Collision

by John Williamson

  He was only a friend; wasn’t he? But something had changed between them over the weekend; they had shared some intimate moments together. They had shared a room and a bed; and he had seen her at her most vulnerable without a stitch of clothing on. But she was back now. The weekend was over and she had to go back to being simply a flatmate again.

  She heard someone in the kitchen and climbed out of bed, yawned and stretched. Maybe Ben would make her breakfast. She wandered out of the bedroom and into the lounge and was disappointed to find it was Jane.

  “Do you want coffee?” said Jane.

  “Yes please,” said Elle. “Where’s Ben?”

  Elle sat down on the bar stool.

  “He left early. Something about an interview in Canary Wharf with some investment bank.”

  “And Cindy?”

  “Haven’t seen her since Friday morning. A bit strange, but then again she’s a strange woman… Did you have a good weekend?”

  Elle thought for a moment.

  “Yeah. Stuart is an amazing mathematician.”

  “I meant did you have fun. It couldn’t have been much fun fishing and all that.”

  “I didn’t go fishing. Kirsty took me hiking and we went swimming together.”

  “I see,” said Jane with that I-know-what-you-were-up-to look.

  “What?”

  “Nothing if you don’t want to talk about it… I’ve been there too.”

  “You mean skinny dipping. Kirsty can be persuasive.”

  “As long as you enjoyed yourself,” said Jane laughing.

  “I had a great time. It’s a shame we couldn’t have stayed longer.”

  Jane finished her coffee. “Look I’ve got to go. I’ll see you tonight. Remember it’s Disco Night — girls night out. We’re going to have some fun.”

  “Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten. What about Ben and Richard?”

  Jane laughed again. “Those two won’t go dancing. Anyway, it’s their drinking night. All that male bonding stuff. You don’t need to worry about them.”

  Jane left Elle on her own in the flat. With Stuart agreeing to work on the field equations for her Elle felt it was time for her to take a rest from research and chill out for the day. She went into the bathroom to turn on the shower, but before she got there the doorbell rang.

  Elle was still in her nightshirt when she went over to the door and peaked through the spy hole. It was Richard. Dam.

  Elle opened the door an inch or two.

  “Ben’s away for the day,” she said.

  “Can I come in?”

  Elle thought about refusing. Being in her nightclothes was a reasonable excuse, but she decided to let him in and opened the door.

  “Oh, you’re not dressed,” said Richard.

  “That’s a pretty astute observation,” said Elle. “I was just about to take a shower.”

  “Do you want me to go?”

  “You’re here now. What is it you want?”

  He held out his hand, which was holding a box of chocolates. “I’m sorry about last week. It was unforgivable. I want to make amends.”

  Elle felt awful for being so sharp with him. She took his box of chocolates and put them down on the coffee table.

  “Come here,” she said.

  He stepped forward and she gave him a quick hug. “Friends again,” she said.

  He looked confused; it was obviously not what he was expecting. Elle gestured for him to sit down on the settee and she sat down opposite him.

  “I need to explain something,” said Elle. “When I was twelve, my parent’s died and I was adopted by my aunt and uncle. Their name was Jordan, so my name became Elle Masters Jordan. To my friends I’m still Elle Masters and that’s what I like to be called. The reason you couldn’t find me on the Internet is that you were looking under the wrong name.”

  “You didn’t have to explain,” said Richard.

  “It’s better that you know… Do you still think I’m the cat woman?”

  Richard looked at his hands frightened to say anything. He does.

  “I won’t bite you, if you say what you think.”

  He shrugged his shoulders.

  “I don’t have a tail, you know.”

  His eyes were avoiding hers.

  “Look, I really don’t have a tail. Do I have to show you what’s under this nightshirt to prove it?”

  Richard’s jaw dropped and he shook his head from side to side.

  Elle wondered what his face would have looked like if she had dared to lift up her nightshirt and flash her bare bottom at him.

