“All I can say is thank you and I hope I won’t disappoint you.”
“How did you know who Val was?” Sam asked.
“We had charts of the stars. We waited for them to align then we moved to the place where we knew she would be born.” Wendy’s mum smiled warmly at Val. “I was at your birth. We found your mother when she was pregnant and we stayed with you. I moved Wendy closer to you when she was school age in the hope you would bond, although that wasn’t to be.”
Wendy looked at the floor as though ashamed.
“But that doesn’t matter any more now you are here.” She patted Val’s hands.
“So what do I need to know?” Val glanced over at Wendy, almost expecting her to flip out a PowerPoint presentation.
“Well, first I really need to know what you do and what you are struggling with, and then we can fill in the blanks. I can teach you all the basics of the craft, like spell work and potion preparation, phases of the moon and how to work in alignment with the elements.”
Wendy would have carried on but Val’s mobile was ringing. Val apologised, pulling it out to see that it was Delta calling.
“Hello,” Val said mouthing to the others that it was Delta on the line.
“Yes, we have been lucky enough to run into Wendy. Sorry about cutting you off,” Val responded. “Well yes, we can meet you there in about ten. Alright, bye for now.” Val closed the phone.
“Delta has to go and be checked out at the hospital so we need to get over there. Wendy we need to talk, but I need to help my friend right now, so maybe you could come with us to the hospital?” Val raised an eyebrow and Wendy looked to her mother for approval. The woman nodded and Wendy joined Val and Sam heading for the door.
“Slight problem ladies,” Sam butted in as they got out onto the street.
“What?” Val questioned.
“My car only has two seats,” he whispered.
“Sorry, did you say Sandy only has two seats?” Val giggled.
“I told you never to mention that again, but yes, she does only have two.” Sam was puffing his chest out at the girls in defence of his seat deficient car.
“We can take mine if you like,” Wendy offered.
“Then it’s sorted, we go in Wendy’s car.” Val was pleased with her organisational skills. “Where is it?” Val asked as they moved along the path.
“Here.” Wendy indicated what looked like a little boy’s toy van.
“It’s a Morris Traveller.” Sam stood at the side of the road and for a moment Val wasn’t sure he was going to get in. Wendy went around unlocking the doors.
“That is a very cool van.” Sam nodded as he walked around it. Val was pleased he had said that, even though she wasn’t sure he meant it.
“Well thank you. It’s sort of like a family heirloom.” Wendy placed the key in the ignition and it turned over first try. They all climbed in.
“Was it your mum’s?” Val asked genuinely interested.
“No, it was my dad’s,” Wendy responded emotionlessly.
“Oh, where is he?” Val asked.
“He couldn’t cope with the family quest so he walked out on us. The only thing he left my mum was this car, so I have it as a reminder of my mission in life.” Wendy turned a corner and, as she did, Val sat quietly, feeling humbled by all that Wendy and her family had given up for her.
They arrived at the hospital slightly slower than Val was used to, but safely. Val ran into the hospital reception and breathlessly demanded to know where Miss Troughton was. They were directed to a side room. As they entered they were greeted by all the others.
“Took your time then. And Wendy is here because?” Delta said pushing her nose into the air like a rejected top model.
“Delta, you can sulk and moan all you like, I’m just so pleased you’re OK, and I’ll tell you all about Wendy in a minute, but first I have to hug you.” Val moved over and grabbed Delta. She wasn’t taking a ‘no’ for an answer and it felt great.
“Hello you.” Fran smiled at Val. “Going to introduce me to your new friend?” Fran waved at Wendy.
“Sorry. Wendy, this is Fran, she’s Jason’s girlfriend.” Val patted Fran as Wendy waved back. “OK, does anyone know what happened to the guy who did this? Did he get away?” Val looked at Jason and Fran.
“Val, he’s critical,” Jason replied.
“What? He can’t be, he ran away.” Val looked from Jason to Delta for confirmation that they were wrong. “I wouldn’t hurt someone. I’m the one who protects people.” Val sat down on a plastic chair next to the bed.
