The Guardian's Protector: The Chamber of Souls Read Online Free PDF

night after! Simple as that!’ Amy stated.
    ‘What?’ Thomas asked.
    ‘Err…nothing,’ Amy said.
    ‘Was Tom born before or after the surge?’ Joan asked.
    ‘ During !’ Amy said.
    ‘Oh darling, you must have been terrified!’
    ‘Something like that, yes.’ Amy was more terrified about how a crazy woman could walk into a hospital, pose as a midwife and scare a new mother out of her wits. Was there no security?
    ‘Born at the exact time of the surge.’ Frank shuddered. ‘It’s weird, that is.’
    Amy looked at Frank, panic written all over her face.
    ‘It’s not weird, chuck. Ignore him!’ Thomas said, taking her expression to be one of sadness. ‘I think it’s special, I do.’ He smiled and squeezed her hand. ‘The night Manchester lit up,’ he continued, in a mystical voice, ‘was the night our laddo was born.’ Amy usually loved things out of the ordinary and, although he didn’t, he humoured her obsession. He tickled Tom’s cheek and Tom beamed up at him again.
    ‘ That’s weird!’ Frank shouted, screwing his face up and pointing at Tom.
    ‘Don’t be nasty, Frank,’ Joan said, swatting him on the leg.
    ‘No, but…’
    ‘No buts.’ Joan’s sharp features hardened. ‘Apologise!’
    ‘ Sorry, Amy ,’ he said sarcastically.
    ‘Behave yourself, Frank!’ Thomas said. Thomas had a kind face and a welcoming smile until he gave a stare that meant business. He had a bulbous nose and an increasing potbelly but, an older looking version of Frank, he still remained handsome.
    ‘I was having a laugh!’ Frank said, his hands held high in mock surrender.
    ‘It’s only a laugh when people find you funny,’ Amy said, ‘which you’re not!’
    Joan patted Amy’s leg excitedly. ‘There was something about the event in the paper this morning, dear,’ Joan said, in her own attempt to act intrigued. ‘You could cut out the clipping as a start to his photo album.’
    ‘No thanks,’ Amy said, wanting to scream that she’d changed her mind about loving all things mystical. She now wished to be like them; none believers of anything out of the ordinary.
    The door swung open and through it walked Luke. ‘Hello,’ he said with a worried and sheepish expression. ‘Sorry I’m late.’ He strained a smile at her family, trying to avoid Frank’s eye. ‘I was busy with…err…’ He stopped and became fidgety.
    ‘More important things?’ Frank blurted out, leaving Luke looking more ashamed. ‘I thought you were going to be here for your son, unlike your own good-for-nothing dad?’
    Luke lowered his head. ‘I was. I mean I am.’ Luke was slightly smaller than Frank but, cowering beside him, he looked half his size.
    As Luke walked towards Amy, the first thing she noticed was his ridiculous, fluffy hair that wasn’t gelled in the usual side parting of spikes he would never leave the house without doing. He looked like he’d just stepped out of bed. She could have sworn he’d not even washed.
    ‘Where have you been?’ Amy whispered through gritted teeth. All her wishes and pleas of seeing him earlier dissipated. She didn’t know now if she was more annoyed or embarrassed.
    ‘I don’t know!’ he said, shrugging his shoulders. Amy looked at him in astonishment. His eyes were unfocussed as though he’d been drinking.
    ‘Where’s your mum, Luke?’ Joan asked.
    Luke lowered his head once more. ‘She doesn’t want to know.’
    ‘What?’ Frank growled.
    ‘Leave it, Frank!’ Thomas said.
    Frank let out a loud sigh.
    ‘I thought your mum had gotten over her initial shock,’ Amy said, feeling confused. ‘She bought the baby an outfit. She even looked quite excited last time I spoke to…’
    ‘She doesn’t want to know, Amy,’ Luke snapped then cowered as Frank gave him a dark look. ‘It’s as simple as that! And it means I no longer want to know! Can I hold my baby now, please?’ Luke said, trying to keep his tone civil.
    Thomas passed his grandson to Luke.
    ‘Hello…