  Elle smiled. “Good.”

  For a minute there was an uneasy silence.

  “So how was your trip to Scotland?”

  “I had a really great time.”

  Again, there was an awkward silence. Richard was not very good at making polite conversation. Perhaps if she really was a cat woman from planet Uranus they might have much more in common to talk about.

  “So what are you doing today?” said Elle, trying to be sociable with him.

  “Haven’t got any lectures today. There’s a presentation going on at City Hall. You know that billionaire guy, Brannan; the university is giving him an honorary degree for all the money he’s given to it. So we get a holiday.”

  “Can anyone go to this presentation ceremony?”

  “Yeah, if you’re from the university. But it will be as boring as hell. Only those university dignitaries and those that want his money will turn up.”

  “Could you do me a favour and take me there.”

  “Why on earth would you want to go there?”

  “I need to speak to Jason Brannan.”

  “What? You’ll never get near him. He’s a nut-job about privacy. And after the fire he’s going to be even more paranoid.”

  “What fire?”

  “There was a big fire at his Cambridge laboratories. Didn’t you see the news — something to do with Muslim extremists.”

  “I’ve really got to speak to him. Will you help me?”

  Richard smiled at her. “Okay. I’ll drop you off at City Hall.”

  Two hours later Elle entered the City Hall from the rear. The hall was almost full of people in their academic attire of gowns and various types of academic headgear. On a large dais at the back of the hall were two tiers of chairs and a lectern, where the Chancellor and vice Chancellor of the university were waiting together with the various Deans of the Faculties. She could also see Professor Rider nearby and kept her distance.

  How was she going to speak to Brannan? All eyes were going to be on him. She worked her way around the room and stood nearby the entrance, where he was expected to enter and waited.

  When he arrived he was clapped into the hall. He turned to smile at the crowd and waived his hand briefly. Alongside him was a woman, who was speaking to him and briefing him as he walked towards the dais. Then she withdrew as he climbed the dais and shook hands with the Chancellor.

  As the Chancellor made his speech, drawing attention to the great work of Brannan, Elle worked her way around the room towards the woman who came into the room with him. As Elle stood next to her, she turned to look at Elle. Elle smiled briefly at her.

  When the ceremony was over, Brannan shook hands with Chancellor and Vice Chancellor and started to make his way back to the woman waiting for him.

  Elle spoke to her. “Please. Would you give him a message from me?”

  She looked at Elle. “I’m sorry, he has a busy schedule.”

  “Tell him I need to speak to him about Project Chronos. He’ll know what it is about.”

  She scowled at Elle, showing her annoyance and hurried away to meet him. Elle could see her say something to him and he looked in Elle’s direction. He shook his head and they moved towards the exit. Just as they were about to leave, he asked one of the doorman something and headed off down one of the corridors towards the toilets.

  Elle saw an opportunity; no one was following him. She moved quickly
down the corridor and opened the door.

  He was at one of the urinals. “I think you have the wrong room.”

  Elle smiled. She didn’t want to appear like a stalker. “Please give me two minutes of your time and I’ll leave you alone.”

  “As you can see I’m in the middle of something so I’m not going anywhere.”

  “You’ve heard of Project Chronos.”

  “Yes. It’s a bit of a pipe dream of mine.”

  “Well, I’m proof Project Chronos works. I’m from the future.”

  Brannan laughed. “What you’re going to tell me you’re from 2012?”

  “Actually 2046.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “You were kind to me once and I need to warn you about something that will, or might happen, in the future; in 2046. Professor Rider is dangerous and he will try to kill you. In fact, in my timeline, he did so. But don’t worry, the timeline can be changed.”

  “How do I know you aren’t just a fruit cake that had overheard something about my ideas?”

  “You don’t, I guess. That’s all; I have to go.”

  “Wait! Were you something to do with that UFO sighting?”

  “I’ve already said too much.”

  “Will you show me the craft?”

