Page 97 of The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels

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GABRIEL

Wish I did.

Holly glares anew at the coin. Jonah holds the Baby, wanders to the sink, chucks its bottle in.

HOLLY

What can we do, then?

JONAH

Here.

She takes the Baby. Jonah replaces Holly on the kitchen stool.

GABRIEL

Our power is in being. Not doing.

Gabriel plonks a CARTON of juice on the counter, spreads jam on more toast, checks the coffee.

GABRIEL

In celestial form our energy guides mortals. Helps them. They have free will, but in the mortal realm our powers are mortal. We’re messengers. Usually.

He hands the toast to Jonah, coffee to Holly and sits opposite them at the counter. They eat, drink and look to him.

JONAH

But not this time?

GABRIEL

This time we have todo, not be.

The Baby cries in Holly’s arms. She rocks it.

INT. LIVING ROOM, FLAT – DAY – LATER

Holly and Jonah lounge on the settee, stare at the TV, bored. The Baby sleeps in its Moses basket. Gabriel appears from the corridor, groomed, coat on. Holly and Jonah sit up, suddenly anxious.

HOLLY

Where are you going?

Jonah throws her a look, which she returns with defiance.

GABRIEL

I won’t be long. Don’t leave. Not for anything, OK?

They nod. Gabriel smiles, winks at them and slips out.

INT. LIVING ROOM, FLAT – DAY – LATER

A violent, complex FANTASY GAME plays on a tiny screen. The MYTHICAL HERO battles an EVIL BEAST. The Hero wins points,but is suddenly beheaded. GAME OVER.

Holly lies on the settee, bored, casts aside the hand-held electronic game. Jonah studies the view from each window in turn, his eyes peeled for danger. Holly watches him.

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