Page 123 of The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels
GABRIEL
Unless we destroy it at the right time, in the right way, a century of sacrifice, of waiting, of working, will end in disaster. It must be protected until that time.
Gabriel pulls Holly and Jonah towards him.
GABRIEL
But we’re not alone. We have each other and there are more, a network that will make this possible. There are forces at work on both sides of the divide.
Holly and Jonah listen intently as if to a great teacher.
GABRIEL
But their keenest weapon is authority. We’re breaking earthly laws, so we’re vulnerable.
The Baby CRIES. Gabriel drains his cup, stands.
GABRIEL
My turn …
As he leaves, Holly’s eyes follow him.
INT. LIVING ROOM, FLAT – NIGHT – LATER
Gabriel lolls on the sofa, Holly and Jonah either side. Arms and legs intertwine sleepily. A FANTASY FILM ends. Gabriel clicks a remote control. The screen changes to a MENU PAGE of a VIDEO GAME. Jonah grabs two HANDSETS from the floor, throws one to Gabriel.
GABRIEL
Just one. I’m up early, dude.
With boyish enthusiasm Jonah and Gabriel set up their characters on screen. Holly watches them, their bond … She drags herself up and exits to the bedroom unnoticed.
INT. CORRIDOR, FLAT – THE NEXT MORNING
Holly sidles along the wall. From the doorway she peers into the living room across which she can see Gabriel darting back and forth in the kitchen. The coffee machine GROANS.
INT. KITCHEN/CORRIDOR, FLAT – MORNING
Gabriel, smartly dressed in a cheap suit, grabs door keys and phone, hurries through to the empty corridor. He tiptoes along it, past Jonah’s door, then Holly’s. The front door CLICKS behind him. Seconds later, Holly’s door opens slightly. She glances behind her at the Baby, asleep in its Moses basket, then heads for the front door.
INT. LANDING, FLAT – MORNING
Holly slips out of the front door, pads away. Behind her the door appears closed, but the latch is drawn in and it is therefore OPEN.
EXT. STREET – DAY
Gabriel strides along, following a map on his phone. Crosses the road. A face in the crowd. Behind him Holly follows at a safe distance.
EXT. CARE HOME – DAY – A SHORT TIME LATER
Gabriel stops outside a pleasant, modern, municipal building. He looks at his phone, at the building, checks a slip of paper in his hand before striding inside. The sign reads: MEADOW VIEW CARE HOME.
Holly secretes herself behind a hedge, follows it to the window, peers through. Gabriel sits with THREE ELDERLY PEOPLE. We hear nothing, but see him smile, laugh, kiss hands … they are charmed. He sits down beside them and, talking all the time, opens a book, starts to read aloud.
Holly’s eyes drop to Gabriel’s ankle and the unmistakable shape of his ELECTRONIC TAG. With an air of thoughtful relief, Holly slips away.
The page is torn off. There are four pages missing …