“From what I could find out, Val, you flipped. You threw the bloke almost through a solid concrete wall and then cracked the ice in half. I could go on, but by the expression on your face I don’t think I need to.” Fran fell silent.
“Why would I do that? This has never happened before.” Val looked at Delta.
“You lost it when I got stabbed and I don’t remember any more.” Delta raised herself from the bed and stood up. “Val, you did what you had to, whether you think it was right or not. That man stabbed me.” Delta started to walk towards the door. “I have had enough of your precious NHS for one day, let’s get out of here.”
Val felt a prickle in her arm. She could see Delta was still speaking, but she wasn’t sure what she was saying. “What did you say? All I can hear is a woman moaning.” Val knew none one else could hear it. Was she going to teleport again? And if she was, where to?
“I think I’m going,” Val called out. Everyone stopped moving as Sam locked the door. Val walked searched for the portal, but there seemed to be nothing. “I can’t find anything.”
“What’s happening?” Wendy asked looking at the others.
“She’s screaming and it is getting louder.” Val was spinning in circles. “There!” Val shouted and they all watched her run towards a tin bowl on the shelf. She placed her hand on it and was gone.
“What!” Wendy stood with her jaw hanging open.
Jason pulled a chair up behind her and helped her onto it. “I think we need to do a little catch up with our new friend,” he said.
Val landed with a groan as she hit the pavement. “So much for cat-like reflexes,” she moaned to herself. The scream hit her ears instantly, but the bigger shock was that she was outside the bookshop. Her mobile started to ring.
“Hello,” she whispered.
“Where are you?” Jason whispered back.
“Outside the bookshop,” Val responded. “Why are you whispering?” “I don’t know,” Jason laughed. “Stay there. We’ll come to you.” He hung up.
Val knew she couldn’t wait for them, however nice the thought was; the screams were getting louder; the woman was obviously in serious trouble. Val move past the shop, following the direction of the sound. Looking around the corner of the building carefully, she spotted the woman. It was the last thing she expected: the cries were not because she was being threatened or attacked, but because she was in labour. She was lying on the ground giving birth in the alleyway next to the book-shop. Val quickened her movement, but stayed acutely aware of her surroundings alert for any danger.
“Hello,” Val said to the woman quietly, trying not to scare her. She jumped anyway babbling in some strange language that Val couldn’t understand. “I-am-Val.” She sounded out each word slowly, finishing with an exaggerated smile.
“Eva,” the girl said smiling back between gritted teeth.
Val knelt down beside her. She wanted to get her into the shop without scaring her too much. Suddenly Eva had hold of Val’s hand and was squeezing like a mad woman. She started screaming in Val’s face, it seemed to last a good ten minutes and all Val could think was that this was a great advert for contraception. She was definitely never going to have a baby; it really did hurt. After Eva had come down from the contraction, Val pointed at the wall next to them. “My shop,” Val said. The girl seemed to understand and seemed relieved at the idea of going indoors.
Val he
lped her to her feet and they shuffled towards the shop. Whilst they made their way, Val was struck by the fact that this was her last but one tattoo and then it would be over. She also wondered what use Wendy would be to her; she had arrived a little late in her adventure – unless she was a trained mid-wife.
They turned the corner to be greeted by Sam, Jason, and Delta exiting Delta’s mini.
“Hello people, this nice lady, Eva, is having a baby. We need to get her into the shop.” Val welcomed the men helping her as Eva was quite heavy. “Delta, are you sure you should be here?” Val questioned.
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” Val unlocked the bookshop and they all passed inside.
“Call an ambulance, Delta.”
“Will do.” Delta reached for her phone.
Eva grabbed Val’s hand as another contraction started. As she did, the spark passed between them and Val found herself back at the hospital with Wendy still in shock and Fran passing her some water.
“Hello,” Fran said. “I’m surprised to see you so soon.”