  “Sorry no; that would seriously mess up the future timeline.”

  Elle started to move towards the door.

  “At least let me help you.”

  “Thanks, but no thanks. I’ve said too much already. Just watch out for Rider.”

  “I never liked the guy anyway. Perhaps I should fire him from the Board of Trustees.”

  “Just beware, he can be dangerous.”

  Elle left the building as quickly as she could. She had done what she came to do: to warn Brannan about Rider. But she could not let him get near the craft any more than she could let the security services near it. If that technology were available today, it could change the world. And changing the world would change her future. Meeting Brannan had put her at even more risk of discovery than she was before. He was a powerful man, and if he wanted to he could easily find her. But he had been kind to her in 2046, and kindness deserves to be repaid.

  It was 10:50 p.m. and Ben and Richard were enjoying a pint in the union bar, which was crammed full of students.

  It had been a long day for Ben. He had travelled to London and back for an interview with JMN Bank in Canary Wharf. The interview had gone well, and the Bank said he would receive and offer within days. Ben wanted to celebrate with a few beers.

  “So where’s Cindy tonight?” said Richard

  “She’s on her way back to South America.”

  “I thought you two were back together.”

  “We were never back together. She’s getting married to her investment banker boyfriend whose old man is some billionaire in Brazil.”

  “And Jane and Elle have gone to the Disco,” said Richard.

  “That’s right. Jane wanted to let her hair down and persuaded Elle to join her.”

  “So you’re on your own again.”

  “I guess so. Weren’t you meeting up with someone this evening?”

  “I am. There’s this woman who I’ve hooked up with — studying Russian studies. I met her at the yoga club.”

  “Yoga club?”

  “Yes. It’s a great place for meeting fit women. She can get into some amazing positions. She’s a distant cousin of my friend, Serge on the Internet. Just looked me up out of the blue. She’s a little bit on the mature side, but she is so, so hot,” he said.

  “Good for you,” said Ben, shrugging his shoulders.

  “You’re feeling a little jealous — that’s okay.”

  “And you’re being a right pain in the backside tonight.”

  “Never mind, I’ll buy you another pint. And guess what? My Russian friend has a gorgeous younger cousin.”

  “She’s not coming tonight, is she?” said Ben. The last thing Ben was in the mood for was a foursome.

  Richard got up to fight his way to the bar when two women, dressed in black, came into the bar. One had dark hair; the other was a blonde.

  “Natasha, over here,” said Richard, beckoning the women to join them.

  “Hi, I am Natasha,” said the dark haired woman, holding her hand out to Ben.

  She was an attractive woman in her early thirties with dark brown eyes. She wore a black leather jacket, leather skirt and boots. She was not the type that Ben thought would ever have been attracted to his friend. Her blonde companion was much younger, probably in her early twenties, but was similarly dressed.

  “Ben,” he replied taking her hand and shaking it.

  “And this is Nina, my cousin. She doesn’t speak much English,” said Natasha.

  Nina smiled at Ben. Under different circumstances he would have found himself naturally attracted to her, but he was not in the mood.

  “Why don’t you both have a seat,” said Ben. “Richard is getting the drinks.”

  “Vodka and for Nina,” said Natasha as Richard headed towards the bar.

  “So you are Ben. Richard has told me much about you,” said Natasha

  “Nothing bad, I hope,” said Ben.

  “Nothing bad at all. He says you are a good friend.”

  “Yes.”

  “And you had a close encounter recently, yes?”

  At that point, Richard returned with the drinks.

  “Vodkas for you, and beers for us,” said Richard, putting the drinks down.

  “What’s this about a close encounter story, Richard?” said Ben.

  “You know, what you saw on the beach.”

  “What?”

  “I may have embellished it a bit.”

  “You’ve got to stop this nonsense,” said Ben. ”You upset Elle the other day and now you’re spreading stories about me. I suppose it was you who spoke to those journalists.”

  “It wasn’t.”

