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A series of Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons vignettes for Christmas
2003 by Tiger Jackson
Skywatching: Christmas Day
Deep inside London’s
Green Park on Christmas day, a man stood and searched the sky, as if trying to
catch a glimpse of something. He searched and remembered.
It was
almost 10 years ago. He hadn’t known Charles Gray for long but as soon they’d
met, they’d become friends. They were much alike in many ways; perhaps that was
why they understood each other so well.
Christmastime had come. Both men were alone in the world. No spouses, no
children, no parents or siblings. Conrad Turner usually volunteered for duty on
Christmas Day so someone could be with their family. But this year, Charles had
invited him to come to London and join him for Christmas dinner at one of the
city’s finest hotels, and promised a chess match for afters. They were both
excellent chess players, so the battle would be a long and challenging one.
They
had lingered over the fine meal, talking comfortably about many things,
completely at ease with one another. As they finished their coffee, the waitress
had hovered uncertainly.
“Is
there a problem, Miss?” Charles had asked.
“Oh,
no, sir,” she had replied. “I’m just not sure whether I should give the bill to
you or your son.”
Both
men had looked at each other in surprise. Conrad was only twelve years younger
than Charles, but Conrad’s hair was a pure deep black and his face so smooth he
looked to be much younger than he was. Charles, on the other hand, with his
silver-white hair and his distinguished face did fit easily into the role of
Pater. Conrad began to chuckle, then laugh helplessly. Fortunately, Charles also
saw the humour in the situation and joined in the laughter.
When
he could catch his breath again, Conrad had reached for the bill, saying, “Here,
Dad, I’ll take care of it!” “No,
son, I invited you so I’ll pay,” replied Charles.
“Thanks awwwwf’ly, Dad!” Conrad had finished in a pantomime parody of an
upper-crust accent.
They
had dissolved in peals of laughter again, while the poor waitress simply looked
from one to the other, aware that she was somehow the cause of their mirth but
quite unable to see why. They did not explain. It had remained a private joke
between them for years after.
It was
Christmas Day again. Captain Black watched the clouds drift across the sky over
London. Watched for what he knew he would not see there. The place he wished he
could be today.
Home.
OTHER STORIES BY TIGER JACKSON Any comments? Send an
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