Awake and Dreaming - Kit Pearson [58]
She finished the book the next morning before church, nibbling on the large chocolate egg that had appeared beside her bed. After church she helped Sharon peel potatoes and set the table but her mind was still on the book. It was easy to tell it was by the same person who’d written In Summer Time. The stories were very different, but the same voice was relating them.
Reading both books hadn’t helped Theo find out more about Cecily the person, just Cecily the storyteller. There was no hint in either one of the Kaldors’ house or neighbourhood, or the woman who had once lived there.
Theo couldn’t get Cecily’s three faces out of her mind: her curious, sympathetic face on the ferry, her dreamy expression as she walked across the street and her intense look in the photograph. She knew that all three women were Cecily. It wasn’t possible; but lots of things had happened this year that weren’t possible. This was more magic! And somehow it seemed linked to the magic time when she had lived with the family.
All evening she brooded about Cecily. “What’s wrong with you?” asked Skye, as soon as they went to Theo’s room after dinner. “You act as if you’re in some kind of trance or something!”
Theo blinked. “Sorry,” she mumbled.
Skye set up one of the board games Sharon had bought Theo. “I never see you!” She was close to tears. “Aren’t we friends any more?”
“Sure,” said Theo automatically. She tried to pay attention to the game, but Skye had to keep reminding her when it was her turn.
THEO PLAYED with Skye for most of Easter Monday. She pretended to, anyway—she was like a puppet again, part of her going through the motions, but her real self focusing on Cecily. Skye kept accusing her of not listening.
If she had magically seen Cecily two times, the only way to see her again was to go to one of the places Cecily had been. She couldn’t go on the ferry; but of course she could go to the Kaldors’ house.
She phoned Anna on Tuesday evening while Sharon was downstairs doing the laundry. “Hi, Theo!” said Anna. “Did you have a good Easter? We have a present from Vancouver for you. Are you coming over this Saturday?”
“Can I come for the night again?” Theo asked.
Anna sounded surprised. “I guess so. Just a minute, I’ll ask Mum.”
After she said it was all right, Theo waited to tell Sharon.
Her aunt put down the heavy laundry basket and looked worried. “Oh, hon, don’t you think you’re spending too much time over there? I know how much you like them, but you don’t want to wear out your welcome—you’ve just had a sleepover. And Robin told me that Skye feels neglected. You can’t forget her, you know—she’s such an anxious child, she needs a friend.”
Theo stiffened. “I spent all day yesterday with Skye. And the Kaldors want me to come overnight.” She didn’t tell Sharon she had suggested it.
Sharon sighed. “All right, then. I suppose it’s up to you to choose your friends, and they are wonderful ones. But try not to forget about Skye.”
Theo was so excited about being able to go, she kissed Sharon’s cheek. “Thanks! I’ll be nicer to Skye, I promise.”
All week she tried. Skye was so easy to please; she revived under Theo’s attention like a plant that had needed water.
Theo held tight to her secret about Cecily. Was she really going to catch a glimpse of her again? The possibility was both exciting and scary.
THEO HANDED In Summer Time to Dan. “Did you enjoy it?” he asked.
“It’s one of the best books I’ve ever read!” Theo told him. “I found her other one in the library and read it, too. Do you know anything more about her?”
Dan shook his head. “She must have led a very quiet life. Writers often do—their adventures are in their books. All I know is that she once lived in this house. I can show you her grave, though. Would you like to see it?”
“Oh, yes!”
Dan smiled at her enthusiasm. “I have to go to the university for a while, but I’ll show you after lunch.”
Anna and Lisbeth dragged Theo upstairs to tell her about their trip