Angel Kiss - Laura Jane Cassidy [73]
‘Well, I knew she’d appreciate it.’
‘That was a really nice thing to do.’
‘It felt like it didn’t belong in my house anyway … that it belonged somewhere else. I’m not sure why. Art is like that, I guess.’
‘Where’s David?’ I said. ‘He was here earlier.’
‘Yeah … I saw him go outside with Emily. I’m guessing they’re all over each other out there. What’s it like living in his house?’
‘It’s OK. I can’t wait until we move into our new place though. I’m really looking forward to my own bedroom!’
‘I can imagine. I can’t help with that, but do you want some cake?’ said Colin. ‘Look at the queue. I’ll go up and get us a slice.’
I watched him walk across the dance floor. The only people on it were a group of little kids, dancing to the band’s songs, while everyone else was lining up to get a piece of the cake. Colin joined the back of the queue just behind Mum. I looked around at all the people seated at the tables, looking for people I recognized, and was surprised to see Ger Rapple. I hadn’t expected him to be here but I was always surprised by how everybody seemed to know each other around here.
He caught my gaze and came over.
‘Hi, Jacki,’ he said. ‘How are you?’
‘I’m good, thanks.’
Ger was looking well. He was wearing a blue-striped shirt and a beige jacket.
‘That was a lovely song. You’re very talented.’
‘Thank you!’
‘How’s it going … since we last met?’ he said, a little quieter.
I couldn’t wait to fill him in on all the developments.
‘You’re not going to believe this … Remember you told me about Jane –’
‘Yes, of course.’
‘Well, I found out that Jane is Beth Cullen. You know, that girl who was murdered in the forest twenty-five years ago.’
‘Yes, I knew about that murder.’
‘Beth is Jane. They’re the same person.’
‘Really? How’s that?’
‘Beth was adopted. Jane was her birth name.’
‘Ah, that explains a certain amount.’
The little blonde girl from the fête danced past us, balancing a slice of cake on a paper plate.
‘It’s so weird,’ I said. ‘That little girl was singing a rhyme about Jane at the table quiz.’
‘Very young children often connect with spirits,’ said Ger. ‘They’re not frightened of them.’
That made sense, I guess.
‘Have you any idea who killed Beth Cullen?’ I said. ‘I have a suspicion but I really need to find out for sure.’
‘No, I’ve no idea who killed Beth,’ said Ger. ‘I once asked a fortune teller about it, but I didn’t find out anything. Kathleen is a fortune teller I go to see in Dublin sometimes. I don’t entertain many fortune tellers, but Kathleen is genuinely gifted.’
‘What did she say?’
‘She said the girl with two hearts will bring justice to Beth. God only knows what she meant by that. Beth will be waiting a long time for a girl with two hearts to show up,’ said Ger with a laugh.
I turned to the side and pulled my hair back from my neck to reveal my freckle. Tiny and distinct. And in the shape of a heart. My angel kiss, as Gran called it.
By midnight there were still lots of people in the hall. The band was still going, and everyone sat round the tables talking and laughing. I was actually glad I’d stayed on. I hadn’t really wanted to go back to the Mulveys’ house by myself anyway; their alarm system was way too complicated. I decided to go outside for some air.
Joe was out the back, smoking.
‘Hi, Joe. Great party!’
‘Thanks, Jacki. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.’
I would have liked to talk to Joe about Mary and Michael. To find out if he knew about Michael’s angry behaviour or about the alibi, but I didn’t want to ruin the party for him.
Joe stubbed out his cigarette and went back in.
I stayed outside, staring up at the starry sky. Inside the band were playing a cover of Aslan’s ‘Crazy World’. The black dress Lydia had given me was the nicest thing I’d ever worn but I was getting a bit chilly. As I turned to go back inside I felt someone touch me on the shoulder.
‘Nick!’
‘Hi, Jacki.’
‘Hi