Small Blue Thing (24 page)

“No one believes him, surely?”

She looked quickly at the floor, and started picking imaginary fluff off the cover of the futon. “No one knows what to believe, Alex. You’d been acting pretty strangely, and hadn’t told anyone – not even me – what was going on.”

She looked directly at me. “What is it, Alex? Why all the strange messages, the peculiar mood swings, the sudden loss of interest in Rob? What’s the story?”

I didn’t know what to say. I hated deceiving my best friend, but how could I start to tell her the truth? I had to tell her something, though. It wasn’t right to carry on deceiving her. As I searched for something – anything – to tell her which wouldn’t raise more questions than it answered, I realised I could expand on what I had told Mum.

“Do you promise not to tell anyone, not even Jack, if I tell you?”

Grace looked nervous but nodded anyway. “Of course, you know I always keep your secrets.”

“The thing is, it’s a bit embarrassing really.”

“Go on,” she urged, leaning closer.

“Well, I met someone, someone special.”

“Really? When?”

“About the same time that Rob asked me out. The trouble is….” I paused, trying to appear as reluctant as possible, “I met him on the Internet.”

Grace’s hand flew to her mouth in horror. We had all been really well drilled in the potential dangers of dating over the Web.

“I know,” I filled in as she floundered, “dumb, huh?”

“Have you met him?” she managed eventually.

“Not in the flesh, but we talk all the time on the webcam.” It was close enough to the truth.

“So where does he live? How did you meet? What are your plans?”

I laughed. “I can only answer one question at a time, you know.”

She looked a bit sheepish. “Sorry, I’m just rather surprised.”

“I know, and I’m really sorry I didn’t tell you earlier, but I didn’t want to have to say anything until I knew it was serious.”

“So is it, then? Serious, I mean.”

It was my turn to look away. “Absolutely. He’s the one for me.”

“Wow. I mean, WOW! How did that happen?”

“It just crept up on me really. Suddenly I realised that I didn’t care about Rob because I had fallen for someone else.” Even though I was talking to my best friend, I could feel myself redden. I was really glad that Callum wasn’t around to eavesdrop on this conversation.

“So come on: name, details, dirt – all that sort of stuff!”

“There is no dirt. He lives abroad so there’s no chance of a
quick meeting. But his name is Callum and he’s nineteen.” It felt great to finally say his name out loud to someone. I liked the way it sounded.

“And what does he look like? Tall, dark and handsome, I hope,” she teased.

“Close: tall, dark blond and exceedingly handsome.”

Grace made a move towards my laptop. “Come on then, let’s see the photos.”

“Ah, sorry. I don’t have any at the moment.”

She looked at me suspiciously. “No photos?”

“Um, no. He’s not keen on photos. He’s very … shy, really.” That sounded lame even to me. She was never going to buy it.

“Unusual, especially when Internet dating, wouldn’t you say?” Her perfect eyebrow was raised in a question.

“Well, you wanted to know. You don’t have to believe me.” My voice was a bit sharper than I had intended.

“OK, OK! Sorry. I’m just disappointed that I don’t get to see the guy who finally stole your heart,” she said soothingly. “So are you absolutely sure that this Callum is on the level, not some sort of crazy old bloke axe-murderer?”

“Look, I’m seventeen. I’m not going to fall for that kind of thing.”

“So are you going to introduce us? You could get him up on the webcam and show him to me that way.”

“Ah, he’s … um, he’s out right now, working. He’s got a meeting with his boss.”

Grace sighed. “I see. Never mind. Some other time, when things are easier.” She reached out and grabbed both my hands. “You’ll be really careful now though, won’t you? I’ve already said goodbye to you once in hospital and I really don’t want to do it
ever again.”

“I promise, Grace. Really, he’s not like that, it’s quite safe.” Well, it was now we had got rid of Catherine, so I wasn’t really lying.

“I’m so glad you have found someone. I promise you I’ll squeeze the details out of you sometime soon, but I’ll let you off tonight: I’m in too good a mood.” The light was buzzing around her head again.

