Downshift"What are you planning to do next, Morgan?"
"I'd like a change of scene – and climate. The desert's too hot and dry for me. I've found just the place. I just need to bring Opal back, then we'll be off."
So Morgan visited the science lab, where, once again, the process didn't quite work.
"Welcome back, Opal! I've missed you."
And he went in for a kiss.
"Please, not now, Morgan. I'm tired and stressed and really want nothing more than to drop into bed and sleep the clock round."
It was a silent journey home. When they arrived, Morgan went straight downstairs to the gym to let off steam, while Opal drifted out to the terrace. Minnie was there. She knew from the previous ghost restorations that Opal must be feeling terrible and pulled out her moodlet manager.
"Oh, thank you! Morgan doesn't seem to understand how awful that 'Oh My Ghost' process is. I'd almost rather have stayed dead."
"He always was thoughtless – or maybe just so absorbed in his own projects that he doesn't notice anyone else. And he's certainly been getting odder recently. Here, take this." She handed over a parcel.
"It's a potion made by your great-grandson. It restores youth. I have a feeling Morgan doesn't entirely approve and might not tell you about it. Now go and have a bubble bath and a good night's sleep. Then go through that door downstairs that was always locked and help yourself from the food replicator."
After a plate of ambrosia Opal felt able to face Morgan, even if he was in one of his moods. She started gently.
"What happened after I… left?"
"Well, Ford married Kia..."
"No surprise there."
"…and they had a daughter, Lotus. She's a martial artist – and a daredevil. Off in China at the moment, exploring tombs.
"Her son, Rolls Royce, is the final member of the dynasty. He's in the police. Amateur chemist and astronomer. Chess champion as well. Very clever, although…"
"Oh! he's the one who made that potion!"
"Minnie told you? Yes, he did. It seems to work. He's taken it and so has Lotus. Mind, she would. And so have Ford and Kia."
"Sounds pretty foolproof, then."
"Well, yes. But so
unnecessary. Why would anyone want to get their youth back? Being older and wiser is so much better. I've enjoyed the eternal old age from ambrosia. Bit of a nuisance having to remember to keep eating it, though. So I've been doing some experimenting of my own. Rolls left his notes behind and I reproduced his potion and then improved on it. My version stops ageing without all that annoying business of being young again."
He hoped Opal wouldn't ask any awkward questions. It would be embarrassing to admit how much trial and error (especially error) had gone into the potion development process. Or that he hadn't actually tested it.
She didn't. On the other hand, she wasn't as impressed as he'd expected. What happened to wifely support and admiration?
"That's all right for you. You're a man. Old age doesn't stop men being attractive. But most women would love to have eternal youth."
"Aw! I still fancy you, old lady. Give us a kiss!"
"No! I know things haven't changed much for you but I've been dead. I need time to recover, to get over that awful revival process – and the shock of suddenly being alive again. I can't go straight back to where we were. Maybe I won't want to go back at all."
"But we have to be together – we're eternally faithful!"
"Eternity's a long time, Morgan. I was a dutiful wife. And, yes, faithful. 'Till death do us part.' But death
did part us – and maybe now I want something different "
"Come on, Opal darling, be reasonable…"
"I am! You're the one who's being unreasonable. You never listen. Too wrapped up in your own interests. I've had enough!
"Do what you want. Take your stupid 'improved' potion. Carry on being old and selfish. But you can do it on your own. I want youth and a new life, not the same old one. It's over, Morgan!"
Sobbing, she pulled the flask Minnie had given her out of her inventory and swallowed the contents, right in front of him.
Determinedly ignoring her, Morgan went off to practise Gnubb. Women! So emotional. Well, maybe she'd see sense later – and then she could use birthday cake to get back to her proper age.
His reaction was lost on Opal. She was too busy celebrating her unbirthday.
Yes! She really was young again! Now to sort out her clothes and hair…
When she came back outside, Morgan was still playing Gnubb. He looked round and saw her, looking just like the girl he'd fallen in love with so long ago. He'd forgotten how pretty she was. They couldn't give up on their marriage so easily.
"Opal, I'm sorry. Please give me another chance. Come with me to Twinbrook. Lots of new landscapes to paint."
"Twinbrook! You want to live in a swamp? No, thanks. Anyway, I've had enough of painting. And photography. All those museum portraits! Not to mention the endless sculptures…
"No, I want to do something different. Take up music, perhaps. My DNA donor was a showgirl. Maybe I'll follow in her footsteps."
"What?! Go on the stage in a skimpy outfit?"
"Yes, why not? It might be fun. It'd be a change at least."
"No wife of mine's going to flaunt herself half-naked in front of strangers!"
"That's fine! I'm not your wife any more. Remember?"
"Well, if you're going to be like that… I was going to try young Rolls's potion after all, just for you. But now…"
He produced his own potion…
…and drank the lot.
Opal looked as though she had her doubts but it worked perfectly. (Phew!) He felt younger inside without changing on the outside.
And now for the rest of his life. Might as well get on with things, he supposed. He said goodbye to Minnie, collected a few essentials from the fridge and chests, and called the travel agent.
"Yes… Twinbrook… As soon as possible… Any spaces on the next flight?"
