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  ‘We are quite happy with the local nursery -’ Ruby began a few days later as she sat opposite Amanda.

  ‘Don’t you think you should be putting your child’s interests first?’ Amanda persisted. ‘Don’t you realise what an honour has been bestowed on you? You have been chosen to have a Hybrid child! Surely you are going to do all you can to nurture and encourage this child to fulfil his or her full potential?’

  Ruby shifted in her chair. ‘Well, of course, we’ll give our child the best opportunities we can …’

  ‘Can I just ask, what qualifications do you yourself have, Ruby? What was your career previously?’

  Ruby shifted uneasily again under the other woman’s scrutiny.

  ‘Well, I didn’t actually … I thought I might apply for college … maybe when the baby is …’ she stammered.

  Amanda shook her head sadly. ‘Ruby, you are a lovely person; I am sure you will be a caring mother, but you are certainly not equipped to educate a child with the IQ levels of the Hybrids we have interviewed. At two years old they are capable of carrying out tasks that many ordinary children would find well beyond them at five or six years of age. How will you answer the questions your son or daughter will be posing then?’

  Ruby gave a sigh of relief as Abel and Frank came in.

  ‘Ah, Amanda,’ Abel said, ‘Celia told me I would find you here. Frank is interested in hearing about your plans for educating our youngsters.’

  Frank pulled up a chair and sat down with them. ‘Yes, I know our Frankie is bright, really bright. And I want him to have all the chances we can give him. I don’t want him messing about at school like I did!’

  Amanda nodded and gave a little smile to Ruby. ‘I’m sure we all want the best for our children, those born and yet to be born.’

  Ruby sat back as the other three sat earnestly discussing schooling ideas.

  ‘Of course, Joel Harvey is highly qualified and has much experience in nurturing the potential of many generations of children,’ Amanda was telling the two men.

  Ruby quietly sighed. She watched Frank’s intense expression as he hung onto Amanda Harrison’s every word. Abel’s expression was more guarded, but she could see he was also impressed with the psychologist’s ideas.

  Amanda brushed Abel’s arm lightly as he opened the car door for her later that morning.

  ‘And have you considered my offer, Abel?’

  He cleared his throat. ‘It is very flattering to be propositioned by such an intelligent and beautiful woman. I am sure that you would make a fine mother,’ he gave a smile, ‘but I have my own commitments and responsibilities …’

  Amanda squeezed his arm. ‘You also have commitments and responsibilities to the Labs, Abel. To the future of your own race.’

  Abel gently patted her hand and removed it. ‘I am sure that there are plenty of men – Lab or Non-Lab – who would be honoured to have a child with you, Amanda.’

  A brittle smile froze on her face as she climbed into the car.

  ‘I’ll be in touch with you, and the other couples interested in Joel Harvey’s plans.’

  ‘I’d be happy never to see that woman again!’ Ruby groaned as Abel returned to the house.

  ‘We will need to discuss Harvey’s education plans. They are sound,’ he replied.

  ‘She makes having a baby sound like being part of a production line!’ Ruby scowled.

  ‘She is right about many things, Ruby. And she cares deeply about the future of our Hybrid children.’ ‘Don’t I know it! Amanda Harrison keeps making it very clear how honoured a silly thing like me should be to be chosen to have a Hybrid child. I wouldn’t be surprised to find she has her eyes on a male Lab to provide her with such a wonderful child.’

  ‘Well, she is intelligent, and physically attractive; I don’t think it will be long before she does find somebody willing. Actually … Amanda thinks all male Labs have a duty to father as many children as they can, as the last of the Labs are being awakened. To ensure the future of our species.’

  ‘Did she ask you to …?’ Ruby’s voice trailed off as she saw his expression. ‘Just wait till I see her! I’ll …’ ‘Ruby! Calm down! I can see the logic in her thinking, but I told her that I would not be interested personally.’

  ‘You can see the logic? You think it would be a good thing for Lab males to impregnate Non-Lab women and then abandon their children?’ Ruby cried.

  Abel put his arms around her and pulled her close to him. ‘No, Ruby. It is better if they have a stable family background, as we plan for our children.’

