Part 19
You feel vaguely depressed as you wander into a coffee shop and stare in bemused confusion at the list of italian words that seem to represent variation on the common theme. It seems that this culture has become all pervasive in the brave new world in which you find yourself. You scan the short descriptions rapidly, aware of a queue already forming behind you. You select a drink almost at random and listen in amazement as the people behind you bark out their orders in impatient and stressed voices. You sit on a stool by the window and watch the people go past as the town centre hits the height of it's morning trade. You sip at your masively overpriced mochachino and wonder if you'll ever get used to your new and busy surroundings.
You leave the coffee shop as the noise levels rise beyond comfort and decide to explore a little beyond the confines of the shopping centre in which you've found yourself. You brush against Paul's mind, reassuring him and checking that you will be able to home back in on her from anywhere nearby. Just a street away the facade of busy commercialism fades away. You drift from quiet residential street to quiet residential street until you realise that the houses in this georgian terrace all bear small plaques offering professional services of one kind or another. Solicitors and lawyers rub shoulders with private doctors and dentists. The street is quiet, not needing to advertised for its clientelle in the same way as the high street services. The only other people nearby are a man and woman holding the hands of their son between them. The boy looks to be around ten years old and smartly dressed. His parents are wearing designer clothing and their faces are anxious while the boy himself just looks miserable.
For some reason the boy is attracting your attention and you meet his dark eyes with your own. A curious recognition passes between you and then, in a flash, a view of a country house and a plea for help from a mind resigned to it never coming.
"Frankie! Lift your feet up properly." The boy's father jerks him to one side breaking your eye contact but the man isn't watching his son's feet but is studying you with some antagonism.
"Peter," The woman is concilliatory. "Frankie has just had a hard morning of tests. Be gentle."
"The boy has to learn discipline." The man tells her, still looking at you.
You keep walking past them but as you do you can hear the boy's tired thoughts and his frustration washes over you like a wave. You have no doubt this is another Tomorrow Person. But he's so young! Is he just a potential TP? He felt like more than that. You worry about the suspicion in his father's eyes and don't dare turn the instant you are past them but keep walking for a minute thinking about your options.
Do you:
a) Go back to the Lab and see what the others think?
b) Follow the child and his parents?
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