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Chapter
24
Despite
the initial optimism that had been provided by the finding of, and
the teaming-up of like-minded individuals, the following two months
proved fruitless as they attempted to lay down some kind of
foundation for a time machine.
Unsurprisingly,
Carl Pickover had failed - with spectacular success - at the
California Institute of Technology to convince the powers that be to
lend him a laboratory, despite the supporting presence of Deanne.
Despite his pessimism, the discussion did last more than five
minutes. But no more than that, even though he even let her do most
of the talking.
So
trying to find that next elusive piece to their incredibly
complicated jigsaw was becoming more frustrating. Pickover’s lack
of patience was not helping either, and on more than one occasion
reminded David Lutman and Deanne that the one thing that had not been
accomplished, according to Lutman’s information, was for him to be
with his future wife. He and Deanne were not yet officially husband
and wife. Just simply being partners in a relationship did not count.
Unhelpfully, he suggested that they get the marriage over with by a
service arranged in Las Vegas first thing in the morning, followed by
a quick cheap meal in one of the numerous casino restaurants. This
suggestion was greeted with a predictable response, and Pickover
retreated, tail firmly between his legs.
While
Lutman and Deanne were certainly not altogether unhappy about the
prospect of spending the rest of their lives together, they strongly
felt that any wedding now would feel forced. Time machine or not,
they had opted for a proper wedding ceremony, which would be properly
conducted within a church, and followed by an organized outdoor
reception afterwards.
And
all this would be set for the following spring, much to Pickover’s
chagrin.
So
with little else to do, Pickover decided to return to the Florida
beaches a few days later and resume his semi-retirement, much to the
relief of his new colleagues.
*
As
Autumn drew to a close Lutman returned to Britain to tie up the
numerous loose ends left as a result of officially moving to the
United States.
He
avoided his Hensfield office and the much loathed Mr. Meade; he was
sure he would be unwelcome there. A letter amongst the many that had
been collected by his parents at home had simply confirmed his
dismissal, despite his sending an e-mail a few weeks earlier
tendering his immediate resignation. He thought about calling Jeannie
to get the latest gossip from her but decided against it. On the one
hand, he felt that the break from the council offices had to be
completely clean, but on the other, he did not want to be reminded of
that traumatic morning.
*
Winter
and Christmas rapidly followed, and Deanne was finally introduced to
Janice and Dennis.
David
Lutman’s parents had flown over to Phoenix and, after a quick and
emotional reunion at Sky Harbor International airport, they were
taken by Lutman and Deanne to her father’s house.
Janice
Lutman was a petite lady, two years younger than her husband, but
still very active. She had kept herself equally fit and youthful as
her other half. She revealed how she cried when she got the news of
their impending marriage, but adding that she had always felt certain
he would have got married eventually. In the end she was blissfully
happy that the ceremony was going to be a lot earlier than she had
expected.
Patrick
Clarkson explained that Deanne’s mother, who had passed away three
years earlier from a brain tumor, wanted her daughter to have a
fully-fledged service; church, reception, lots of guests, the works,
and he was not going to deny her that request. Besides, he added, she
would almost certainly be up there keeping an eye to make sure her
daughter was happy.
Janice
Lutman was a little concerned about the timing of the service as it
occurred just after the Easter Holiday, and that the weather could
not be guaranteed. Clarkson, however, reminded both she and Lutman
senior that even though the temperatures in Phoenix were now similar
to a British winter, in April they would be well into the eighties
and more than warm enough to set up a marquee for the guests.
Deanne
had asked her father to keep the guest numbers down, despite her
mother’s wishes. So it was agreed that the immediate families,
along with a few immediate friends of theirs and her father, would
receive invitations.
The
remaining two weeks with David Lutman’s parents in the United
States was to spend Christmas Day at the Clarkson family home and in
and around Phoenix. New Year’s Eve became their penultimate
evening, and as they all sat in the large, plush dining chairs that
surrounded the solid oak dining table, a procession of catering staff
brought out a sumptuous spread, all courtesy of Patrick Clarkson.
After thirty minutes of eating and casual chat, the discussion turned
towards the impending wedding and the church service.
