Gideon's Chair

Chapter 19

My head spun , I saw a mass of reds and blues and confusion.

then words filtered through

" Mr Tutbury , I hope you have been offered hospitality and courtesy "

I tried to reply but nothing came out I was terrified

I nodded a yes , my mouth too dry to speak my legs starting to fail me

Fludd spoke

" Mr Tutbury , you may be wondering why you are here "

I shuffled

" Err yes"

Fludd flexed his fingers

" Allow me to explain Mr Tutbury "

He sat forward in his chair and explained

" James Hutton an eighteenth Century scientist said ...there is no prospect of an end , we Mr Tutbury don't subscribe to that point of view .....Preferring to control beginnings and choose if something has to end "

" What has that got to do with me " I perhaps rudely butted in

Fludd for the first time properly looked at me

" Mr Tutbury , if you allow me to continue , you will understand "

I shuffled uncomfortably feeling like a schoolboy in front of his head teacher after not handing in homework .

Frudd looked at me " You are clearly aware we know everything about you " the menace in his voice was frightening

" Yes , but why , what's this all about " a bit of confidence returning to me

For the first time a flicker of impatience shot across his face

" And Mr Tutbury , your wife "  this was a petulant comment , clearly no one ever answered him back

I took a pace forward  " My wife , what has she got to do with your bloody Gideon thing "

Anger immediately settled any nerves I had

Fludd and me hated each other within five minutes

He continued

" Mr Tutbury , please curb your language "

I walked another pace forward pointing straight at Fludd

" Look James ...James whoever you are ...Fludd....I'm locked in some fucking vault , shown a file which is like my life history , dragged in front of some sinister masonic ritualistic group of bloody morgue assistants ....and you say I should curb my fucking language .........Why shouldn't I just leave this place , ring the Police and call an end to this nightmare "

Fludd sat back in his chair and stared straight at me

" Because Mr Tutbury that would be very unfortunate for you and for your wife "

I cut him off before he finished

" Fludd say whatever you want about me but don't dare speak about my wife "

Fludd arrogantly picked his nails then looked up at me

" Mr Tutbury perhaps if you calmed down a little , I might be allowed to continue........ok "

I nodded " Ok Ok ......Ok , this isn't easy for me , not easy I am just so damn confused "

Fludd paused as if he was waiting for me to stop speaking as if my words were irrelevant