Doctor Who_ Halflife - Mark Michalowski [11]
She gave a sigh as a girl tripped and a roll of shimmering fabric bounced across the flagstones down below, unrolling itself like a half-hearted wave washing up on the shores of the Imperial Family’s reputation.
‘Pick it up!’ she shrieked, leaning out over the balcony from where, her blood pressure increasing with every moment, she was attempting to oversee them all and make the best of a bad job. ‘Do you know how much that costs?’
19
Of course, it didn’t actually cost very much: she’d struck a deal with some old people’s home in Eastlane where they’d set up a whole barnful of looms as ‘occupational therapy’. Less than four solaris a roll. She watched through narrowed eyes as the girl blundered about, trying to re-roll the fabric without stepping on it.
‘If it’s damaged, it’s coming out of your wages!’ Alinti called.
The girl looked up and gave a pained little curtsy, her arms full of acres of glittering fabric. If Tannalis hadn’t insisted on this ridiculous, antiquated charade, Alinti thought, turning away, she wouldn’t have to put herself through all of this. Selfish, he was. Just plain selfish.
As Alinti strode down the corridor towards the stairs, Javill appeared out of the shadows and made her jump.
‘Sorry, Mother,’ he apologised, taking her hand in his own and giving it a little squeeze.
‘I do wish you wouldn’t do that, dear,’ she said, trying not to show how much he’d startled her. But she couldn’t be mad at him for long: he was her special son, after all, and she knew how much he loved his mother. He was a handsome boy – flawless skin, rich, deep eyes and a strong, square jaw. He pulled an apologetic face.
‘I heard you shouting at the staff,’ he said. ‘Can’t we get some better ones?’
Alinti gave a brittle laugh.
‘Blame your father – he insists on overseeing all dismissals. D’you know that he reinstated that chef that I sacked last week? Gave him his job back –
just like that!’ She made a little popping gesture with her hands that rapidly turned into a sharp clasping motion, red talons spearing inwards. ‘He really is becoming unbearable. He thinks I don’t know about his secret meetings with Minister Djelardine or that offworld stranger he’s installed in the Palace.
When I question him about them, he just fobs me off, tells me that it’s nothing I need to worry about’ Alinti glanced away and shook her head. ‘I don’t know how much more of him I can stand, Javill. I really don’t.’ Her voice tailed away pitiably.
‘I know, Mother,’ said Javill, taking her hand again. ‘I know. But this may be the last birthday he sees.’ He paused and looked into his mother’s eyes. ‘We should make it a good one. Who knows how much time he has left?’
Alinti gave a gentle nod. ‘His health isn’t what it was,’ she agreed. ‘His doctors seem to think he might last another five or ten years, but I can’t believe it.’
Javill gave a contemptuous snort. ‘No doubt trying to curry favour with him. I agree with you, Mother.’ he’s looking iller by the day. I may not be a medical man, but I think I know my own father.’
20
‘So sad,’ said Alinti, taking a deep breath. ‘Now if you’ll excuse me, my dear, I have to go and discipline that stupid girl.’ She paused, her fingers clutching the brass hand rail. ‘If I can remember which one she was.’
Javill waved his hand contemptuously.
‘Then just discipline them all,
Mother.’
Alinti smiled indulgently: this was why she loved Javill so much. He always knew what to say. Sometimes she wondered whether he was really Tannalis’s son. God knows, there’d been enough other men. She gave Javill a kiss on the cheek, smiling at the memories that the thought brought to mind.
‘Go and find out what your sister’s doing, darling,’ she said, squeezing his hands. ‘And make sure she’s doing it properly.’
She watched Javill trot down the stairs: such a fine young man. He’d make someone a wonderful husband one day.
Alinti turned and headed for her husband’s rooms (it had been many years since they’d shared a