Chapter Twenty-One

Part One

Juan-Carlos let Dee and Carrie know by text message that he was on his way up. A few minutes later, Dee opened the door to find a hunched, drunken vagrant slumped against their doorframe, obviously crippled and on his last leg. Ignoring her, he was scratching industriously at something in his groin when his radiating stench penetrated her consciousness; a nauseating and acrid mixture of stale wine, rancid body odours and God knows what else. He looked up at her just as she grasped the door to push it closed, grinning with a rotting set of yellow and black teeth at the horror on her face before straightening up and saying, ‘Give us a kiss then gorgeous!’…   >> MORE <<

Part Two

Colour and movement filled the interior of the lab, contrasting sharply with its intentionally bland and box-like exterior. The spaces were open, bright and positive. Large screens hung on every wall, displaying images that changed every thirty seconds.

After exchanging excited greetings, Kate assured Dee that their staff had the gig well under control. Rick and Kate gave the girls a tour, explaining that the changing images shown on each screen were intended to stimulate engineering minds towards creativity and offer new directions of inspiration. Spider webs, fish scales, mangrove swamps, clouds and even psychedelic art; each image showed subjects with patterns and interest. Rick pointed out other pieces of art, explaining that none of the pieces were chosen just for their aesthetic value…   >> MORE <<

Part Three

JC rejoined the party after stripping off his camouflage overalls. Dom caught his eye and JC shrugged, folding his hands in a gesture of prayer. Dom nodded and watched Juan-Carlos walk over to his mother. She grinned at him. ‘I think I nearly broke my foot on his nuts.’

He had to give his mother a joyful hug, saying, ‘I am so glad you got to sink it in, Mama Bear. Perfect timing. We’ve done our best. Nat says it’s a six in ten chance that he has the self-preservation to walk.’

The rest of the party was oblivious to the excitement and enjoyed the function, celebrating their new firm and their first large-scale outside contract…   >> MORE <<