized that the other man was merely a reflection of himself. So, what did they say about nature and nurture? He was living proof of the overwhelming benefits of nurture over nature. Indeed, one might say the same of Pete. In this dimension, his brother was an embittered, disillusioned academic. In the other dimension, he was a contented, successful scholar with a worldwide reputation. But, what had caused their lives and the lives of so many other people to alter so?
When Pete returned with the beers, Zachary began digging deeper. You mentioned school, Pete. Was that Shireham Grammar School?’
‘It was Shireham all right but it wasn’t Shireham Grammar. That was its old name. By the time we got there it was Shireham Comprehensive.’
‘I remember a Mr Jackson who taught maths and was a friend of the family. Do you remember him?’
Alan Jackson had been a major influence in Zachary’s life. Indeed, it was Alan Jackson who had encouraged him to develop a more positive se
lf-image and to apply himself to his work at a time when circumstances had conspired to place young Zachary in a completely invidious position. Even when they were much younger, Pete had always overshadowed his older brother with his academic brilliance. Then, when they both reached the same grammar school, quickly and seemingly without effort, Pete rose to become top of the form in every subject he took while Zachary struggled along with barely average marks. Inevitably, the older brother reacted instinctively to protect himself from the unflattering comparisons that teachers, who should have known better, often indulged in and he rapidly became the school’s biggest waster. He refused to work or even to participate in school activities and was almost expelled on more than one occasion. Indeed, were it not for the fact that his younger brother was such an inspirational asset to the school, an asset they were afraid they might lose should they rid themselves of the troublesome older brother, Zachary almost certainly would have been expelled.
Alan Jackson, a newly qualified mathematics teacher, saw something worth saving in the young boy and had applied himself to what must have been a thankless task at the start. Then, after discovering Zachary’s interest in cars and motorcycles as well as his excellent drawing skills, he managed to develop a strong rapport with the boy. So much so, Zachary eventually turned the corner and went on to study Mechanical and Electrical Engineering at Bristol University. Alan Jackson became a close friend of the Storie family and it was through his influence that Peter was encouraged to raise his sights to apply for Cambridge entrance when everyone else imagined this might be a step too far for the boy.
Here in this new dimension, Pete shook his head. ‘No, I don’t remember anyone of that name. Why do you ask?’
There was no way Zachary could answer so he shrugged and changed the subject. Important as was the impact of Alan Jackson on both their lives, it seemed that many other factors were also at work, not least the Government’s decision to convert Shireham Grammar into Shireham Comprehensive. Apparently, that simple decision had caused the paths of the boys and Alan Jackson never to cross.
Impulsively, Pete thrust an envelope at his brother. ‘There’s six hundred and fifty pounds in the envelope, Zak. It’s all I was able to lay my hands on at such short notice. If you use it sensibly, it should last you a few weeks. Anyway, I hope it's enough to give you time to sort yourself out.’
‘Thanks, Pete. I won’t let you down.’
Pete put his hand on his brother’s arm. ‘I’m sorry I’ve been such an arsehole but you haven’t been making it easy for anyone, you know.’
Zachary was genuinely touched. In turn, he placed his own hand over his brother’s and gave it a returning squeeze. ‘Don’t apologise, Pete. If I’ve been like you say I’ve been, I’ve been in need of a good kick in the pants for a long time. Thanks for everything and I promise I won’t be a burden any more.’
Before his emotions overwhelmed him, he looked at his cheap watch and stood up. ‘I should be able to get the next train down to London if I shift myself. Give my love to…’ he hesitated having already forgotten her name, ‘…your wife,’ he continued.
‘Brenda,’ Pete murmured.
‘Yes, sorry, I forgot. Do you have any children, Pete?’
‘I’ve got a daughter, Karen. She’s fifteen. Are you sure you’re all right?’ he added, concern sounding in his voice for the first time.
‘Don’t worry about me, Pete. I’ll be fine. As I said, give my love to Brenda and Karen and now, I must rush.’ Not trusting himself to hug his brother, he smiled and walked away. When he turned to look back, Pete was standing where he had left him. Zachary raised his hand in a brief salute and went to catch his train.
Chapter 7
Zak
Naomi was reclining gracefully on a sofa when Zak returned to his lavishly appointed sitting room. The differences between his terraced house in Croydon, and this sumptuous palace in Edinburgh were so great it was hard for him to get his head around his changed circumstances.
‘Where on earth have you been? I was just about to send out a search party,’ she joked.
