Angel Kiss - Laura Jane Cassidy [49]
‘No, give it back.’ I couldn’t let him see it.
I went to grab the notebook, but Colin stood up and stepped backwards, pulling it out of my reach.
‘Colin, please just give it back to me.’
‘What is this?’
‘Nothing just –’
He scanned down the page, his eyes widening. I tried to wrestle it from him, but it was already too late.
‘Jacki, what’s going on? Why do your lyrics look like a detective’s notes?’
‘I can’t tell you. Just please give it back.’
‘Why can’t you tell me?’ said Colin. ‘We’re mates.’
He held the notebook far above my head. I could tell he wasn’t going to give up. This was it. He was going to think I had completely cracked. I took a deep breath.
‘Prepare to think I am absolutely insane,’ I said. ‘Basically … I was getting these really bad headaches, so I went to the doctor –’
‘Yeah, and I – your friend – went with you, remember?’
‘Course, sorry …’
‘And she said you had allergies.’
‘Well, actually … I didn’t really tell you the full story. She told me I might be dealing with something … something supernatural …’
‘What?’ He looked puzzled, his expression flickering between a smile and confusion.
‘… and she sent me to Ger Rapple, the healer. Do you know him?’
‘Yeah, well, I’ve heard of him. People come from all over the country to see him. He’s supposed to be very good. What did she mean by “something supernatural”?’
‘Well … I’m getting to that. At first I didn’t want to go and see Ger, because I didn’t believe in any of that stuff. But then something really weird happened to me in the bedroom at David’s. I felt like I was being attacked, and my body was on the bed, but my mind was somewhere else – like in the forest. After that I got really scared, so I went to see Ger and he told me that a girl called Jane is trying to contact me. She was murdered and her spirit needs my help to move on. I think she wants me to find out who murdered her, so that she can finally be at peace.’ I just blurted it out, aware of how it all sounded. ‘I know you believe in ghosts, but I don’t expect you to believe this. It’s crazy, but I swear it’s true.’
Colin read the page again. It felt like an eternity until he finally spoke.
‘I do believe it,’ he said.
‘Really?’ This totally took me by surprise.
‘Yes. I know you well enough by now, Jacki. If you say this is happening, then I believe you.’
‘Thanks. That means a lot.’
‘I’ll try to help you any way I can.’
I was almost crying with relief. Colin could sense this, so he tried to lighten the mood a bit.
‘I can be your sidekick!’ he exclaimed. ‘I’m cute, I’m funny … I’d be perfect for it! What do you think?’
‘I’m just glad you don’t think I’m mental,’ I said with a sniff. ‘But don’t tell anyone else, OK? Can we just keep this between us?’
‘I won’t tell anybody. I promise.’
‘Thanks,’ I said, wiping my eyes.
We sat in silence for a few moments. I had to stop crying in front of people. It was becoming too much of a habit.
‘Anyway … on a lighter note,’ said Colin. ‘Emily is having some people over to her house this evening. She lives a good bit outside the village, so I’ll get Mam to drop us if you want to come.’
‘Sorry, Colin … I can’t.’
‘Don’t be silly. You’re coming to Emily’s.’
‘No, I’m not. I can’t face Nick. Not yet. See, he isn’t just some guy … I’m crazy about him. I can’t stop thinking about him. It really hurts.’ I hated the thought of having to sit across from Nick while he ignored me or, even worse, tried to force an explanation out of me.
‘I didn’t realize you liked him that much,’ said Colin. ‘But don’t worry – he won’t be there. It’s a girls’ night in.’
‘But you’re going?’
‘Obviously,’ said Colin with a smile. ‘And so are you, even if I have to kidnap you and drag you there myself.’
‘I’m really sorry … but I don’t feel like going anywhere.’
‘But Emily’s dad is an expert on local history. He wrote a book about Avarna a few years ago. Maybe he’ll have some info