Having
established - via his parents - that David Lutman belonged to the
Church of England, Clarkson inquired as to how often he went to
church.
‘I
have to admit, sir, I haven’t been to church for a while,’ he
said humbly.
Clarkson
thought for a moment. ‘Hmm, well, I really think you should go once
in a while.’
Lutman
shook his head slowly, his expression one of uncertainty. He was not
sure how to answer this.
‘Do
you believe in God, David?’ Clarkson asked unexpectedly.
Deanne
sensed Lutman’s unease with the question. ‘Dad!’
Clarkson
smiled. ‘It’s okay, you can say what you feel. I really won’t
mind. But you don’t have to answer the question.’
‘I
have to say I don’t, I’m afraid,’ Lutman said sheepishly.
‘Oh?
Okay, why not?’ Clarkson asked politely.
Lutman
took a deep breath. ‘Well, there are many people in the world who
all seem to worship different Gods, and seem to fight wars because of
that. Let’s face it, almost all wars that have taken place all have
their roots in religion.’
‘That’s
an interesting way of putting it, I suppose, although it’s not the
first time I’ve heard that argument,’ Clarkson commented
ruefully, ‘but they all do have one other thing in common. People
try to find a religion to discover their purpose and meaning in
life.’
Lutman
believed he knew his purpose and meaning, but kept it to himself.
‘So
you don’t believe in God then?’ chipped in Deanne.
‘Um,
I have to say I don’t,’ said Lutman, a little surprised at Deanne
entering the debate.
‘Really?’
she grinned. ‘Then what do you think guided you here, to be here
with me, to become engaged to me, in such a short space of time?’
‘Well…’
He turned to his audience, who were all staring at him, expectantly
waiting for his answer. ‘I… don’t really know what guided me
here.’
‘As
they say,’ broke in Lutman senior with a slight slur attributed to
his fourth glass of brandy, ‘God moves in mysterious ways!’
They
politely laughed, all generally sensing that the topic should now
die. after which Clarkson stood up with another glass, this time
filled with red wine.
‘Ladies
and gentlemen, I give you… my daughter, Deanne, and my future
son-in law, David! May God – if he exists, of course...’ he
smiled, adding, ‘…bless you both. Cheers!’
They
all raised their glasses and finished off their wines and brandies.
The
little party continued, with glasses raised once more for the New
Year, and then David Lutman’s parents politely announcing that they
were going to bed.
Lutman,
Deanne and Clarkson continued the celebrations for a short time until
Clarkson declared he was turning in too. ‘You two go up. The
morning staff'll clear this mess up in the morning,’ he announced.
‘Okay
Dad,’ said Deanne, slightly wearily, ‘we’ll see you in the
morning.’
*
New
Year’s Day was considerably more low-key then the fun and games of
the previous evening, with everyone relaxing, particularly Dennis and
Janice Lutman. But at 9am the following morning, it was time for them
to return home. Clarkson arranged for a limousine to take them to the
airport. At his own expense, he even had their seats upgraded to
business class.
A
tearful Janice Lutman bade her son goodbye, promised to keep in
touch, and looked forward to seeing him again just after Easter.
*
The
rest of January, along with February and March, passed with little
incident. Pickover returned from his self-imposed retirement, and
forced himself to return to teaching as his personal finances began
to dry up. Although Deanne maintained communications with him, these
were at increasingly irregular intervals.
As the
wedding preparations continued apace, Deanne returned to work. After
some training, David Lutman gained employment at the laboratory
maintaining and updating the center’s web page, along with numerous
little menial jobs that everyone else had little time to do.
Clarkson’s
exceptional influence in scientific and government circles ensured
that his green card was processed rapidly. Within a week of the
initial application, Lutman could now legally live and work in the
United States.
*
It was
the Wednesday before Easter that both of them wrapped up work for the
final time as single people.
The
following Thursday, Janice and Dennis Lutman returned, accompanied by
Lutman’s older brother Tom and his wife. Pretty younger sister
Rachael would arrive the day after, all flying business class
courtesy of Clarkson.
They
would all enjoy Easter together before the big day.
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