  Ruby nestled into his shoulder. ‘Abel?’

  ‘Mmm?’ he replied.

  ‘Were you tempted … by her offer? Even slightly?’ ‘Well, she is an attractive woman, with a convincing argument …’

  He grinned as she looked up suddenly, horrified. ‘But no, not in the least!’

  CHAPTER THREE

  ‘Nearly five years have passed since the Centre was shut down. We all realise that the creation of humans as spare parts is totally unacceptable, but we have to recognise that the technology that enabled this to happen can be used for the good of everyone,’ Dr Stoney, the head of the Ministry of Health, insisted. ‘We can’t let it go to waste.’

  Abel gave a long sigh. ‘I agree with you, Dr Stoney. Over the past three years we have seen some of the benefits of the Centre’s research used to help many Non-Labs in countries all over the world. There may be Labs who will be grateful for these developments in their later years. But I am not convinced by the arguments to build a new Centre producing Labs.’

  ‘We have modified the Ministry’s proposals seven times in the last two years to accommodate your concerns, Abel,’ Stoney continued. ‘You rejected the idea of a government-controlled centre to create highly intelligent Labs to fill the gaps in the job market: doctors and nursing staff, and the police force.’

  Putting his hands on his knees, Abel leaned forward and faced the minister. ‘You have a daughter, don’t you, a barrister working in London?’

  The other man nodded.

  ‘You must be very proud of her.’

  Stoney nodded again. ‘Yes, very much so, but what does this have to do with our discussion?’

  ‘What would you have said if you were told at her birth that she was destined to be, let me see? A supervisor for London public transport, as there was a great shortage in this area?’

  ‘OK, OK. I take your point,’ Stoney spread his hands. ‘This latest proposal is very reasonable.’ He took a sheet of paper handed to him by his secretary. ‘A government-controlled centre creating Labs for Non-Labs – and who knows, maybe even for Labs – who are unable to conceive in the natural way. The Labs will be programmed with the donor’s talents and interests, largely as you and the other Labs were. It’s just an extension of IVF really. You surely can’t find fault with this.’

  Abel held out his hand as the secretary handed him a duplicate sheet. He read it through for several minutes. The two others waited silently.

  ‘This is a good base to start from,’ Abel began. ‘We would need to clarify which talents and interests donors were allowed to include. Also, how many Labs would each donor be permitted to have created? Would there be certain criteria donors would have to meet? How could we ensure that a Labs was not being created merely as spare parts to heal a sick child, for example? Then there would be the price; would there be a range according to the programmes selected? I must admit, though, that it could be feasible. I assume that there will be Labs working alongside Non-Labs at such a centre?’

  ‘Yes, of course.’ Stoney released a long breath. ‘Did you take all that down, Sandra? Good, type it up and email it to the relevant committee members, with a copy to myself and Abel.’

  The two men stood up and shook hands.

  ‘Keep me updated on any developments, Dr Stoney. I hope we can all work together for the benefit of all members of our society,’ Abel said.

  ‘I sincerely hope so, Abel.’
r />   Later that week Abel sat down to a meal with Ruby, Celia, Isaac, Johnny, Leon, and Dette. Frank, Beth, and Frankie had joined them, too. He explained the plans that Dr Stoney had outlined for a government-controlled centre to create Labs.

  ‘It will be carefully monitored and regulated, won’t it?’ Celia asked.

  Abel nodded, ‘Yes, there will be a committee of Labs and Non-Labs to ensure this.’

  ‘It sounds OK, but when I have kids I want normal Hybrid ones,’ Leon said.

  ‘Me, too,’ his brother Johnny, agreed.

  ‘What exactly does “normal” mean, Mummy?’ Frankie asked. ‘What is a normal person like? Are we all normal?’

  They all looked around the table at each other.

  ‘Well, whatever is the usual thing, I suppose. Different people see different things as being normal.’ Beth smiled. ‘Yes, I would say all of us are normal.’

  CHAPTER FOUR

  A short while later Amanda Harrison and Joel Harvey appeared on a television documentary with the outline of their plan for a school for gifted and talented children.

