Page 101 of Twin Flames
One day that week the stars aligned. Cara was busy being a social butterfly at a ladies’ luncheon hosted by a friend of Queen Victoria’s. Carlos was called away from home on urgent business shortly after George arrived for an afternoon visit.
‘You two relax and have a drink while I attend to this unexpected nonsense. I shall be back in no time at all, and then we’ll dine on the terrace,’ said Carlos.
He dashed off to ask the cook to postpone lunch.
‘Are you happy with the progress we have made so far on acquiring your family’s manuscript?’ asked Edward.
‘Yes, it seems to be moving along nicely. The chap was resistant to the idea of selling at first, but last time we talked he was open to a better offer. I feel sure we can come to an arrangement soon.’
‘That’s great news. I’m pleased I was able to be of service to you and Her Majesty.’
‘I haven’t thanked you properly. What a stroke of luck that you were able to introduce me to the collector.’
Edward smiled. He liked George just as much in Victoriana as he did in Tudorville. It was challenging to avoid saying something that might alarm him. He was intrigued to findout whether George had any memory of his other lives, and suspected he did after his strange reaction when he had enquired about Joanna.
‘I was thinking about our conversation the other day,’ said George. ‘You know you asked me about your friend, Joanna?’
‘Oh, yes.’ Edward coughed and attempted to appear nonchalant.
‘I was wondering whether you and I may have met before—in another time,’ said George. He looked Edward straight in the eyes, and held his breath.
Edward paused. ‘We have indeed,’ he said, after a moment, smiling, and returning the direct stare. ‘I’m pleased it’s coming back to you.’
‘Am I right in thinking you are a fellow traveller?’ asked George.
‘Yes, that’s correct. May I ask if you are thinking of a particular destination?’ said Edward.
‘York. What do you know of my life in York? You mentioned Joanna.’
‘Your family has roots going back to before the reign of Henry VIII. There was a George Cavendish who I knew back then in Tudor York. His wife’s name was Cara.’
George sat down. ‘So, it’s true. You also travel. I don’t know what to make of it all. If I didn’t experience it myself, I would think it too incredible. I have to say it’s a great relief to meet you.’
‘Likewise. I wanted to talk to you the other day but didn’t know what else to say. You didn’t respond well to my question about Joanna.’
‘I’m sorry about that. I was unprepared. It’s so much to take in.’
‘It isn’t an easy life. But it gets better when you have friends. Before Cara came to ask for my help at the university campus in the future, I had no idea there were others. I thought I was alonein that timeline, as well as this one. It’s been tough in Victoriana, so it was a relief when you and Cara arrived in Seville. I’m sorry if I startled you. I was impatient and wanted to know if you remembered me.’
‘Thank goodness you said something or I wouldn’t have suspected anything. When did Cara come to see you at the university? What university?’
Edward chuckled. ‘It’s only to be expected you will have a lot of questions. Cara and I are friends in Tudorville, as well as two hundred years into the future or what we call ‘present day’.
‘Cara? You mean Cara is aware that she time travels? I thought it was just me.’
‘You had better sit down. This could take a while. I will begin at the beginning. At least it will be the beginning, according to what I remember. I have no way of knowing when we all started out together. We could have lived in other timelines and not be aware of them yet. For all I know, we may have been together for millions of years.’
George nodded. ‘I knew nothing of any of this until I woke up in a different life. There was no warning; just—bam! Was it the same for you?’
‘Yes, we have no idea until we’re in a new life. And even then, we don’t remember everything. It all depends whether we’re conscious of our travel; sometimes we don’t know what’s happening, as I suspect may be the case with Cara in this timeline.’
Edward brought George up to speed on events in Tudorville: George’s marriage to Cara, their children, and how they were trying to save him from execution at the Tower of London.
George stared at him. ‘Cara and I are married in Tudor times as well as now? How mind-boggling.’
As Edward talked, memories unlocked in George’s mind. It was like watching a movie. He saw snapshots of his time in Tudorville, including Edward as his children’s tutor.
‘Over the coming days, you will remember snippets. It’s like updating your software. You will understand more as time goes on. One day you’ll wake up, and perhaps even be conscious of additional lives,’ said Edward. ‘Memories flood in, and it all starts to make sense.’
