The First Chronicles of the
Children of Destiny
The Oraphim Sandalphon
“The
Heart of Leopold Bradlock”
by
Daniel Thomas Andrew Daly
© 2009
Chapter
One
6008 SC (2038 AD)
‘Leopold
Bradlock. Do you really love me Leopold
Bradlock?’ ‘Look, Jane. I didn’t traipse half way around the world to
see you for nothing. Of course I love
you. But the question is do you love
me? I still remember, you know. The way you look at my father when mother is
not around. I still think you have
something for him.’ Jane Talbourne
turned away, too embarrassed to say anything.
Eventually she turned to look at Leo.
‘Well, what have you been doing in New Zealand then? Making a good living I hope.’ Leo smiled.
That was just like Jane – to change the subject when pushed. But he would let it go. ‘Yeh, dad and I are in business together
now. We own a chain of 3 comic stores in
Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
The Dragon’s lair comics and collectables. Doing bloody good business as well.’ ‘Comics?
Why comics? That doesn’t sound
like Callodyn.’ ‘No, not really. Me neither.
He went to a comic convention and saw the kinds of prices they can go
for after only a few years if it is a key issue. He started collecting them for a few years
and began reading the various magazines on the subject. And business is now doing well. Big opportunities if you know the right price
to sell the product at and if you know your key target audience.’ Jane nodded.
At least they were doing well financially by the looks of it. ‘So why have you chased me down, Leo. Seriously, I want to know.’ ‘Brax asked me to. Told me you were connected to the family,
now, and wanted you taken care of.’ Jane
looked at him, slightly puzzled.
‘Brax?’ Leo looked at her, and
decided to share something of his recent adventures. ‘Brax works for Alexander Darvanius and his
son Alexander Darvanius II. I think he
is Alexander I’s son in some sort of way.
Illegitimate I think.’ ‘Alexander
Darvanius!’ exclaimed Jane. ‘You can not
be serious. Do you know just how many
shady connections there are to that name?
I have been researching him for ages now and he is trying to rule the
world as far as I am concerned.’
‘Believe me, Jane, they know all about you and your research. It doesn’t bother them. They say you misunderstand the family and its
intentions. Quite honorable they
maintain.’ ‘Well I know people who would
say otherwise, Leo. Who would definitely
say otherwise.’ ‘And who are they?’
asked Leo. Jane thought about that and
decided to share what she knew.
‘James. James Castleton and a
friend of his, June Middlesworth. They
were involved in a number of situations with the Darvanius clan and James
nearly died once because of it. They
watched James for years before leaving him alone.’ ‘Well, I don’t really know what that is all
about, Jane. But they have been nothing
but friendly to our family. Look, yeah,
I know. At first they just watched us
and we were worried a lot. That might be what James was going through. But they started talking to us and sharing a
little of their vision for the future with us.
I think if this James fellow got to know them a little bit better he
would have less concerns. I mean they
have helped us out a lot. Brax gave
father a cheque for $500,000 New Zealand dollars – simply a gift from the
Darvanius foundation to family.’ ‘And
exactly how are they family?’ ‘Dad is a
Bradlock. There are strong connections
with a John Bradlock and his son Damien Bradlock. Alexander II knows them well. They are part of the Alpha Gamma Delta
corporation.’ ‘Oh. So Callodyn is related to this John Bradlock,
is he?’ ‘Something like that. I was not told the official story, but they
are apparently family in some way.’ Jane
took in this information. It somewhat
allayed her fears about Alexander Darvanius and his son. Perhaps they were just misunderstood. But she still had suspicions.
They
chatted on that afternoon sitting in a Crossden café near the social security
office. Later they took a walk through
Crossden visiting the old neighbourhood and they came back to the Talbourne
family home were Jane lived again. Leo
enjoyed catching up with David and Samantha and the four of them chatted about
old times. Jane asked Leo if he wanted
to stay the night, to which he agreed, declaring that he was in town for a few
weeks anyway. Primarily to catch up with
Jane for he had things he wanted to discuss with her. Personal things.
Chapter
Two
6008 SC (2038 AD)
They
walked along the edge of the oval, watching the juniors play a traditional game
of cricket, Leo taking minor interest.
‘So really, nothing serious, huh?’
‘Not really, Leo. No major
boyfriends. A few flirts, a tiny bit of
romance, but nothing to write home about, if you know what I mean.’ ‘That is basically my story as well.’ ‘So is that it, then? You have finally come home to claim your
girl?’ Leo looked at her, smiled a
little and put up his hand to brush a curl of her hair from her face. ‘Why else, Jane? Why else?
