Free Waiting in the Shadows by Trish Moran

college courses!’
    â€˜We all follow a strict training regime; Ruby included!’ Keith added.
    â€˜I will need Det to work with me to input data into the Eastern European government offices’ websites, as my knowledge of Eastern European languages is limited,’ Celia continued. ‘She can move in here and enrol on the same computer course as myself.’
    Abe looked as if he wanted to object, but Det readily agreed to the plan.
    â€˜You’ll get one of these, too!’ Johnny said excitedly, holding out his driving licence for her to see.
    â€˜How did you get these?’ she asked Celia.
    â€˜You just have to know where to look on the internet,’ she gave her a slight smile.
    â€˜Do you all have driving licences?’ Abe asked taking the licence from Det.
    â€˜Yes. Nearly all Non-Labs drive. It’s a necessary skill.’
    â€˜How did you all learn so quickly?’ Det asked.
    â€˜I downloaded a series of simulated lessons used by many driving schools. We practised on those, then we just needed an hour or so of practical experience.’
    â€˜And then you all could drive?’ Det looked surprised.
    â€˜Yes. Except for Ruby. She is a slow learner, I’m afraid,’ Celia said.
    Keith noticed Ruby’s embarrassment.
    â€˜Don’t be so harsh, Celia! It is more difficult for Non-Labs to acquire new skills. And Ruby has many good qualities that we have yet to acquire!’
    Ruby’s head was buzzing as she climbed into her bed that night. In the next room she could hear the low voices of Celia and Det. They were to share the room, with Det on a small guest bed. Abe had also agreed to stay for at least one more day as Celia had arranged for new IDs for both of them, due to arrive at the local post office in a day or two.
    Det had been quite happy with the new name of Bernadette.
    â€˜It’s quite common for a Non-Lab with the name Bernadette to be called Dette,’ Ruby had explained. Johnny couldn’t believe Det would want to settle for a one-syllable name and pulled out his book of boys’ names to show Abe.
    Abe said he had no wish to be called by a Non-Lab name.
    â€˜You must!’ Celia had insisted. ‘We must fit into the Non-Lab world, for our own safety and that of all the other Labs!’
    Ruby had suggested Abel, as it was the full name closest to his original name, and he had pulled up his sleeve to reveal his code, ABE 32498 .
    â€˜I don’t have a name ; I have a code printed on my arm! I am a Lab !’ he had almost spat out.
    â€˜I have some special plastic things to cover that up. So you don’t get spotted, Abel !’ Celia had said bluntly.
    Ruby shuddered as she thought of him sleeping on the sofa downstairs.
    The house was quiet when she woke up the following morning. She pulled on her dressing gown and padded down the stairs. Gently pushing open the lounge door, she could make out the sleeping figure of Abel on the sofa. She quietly made her way to the kitchen and made herself a cup of coffee. She stood by the open French windows, looking out at the hillside that stretched beyond their garden. A flock of birds wheeled in the blue sky. The sun beat down warming her face. Everything looked so calm and peaceful. She decided she would go for a long walk over the hillside later that day. Relax before she began the next part of her life as Non-Lab instructor. She smiled to herself as she thought back to her earlier life at school. She had had no idea about how things were going to work out then. In fact, her future seemed pretty uncertain now.
    She was so lost in her own thoughts that she wasn’t aware of Abel’s presence until he stood beside her.
    â€˜It’s a beautiful view, isn’t it?’ she commented.
    â€˜Labs don’t get to see much daylight. Except in this house!’ he answered sharply. He looked at her, a sneer on his lips, ‘So, you are to be our new instructor in