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in arm with her along the Champs-Elysees on that beautiful sunny day. They had walked along this most prestigious and broadest avenue in Paris, and they had visited many shops in the area. Dan rubbed at his forehead as he gaped in amazement at the over the top prices in the luxurious shop windows.
    â€œDo you know what the name of this avenue means?” Beatrice had asked him at the time.
    â€œYeah, it means welcome to freekin rip off city,” he had moaned.
    â€œDon’t be such a damn tightwad Dan, it doesn’t suit you,” she had scolded.
    â€œAnyway, it refers to the Elysian Fields. In Greek mythology it was known as The Blessed place,” she said smugly.
    It wasn’t like Beatrice to get one up on him, and at the time he had gazed admiringly at her and her knowledge of historical things like this.
    They had even visited the Eiffel Tower, and he had been almost sick when they walked along inside the viewing deck at the top.
    If Dan had one fear then this was it. Heights had always frightened him, ever since he had fallen from the fence at school and badly sprained his ankle. But Beatrice had persuaded him to go to the top of the tower, and it was only through sheer bravado, and the thought that she would conceive him to be a coward, that he eventually did it. She would never know the full extent of his fear that day as he tried to control his shaking hands. These were the things he was remembering, and now he was certain that Beatrice was as real as Lynn, even though it may be proved later that she only existed in his disorientated mind.
    Then another memory came to him. A memory he would rather forget.
    This memory was of a frightening occurrence that had left him a shattered man when it had happened so long ago. It was Lynn’s funeral.
    *  *  *  *  *
    Dan tossed and turned on the bed. He knew he was dreaming again. But this time it was different. Now he was no longer afraid of his dreams, because now he had accepted them.
    He was aware of Lynn shaking him, but he ignored her and refused to waken. He had to know what the hell was happening, and where this was all leading to. If he could only find the answers in his sleep, then that would be just fine by him.
    â€œWake up Dan,” Lynn’s voice echoed in his head. “You’re going to be late for work, wake up!”
    Why won’t she just let me sleep? Dan thought.
    He wanted to yell at her to go away and leave him alone. But he couldn’t make a sound.
    He felt somehow paralysed, as people sometimes do in their dream world state. His mouth opened to speak, but he couldn’t string two words together.
    Lynn walked from the bedroom without looking back. She would let Dan get some more needed sleep.
    She was aware of how Alf Reynolds, Dan’s boss at the paper would react when Dan didn’t show up for work. Ballistic was the word she searched for. She was sure though, that Dan needed the extra rest, so she wouldn’t fight it. Besides, Dan was probably the best timekeeper in the place, and Reynolds, she felt, should damn well show him some loyalty and respect. Why, Dan had bent over backwards hundreds of times to please this thankless man, so now it would be Reynolds turn to reverse the role, she believed.
    She pulled the list of contact telephone numbers off the little note pad which was stuck magnetically to the fridge, and scanned for Alf Reynolds number.
    She would tell him in no uncertain terms that her husband was ill, and if he refused to listen, then she would somehow persuade Dan to leave this thankless job.
    She dialled the number and waited.
    Now though, Dan was starting to stir.
    Something bad and frightening had forced him from his dream.
    He heard another clearer voice echo inside his head, just as he opened his eyes.
    â€œCome back to me Dan,” the voice whispered. “Please come back.”
    â€œBeatrice,” he groaned, “Beatrice.”
    A searing biting