Doorways Chapter 5a

“I'll see to it.” Darius sat down and massaged his temples, which were starting to throb slightly.

“Yay! If you're ordering dresses I'm a 34B!” Alexandria shot off to the bathroom.

“She's a what?” Darius was now officially baffled.

“I'll sort that out, Master Hawk.” Netty tried not to laugh.

“I'll see you raised to deity status for this, Netty.” Darius shook his head and began the acceptance note.

Netty let Zach into the house, some hours later, and he just stood laughed at the scene before him. Darius was trying to teach Alexandria how to dance.

“Hey Zach! Look, I'm shite at this!” Alexandria guffawed. “Seriously, I'll just say no to the dancing. I'll teach them all how to play poker instead.”

“You certainly will not!” Darius said hotly.

“At least get her a decent teacher, Darius.” Zach laughed. “You have three left feet, not just two. May I?” Darius gave his friend a dirty look and got out of the way.

“It would be a pleasure.” Alexandria smiled. “Yah! We did that bit already. OK! This arm here, that one there, and legs all in the right order.”

“Just follow me. It's easy.” Zach nodded. “Head up. You don't need to look at your feet. I won't trip you up like Darius did.” Darius gave Zach another dirty look. “See? Piece of cake.”

“Not while I'm dancing, Zach! I'll pepper you with crumbs. Easy! Boom-da-da, boom-da-da.” Alexandria kept in time with the waltz and didn't trip once.

“Not bad, I suppose.” Darius sniffed.

“Better that you, Flat Feet!” Alexandria sat down. “So I doubt the Samsons know where I'm from, do they?”

“No, not many do.” Darius frowned. “Myself, Zach, Sergeants Bowles and Hector and Netty.”

“So what do I say? I'm not ashamed about being from the Minor Sector, I can't help that, but I don't think the Samson's party is the place to get into all that stuff. I'm a good liar.” Alexandria said seriously.

“That should be condemned, but I'll condone it.” Darius grimaced. This whole thing was based on a lie and Darius was starting to get niggling moral doubts nipping at his conscience. “How's this? You're from the West Point of the System. That's far enough away for the Samsons not to know the place in detail. Now how do we explain you being here with me?” Darius nibbled on his thumbnail.

“West Point of the System?” Alexandria laughed. “Shit Darius, out of town would do. I'm visiting Solunia for the first time and taking the opportunity to study with the scholars here. That isn't even a lie, is it? Just a bit ... vague. You said they were nice folks so if I give the impression that I have no family, which I don't, then they'll hardly be rude enough to go on about that. Trust me. It'll be fine.” She nodded.

“There's nothing more worrying that a woman telling you to trust her.” Darius grimaced. “Just keep the conversation light. OK?”

“Absolutely! Oo! Netty!.” Alexandria darted at Netty as she came in through the door armed with several packages. “I could have helped you carry all this! Bloody dancing lessons. You manage OK? 34 ...”

“B. Yes I managed.” Netty laughed. Alexandria whooped and charged off to her room with her packages.