“Thinking of Jack, are you?” I hazarded. She laughed.

“Of course. He is the most gorgeous guy in the school, no question. Hey,” she looked around in a conspiratorial manner, but my old soft toys didn’t seem to be listening. “I’m giving serious thought to breaking the pact…”

It was my turn to squeak. “Ooh! What have you got planned?”

Soon we were deep in complicated plans to launch on the unsuspecting, but probably very willing, Jack, and I managed to keep the conversation on safe topics until Grace’s dad appeared to collect her.

I hadn’t realised how tired I was, and I was pleased to be climbing back into my own bed where I wasn’t going to be disturbed by nurses and drug rounds. For the first time in ages I was able to drop into a peaceful, dreamless sleep.

Possibilities

When I woke the next morning I stretched luxuriously, knowing I had had a very good night’s sleep. The curtains fluttered at the window and through the gaps I could see the sun beating down on the trees outside. I had been woken by the smell of coffee – a large mug was resting on my desk – and by the smell of freshly baked bread that was wafting up from the kitchen.

I turned over and felt a long stroke down my arm.

“Good morning, gorgeous, are you awake now?”

“Callum! How long have you been here?” I rummaged quickly for the mirror I kept stashed nearby at all times now, trying not to notice how awful I looked when still half asleep.

“Oh, hours,” he answered mischievously.

He looked surprisingly at home on my tatty old duvet. I finally managed to drag my imagination away from the thought of him actually being in – or at least on – my bed, and remembered to speak. “Well, while you are here you might as well tell me about last night. How did it go?”

I felt him settle down on the bed behind me, and I could watch his face as he stroked down my arm to my hip. He had a look of slightly bemused wonder which pretty much matched my own expression. I pulled his mind back to the important question.

“Come on now, concentrate! How was it? What did Matthew say?”

“Now that conversation was interesting,” he mused as he continued the exploration of my back. It was becoming increasingly difficult to concentrate.

“What? Come on!”

He stopped stroking and looked me in the eyes, and I could see the excitement on his face.

“Matthew thought it was very curious. We spent quite a long time discussing the implications. His view,” he paused as he made another sweeping movement down my side, “was that you are probably not in any danger. He can’t see how the amulet could compel you when you have the ability to take it off at any time.”

“Well, that’s a relief. Of course, you’re a pretty good incentive to keep it on…”

“Then I guess it depends on whether you think I’m dangerous.” He gave a mock snarl and pretended to gnaw at my neck. Nice as it was I had to stop him: we had things to discuss. “Oh, I must tell you! I mentioned you to Grace last night.”

He was instantly wary. “Really? How did that go then? Are we expecting the men in the white coats to come any minute?”

“I didn’t tell her the truth! I told her I had met someone fabulous called Callum who I loved.”

He beamed at me. “I like the sound of that. But didn’t it raise other questions?”

“No, I told her that I met you on the Internet.”

“Hmm, you’ll have to explain that to me. I’ve heard about the Internet at the cinema but I’ve never seen it.”

“What! You’ve never seen the Web?” I couldn’t believe it.

“How would I have?” he countered defensively. “I know the general concept from what I hear, but I don’t know if I ever used it before I came here. It’s a place where you can ask questions, right?”

I was stunned. How could I possibly start explaining the Web?

“Where do I start? You really don’t want a lecture on it now, do you? Don’t we have more interesting things to discuss?”

“I suppose. I’d just quite like to ask it some questions.” He sounded disappointed.

“I’ve already asked it about you.”

“Excellent!” This clearly pleased him. “Did you find anything interesting?”

“Well, no. I looked up drownings and Blackfriars Bridge to see if I could get a clue to your identity. I thought that as there were two of you involved it might have made the papers.”

“Oh. Was there nothing there?”

“Lots about drownings in the Thames, but nothing that seemed to relate to you. I was thinking about it later, when I was in hospital, and I wondered if maybe they didn’t find your bodies. What if they can’t find your bodies because you take them with you?”