Unless you are in love with my father, that is?’ Jane grabbed his hand and, deciding not to
answer, caused them to both sit down and turned his hand over. ‘Let me tell you your fortune,’ she said
smiling. They both looked down at his
hand.
‘Your
life line says you will live for millions of years. Millions and millions of years.’ He smiled.
She was being very kind. ‘And
children. My God, more than King
David.’ ‘Really, Jane. And just how many.’ ‘Too many, believe me.’ ‘And does the hand say anything about the
mother of all those children?’ Jane
looked at him, still holding his hand.
‘Just that she is beautiful, Leo.
Beautiful and that she loves you.’
Leo nodded. He hoped so. ‘Well, how rich will I be?’ Jane giggled and returned her focus to the
hand. ‘Oh, wealthy beyond your wildest
imagination.’ ‘Oh, I can imagine a lot,’
replied Leopold. ‘Well wealthier beyond
even that,’ smirked Jane. ‘Let’s hope
so,’ responded Leo.
The continued
carousing most of that afternoon and around 4 found themselves in the café
again, Leo reflecting on some of his recent history. ‘Well, we started slow in New Zealand. Mum gained work as a receptionist and Dad
worked as a fisherman for some time.
Bloody hard work he always tells me.
We started in Christchurch, but later moved to Auckland were we still
are. And now we have the comic business
and are making a small fortune every year.
A big eBay business as well.’
Jane nodded. ‘And how did the
Darvanius family come into it?’ ‘Well,
dad noticed Brax watching him every now and then in Christchurch. And then when we moved to Auckland he
followed us. Dad was nervous often, but
eventually Brax disclosed his reasons for following us.’ ‘And those reasons were?’ inquired Jane. ‘Like I told you. Family connections. Apparently John Bradlock is from Hull were
dad comes from. I think John actually
might be my grandfather, but dad doesn’t confirm that. Damien Bradlock is definitely John’s son, so
I guess dad and Damien are probably brothers.
That seems to be the connection.’
‘And how does the Darvanius family come into this?’ ‘Very old family ties between the Bradlock’s
and the Darvanius. They go back in
centuries together in business. From what
Brax has subtley alluded to, both families are members of the Illuminati.’ Jane nodded.
‘I could have told you that about the Darvanius family. A suspicion of mine for quite some
time.’ Leo nodded. ‘So you have studied Alexander huh? Anything I should know?’ ‘Just to be careful about them. Very careful.
I have fears – biblical fears – about that family.’ Leo looked at her, slightly puzzled. ‘Your not religious are you, Jane. I don’t recall that being much of an issue to
you.’ ‘Oh, you know. Things change.’ ‘And how exactly does the
Darvanius family figure into that?’ Jane
looked at him but thought better about answering. Perhaps there were things best not shared. Best not shared until absolutely
necessary. She stood and motioned to him
they were leaving. She purchased a soft
drink and as they started walking back to her house Jane decided to speak. ‘Leo.
Do you believe in God?’ Leo
looked at her strangely for a few moments, and turned away. ‘No. I
mean, well yes, I guess. I suppose there
is a higher power. But I don’t have any
faith in it. Not part of my life. Why do you ask?’ ‘Well I do, now, Leo. A great deal.
And I believe in the Bible as well, especially the prophetical
sections.’ Leo nodded, not really interested
in a religious discussion, but putting up with it for Jane’s sake.’ So what has that got to do with the Darvanius
family?’ Jane looked at him and turned
her head away. ‘Well that is the
question, isn’t it Leopold Bradlock.’
Leo gave her a funny look, but just walked on.
Chapter
Three
6008 SC (2038 AD)
Jane
looked at the cheque in her hand. It was
for ₤100,000. ‘100,000 pounds!
Exclaimed Jane. You can not be
serious. And this is a gift? From Brax?’
‘From the Darvanius family, actually.
They know you have been close to Callodyn and myself – best friends in a
sense – and they want you to be taken care of.
Apparently, if you are ever in real need, you should let them know and
they will help you out.’ Jane looked at
Leo. She was suspicious – very suspicious. But the sheer weight of a cheque for 100,000
British pounds really did have persuasive power. And now she was caught in two minds. Certainly, she had all sorts of convictions
about the Darvanius family. But what
proof did she ultimately have? And with
a cheque for 100,000 British pounds tempting her, it was very difficult for her
to now say no to the family. She stared
at the cheque, undecided. And then a
little voice in the back of her mind said this.
