Acme Time Travel Incorporated - Volume 2

In space, on route to SEG002

“Are we ok, Ship?” Ginny asked.

“We are fine, Ginny,” the Ship replied. “I just thought that I should notify you that I had to resume the automatic safety protocols. Think of it as a courtesy. I knew that you were in communication, so I didn’t announce the message using audio ... just an on-screen message. As I said, nothing to worry about.”

“Thank you,” Ginny said.

“Think nothing of it ... all part of the service provided by the ACME INC Corporation. We care deeply for your comfort and ...”

“Yeah, ok Ship,” Gabriel said. “We get the idea. We are grateful that you are looking after us, but we probably don’t need the sales spiel.”

“I will bear that in mind in our future discussions,” said the Ship, with no evident trace of rancour.

“Ok, thanks,” said Gabriel.

. . . . . . . .

“Vicky?” Gabriel said.

“Yes, Gabriel.”

“You knew that Barney was going to ring us, didn’t you?”

“I thought that he might.”

“And that’s why you set up the worm-lynk on his phone, didn’t you?”

“I thought that it might serve to facilitate ...”

“Vicky?” said Gabriel, interrupting.

“You didn’t want him to worry, did you?”

“I suppose not, Gabriel.”

Gabriel turned to Ginny and smiled.

“Gabriel?” Vicky said.

“Yes, Vicky.”

“Are you cross that I ... well, do you think that I did wrong in setting up the worm-lynk without asking you? Do you think that I should have ...?”

“Vicky,” Ginny said. “I think that we are both very honoured to have you taking such care of not just us but also our close friends. We couldn’t wish for a better friend to have with us than you.”

“Friend?” Vicky said.

“A very good friend,” Gabriel said.

Vicky didn’t say anything.

Gabriel looked over at Ginny, saying “anyway, I think we’re off to bed.” This was frequently his clue to Vicky to give them some privacy for a little while.

Ginny took hold of Gabriel’s hand and led him off to their cabin.

“Do you think Barney was ok?” Ginny asked.

“I think he sounded ok, but I’m sure that he didn’t believe me about us getting some money from my mum.”

“I thought that as well,” Ginny said.

“I’m pleased that you managed to talk to Monica.”

“Yeah, me too.”

“Did she really think that I had ... you know ... put pressure on you to come with me? She was very frightened for you, you know.”

Ginny laid back on to her couchette. They each had a couchette, but they were adjoining. Gabriel laid back on his and put his arm across so that Ginny could snuggle up next to him. She shuffled across and laid her head on his chest.

“Monica had a very difficult time, when she was a young girl,” Ginny said. “That’s why she was worried about me.”

“So, what made her think that I was that sort of person? I mean, I’ve never even met her before.”

“Well, you know when we first met. We met up in the wine bar. And I touched Vicky. And I knew there was something wrong.”

“And you got up and left,” Gabriel said.

“Yeah, that time. Well, I saw Monica the next day, and I told her that I’d seen you, and that I had been frightened.”

“So, Monica assumed that I had frightened you,” Gabriel said.

“I guess so.”

“Well, that’s not an unreasonable guess, given her background.”

“I suppose not.”

“It’s nice that she was worried about you.”

“Yes.”

“I mean, she must have asked around ... to find out where I worked. Then she must have been to see Barney, to ask him about me.”

“I suppose so.”

“I wonder what she said to him?” said Gabriel.

“Oh God, yes,” said Ginny. “I bet she was pretty cross, to say the least, if she thought that Barney had sent somebody like that to ...”

Gabriel chuckled.

“I think Barney must have had his work cut out to talk her round to meet him at a pub, just so that they could ring us,” Gabriel conjectured.

“Well, I think we managed to allay Monica’s fears anyway,” Ginny proffered.

“Yeah, I think you’re right.”

“And I bet that Barney was chuffed when I told him that you think of him as your step-dad.”

“That was sweet of you to say it, but I felt pretty embarrassed at the time.”

“Sorry about that, but I didn’t just say it for Barney’s sake.”

“How do you mean?”

“I did it for Monica.”

“Eh?”

“Well, you know when I said that I didn’t think I could live without you?”

Gabriel smiled. “Yeah ... I do remember you saying that.”

“Well, after I said that, I got the feeling that Monica had changed her opinion of both you and Barney.”

Gabriel looked puzzled.

“Well, if I think you’re a great guy,” said Ginny, “and you think of Barney as your step-dad, which you do anyway, then that says good things about Barney doesn’t it?”

“And?” said Gabriel, with a look of confusion on his face.

“And I think that Barney has taken Monica on a date, so a good reference wouldn’t do him any harm, would it?”

“Bloody hell,” said Gabriel. “You’re probably good at chess as well, aren’t you?”

Ginny stroked Gabriel’s face, running her fingers slowly over his smooth cheeks.

“Come on lover-boy, time to get some sleep, eh?” she chuckled.