Paralysis Paradox (Time Travel Through Past Lives Adventure Series Book 1) by Stewart Sanders Page B

might as well have stripped there and then! I could feel the part of me that was forever Charlie rolling his eyes.
    ‘Kind of.’
    ‘Why haven’t we met before?’ I asked, intrigued.
    ‘We have. You were very young. It was at your mum’s funeral.’
    I stopped myself giggling and saying I would have remembered, but then I recognised his blushing cheeks. ‘Wait, how old were you?’
    ‘I was only eleven—I imagine I’ve changed.’
    Now I came to think of it, I did remember a boy who was a complete crybaby, red faced throughout. I hadn’t forgotten this, because his grief seemed too much. She was my mum, and I didn’t even know who he was! No point teasing him about it now, though, in fact that would be inappropriate as hell.
    ‘So you remember my mum, then?’
    ‘Oh yes, and Vera too—both so stunning.’
    ‘Really? You don’t look that old.’ I was shocked at what he had just said. ‘Vera’s an old hag!’
    He looked like a rabbit caught in the Bentley’s headlights on full beam. I wasn’t trying to be rude and couldn’t help but feel a little hurt that he liked her in that way. She was old enough to be his mother.
    ‘Yes, yes, I guess she is now, but at least she’s not properly old and decrepit like Konrad.’
    ‘He is creepy, isn’t he?’ I said. ‘What does he actually do? Does he work with your father?’
    ‘They go way back. I don’t know if you know this, but your father left to escape Konrad. Konrad was a lecturer and used to teach your father. Apparently he used a device in his lectures for examining the students. They would press buttons and if the answer was wrong, it would give them an electric shock. With each wrong answer, the intensity would increase.’ He stubbed out his cigarette. ‘Do you really have no idea?’
    ‘Well, that explains a few things,’ I said, thinking of the servant bell-panel.
    He looked at me searchingly, and I felt my face redden. I had stopped listening, mesmerised by his lips and wondering what they might feel like on my own. We sat in silence. He was about to say something else when Vera appeared on the terrace.
    ‘Vicky! It’s time to come in and get changed.’
    I stood up, the weight of unsaid things and further questions heavy between us. ‘Sorry, I have to go.’
    He rose also. ‘Sure. Maybe you could give me your number?’
    ‘Oh really? No one’s asked for my number before!’ I smiled at him, very conscious that Vera was standing right beside us. ‘Good luck back in Afghanistan. Don’t get shot down again...or better still, change posting so you can arrive next time without a blindfold, maybe land on the lawn!’
    Before the hour passed, I was back downstairs and ready to say my goodbyes. I could hear my father in the lounge. He was getting louder, after no doubt quite a few Negronis. I went in to shake hands with my peculiar Austrian family, including Andreas, and gave my father the tightest of hugs. As I ran back out, I was holding back tears. I missed him so much when I was away at school, and I truly don’t think he had any idea.
    Tom was already in the car and Jane was waiting next to Mrs Blake. I hugged Mrs Blake and shook Jane’s hand. I could see that she looked shocked, but her mouth twitched slightly as she felt a small piece of paper discreetly passed between us. I was sure that she would know what to do with it, when she read it later. She could hardly not know what to do with a note that read: FAO Andreas followed by a series of numbers, starting zero-seven.
    The safety of Deerden would soon be replaced by the loneliness of school, but at least the Bentley ride was like taking a little piece of home away with me. To my surprise, we stopped just before we got to the road, and the Mad Hatter appeared.
    ‘Do you mind if he comes for a spin?’ asked Tom. ‘Look, he’s smartened himself up for the occasion.’
    I grinned. He had indeed put on some clean clothes and even wore a jacket. He looked utterly different and could