‘Do not worry about it. Their
family loves you.’ And so Jane, despite
thinking she should perhaps no better, folded the cheque in half and put it in
her handbag.
Trying
her best that afternoon as they cruised around Crossden, taking in the sights,
Jane could not help but thinking what she could spend the money on. And later on that night, looking at the
cheque, she reflected on one basic thing.
She was still a kid at heart and a big cheque made anyone smile.
The
following day, Monday, Jane was due for school in her teaching position, but
rang up telling the school she would be sick for the week and to call the fill
in teacher. The secretary wished her to
get well soon and Leopold suggested they travel down to London for a week. ‘Oh, can we go and see Lucy in ‘The Phantom
of the Opera’. She is in the starring
role. She is doing so well for herself
now. So well.’ Lucy Bridges was an old friend of Callodyn’s
and Rachel’s who had now found success as an actress on the London stage. She had starred in a number of British
movies, not yet tempted to try her luck in Hollywood. She visited Jane from time to time in
Crossden and Jane thought it the perfect opportunity to visit her friend in
London with Leo tagging along. Leo
agreed to the idea and after renting a car they began the trip down to London.
As
they drove from Crossden, heading east to England and then along the highway
down to London, Jane looked out over the countryside. Green, ever green seemingly, was England,
just like Wales. As a nation they were
blessed with abundant rainfall and always lived an idyllic lifestyle. But it was a colder nation, compared to
Australia from what Rachel had once told her, but it was all Jane had really
ever known.
As
they drove down Jane thought she might cash the cheque with her bank when she
got to London. It was a blank cheque and
wouldn’t take too long to clear.
Thinking over all the wonderful stores in the high end of London she
wondered just what she would buy herself.
They
stopped just north of London, having drove most of the day, and had a late
lunch in a lovely English Inn. Jane
enjoyed the steak and kidney pie and Leo was enjoying his warm beer. He had a little too much to drink that
afternoon and Jane suggested they stay in the town for the night, to which Leo
agreed. She went off for a walk in the
town after they had settled into the inn which had accommodation, and Jane
found herself standing in front of her bank.
She took the cheque out of her hand and sat down on a bench in front of
the bank, just looking at it. She had
convictions. Many convictions. So much of her was telling her simply to cash
the cheque and not worry about it. But
part of her was asking her this, ‘Do you want to be a hypocrite? Taking money from the Darvanius family to buy
you off? You know what they stand
for?’ But despite thinking in the end
that she should know better, eventually walked into the bank and deposited the
cheque. She could be wrong about the
Darvanius family in the end, couldn’t she?
And that money looked awfully attractive.
Chapter
Four
6008 SC (2038 AD)
‘So
how long have you and Tommy been married?’ Jane asked Lucy. ‘About 2 years now. Oh, we were girlfriend and boyfriend on and
off for years, but I eventually came to London and the relationship disappeared
somewhat. But he tracked me down three
years ago and after dating we married.
So I am Mrs Anderson now, and ever so happy to be.’ Jane thought on Lucy’s tale. Lucy had married her first boyfriend, the one
who had taken her virginally. She
thought on her own virginity and the hope she once had that Leopold would be
the first to take it. Perhaps, even now,
with Leopold in her very presence, such a thing might soon become a
reality. Although Leo had made no moves
on her she could not help but notice his stare from time to time. Perhaps, even sooner than expected, he might
be the one.
‘Well,
you were excellent tonight Lucy.’ ‘Thanks
Leo. I am glad you two came. We have been having sell-out performances for
a while now, but there are always a few tickets left for the people to show up
on the night.’ ‘If the price is right,’
commented Leo sarcastically. ‘No, they
don’t come cheap,’ admitted Lucy.
Lucy
invited them to a late supper with some of the cast at a nearby all-night café they
regularly frequented. All that evening Jane
and Leo learned much of the life of Lucy Bridges especially the most surprising
news of all. Lucy had actually worked
for the Darvanius family in New York a number of years previously. She then disclosed very personal details
about her relationship with Alexander Darvanius II. Taking in the news Jane was not really
surprised. ‘He is a lion,’ said
Lucy. ‘Alexander is a young Lion, ready
to devour all who would oppose him. He
thinks of himself as the true King of this human jungle, ready to kill all
adversaries. And believe me, when he is
dressed in black and when those eyes look at you, you feel his power. As if he is born beyond human men in some
way.’ Jane nodded, taking all of that
information in. It sounded like the
Alexander Darvanius her and June had talked about. The one she expected to one day rule the
world. ‘Oh, yes,’ continued Lucy. ‘He thinks he will rule the world one
day. Absolutely convinced of it.’ Jane nodded.