“Well, that was crazy! There was no baddie Fran, just a pregnant woman who was in labour.” Val scratched her head in confusion. “She wasn’t at risk, she was just having a baby in the street. As soon as I got her into the shop I came back. I just don’t get it. Has Wendy been like this since I left?” she asked Fran who nodded back at her. “Wendy it’s OK, I’m back,” she said, kneeling in front of Wendy who now seemed to be almost chanting. Just then Wendy grabbed Val violently by the arms. Val was petrified at her strength. She was trapped in her grip. More intimidating was the fact that Wendy’s eyes were completely white. Fran stumbled backwards falling onto the floor as Wendy started to talk.
“You have failed,” she shouted in Val’s face. Val didn’t like what she was saying, but she remembered what Wendy had told her about being clear of sight. Maybe this was what she meant.
“What can you see, Wendy?” Val asked.
“Baby’s still in danger. The evil one is coming and the traitor is in position.” Wendy slumped on the chair releasing Val and lowering her head between her knees.
“Things just get weirder,” Fran said from the floor.
“Fran, we need to get back to the shop now. That baby is in danger and the evil one is coming.” Val grabbed her phone and dialled Shane’s number.
“Hi Shane we need you. Meet us at the bookshop.” Val hung up and started to dial Delta’s number. “Delta, you need to protect that baby. I’m coming, but so is the evil one. Tell Sam and Jason to be ready.” Val put the phone into her pocket. “OK ladies, we have a job to do, let’s go.”
As they all jumped into Wendy’s Morris Traveller, Val wondered if they would ever get there. Wendy revved the car and they set off for the shop.
“OK, when we get there, let me deal with the big evil, please girls. You need to stay safe,” Val shouted over the noise of the engine. Fran and Wendy nodded in agreement. As they pulled up outside the shop they could see the others inside.
“Let’s go.” Val jumped out of the car with Fran and Wendy following. Making her way up the stairs, she could hear the cries of the woman who was still in the throes of giving birth.
Jason saw the girls arriving and opened the doors to let them in. Val came flying past. “No time to stop.” She was followed by Wendy and, as Fran entered, Jason grabbed her and gave her a hug.
“You OK?” he asked.
Fran nodded. “I will be when this is all over and Val is safe.” She let go of Jason and moved towards the girls on the floor. Val was already sitting by Eva’s side.
“Miss me?” Val smiled. Eva’s expression was one of fear and confusion, but the pains of labour were obviously scarier than Val’s disappearing act. “Where is that ambulance?” Val called out.
“I called Val. I don’t know what’s keeping them,” Delta said as another contraction started.
“Where’s Shane?” Val asked.
“Is he coming?” Sam wanted to know.
“I called him. He should have been here ages ago.” Val looked concerned. “Get some hot water,” she ordered. “Our coats will keep her warm.” Once again, Val felt in her element.
Eva gripped Val’s hand as another wave hit her.
“Do you have any family?” Val asked Eva as she started to breathe more calmly.
Eva nodded. “Away.” She made flying signs at Val.
“Where?” Val asked trying to keep Eva distracted whilst she wondered what to do next.
“Mexico.” Eva’s eyes were filling with water.
“That’s lovely. Do you know anyone here?” Val didn’t want to ask about the baby’s father, just in case it was a sore subject.
Eva understood the question. “Si.” Another wave hit just as Val’s phone rang. It was her mother. Val knew she couldn’t lie to her, so she let it ring.
“Who was it?” Delta asked.
“Mum. I’ll call her as soon as this is done. I can’t lie to her so I’m better off waiting.” Val turned to see a message pop up on her screen.
Hope you are OK. Luv you to the moon and back, Mum.
Val pushed her phone back into her pocket.
“Ow!” There was an intense pain in her arm. She saw that the final tattoo, the one that symbolised V, was glowing red. “Not now!”
“What’s wrong, Val?” Delta asked.
“My last tattoo is glowing; I think I’m going again. Hey, it may be the last time.” Val smiled, standing up and walking around the others. “Fran, you sit with Eva. Jason, I need you to protect her, I don’t know where I’m going or if I will make it back in time.” Jason nodded. Val turned towards Delta. “Look out for Shane; he must get here soon.” Delta moved towards the door. “Wendy, don’t have another turn until I get back OK?” Wendy blushed and Val patted her on the back as she passed.
