Alan accompanied his father to work that day, but he had to sit outside the office and was not allowed to listen in on the meeting. So when the announcement came, he was just as shocked as anyone else. Not really surprised though, no.

It was not surprising when the Division Head, the manager above Alan’s father, announced that the plant would be making use of the new Savery Hominis Automata and that all of the plant workers, aside from the engineers were to be laid off. However, it was a shock to the body, you can know something is probably going to happen and not want to believe it, but reality always comes crashing in.

As the Division Head spoke Alan watched his father, the look on his face was miserable and he avoided meeting the eye’s of Mary’s dad. For that matter Alan was worried about Mary, there was not much work for humans in London any more, and precious little opportunity elsewhere. After the announcement, Alan’s father was swamped in people who came to talk to him, generally either to beg or complain, but he could give them nothing. The orders had come from the top, and there was nothing the plant manager could do.

It was not until later that evening, Alan having silently stood by and watched as workers began to leave with their final paycheck, that Mary’s dad finally entered the office.

“Terrence…” Alan’s dad looked haggard. At heart, he was a gentle person, and having to do this to the workers, especially those he had become friends with, was cutting deeply into him.

“Phillip,” Terrence approached the desk, obviously struggling to keep a normal look on his face and failing miserably. “Well, we can’t say we didn’t see this coming.”

“I fought it as much as I could,” Phillip sighed. “Argued that they were not as flexible as human staff, told the higher ups that we didn’t have the engineers to maintain them…”

“I know, you have always been a friend to me and all the workers in the plant.” Terrence consoled his friend, “Some of them might have been blindsided by this, but we all know you are a good person.”

“Thank you.” Alan’s dad, mumbled quietly. Alan, who was still sitting silently in the corner, knew that what Terrence had said really meant a lot to his father. But that only made what would have to come next worse, he only wished there was something he could do.

“Do you remember that discussion we had?” Terrence broke the silence that had settled down on the conversation.

“I do,” Phillip nodded firmly. “I may not be able to do much, but I can do that for you. Especially with the raise they threw my way to shut me up.”

Alan’s father was, after all, not really replaceable. A qualified steam engineer with management skills and years of experience were not exactly uncommon, but companies fought like rats in a box to hire them since the openings far exceeded the available staff.

“Thank you,” Terrence smiled and let out a huge breath in relief. “You have no idea what this means to me.”

For some reason, Alan’s dad looked at him and said “Perhaps not, but I think I can imagine some of it, and that is enough to make me determined to do what I can.”

“I will have to break this to them,” Terrence rubbed his head in frustration. “And I would like to spend one more night with her, but I will send Mary over in the morning.”

Wait? What? Alan was confused, why would Mary be coming over?

Still looking at his son, Phillip said calmly, “Alan, you didn’t think I would stand by and not help my best friend? For the moment, Mary will be coming to live with us.”

“Really?” Despite the serious situation, Alan could not help but be excited. He did not have many friends, and Mary was by far his best friend, so he could not help but be happy at being able to spend more time with her. But he tempered his feelings, if Mary was coming to live with him that could only mean that their fathers did not think Terrence would find a job easily or soon.

Terrence laughed at his excitement, “Well, there is always a silver lining, right? Must be great to be young.”

“I haven’t grown too old to remember, unlike you.” Phillip teased and laughed with his friend.

They ended up leaving the offices smiling, despite the unpleasant day that had unfolded. On the way home, Alan realized something and became puzzled, “Hey father, where will Mary be sleeping?”

Though they had the income for a larger townhouse, their family had never needed one, so they only had two bedrooms. One for Alan’s mother and father, and one for Alan. Alan supposed he could sleep on the couch in the parlour and let Mary have the bed, but he wasn’t generous enough to do that forever!

“She will be sleeping in your room, of course.”

“Ugh,” Alan groaned. “Mom won’t like me sleeping on the couch, last time I put my feet on it she lectured me for half an hour.”

Alan’s dad looked puzzled, “Why would you be sleeping on the couch? Is something wrong with your bed?”

“Well of course I have to sleep on the couch! Unless… You mean…” Alan stammared and turned bright red.

Phillip started to laugh, realizing what his son was thinking. “We are stopping to order a mattress and frame before we head home, you will be keeping your own bed.”

“But… She will still be in the room…” Alan’s only comfort was that at the very least he could not turn any redder.

“Well, there is nowhere else to put it really,” Alan’s father seemed amused. “And to be honest, your mother and and Mary’s have been busy planning your wedding for years.”

“Wait! What?” Alan shouted and tripped over his own feet, nearly falling as his dad waved it off as a joke and laughed his head off. His father loved to play jokes on people, but he had nearly stopped Alan’s heart with that one!

Alan sighed, at the very least, he had some cleaning to do before Mary arrived tomorrow.