What a thing to just say, she thought to herself.
Later
on Leo and Jane had found a hotel near the theatre and were in separate beds in
a two bed bedroom. Leo came out of the
bathroom, pyjama pants on, but no top on.
He was half naked, his chest muscles rippling in front of her. She looked on anxiously and noted how Leo
looked a little somewhat like his father.
But only a little. They were
generally quite different in most respects.
But she couldn’t help but think of Callodyn as she was staring at his
son, her once best friend.
Leo
looked at her, noticing how she was looking at him. And it dawned on him to ask the question. ‘Jane.
Well, you know. Jane.’ ‘What?’ she asked nervously. He came down and sat next to her on her
bed. He took her hand and spoke softly
to her. ‘You know I love you, Jane. I will always love you. Always.’
Jane looked downwards. Somehow
she knew that in all eternity before her that statement had always and would always
remain true. He continued. ‘If you want romance tonight. If you want some of the pleasure of the
flesh, well, I am happy to oblige. I
guess it is the real reason I came to see you.
Apart from delivering the cheque I wanted to know if something might
happen between us. Oh, there have been
girls in New Zealand. But nothing
serious. Nothing serious yet. But you are still important to me. And I guess if there is any girl in the Heart
of Leopold Bradlock, it is probably yourself Jane Talbourne.’ Jane nodded.
She appreciated his words and looking at him and realizing that perhaps
no other should take her in the way she desired, she nodded to him. She watched him undress and when he stood
before her naked, she looked at his manhood.
She beckoned him towards her and, slowly, and passionately, she gave
herself to the one who had claimed her like no other.
Chapter
Five
6008 SC (2038 AD)
Leo
looked at the news. ‘Another announcement
from that Taheb figure,’ he commented to Jane.
‘He is starting to become very popular.’
Jane nodded. ‘Some think he is a
messianic figure. Supposedly the first
messianic redeemer as he represents the Torah of the Samaritan community,’ she
replied. ‘First messianic redeemer? You mean there are others?’ ‘From some certain theological
perspectives. Next comes the traditional
Jewish view on the messiah. The ‘David’
figure that Judah hopes for?’ ‘Judah?’
queried Leo. ‘Ok, the Torah is the first
five books of the bible. The Samaritans hold
to the torah alone and the Taheb represents the Samaritan community and the
Samaritans, according to their doctrine, represent the northern kingdom of
Israel. Thus he represents the first
messianic redeemer at the end of days.’
Leo nodded, understanding seemingly apparent. ‘Next comes the southern kingdom of Judah’s
representative. The traditional Jewish
Messiah, David. David speaks for the
Samaritan community first and foremost, acknowledging the importance and the
pre-eminence of the Torah. But then he
goes on to talk of the importance of the remainder of the Jewish Bible, known
as the Tenakh. It is from the remainder
of the Tenakh that the Judahic messiah, son of David, comes forth.’ ‘And what about Jesus?’ asked Leo, curiousity
aroused. ‘Jews reject Jesus,’ said Jane,
‘and consistently maintain no biblical basis for his ministry. ‘And the response,’ asked Leo. ‘Well, my position is that Jesus Christ
represents reality. Truth and
reality. Jesus went forth and did the
actual hard work of winning the gentile nations to God’s kingdom. In the practical sense he did the real
work. So I believe, personally,
revelation will be fulfilled in the figure of Jesus. Don’t get me wrong. Israel has always by and large objected to
Christian faith, and I 100% agree with them on their valid points of objection. But Jesus will be Christ in the end, in a way
not expected of by Israel.’ ‘So he is
the third messiah, is he?’ asked Leo, taking an interest. ‘Sort of, yes. I guess so.
But why do you ask, Leo? What
interests you in this? I thought you
were spectacularly uninterested in this sort of thing?’ Leo considered that before responding. ‘Well, uh.
Not really uninterested. It just
had never really mattered much before.
