Against The Odds by Senna Fisher

friend, Clayton.”
    “ Oh, Clayton, my boy. Rebecca is having friends over for
dinner tomorrow, will you come?”
    Rebecca
was furiously waving her arms at her father to stop, but he
promptly ignored her.
    “ I don’t know. I had better speak to Rebecca about
that.”
    “ Okay, here she is now, bye.”
    “ Hello?”
    “ Princess.”
    “ How are you Clayton?”
    “ Just hold on. I need to get rid of an inquisitive father
first. George, go away.”
    “ I am fine, thanks. I phoned to see if you could do something
tonight, but you are clearly busy. What about another
time?”
    “Since
you behaved so well the last time, no accusations.... well yes. How
about coming for dinner tomorrow?”
    “ If it is alright with you. I don’t want to
intrude.”
    “ It’s okay, really. Double J will be here. Jono could do with
the support. Also, my father will never leave here until he meets
the man who phoned me. So save me, please!” He laughed at
her.
    “Okay,
but only as a favour. It does not count. We will still do something
in the week. Is that a deal?”
    “ Deal.”
    “ Rebecca, I really enjoyed lunch yesterday. It was very
pleasant. Thank you.”
    “ Yes, it was.”
    “Okay, I
will see you tomorrow. Bye.”
    Her
parents were both sitting on the couch in the lounge now,
conveniently needing some shade. They were having one of their
conversations.
    George, did you do that? Bring him here?
    No, I thought it was you. I was about to chide you for
that.
    You should try, honey!
    “ Oh stop it you two. Don’t do that. Just speak if you want
to.” Rebecca’s voice was trembling.
    “ Sweetpea, what is the matter?”
    “Oh Dad,
I really like him. I can’t bear the thought of it all going wrong.
He is a great guy. What will I do when he turns on me? I can’t bear
it.”
    “ Rebecca, you must not think about that. All you can do is
enjoy the pleasure and company you can have with him. Nobody ever
knows if a relationship will work out. You just have to share what
you can with him. Don’t think about it.”
    George was torn
between his strong urge to comfort her and say but darling, he is the one, he
will be there or to fill
her heart with empty promises. He chose the empty
promises.
    “ Just enjoy what you can. You never know what will
happen.”
    It was
so hard for him not to tell her, but he knew that it would put her
and the boy at risk. Also, there was the possibility that he might
not be the Protector or might fail to protect her.
     
    *****

Chapter 8
    Jonathan and Jackie arrived at the dinner party first and
Jonathan liked George instantly. He could see that he was a strong,
powerful man who loved his daughter very much. He also liked
Rowena, because of the arty, vague air about her. She had a
beautiful smile, which, when she was young, must have driven the
men wild. Jonathan talked to George about some famous case in the
press and they enjoyed their legal dialogue. What a normal couple. What is Jackie on about?
They are sweet and caring and funny. That is what he thought, until Clayton
arrived.
     
    The first strange thing that happened was that George Raymond excused himself
and went to the door before Clayton rang the bell. It had been
subtle, but Jonathan, experienced in observing human behaviour,
noticed it. He stood at the door, waiting for the bell to ring and
then opened it. The next weird thing that Jonathan ever saw was
Clayton.
    Clayton stood at the door, looking at George. Jonathan was
not sure, but Clayton made a sound like a lion. Then he moved
slowly to the side of George and his eyes changed colour to
white-blue. He looked like a lion trying to stalk prey. God, what is wrong
with him? Jonathan
thought he saw Clayton’s hair rise slightly. No, it is not possible! Then George let out a deep sigh
and Clayton instantly relaxed and smiled. He tilted his head
slightly, like a pampered cat and his eyes were normal
again.
    “ Clayton, my boy, good of you to come. Join the men. We are
talking law. I