She was definitely acting flirtatiously towards him. While this was not an entirely new experience, it was years since anyone, other than Jeannie, had done so. It was definitely a novelty to have someone with the obvious charms of Naomi coming on to him quite so strongly. While on one level the attention was flattering, he wondered if the turn on for Naomi was more his wealth and success than it was his body. What was certain, it couldn’t be his mind. That was one thing that was unchanged. Naomi's attention reminded him that he was now in far better physical condition than he could ever remember. In his home dimension, even as a young man, he had always been a bit of a slob who rejected any form of physical activity. Now that, magically, he was the owner of a wonderfully fit new body, the advantages were all too evident. He loved the feel of his new, hard, responsive body and the way he could now do simple things like getting in and out of his car without effort. It was a morale-building bonus to discover that his new-found fitness might also have made him attractive to the opposite sex.
Taking the easy way out, Zak ignored Naomi’s question as well as her invitation. From where she had placed his gin and tonic, it seemed clear she expected him to sit next to her. Fortunately, he was astute enough to realize that sitting next to her might well precipitated a situation that could easily become complicated. On balance, he thought it wiser to go slowly until he more precisely knew the lie of the land. Flopping down in a seat opposite the divine creature, he reached across the low coffee table and retrieved his drink. Lifting the expensive Edinburgh Crystal tumbler to his lips, he drank his ice cold G&T both eagerly and thirstily. As he did so, he peered at Naomi across the rim of the glass.
She was in her mid to late twenties, he guessed. She was pretty, dark and voluptuous and she wore a housecoat that normally buttoned up at the front. From where he sat, he noticed the top three buttons of the housecoat were undone. That the gap was deliberate, he had not the least doubt. She was a confident young lady and as he watched her, so she watched him. The look, with slightly raised eyebrows, was definitely flirtatious. He might be inexperienced in such matters but Zak recognised the danger signals. It was now vital to forestall any ideas of a romantic nature that might, even now, be germinating in her young mind.
‘I’ve had a pretty exhausting last twenty-four hours,’ he said as nonchalantly as he was able - having no intention of going any further into that particular explanation - ‘and after I’ve had another one of these, I wouldn’t mind having something to eat. What have we got, luv?’
‘We are acting strangely tonight, aren’t we?’ Naomi said. Her use of the word ‘we’ suggested a far more intimate relationship than simply one of boss and employee. ‘I can’t think what’s got into you.’
‘I’m just tired, that’s all.’
Ignoring his reply she said, ‘We never have a drink down here and we certainly never have more than one.’
‘I’m feeling thirsty. There’s no harm in that, is there?’
‘No, but have you forgotten it’s Thursday?’
‘What’s so special about Thursday?’
‘We always have steak on Thursday when Mrs Storie is out. You’ll be telling me next that you’re not going for your run first. Are you sure you’re feeling all right?’
In fact, a run was furthest from Zak’s mind. He never ran anywhere, not even for a bus. Of course, he was familiar with the sight of overweight joggers labouring along the streets in his home town of Croydon and he rather despised them for their stupidity. In his view, if God had intended middle-aged men and women to run about the place like ten year olds, he would never have given them huge spare tyres of flesh around their waists. He was also acutely aware of the complications even the simple task of going out for a run would involve. He would have to find his running kit, and if there happened to be more than one set, how would he know which one the other Zak normally used? Did he wear a tracksuit? Which way did
he go? How long did he stay out? There were many pitfalls to overcome even to doing so simple task as going for a run. On the other hand, perhaps it would be even more unusual for him not to go for a run. He was beginning to realize the problems of assuming someone else’s identity, even when you actually are that person. Nor was he used to dealing with single, sexy young women like Naomi. She made him feel nervous and the thought of remaining in the same house as her while she was in her present mood finally made up his mind for him.
‘You’re right. I won’t have that second gin and tonic. I won’t even have time to go for a run, either. Something came up earlier today so I’ve got to go out again. When will the meal be ready?’
Naomi looked disappointed and uncrossing her legs, she smoothed down the housecoat and sat up in her seat. ‘Whenever you want it of course,’ she said. Her irritation was clear. ‘If we say an hour and a half, would that give you time to complete your business?’
‘Yes, an hour and a half would be fine,’ he said, not daring to look her in the eyes.
Hopefully, she added, ‘Are you sure there’s nothing you want to do, first?’
As Zak drove away from the house, he was aware of Naomi’s eyes boring into his back. He hoped she was not too upset. It was quite clear she was someone who was unused to being turned down; and who could blame her? He could hardly believe he had rejected her advances, but with a wife whose bedroom he no longer appeared to share and a gorgeous but over-sexed au pair, life had suddenly become complicated. Then there were those two kids he’d inherited. He knew nothing about children and was always useless with them. He was the sort of man who, whenever he spoke to a child, it usually burst into floods of tears causing concerned mothers to grab them up and glare at him as if he were a paedophile or worse. The new life he was valiantly trying to assume seemed likely to be much more complex than his previous one.
SWITCHED: The man who lost his body but kept his mind. Page 12