I never saw anything when I touched your father. It was the most terrifying thing of my life, but he showed me that it’s not the ending that matters. It’s everything in between. It’s about deciding to begin.
Much love, Mum.
P.S. Swimming helps with the gift. It helps our minds find peace, and in the water we don’t have to worry so much about touching anyone.
47
Miranda is tidying up the non-fiction section while I’m rearranging the crime display table. I keep thinking about what I read in Mum’s notebook earlier. I felt so connected to her when I read it. Knowing that she and I shared the same… gift… was life-changing for me.
I’ve been saying the word ‘gift’ in my head repeatedly. It does sound better than the word ‘curse’.
The part about Dad and Mum made me think about Oliver. I never saw anything with Oliver, but he’s gone now.
‘Hello, Nelly,’ says a familiar voice.
I turn around to see Mr Ellis. He looks transformed from when I last saw him. His skin is full of colour, his nose is no longer bright red, and his eyes have added twinkles. ‘Mr Ellis, what a wonderful surprise!’
He smiles. ‘As you can see, the casserole worked wonders. I started feeling better after the first mouthful.’
‘That is brilliant.’
‘You and Oliver were amazing that evening.’
‘Mr Ellis, it was worth it.’
He gestures for me to follow him over to the empty armchair in the crime section. Once he’s settled, he clears his throat and says, ‘I would like to invite you to a thank you dinner, tomorrow evening.’
‘Mr Ellis, you don’t need to do anything. It was a pleasure to?—’
He waves his hands to stop me. ‘Nelly, I would like you to come over and have dinner with me.’
‘What are you cooking?’
I giggle as he touches his nose and winks. ‘That’s a secret. But it will be something from Barbara’s book.’
‘I’m visiting my aunt tomorrow. I won’t be back until about six.’
He nods. ‘That’s fine with me. I will wait.’
‘Mr Ellis, Oliver has moved back to London.’
Something flickers across his face, and I detect a glint of mischief in his twinkly eyes. What is he up to?
‘We don’t need him, Nelly.’ He laughs. ‘Do you remember where I live?’
The thought of him slaving over a hot stove worries me. ‘Yes, I do. Please don’t go to a lot of trouble. I would be happy with a sandwich.’
‘I want to say thank you. I’ll see you at six.’
I watch him heave himself out of the chair and lean on his stick.
‘See you tomorrow, Mr Ellis.’
Before he hobbles away, he winks at me. ‘Looking forward to it.’
* * *
It’s early evening. I am in my happy place, the swimming pool.
