There was something there.
No.
The car radio turns to roaring static. Mum swears again and among the white noise I hear a rasping voice. ‘File báis,’ it hisses, and goosebumps tingle on my arms.
Mum doesn’t seem to notice. I turn the radio off. My phone is in my hand and I feel the light shining behind me. I hover my finger over the camera icon, ready to capture it; then I think of Dad and stop. We turn the corner and it’s gone.
See, I can do it.
But before I can stop myself I open the notes app and write, ‘Brigid walking with the guy from before.’
Damn it.
Mum is still talking about the crow. ‘That scared the living bejaysus out of me.’
‘Yeah, same.’
As soon as we get back, I take Dad’s notebook from the windowsill and put it in a padded envelope with all the photos of the Morrigan. I could maybe forget the visions by destroying the images, but then I’d be back to square one. I’d no doubt start looking for clues again every time I saw a vision.
I have to live with what I know, but I refuse to find out any more.
Meg asks to meet me at her house before we go to Paul’s. When she answers the door, her eyes are bright and her lips are deep red and pulled into a wide smile, but her skin is paler than normal.
I step inside she gives me a hug. ‘You all right? How’s your mum doing?’
‘Yeah, I’m OK. Mum’s fine. She’s gone back to the hospital to be with my nan.’
Meg’s smile disappears at the mention of Nanny Bet. ‘Have you spoken toheryet?’
I look away. ‘Yeah, and it’s all good.’
‘It’s all good?’
My cheeks burn. ‘Yes.’
‘What does that mean?’
I take a breath. ‘It means she explained things and I’m dealing with it.’
She folds her arms. ‘Are you going to tell me or—’
‘Look, I don’t trust my nan, but she’s been trying to protect us from the Morrigan.’
‘By wiping your memories?’
I flinch.
‘And you just accepted that?’
‘No, I’m pissed, but she loves us.’
‘Funny way of showing it.’
A wave of heat washes over me. ‘That’s not fair. You’ve no idea what it’s like seeing the visions. Seeing death everywhere.’
‘It’s a gift, Michael.’
‘No, it’s a curse!’ Meg’s mouth falls open and she glances upstairs. ‘Theytortured my dad. He had to leave Ireland to try and have a normal life.’
