The Seven. Peter Newman

gives a reassuring nod to the little girl before gently nudging her towards Vesper.

      Vesper goes down on one knee and opens her arms. ‘It’s okay, I won’t bite.’

      The girl comes forward and accepts her mother’s hug. Vesper wonders if perhaps things will not be as bad as she feared.

      They all flinch when Reela screams. Ducking under Vesper’s arms, she runs past, the scream bouncing up the stairs until it is silenced by the slam of an upstairs door.

      For several minutes, Vesper talks, banishing the rejection of her child with talk of bigger things. Increasingly, her arms wave with enthusiasm. Three men sit round the table, listening: her father, her uncle and her lover.

      Reela remains upstairs. From time to time she can be heard jumping around her room and squealing. The sound of boards creaking and high-pitched laughter grow steadily louder.

      Vesper tries to ignore it but her right eyelid twitches in time with each new interruption.

      ‘And,’ Vesper concludes, ‘it means we’ll have a place to meet and solve problems, but more than that, we’ll be creating another way to live, where we talk first instead of fighting.’ Another bang from above makes Vesper wince. ‘Where children like Reela can grow up without knowing fear.’ She pauses but nobody speaks. ‘Well, what do you think?’

      She looks at each of their faces. Harm’s is a delicate balance, support laced with concern. Her father looks down at the table, frowning. Jem just looks angry.

      Several thuds and a shriek from the heavens do little to break the tension.

      Harm leans forward, his voice soft. ‘I think it’s very brave what you’re trying to do.’

      ‘But?’

      ‘But I’m not sure the Empire is ready. Have you thought about how it might hurt Reela?’

      Vesper shakes her head. ‘I’m doing it for Reela and all the others like her. She shouldn’t have to hide in the shadows because the Empire is too small-minded to deal with change!’

      ‘I agree but you risk making her into a target.’

      ‘But when you came to the Shining City, Uncle, you didn’t hide.’

      Harm smiles sadly. ‘That’s true but I came of my own free will and I knew the risks. And I wasn’t accepted until I’d been purged of taint, and even that is conditional on me living out here.’

      ‘It shouldn’t be that way. I’m going to put it right.’

      ‘The people of the Empire have followed you this far because you’ve moved slowly but if you start to directly contradict The Seven’s law … Well, it could end badly for all of us.’

      An awkward silence descends. Vesper’s father continues to frown at the tabletop.

      ‘We saw the cube rising,’ Jem says. ‘Did The Seven do anything?’

      ‘No. They just flew off, into space maybe? I don’t know, and to be honest, I don’t care. We’ve waited for Them long enough already.’

      ‘What are you going to do now?’

      She looks at him, puzzled. ‘Exactly what I was going to do before. If The Seven decide to make things better, maybe I’ll come back and live here. Until then, the Empire needs us.’

      Jem swallows. ‘But … aren’t you afraid?’

      She closes the gap between them and takes one of his hands in hers. ‘Of course I’m afraid. But it isn’t going to stop me.’

      ‘Us,’ adds Harm. ‘It isn’t going to stop us. We’re in this together. A family.’

      ‘I’m glad to hear it. Actually, it’s a relief. I don’t think my plan’s going to work without you.’

      Harm smiles. ‘This sounds ominous.’

      She smiles back. ‘I want you to guide the people here, the way you guided me.’

      ‘I’m no instructor.’

      ‘No, and I don’t want one. I want someone that can tell them about life across the sea. And, I want you to help them get the idea that not all infernals are the same. That’s what I tried to tell them in my speech but I don’t think they understand. It’s too big.’

      Harm nods slowly. ‘It won’t be easy but I have a few ideas. Perhaps I’ll tell them some of my old stories.’

      ‘Yes, tell them about the city of Verdigris and about Tough Call.’

      ‘Alright.’

      ‘Oh, and you have to tell them about the Usurperkin there and how they’re part of the city.’

      ‘I will.’

      ‘And I think –’

      Harm laughs and Vesper swiftly joins him. And then the two of them are recalling old times, trading names back and forth, swept up in the excitement. Vesper doesn’t notice Jem slipping to the back of the kitchen to make himself a strong drink. Her father does with narrowing eyes.

      ‘And don’t worry about Reela,’ adds Harm. ‘She’s not usually this bad.’

      ‘I’m not sure if that makes me feel better or worse.’

      ‘She’ll come round.’

      ‘Was I … like her? You can be honest.’

      Harm shakes his head. ‘No, you were easier. But don’t worry, she’ll get through it. I think she just misses you.’

      ‘She’s got a funny way of showing it.’

      ‘Love can make people behave in very odd ways.’ He coughs, polite. ‘I can’t imagine where Reela gets it from.’

      Jem clears his throat, the glass in his hand already half empty. ‘When are you leaving us?’

      ‘Soon.’

      ‘And how long will you be gone this time?’

      ‘I don’t know.’

      ‘A month? Six months?’ His lower lip curls down as he speaks, ‘A year? Another five years?’

      ‘I told you, I don’t know.’

      ‘Harm’s right, you’re going to put us in danger. The Shining City hates us.’

      ‘That’s ridiculous.’

      ‘Is that why the Lenses spy on us? They’re probably listening in right now.’

      ‘The Lenses have a whole world to monitor. They barely know you exist!’

      Jem drains his glass, gets up. ‘Sounds familiar.’

      ‘Where are you going?’

      ‘Nowhere. If you change your mind, you’re welcome to join me.’

      Vesper blinks back tears. ‘I have to do this, don’t you understand?’

      ‘Yes,’ replies Jem, bitter. ‘I do.’ He walks out of the kitchen. Shortly afterwards the front door slams.

      The rhythmic bouncing from upstairs is interrupted by a loud thud, a brief pause, and then crying, shrill and persistent.

      Vesper’s father glances towards the sound, then looks at Vesper.

      She buries her face in her hands. ‘Not now … I can’t.’

      With a sigh, her father rises. He touches Harm’s arm briefly, walks around the table to rest a hand on Vesper’s shoulder, then leaves.

      They hear footsteps on creaky stairs, a door opening and closing. The crying becomes muffled, begins to move slowly from left to right above them. Gradually, it subsides.

      Harm speaks into the quiet. ‘Why don’t