Blood Song

"Ah, Rebecca's awake. She needs to eat something, and the rest of you need to sort out your living arrangements. There's a pile of baggage by the front door that needs to not be there in an hour. I have also just received a phone call from a gentleman with a strong Polish accent who informed me that he would be delivering one DSH to our house later this afternoon. I would like someone to explain what this is, and why we need one?" she added with a puzzled frown.

Mark gave a shout of laughter, and exchanged an amused glance with Angus, who grinned back.

"That would be my cat," he explained with a chuckle. "Since we are going to be staying here for a few weeks, Angus and I thought it a good idea that she be flown across today. She gets fat when she stays at the vet, you see," he explained helpfully.

"Fair enough," said Julia. "I'm taking Rebecca with me so she can have something to eat." She stood with her hands on her hips until I reluctantly stood and followed her.

She led me through to the kitchen, all black marble and gleaming appliances. I plonked myself on a chunky oak bar stool and leaned my elbows on the counter while she whipped up a ham, cheese and tomato omelette, and sliced bread for toast. I offered to help, feeling slightly guilty about having her serve me lunch. I was so used to fending for myself, that it felt wrong having someone else cook a meal just for me. Julia declined my help, which was probably just as well. Some of the stuff she used looked pretty futuristic.

"I think I've figured out why Lizzy's in some of your family photographs," she said casually as she flipped the omelette onto a plate and slid it across to where I sat. A knife and fork appeared next to my plate as if by magic. I said nothing, just held my breath and waited for her to continue.

"I think you and Mark are direct descendants of hers. I discussed the case with Marcus, and he agreed that it was theoretically possible for an iron metaboliser to have a child with a human. In fact, we suspect that that's what happened with your parents. Your father may have been attracted to your mother because she carried one of the genes. And the reason she carried those genes was because Lizzy had given them to her. Marcus was really excited about the concept."

"I'll bet," I said, tucking in to the world's most delectable omelette. Julia was clearly a genius.