“I suppose it’s possible,” he agreed dubiously. “Shame though, I thought I might be able to find out something.”

“We could try a search of missing people, there must be sites for that. If they didn’t find the bodies you ought to be listed as missing.”

“Interesting thought. We should try that later. Right now though I need to tell you the rest of Matthew’s theory.”

I was suddenly nervous: what if Matthew thought all this was a bad idea? I wasn’t sure if Callum would be able to disobey him and his rules.

“OK. What’s the deal?”

“He thinks you should come to St Paul’s. If the amulet is
making you more like us, then the effects ought to be stronger there. He thinks that there’s a chance we might be able to communicate more easily inside the cathedral walls.”

Meeting Matthew. The whole idea made me really twitchy. It was a bit like having to meet the parents. I swallowed hard and smiled. “That would be great. When could we do it?”

He seemed tremendously excited – almost bouncing in his enthusiasm. “I think we should see him straight away. What do you have planned today?”

“Callum, be sensible! I was only discharged from hospital yesterday – without a diagnosis as far as my parents are concerned. They won’t let me go into London unsupervised for weeks.”

He looked crestfallen. “Oh, I see. Is there any way round that?”

“I guess I could sneak out, but it depends on what my parents are doing. If one or other of them is working at home I’ve got no chance, but if they have meetings I could maybe get away for a while.”

“Do you have any idea of their plans for today?”

“I haven’t got a clue. I’ll have to go downstairs and find out. Do we have to go today? It’s already halfway through the morning.”

Some of the excitement faded from his eyes. “I’m sure it will wait. I’m just curious about what you might be able to do.”

“What are you expecting?”

He gave me one of his most devastating smiles. “Who knows? I’m just really interested in finding out.”

I had to confess the concept was intriguing. There was obviously something he thought I might be able to do which he wasn’t telling me about. The only way to know would be to go.

I told him to go and gather for a bit while I checked out the
family’s plans. Mum was working in the office downstairs and Josh, having finished all his exams, was lying in the sunshine, listening to his iPod. Dad’s car was gone.

Mum seemed delighted I was awake, and got me some breakfast. She hovered around while I ate, obviously still overwhelmed by the fact that she had got me back from the dead. This wasn’t going to be easy.

“So what are the plans for today then?” I finally had to ask when the subtle approach failed.

“You just get to relax, sweet-pea. The doctors have signed you off for another week, so there is no need to do anything.” I winced a bit at the old endearment and wondered if Callum was listening.

“Are you home all day too? I expect you have loads of work to do after a week camping at the hospital.”

“I’m pretty busy, but I can manage from home. I don’t want to leave you, not so soon.”

“Honestly, Mum, there’s no need for that. I’m not going to keel over if you go into the office.”

I could see the indecision in her eyes, so I nudged her in the right direction. “And Josh is here, so I wouldn’t even be on my own.”

With perfect timing her BlackBerry buzzed, announcing another email. She quickly scrolled down through the list and sighed. “Well, if you’re absolutely sure… I really could do with going in for a few hours to sort some of this stuff out.”

“I’ll be fine, Mum. What could go wrong?” I crossed my fingers as I said it: I had no idea what weird things Matthew had in mind.

“OK… As long as you are sure.” I could tell she was beginning to feel guilty now, and would beat herself up about it until she got
into the office. Then she would get completely absorbed in what she was doing and be gone for hours.

“I’m positive,” I soothed her. “I really don’t need to be babysat: I’m OK.”

“Fine. I’ll get going then. The sooner I go, the sooner I’ll get back.” I knew this was nonsense, but she seemed to have deluded herself into thinking it was true so I nodded in agreement.

“I’ll see you later, Mum. I’ll call you if I feel odd or need anything, I promise.”

“Alright, darling. Thank you. I’ll see you later. Tell Josh, will you?”

“Of course I will. Have fun at the office!” With a flurry of papers and charger cables she was through the door and off. Sometimes there were real advantages to having a mother with a career.