“What about me?” Sam asked.
“You are coming with me.” Val smiled as she grabbed his hand.
“Val, you know what happens if you take someone with you,” Jason said sounding panicky.
“Yes, but you all have jobs to do, and you more than anyone need to be here, Jason.” He had to agree she was right. “And if I need someone to get me back here, Sam is an even faster driver than Delta.”
“Well, I’ll have to be the judge of that myself,” Delta said.
“Positions everyone.” Val walked over to Eva. “I will return.” She smiled kindly at her and then turned to look for what was to be her last journey. She moved with definite purpose around the bookshop, looking for the place, with Sam hanging onto her hand. Strangely, there was no distinguishable sound and there seemed to be nowhere to touch. Was this last tattoo different to the others? “Val I’m starting to get dizzy.” Sam pulled Val to a halt at the main door. Val looked out through the glass door in the hope of seeing Shane, who still hadn’t arrived. All she could see was the reflection of the highly lit up bookshop.
“Let’s take a look outside,” Val suggested.
“OK,” Sam agreed.
Val pushed the door open and, in a flash of light, they were gone.
CHAPTER 12
When a Child is Born
“OK, they’ve gone and we need to get on with things.” Jason moved around Fran and headed to the door to check if anyone was coming.
Eva was in a complete state of shock having watched not only Val disappear twice in one day, but now Sam too. Her contractions seemed to have eased a little and Fran was talking to her to keep her calm. Wendy was just standing very still, obviously trying to take it all in.
“Where do you think they are?” Fran called over to Jason.
“I don’t know, but here comes Dad,” Jason said relieved.
“Hello son,” Shane greeted him as he opened the door. “Where are Val and Sam?” he asked. Before Jason could answer, there was a flash of light and the rip by the doorway opened. Out stumbled Val, still holding hands tightly with Sam.
Val leapt into her ready to go position and Sam jus
t managed to get onto all fours before he was sick all over the floor.
“Well, at least someone else knows how it feels.” Delta declared as she threw over to Sam a bunch of tissues from the box on the counter.
“What are we doing back here?” Val stood up straight, stretching her back and looked at Shane. “And where have you been?” Val looked confused and annoyed.
“I had a job to do,” Shane said hugging Val. She rested her head on his chest, comforted by his strength.
“Hello, man down, in need of medical attention here,” Sam called from the floor. They all ignored him. Eva screamed and started to push, and that grabbed everyone’s attention.
“If I’m here, that means someone in this room needs my help.” Val felt confused. She had already helped Eva, so it wasn’t her. She walked around, touching everyone’s hands.
“What are you doing mate?” Jason asked.
“No one needs my help, so why am I here?” Val was getting nervous.
“Sorry to stop the party, but I can see something coming out.” Fran looked pointedly in Shane’s direction. “Do you know what we should be doing?”
“OK, let me through.” Shane started to roll up his sleeves. “Jason, lock the door,” he ordered. Eva was now screaming.
“Olla, mi nombre es Shane.” Shane employed his best holiday Spanish and bent down to have a closer inspection. He could see the baby’s head was coming. “OK, I need you to push really hard; the baby is nearly here.” Eva nodded. Shane’s calm attitude made her trust him.
“So Shane, did you learn midwifery at tattoo school?” Delta called over sarcastically.
“No, but I delivered Jason,” Shane responded, not looking away from Eva.
“Don’t ask for details please,” Jason said his face flushing crimson with embarrassment.
“Isn’t anyone slightly even concerned that I have disappeared and ended up back here again?” Val asked the group who were all busy witnessing the miracle of life.
“I can see its head,” Fran squealed with her hands up to her mouth.
“One more push,” Shane told Eva.
She nodded in agreement, gripping his hand tightly. As she let out the final scream everyone stopped moving. Even Val paused to take in the moment, as Shane lifted the baby up.
The Thirteenth Page 24