  “I’m sorry Natasha, he’s been filling your head with nonsense,” said Ben.

  “You weren’t on the beach?” said Natasha.

  Ben picked up the beer and swigged it back in one. When he was finished, he ran the back of his hand across his lips. Ben got up to leave. “I’m sorry, I’ve got to go,” said Ben, “Nice to meet you Natasha; nice to meet you Nina.”

  “Ben sit down,” said Richard.

  “I’ve got things to do tonight,” said Ben. “I’ll catch up with you later.”

  Ben pushed his way through the bar towards the exit still fuming from the exchange. He could not believe how dim and embarrassing his friend could be.

  Ben started to head back to the flat when his mobile rang.

  “Ben, I need your help,” said Jane. “There are these Eastern European guys I’m a bit worried about at the disco. I don’t like them. They won’t leave Elle alone and I’m worried they will follow us when we leave here.”

  “Where are you?”

  “At the Disco in the university nightclub; we’re dancing at the music end.”

  “Okay, I’ll be there in five.”

  Ben pushed his way into the university nightclub, the doorman taking his recently bought ticket. Ben entered the disco and found the noise was deafening. As his eyes adjusted to the dark and flashing lights, Ben could make out the sea of human revellers oscillating to the sounds of the intense music. How was he going to find Elle and Jane in this? A young woman brushed passed him. She was a student wearing little more than a long vest and a bikini bottom.

  She grabbed his arm. “I’m, Sadie. Do you want to dance?”

  She looked like a third-year undergraduate, and she was stoned.

  “Sorry I’m looking for someone,” he said.

  She grinned at him. “So am I. Do you want to come back to my dorm? I’ll make it worth your while.”

  Ben smiled back at her and shook his head. “Maybe another time.”

  Ben turned away from her and moved around the side of the dance floor trying to keep his dista
nce from the dancing mass. He reasoned he had more chance of finding Elle if he could get his back to the disco lights. He looked at his watch 11:40p.m. He had to find them soon.

  And then he spotted Elle only twenty feet away with Jane dancing her socks off. Ben fought his way through the crowd to her. She turned to see him and her face lit up, “Ben, you came!” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him roughly on the lips. She seemed as though she had too much to drink. The man she was dancing with gave Ben a piercing look like an animal that had just had their prey taken from them. Another of the men pulled him away and they both disappeared into the throng.

  Elle seemed wobbly on her feet. Jane came over to him.

  “There are three of them. They’ve been bothering us all evening. They seem to be too old to be students, and I didn’t like the look of them. I think they’ve spiked Elle’s drink.”

  Elle’s arms were still around his neck and her head lay on his chest.

  “Time to go,” he said, as he picked up her legs and carried her across the dance floor. He could feel the heat from her body and the sweet scent of her perfume as he carried her through the crowd. She looked up at him and smiled. “I’m taking you home,” he said.

  “To rip my clothes off and make mad passionate love to me,” she said, and giggled to herself.

  “If that’s what you want,” he said, just to shut her up.

  “She’s off her head, Ben,” said Jane.

  “I know,” he mouthed silently to Jane.

  They headed for the door. As they approached the main entrance, Ben noticed the men he had seen earlier in the crowded entrance.

  “No, this way,” he said, and headed in the opposite direction towards the side entrance. Ben moved quickly through the crowded corridor until he reached the exit. He pushed through the door. After the sticky air of the disco, the night air felt pleasingly cool. Ben looked around him. They hadn’t been followed. Ben carried Elle back to the flat. Jane opened the door to the flat and Ben put Elle down on the settee.

  “I feel funny,” said Elle, slurring her words.

  “It isn’t the alcohol,” said Jane. “She hasn’t had a lot to drink at all.”

  “What then?” said Ben.

  “I’ve seen this before,” said Jane. “Four students were in the Medical Centre this week with similar symptoms. All were young women students with blonde hair. I think it’s Rohipnol. Or something like it.”