Awake and Dreaming - Kit Pearson [59]
“We built a fort on the beach out of driftwood but some mean kids wrecked it,” said Anna.
They gave Theo a small stuffed whale they’d bought at the aquarium. Theo thanked them, but all she could think about was seeing Cecily’s grave. It hadn’t even occurred to her that she’d be buried across the street.
Only Anna came with Theo and Dan. They followed him along the pathway almost to the end of the cemetery. Then he led them across the grass to the edge of a hill which dropped to Dallas Road and the sea.
“It’s right around the war memorial,” said Dan, examining the markers. “Ah … here you are, Theo.”
The grass plot was outlined by a cement rectangle. Two plaques were set in it. The shiny dark one said:
GILES WILLIAM STONE
BORN 1876 DIED 1945
PHILIPPA MAY STONE
BORN 1885 DIED 1949
The other marker was in the shape of an open book. Its letters read CECILY MARGARET STONE, 1915– 1956. Underneath the dates was a quotation: AND THE BOOKS SHALL BE OPENED.
Theo knelt and ran her fingers over the smooth marble book and the rough letters. She stood up and smiled at Dan. “Thank you for showing me.”
“You’re really interested in her, aren’t you? I’m touched by how much you love Cecily Stone’s books, Theo. John and Anna liked them too.”
Theo was studying Cecily’s grave again. Some of the surrounding plots were brightened with grape hyacinths or Easter lilies in pots, but this one was straggly with rough grass.
“At least Cecily has a good view!” said Dan. Anna giggled. Theo tried to memorize the plot’s location as they walked away.
ONCE AGAIN Theo was lying awake while Anna and Lisbeth breathed steadily. After she heard their parents come up, she’d sit by the window again.
She yawned, her body limp with drained excitement. It wanted to give in to sleep but Theo struggled to keep her eyes open.
But when she opened them next, she knew the night was almost over. She jumped up angrily and darted to the window. It was almost dawn; she could see the hedge across the street in the thin light. One bird had begun a hesitant morning call.
She’d missed her! Theo watched for a few minutes but no gliding woman appeared. She almost began to cry. Then she was riveted by an idea.
Why not go out? Cecily had come from the cemetery last time—maybe she was there. Maybe she was by her own grave! Theo didn’t stop to think of what that might imply. She picked up her shoes and crept downstairs.
In the hall she put on her jacket over her pyjamas and did up her shoes. Bingo came lumbering out of the kitchen, stretching as he walked. “Is it morning already?” his puzzled brown eyes asked her.
Theo hesitated. She’d feel safer with Bingo along, but what if he barked? She made him sit while she opened and closed the door as softly as she could. Standing on the front steps, she took a deep breath. After all, it was almost morning; Anna and John had once sneaked out at night. If someone saw her, she could just say she felt like going for a walk.
Her legs still trembled as she went slowly along the same route Dan had taken her this afternoon. What was she going to find? The closer she came, the more she wanted to turn back; but something compelled her to keep walking.
When she reached Cecily’s grave, it was deserted. Theo was both relieved and disappointed. She stood there a long time, the only sounds the increasing bird chorus and the rhythmic lap of the sea below.
Theo turned to face the war memorial—and froze. She tried to scream but it came out as a muffled choke.
A woman was sitting on the lowest step of the memorial. When she heard Theo, she jumped up with astonished delight. “Can you really see me?” asked Cecily Stone.
19
“Don’t be afraid,” said Cecily. “I won’t hurt you.”
“But you’re—you’re—”
“I’m dead. That’s what the gravestone says, doesn’t it? My body is buried there. It’s gone. But the rest of me is still alive.”
Theo’s voice finally worked properly. “Then you’re a ghost,” she shuddered. She tried