But what you are talking about sounds really interesting. I mean, I guess I believe in God. But religion had never meant much. But these ‘Messiah’ beliefs, now that we have
a ‘Taheb’ figure prancing about… Well it sounds interesting. Something to try and understand.’ Jane nodded.
This was actually quite good, she thought to herself. She enjoyed sharing the gospel as it gave
meaning to her life. Now, for Leo to
take an interest. Well it seemed as if
all her studies might now actually mean something.
‘I
actually have a lot that I could say about all of this, Leo. That is, if you are interested.’ He nodded.
‘Yes, very. Not right at this
moment, mind you. But yeah. I want to
learn more.’ Jane nodded, quite happy.
Later
on that day as they toured around inner London, visiting the London Bridge,
Jane was quietly buzzing. She felt in
some ways like a woman now. It had gone
from her now and she had joined an important club. Now, silently, she was hoping that Leopold
would make an honest woman of her. That
seemed to be the next logical step.
Chapter
Six
6008 SC (2038 AD)
‘Hey, Jane. Look at this map. It shows the three divisions of ancient
Palestine in the time of Jesus. Three
divisions, exactly as you said about three messiah. Judea in the south, Samaria in the centre and
Galilee in the north.’ Jane looked at
the map and nodded to him. ‘So let me
get this right. The Taheb is the
messianic figure which represents Samaria.
The Samaritan people.’ ‘Yes,’
said Jane. ‘He is the one they have long
expected. ‘And for Judah,’ continued
Leo, ‘they have long expected a ‘David’ figure.’ ‘That they have, Leo. It is why they never accepted Jesus as the
Christ.’ ‘But isn’t Jesus from Galilee.’ Jane looked at him, smiling. ‘In fact, Leo. The Jesus seminar consistently teaches that Jesus
was probably born in Nazareth and not in Bethlehem. Historical Jesus studies conclude that.’ ‘Which means, then, he is the Christ of
Galilee. The ruler over the third northern-most
division of Palestine.’ Jane
smiled. It was exactly the theology she
had concluded herself. ‘Yes, that he is
Leopold. The third messiah in a sense. I mean, there will never be another Galilean
as popular as Jesus. That is for
certain. He is the ruler for Galilee. I have no doubts on that.’ Leo nodded, continuing to stare at the map in
the New Testament Bible he had purchased that morning.
That afternoon
they began their drive back to Crossden.
Jane noticed that all throughout the trip Leo was reading through the
Bible he had brought, fascinated by its teaching seemingly. ‘Didn’t Callodyn teach you scripture going
up?’ she asked him innocently. He once
shared with me that he read the Torah a lot.
‘Uh, yeh,’ responded Leo. ‘I know
dad read it a lot, but not much around us.
And he never tried to raise me with any specific religious values. I think he wanted me to find my own way on
that issue.’ Oh, responded Jane, now
understanding. ‘Did you ever see him
pray?’ ‘Once. Late at night when Rebecca was unwell. I heard him pray to God the father to heal
her. And she got well a few days later.’ Jane smiled.
It did seem Callodyn was a man of faith, which made her glad.
Arriving back in
Crossden Leo returned Jane to her house and said, ‘I will be staying at the Red
Boar for a few days. I want to read
through some more of this book, but I will drop around in the morning. We can spend the rest of your time off just
hanging around.’ ‘That would be great,’
said Jane. Nervously she leant forward
and kissed him on the cheek. ‘I love
you, Leo,’ she said, hoping for a similar response. He looked at her, smiled and left. She was a little disappointed but hoped
perhaps next time he would say what she wanted to hear.
That night she
went through the family paper on the announcement of the Taheb. He had announced that mankind had a special
destiny in the heart of God and that it was now time to turn to their heavenly
father in acts of charity and repentance.
She felt he sounded like a papal figure somewhat now, which is how he seemed
to be currently appreciated by many. She
thought on his words spoken and felt them laced with ancient wisdom. If he was indeed the first messianic redeemer
which June and James also talked of then he was destined to live, apparently,
400 years. In that time he could
certainly have a great impact on mankind.
Time would only tell.
Chapter
Seven
6008 SC (2038 AD)
David was
heartbroken. Completely and utterly
heartbroken. His beloved had chosen
another. Robert Davies had won her, in
the end, and David Rothchild was a broken-hearted man. Currently he was in Cardiff at an
international Law convention relating to quarantine law. David worked in the Legal section of the
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, as he had done for a number of
years. Just recently he had been on
leave up in Sydney with Justine Atkinson.
