Meeting Robert Fullerton again

07:49-07:55 - She is lying on her left-hand side facing the window as her signal approaches. This time, she senses alternating movements of energy in her abdomen: first, a few seconds of clockwise rotation, then a few seconds anticlockwise. Then the current moves up quite rapidly, like a magnet, she says, taking perhaps a further six seconds to wind its way to her crown. She takes care not to let the sensations fully rouse her nor prompt any unnecessary physical movement. Today, she feels her power to be strong and says she needs no assistance from her grandmother to accomplish the journey. The brightness in her mind's eye gradually increases and the surroundings come into sharp focus: buildings, trees, birds and a few early morning joggers pacing the as yet empty thoroughfares. She recognises the Asian Civilisations Museum building close to the Fullerton Hotel and sees a figure waiting for her a few metres away, his feet floating an inch or two over the lower steps to the entrance.  She hasn't placed any specific intent this time but before we retired, we talked about Robert Fullerton and she reaffirmed her keenness to meet him again.

It is indeed him standing there, and today he is wearing a black suit with polished shoes, a black bow tie and a white shirt. Only she seems able to see him. Hello, sir Robert! she exclaims in surprise. He cranes his head slightly and squints as if he doesn't recognise who is approaching, but it is all in good humour. Hello, April, nice to see you again! He touches her gently under the chin and tells her she is getting chubby. This is no surprise as we have just returned from Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai where we spent most of our time eating and confirming April's earlier impressions of Watrongkhun for the blog. His touch is friendly and somewhat ticklish. Yes, I have eaten too much good food, sir. She asks what he is doing here. Just waiting for you, my friend. I promised last time we would meet again.

She takes the opportunity to gather a little information. Sir, may I ask about your family? May I know the names of your parents and siblings? He smiles gently. Of course. I'm from a big family and have five sisters and six brothers. My mother is Isabella Johnston and my father is William. My sisters are Margaret, Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary and Judith and my brothers William, Edward, John, Charles, James and George. I would have had a seventh brother, Philip but instead my mother had a daughter, Judith. He seems to hesitate, seeming to anticipate a disruption on her side. Did you get all of that information? If you forget, you can ask me next time. I'll also show you where I live in Scotland. And then she wakes suddenly in bed, thinking that something has bitten her on the leg, although in reality there is nothing there. Thunder and lightning soon commence in waking reality and a squall of horizontal rain pummels the window, waking me as well. Later, a quick check on Wikipedia confirms most of the information; everything except the disclosure about Philip. 

Out-of-body at the Fullerton Hotel, Singapore

05:58-06:09 Her harbinger commences as she is lying on her right side, this time on the mattress in the spare room. She says the wind ascends in four stages this morning: first, coiling from feet to knees before pausing briefly; then, knees to hips; third, from hips to solar plexus and then finally solar plexus to crown. A picture coalesces and she finds herself body and mind in front of the Fullerton building, ready to gather a few more features for the sketch she began yesterday. After a few minutes, she starts in surprise as someone has approached from behind, disturbing her contemplation with a friendly Hello. She turns to see a handsome, well-presented middle-aged man smiling at her. He is wearing a pair of dark brown trousers with polished black shoes, a brown jacket over a white shirt. She has never seen him before, and can't help but to study him more intently. He's around 5' 8" or 5' 9" tall, with brown eyes and short dark curly hair. His pointed nose and rather thin lips lend him a somewhat feminine appearance, but he's otherwise friendly and evidently a bit mischievous. Sorry if I frightened you, but I was just curious as to why you're gaze seems so far away. She relaxes and tells him she is studying the building for a sketch, not satisfied with her efforts thus far. She has even brought some materials with her and shows him her work. He compliments her and offers his hand. She says his touch is soft, but otherwise his hand is as cold as ice. She knows immediately that he has passed on physically, and she guesses some considerable time ago. Perhaps he has noted her reaction for he remarks how warm her own hands are. 

The Fullerton Hotel

Lady, may I know where you are from? She replies, Please call me April. My home is in the Philippines, but I'm currently staying in Singapore. May I know your name, sir? He answers, My name is Robert Fullerton. I was the first governor of the straits settlements and Penang. She turns and looks at the building with the same name and he anticipates her question. Yes, this building is named after me. Then, Are you from Singapore, sir? He shakes his head. No, actually my home is Edinburgh, in the United Kingdom, although I died in London. Do you know the United Kingdom? She nods, Yes, that's where my husband is from. She asks for his birthday. He nods and says, Listen carefully, April. I was born on 16th January, 1773. My age now is 58, but I'm not living in this world any more. I died on 6th June, 1-8-3-1, in total, over 245 years ago. He spells the numbers out, perhaps thinking she might not remember. He chuckles as she makes a note of this information. They chat briefly and then he excuses himself. He says he has to go and they shake hands once more in farewell. She protests, But I want to know you more. He smiles again. OK, if you remember next time, call for me when you are ready and I will come. Then, he turns to his right and walks along the path under the bridge, his feet floating an inch or two over the ground. He proceeds for a few seconds and then just winks out. Her arm is still draped over the note paper when I bring her a morning cup of tea at around 8am.