MINDSLIP

4 Understanding

'Well. It's odd. There's a little girl who is very confused but okay, but the boy has gone out. He said – and I know this sounds stupid – but he kept saying he was a power-station engineer in the middle of an important job. He dashed out. Have you any idea what's going on?'

Wilson had been possessed by some man who'd gone off with his body. I shook my head in disbelief.

'Let me speak to Sandra.'

'Well, I can't really.'

'What do you mean, "can't"? Put her on.'

'No. You don't understand, she's acting as if she's a baby, saying things like dadda and mumma. Who are you, anyway? I don't think I like your tone, madam.'

So, Sandra's become a baby. I choked back emotion. There was no point in going to pieces over this, but I found tears building. Most unlike me.

'Sorry, Jane. So sorry, but I'm Caroline's husband and the children's father, but I'm in another town and I've become a woman.'

'Oh. You've changed sex?'

'Yes, something outlandish has happened to everyone. I presume my body is somewhere else with some other personality inside it.'

I lowered my voice and walked into the kitchen with the phone, 'I've got a middle-aged man with me who's been occupied by an eleven-year-old boy from Manchester.'

Suddenly I heard tears. She'd broken down.

'Keep calm, Jane. Can I make some suggestions?'

The sniffles eased a little, and she spoke in Caroline's voice, which was so disconcerting, 'Please.'

Caroline would be breezing through this. She was so practical and clear-thinking. She wouldn't be blubbing. I steeled myself to come to grips with the situation.

'Right. If this is widespread, we'll eventually find the underlying cause of it. We're hoping the government will make a broadcast, but nothing so far. I suggest you switch the TV onto BBC and put the kitchen radio onto Radio 4. Someone is sure to take control soon, and they'll let us know what is happening. What's your home situation?'

'I live alone and had just opened my front door to go to the shops. I should be in Ashford.'

'You're in Guildford now. I'm in Notting Hill.'

'The situation's mad!'

'Feel free to feed yourself and Sandra. Our kitchen is well stocked. If you need money, there's some in the right-hand drawer of the bureau. Not much, but enough for emergencies. Without a pin, Caroline's cards won't be much use to you. I've the same problem here.

'If Wilson comes back please give him this phone number and put it on the fridge door – you'll find magnetic numbers there.

'Also, if Sandra has a baby in her body, can I ask you to make sure she doesn't hurt herself or anything. Could you possibly look after her until Caroline or I get home, please?'

'Of course.'

'I know you'll want to sort yourself out, too, but at least you're safe where you are. If you decide to go anywhere, take Caroline's mobile. It's usually charging in the kitchen and has my number in it. Oh God, of course, it'll no longer be my number, will it?'

'I don't know.'

'Jane, can you do a 1471 now and call me back with the number?'

'Yes, sure,' she replied, and I hung up.

Seconds later Suzy's phone rang, and Jane gave me the number.

'I'll text it to Caroline's phone, Jane. The password on her mobile is "sand" all lower case. Listen. If you go out, please take the house key off Caroline's keyring and leave it behind the square planter on the porch step? I know it is a bit obvious, but burglary is the least of our worries. Use the phone as much as you need.'