  ‘Well, from the research you have been involved in lately, Dr Harrison, I think we can take it to mean a school for the Hybrid children?’ the commentator said.

  ‘Oh, not just for Hybrids.’ Harvey waved a hand. ‘It will be open to any child who demonstrates an IQ level well above their chronological age.’

  ‘And, as I have discovered from my work with the Hybrids, that will definitely include all Hybrids of nursery age,’ Amanda added.

  ‘But our school is not exclusively for Hybrids.’ Harvey quickly pointed out. ‘It is open to all children, whatever their background.’

  Amanda leaned forward, her eyes shining.

  ‘There is no getting away from the fact that the Hybrids are exceptionally clever. We cannot waste such talents for the sake of political correctness. These children, if carefully nurtured, are the key to our future. Not just this country – I mean globally!’

  ‘She’s too intense for me.’ Ruby remarked as Amanda started to explain her vision of their new school.

  ‘I agree,’ Isaac nodded. ‘When I interviewed her earlier this month I could feel her passion on the subject, but I also think she’s not going to make friends with many ordinary people with her attitude. And I don’t think she’s doing the Labs and Hybrids much good either.’

  ‘But she is right, we know the Hybrids have a much higher level of intelligence compared to Non-Lab children, Ruby. And compared to many Labs, too,’ Celia pointed out.

  ‘Yes, we have to give them the chance to realise their full potential,’ Frank nodded. ‘We want Frankie to go far, don’t we, love?’

  Beth gave a wry shrug. ‘As long as he’s happy, Frank.’

  ‘And that is what we want too, isn’t it, Ruby?’ Abel smiled.

  ‘Why are the Hybrids more intelligent than the Labs?’ Leon asked.

  ‘I don’t know, but I’m glad they are,’ Johnny said with a grin. ‘Otherwise our future kids will have trouble keeping up in school!’

  ‘But they’ll be excellent sports players.’ his brother added.

  ‘And will end up in the England squad, like their fathers.’ Ruby smiled.

  ‘I hope so.’ Leon grinned.

  ‘Yeah! Nothing could beat the feeling of helping England to bring home the World Cup last year!’ Johnny added. Leon grinned wider and gave him a high five.

  ‘According to the research done by our own Lab team, we Labs were programmed to develop at a greatly accelerated rate compared to our donors, and also to be talented in the areas selected by our donors,’ Celia explained. ‘The Hybrids seem to have inherited the accelerated growth from the Lab parent, though not such rapid development as Labs, but their brains seem able to acquire knowledge from a wide variety of topics and at an accelerated rate. The findings so far demonstrate that they seem to be able to pick up facts and understanding of any topic they take an interest in from a young age.’

  ‘Then a special education is really necessary for Hybrids, isn’t it?’ Frank looked at Celia.

  ‘I agree,’ she replied.

  ‘One thing that does worry me,’ Ruby interrupted, ‘is that not enough attention has been paid to the emotional and social development of our children.’

  ‘Ruby is right,’ Beth nodded. ‘We want children who are happy and who can socialise with both Labs and Non-Labs.’

  ‘Don’t you agree with that too, Celia?’ Isaac asked her. ‘Aren’t you worried about your own future children?’

  Celia shrugged. ‘A hypothetical question.’

  ‘Is she still seeing that footballer friend of yours, boys?’ Isaac asked casually as Celia left the room.

  ‘He’s still as keen as ever, but …’ Johnny began.

  ‘… I don’t think he’s the one for her.’ Leon finished his sentence.

  Ruby noticed the smile that flickered over Isaac’s face.

  ‘And what about you two? Any truth in the rumours about the lovely twins you have been seen escorting around town?’ Beth asked them.

  The boys looked at each other.

  ‘Yes,’ Johnny said. ‘In fact …’

  ‘… we’d like you all to meet them soon.’ Leon smiled.

  As everyone prepared to leave later that evening, Ruby walked beside Isaac.

  ‘You’re very fond of Celia,’ she said tactfully.