With Mum out of the way, I only had to deal with Josh. I ambled casually out into the garden, where he was still lying with his headphones on. There was no sign of consciousness at all.

I quickly ran back into the house and got ready to go out, and he was still sleeping when I approached him twenty minutes later.

I shook him gently to wake him up, hoping that this wasn’t going to annoy him too much. He peered at me from under his shades. “Uh, you up now then, are you?” he grunted.

“Sorry to wake you, but I just wanted to let you know I’m popping out for a bit. Oh, and Mum’s gone to the office so you are on your own. Got your mobile on you?” I said the last bit over my shoulder as I started back to the house, hoping it would discourage a conversation. He patted his pocket and gave me a thumbs-up as he sank back.

I knew it was going to take me a while to get to London, so I called Callum to tell him I was on my way and to meet me at Waterloo Station. The timetables were with me: a bus arrived just as I was walking past the bus stop, and as I arrived at the local station I had just enough time to get a ticket and jump on the next train. As I sat on the train I considered all the possibilities ahead of me, but I couldn’t think what would get Callum so excited. Then I realised what he’d been thinking about: our first meeting! Directly under the middle of the dome in St Paul’s I had been able to see him without a mirror.

The journey dragged on, stopping at every tiny station on the line, and I counted them off until we got to Waterloo. The station was huge, with a vast glass roof where I could see some pigeons making themselves at home. I searched around for somewhere to buy some water and ended up paying a fortune for a tiny bottle from a coffee stall. It was deliciously cold though. I looked around the concourse to find somewhere unobtrusive to call Callum. Even at this time of day there were hundreds of people milling about, some obviously commuters off to meetings, some harassed parents with fractious children, and several elegant ladies who were clearly going to be lunching. Watching the crowd was mesmerising. I could see yellow flashes around the heads of several people, particularly above people who were arriving, and I guessed it wouldn’t be like that in the rush hour, though: these people clearly had exciting places to go. I smiled to myself: I realised that no one was watching me, so there was no need to find a quiet corner. I put on my earpiece and called his name.

There was a moment’s hesitation when I thought I was going to have to call again, but then he was there. I realised as I felt the welcoming sensation in my arm that now it felt odd when he
wasn’t there: the tingle was now what I expected to feel.

“Hello. I made it. What’s the plan?”

“I’m so glad you’re here. But there is no plan. We go up the front steps of the cathedral like everyone else. I just don’t have to pay like you do – I hope you brought some cash!” His fingers tickled my back and I resisted the compulsion to wriggle – that would have looked a little odd.

“We only need to get you there,” he added. “How long before you are missed at home?”

I looked at my watch and did a quick calculation. “I’ve only got a couple of hours before I need to start heading back. I’d like to avoid Mum finding out that I’ve sneaked off.”

“OK, then, we need the most direct route, not the scenic, tourist approach. Waterloo and City line to Bank, then a very brisk five minute walk round the side of the cathedral. I’ll catch up with you outside the tube station.” The excitement in his voice was infectious.

“Oh, please tell me why you’re so excited! What should I expect?”

“Let’s find out when we get there. You need to get down to the underground.” If he could have pulled me along, he would have.

“OK, OK! I’m coming. See you in ten minutes.”

I quickly ran down to the tube and found that the Waterloo and City line went from a different part of the tube station. Muttering crossly to myself, I finally found the right place and jumped on the first train. It was a weird little tube line with only two stops, and I noticed that in the tube there were far fewer yellow lights: most people were dressed in formal suits and looked as if they were on their way to meetings. The little train shuttled along to Bank very quickly, though, and I was soon running up the
escalators into the sunshine.

Callum was with me almost as I got to the street. He must have been watching out for me. He directed me down the road, giving me details of some of the sights we were passing. It was like having a personal tour guide in my head, except that he also kept up a running commentary on the auras of the people we passed.

He was right that the majority of people were gloomy, and I didn’t get that much chance to practise my new skill. I thought as we rushed along that if I looked really hard, I could perhaps detect a hint of red in the air around some people.