But Justine had now chosen Robert and David was crushed. That afternoon, thinking he could not stomach
another seminar, he took the car he had rented with his international drivers
license and drove. He just drove,
northwards, not caring were he was going, but just wanting to take this lost
highway and escape to nowhere.
A few hours later
he spied a sign of the town he was coming into.
‘Crossden.’ ‘This will do,’ he
thought to himself. A good as place as
any to spend the night. He found a pub
called ‘The Red Boar’ and decided that looked as good a place as any to spend
the night.
Standing in the
shower, water rushing down on him, David sensed something about this town. Someone lived here – someone important. Someone he should have known in some
way. He did not know why he felt this
feeling, but it was all around him, everywhere for a few minutes. And then it diminished but he couldn’t help
but think divine things had touched him.
The following
morning at the pub breakfast table he spied a man on his table reading a
Bible. He decided to say hello just for
the sake of it as he always enjoyed biblical conversations. ‘What are you reading there, friend,’ he
began. Leopold turned to him and, just
then, it seemed as if a golden halo was surrounding this person, but it quickly
disappeared. ‘Uh, just the bible
mate. I have been reading it a lot over
the last day or so. Really interesting
now.’ David nodded. Perhaps God was in the process of making a
new convert, he thought to himself.
Perhaps this was in fact why God had brought him to this town, of all
places.
‘My name is
David. David Rothchild.’ Leo turned to him then, mildly stunned. He knew the Rothchild name well now, for his
mother Rachel was of that family and he was half a Rothchild. ‘You have to be kidding me. My mother Rachel is a Rothchild.’ David looked at him just then, and suddenly
made the connection of were the name ‘Crossden’ rang a bell from. ‘Rachel?
Is she related to an Alexander Rothchild?’ Leo looked at him. ‘I have an Uncle Alexander. My grandfather Jonathon’s brother.’ David continued. ‘Did they have a brother called Frederick,
and was their father David?’ Leo
nodded. David smiled – this was his
cousin. ‘I am David. Alexander is my father. We live in Canberra.’ Leo nodded.
‘Yes, that is were Alexander lives.
I haven’t seen him since I was tiny, but I know he lives in Canberra.’ ‘So we are sort of cousins, then. Second cousins.’ ‘Small world, aint it,’ said Leo. David nodded at that comment.
They chatted all
that day and into the night, dropping around to Jane and then visiting Leo’s
grandmother Celia. ‘The rest of the clan
are up in Beltingham, but we will go and visit Uncle Jeremy tomorrow if you can
stay.’ David nodded. He was cheered up, somewhat now. He had met close family. Family he had known about but had never
really had the opportunity to go and meet.
And in the consolation of family somehow the loss of Justine Atkinson
was being smoothed away. At least he
felt somewhat better, and for that he was grateful.
Chapter
Eight
6008 SC (2038 AD)
Jane, sitting with
Leopold, was somewhat surprised. It was Friday. Late yesterday David had left, Leo’s cousin,
and Leo had been in a cheerful mood. But
it was something else. Something rather
than just meeting his cousin David. Leo
had in some ways, changed. All the time
Jane had known Leopold Bradlock there had been an edge to him. A dark edge.
Certainly he was a positive and friendly person, as Callodyn likewise
was. But there was an edge to him. An edge of darkness which sometimes occasionally
had frightened her. But now, sitting
with Leo at the Red Boar eating breakfast, it seemed as if that dark edge had disappeared. At least for the moment.
‘So why are you in
such a good mood, Leopold Bradlock.’ Leo
smiled at the question as he was slowly devouring his breakfast of bacon, eggs
and fried tomatoes. ‘I can’t really say,
Jane Talbourne. I can’t really say. But it as if in the last few days a weight
has been removed from my shoulders. A
weight I had never really known was there, but which is somehow gone. And I feel new, again. Renewed almost. Like someone has come along and hit my ‘refresh’
button. ‘Sprayed you with the toxin of
life, huh?’ She asked, curious. ‘Something
like that,’ responded Leo. Jane, taking
a bite of a hash-brown, staring at him, had her secret convictions into the
change in Leopold Bradlock. It had
happened to her to, when she first got involved in biblical things. It was if, after reading the bible,
connections were made. Divine
connections. Almost as if God had
suddenly taken an interest in your life and was now in the process of redeeming
you. This, of course, was a traditional
view. But it seemed true enough to Jane
Talbourne.