  ‘Oh, she’s up there with the famous names now. She wouldn’t be interested in me.’ he sighed, ‘It’s funny, so many Labs are busy having families – that was one thing I discussed with Amanda Harrison during the interview – but Celia still seems to distance herself.’

  ‘I think she still has to sort out her own feelings about how she came to be here,’ Ruby said.

  ‘But she gets on well with her subscriber, Vincent Craig. He’s come to terms with losing his daughter, Marissa, and having Celia here instead. He even spoke to me about it.’

  ‘Yes, Isaac, Celia was so excited about meeting Vincent’s ex-wife, Vanessa. But it didn’t happen. At the last minute Vanessa backed out and told Vincent that she couldn’t face a living replica of Marissa. Until she comes to terms with things, I don’t think Celia can move on.’

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Another person was watching the television programme with interest.

  ‘I have always imagined interbreeding with Non-Labs would contaminate our blood; but looking at the findings of your team has made me have a change of heart, Dr Amanda Harrison.’

  Adam Palmer leaned back in his seat, smiling.

  ‘I really must get to meet you!’

  However, not everyone was as impressed with Amanda Harrison’s plan for a school for the gifted Hybrids. The next morning most of the tabloids voiced many people’s fears:

  School for the gifted and privileged

  Ordinary folk won’t have a chance competing for university places or in the job market against this pampered new breed of superkids!

  School for Scandal!

  Hybrids to be coached for places at the best universities

  We know who’ll be running the country in the next generation … and what their priorities will be!

  ‘We’re not Non-Labs! We are humans! We are the race that civilised this planet in the first place!’ the Minister of Education said in a heated debate in the House of Commons later that week. ‘We refuse to be treated like second-class citizens in our own country!’

  Dr Jensen sat in his office and looked at his colleague sitting opposite him.

  ‘I know you’re passionate about this, Amanda, but your proposals have made things difficult for the Labs and Hybrids who have just started to settle down and enjoy a more normal life alongside the rest of the population. The Prime Minister made his views quite clear to Abel and me this morning.’

  ‘I cannot believe that people can be so narrow-minded,’ she answered angrily. ‘Even Joel Harvey, who fully understands the potential of these children, has backed off completely! We have t
he chance to do something spectacular with the next generation and everyone flees in fear for the sake of political correctness. No wonder the world is in the state it is in today.’

  ‘Still,’ the doctor spread his hands, ‘I think it will be better for everyone if we put this proposal on hold for the moment. It would be better if you share your ideas about education for the Hybrids quietly with the parents interested.’

  ‘I will certainly be speaking to those other enlightened people who are interested.’ she retorted. ‘I’ll start with carefully planned classes for the Hybrids on the Compound. Once people realise the potential of these special children they’ll be banging on my door. Mark my words.’

  A week later a coach came through the gates of the Compound. Ten children aged from three to five years old stepped down, each holding a schoolbag and an iPad.

  ‘Good morning, Frankie. Can you, Hugo, Ethan, and Mariella organise the class for the first lesson, as you are the eldest? The little ones can set up their laptops.’ Amanda turned to Abel, a broad smile on her face. ‘It didn’t take much persuading for many parents of the Hybrid children to realise the great opportunity our Compound School would offer their gifted children. Joel Harvey may be running scared, but I’ll manage this school without his help.’

  ‘How many children are enrolled now?’ Abel asked her.

  ‘Twenty, so far. Twelve day children and eight weekly boarders,’ Amanda smiled. ‘And I think there will be others ready to join us once we show them what we can really do.’

  ‘Most of the teachers are our own Labs from the Compound, aren’t they?’

  Amanda nodded. ‘And as the children progress I can call upon several Labs and Non-Labs working at both Cambridge and Oxford universities. We are going to do great things!’

  ‘You are certainly a champion for Hybrid education, Amanda.’ Abel said admiringly.

  His words went through her head that evening as she arrived home. It was a pity that he had turned down her offer of having a child with him. He was wasted on that Ruby. A nice enough girl, but uneducated and without any ambition. She sighed as she thought of two other Labs she had made an approach to on the Compound. They had obviously found her intimidating.