‘Well, what do you
want to do today, Leopold? What shall we
possibly on earth get up to.’ Leopold
smiled while he was looking at her, formulating an answer. ‘Go were the wind takes us, I guess.’ She smiled.
It was a good answer.
They spent the day
walking around Crossden, visiting childhood haunts. That evening they were at his grandmothers ‘Celia’s’
for dinner. She was getting on a bit
now, but still retained an elusive youthful essence. Celia had delighted in David’s visit, ever so
pleased to meet Alexander’s boy. She was
now talking about possibly visiting Canberra to see Alex, funds
permitting. Leo told her he would help
out and Celia smiled.
That night,
returning to the Red Boar, Jane subtley, in a womanly way, inquired wether Leo
would like company for the night. But he
refused her. ‘But tomorrow I would like
to see you early. I have something
important to say to you, okay. I will be
around at about 8. And I will take you
somewhere special.’ Jane nodded,
anticipation high.
Returning home
Jane thought, in the way many women often thought, that this might be it. The big question. What would she say? But of course, she would say yes. Really, there was nobody else suitable
enough. So if Leo finally asked the big question
she would assent and make her his wife.
Chapter
Nine
6008 SC (2038 AD)
‘I think, perhaps,
there are words you wanted to hear. And
I do love you, Jane. I do love you. And under the best of circumstances I would
have asked you to be my wife.’ Jane was
smiling at Leo, sitting at the old railroads they had often frequented as
children. ‘But,’ she said. ‘There sounds like there is a ‘but’ in there
somewhere.’ Leo nodded. ‘Yes, there is a but. I don’t know what it is. I really don’t. But it is as if there is something saying to
me, no Leo. It wouldn’t be quite right. As if you are a friend, and even occasional lover. But in terms of marriage, well, it is not
meant to be.’ Jane looked at him, and
looked downwards. She was
disappointed. Quite disappointed. But if that was the heart of Leopold
Bradlock, then so be it. ‘Ok Leo. I can’t really claim to understand your
wisdom, but I will accept your choice. I
guess it was never meant to be. Never
meant to be that personal.’ ‘That is
sort of what I feel, Jane. That it was
never meant to be that personal. We are
close friends, and always will be. But
it is as if there is someone else, someone closer to you, that I shouldn’t
interfere with. As if this person
already has a prior claim on you.’ ‘And
who would that be, Leopold Bradlock?’ ‘I
don’t know Jane. But someone important,
that is all I can say.’
She cried a little
that morning, walking back to her home with Leo walking a little ahead to give
her some privacy. He had broken her
heart somewhat. Of course she knew that
she had a place in the heart of Leopold Bradlock. But apparently that heart was holding out for
someone else. Maybe it was just an
excuse he had, saying there was another for herself. Perhaps it was just an excuse. But perhaps there was another, as Leo had
maintained. Someone she was destined to
meet one day, if she had not met him already.
Later that night,
Leo having left for Cardiff and his flight home, Jane sat in her front living room
reading the bible. She had just read
Corinthians 13, the love chapter, and thought of God’s love for her. Perhaps the father of Glory had someone
special planned for her. Someone
special, perfectly made for Jane Talbourne.
Someone to fit the bill for her exact desires. And perhaps, one day, she would meet this
perfect man. Perhaps it was just all in
God’s good time. Perhaps that was all it
was.
Chapter
Ten
6008 SC (2038 AD)
What was in the
heart of Leopold Bradlock? Leo thought
on that very thought as the plane was nearing New Zealand. For so long he had assumed Jane Talbourne
would, one day, be the love of his life.
As if they were destined to be together.
But in truth his heart had been taught for a while now that Jane
belonged to someone else. And that
marrying her would be interfering in another person’s love life. And so he would not marry her. He would leave her be to find the love of her
life in her own time. Besides, he was
now more interested in his studies. His
biblical studies of all things. And the
focus was the book of Revelation. It
fascinated him right at the moment. If
this was supposedly the word of God he wanted to do his best to try and
understand the hidden meanings and riddles of this most strange prophecy. Its language was complex and he had no idea
what half of it meant. But something in
him was compelling him to study it. To nut
out its riddles and mystery and to understand just what it all meant. Perhaps, in truth, for the heart of Leopold
Bradlock, this current mystery would unlock the many secrets of his hearts
life. Perhaps this would be the start of
a brand new journey. Perhaps.
THE
END