by Julie Sykes
‘What’s going on?’ she asked, her voice steely.
Holly tore her eyes away from me and shrieked, ‘She’s weird!’
‘Excuse me?’ The nurse’s face darkened.
‘Sh-she’s weird,’ stuttered Holly, nodding in my direction.
My face burned with embarrassment. Since when had helping out become weird?
‘I tripped… it… it… I dropped the tea,’ Holly struggled to get her words out. ‘But it didn’t… she… she made it float… in the air! It was freaky.’
The nurse stared at me. My head whirled. Suddenly I was transported back to the room with the smartly dressed woman from my previous flashback. She was giving a presentation on a computer. Her elfin face, framed with short dark hair, was friendly enough but her brown eyes were hard and calculating as she delivered her message.
Lie if you have to.
Her steely tone made my toes curl.
Too bad if it causes trouble. It’s them or us.
She paused and looked around. I got the impression that she was lecturing to a group, although I couldn’t see anyone else in the room.
Never forget, our world is in your hands.
The words echoed in my head. I was hardly aware that I’d leaned forward in an effort to learn more. I almost howled with frustration as the image died abruptly, like a mobile phone out of charge. Blood pounded through my ears. My head ached with the pressure of it. I forced myself to stay calm and appear normal.
‘What do you mean?’ I looked Holly straight in the eye. ‘You caught the mug! It was brilliant. I bet you’re great at netball.’
Holly took a step back, shaking her head, a mixture of fear and something indescribable in her eyes. The nurse tutted crossly. ‘The patients are waiting for their bedtime drinks. And when you’re done Holly, I’d like a word. Hurry up, now.’
Holly shot me a look of pure venom. She darted forward and slammed a mug of tea on the locker, and then bolted out of the room with her trolley. I let my breath rush out in a sigh. This situation was getting more surreal. Was the safety of a whole world really in my hands? It had certainly felt that way a moment ago. But surely I couldn’t be that important?
I felt like I’d been catapulted into a crazy game without being told the rules. Rule one, I’d just discovered, almost to my cost, was not to move an object without actually touching it. I cupped my hands round the mug of tea and lifted it to my lips. Had that always been a rule? Moving things with my mind felt as normal as breathing. Clearly it wasn’t, so was this talent something I’d previously kept a secret? Or was it something new? Maybe the accident had altered me? If a traumatic event could steal away my memories, then anything was possible. I sipped at the muddy brown liquid and nearly spat it straight out. It was an effort to swallow as I placed the mug back on the locker. Now I had rule number two. Never ask for tea again. It tasted disgusting.
That night I slept so deeply that when I woke it was almost too painful to bear. Here I was, still trapped in the same scene. My fingers strayed to the amber necklace. They stroked the smooth surface first, and then sought out the band of gold zigzagging down the middle. I knew the necklace was special, but whatever secrets it held were tightly trapped inside the red-gold stone.
Trapped like me! Suddenly I couldn’t bear to be in bed for a moment longer. I threw back the blanket and got up. I wrenched off the uncomfortable hospital gown and pulled on my second-hand clothes. Then, after making my bed, I went along to the shower room to wash and clean my teeth. Breakfast arrived, delivered by the same orderly that I’d met yesterday. I gave him a smile, without being asked, and sat on the chair to eat.
A while later Kirsty came in to do her morning observations. ‘Are you after my job?’ she asked, eyeing the neatly made bed.
I was reading a magazine and I pushed it aside as I opened my mouth for the thermometer.
‘I can’t stay here forever.’
‘Something tells me that won’t happen. Nicky rang. She’s on her way to see you. She’s got you a placement.’
My stomach fluttered anxiously. I didn’t want to stay in the hospital for a second longer than I had to, but did I really want to go and live with a family I didn’t know?
The placement turned out better than I could have imagined. As Nicky bounced into my room she waved yet another sheaf of papers at me. ‘It’s good news. Mia and Jeff Marshall have offered you a place at their music school. Strictly speaking it’s not a foster placement, but given your circumstances it’s got to be better for you. We’re going to relax the rules if you’d like to go there.’ Nicky thrust the papers into my hands. ‘I got this from the Waterside School of Music’s website. It should cover everything you need to know, but ask me if it doesn’t. Waterside runs a special summer school from June to August for students aged from eight to eighteen. Everyone eats together in Melody House – that’s the main building – but as an older student you’ll sleep in a log cabin, with twenty other girls. There’s music tuition in the morning and sport in the afternoon. When I spoke to Mia she was easy about that. She said that during your stay, you’re to participate in as much or as little as you want to. She also said to tell you that you’re welcome to live as one of the family. The Marshalls have a flat in Melody House, but she thought that being a part of the summer school might be less intimidating. So what do you think?’
What did I think? My heart soared. It was a great idea. I liked Mia and her family, and even though I’d still be living with strangers we wouldn’t exactly be on top of each other. There’d also be lots of people my own age around. If I was busy making new friends, and getting on with things, my memory might come back. Learning an instrument sounded fun and then there was all the sport, if I was there long enough of course.
‘How long can I stay for?’
‘As long as you need to,’ said Nicky, barely concealing her relief that I’d agreed so easily. ‘Mia was quite definite about that. She wants you to treat Waterside like your home. Although I’m sure it won’t be for more than a few days. Someone must know you.’
Home! The wave of sadness that hit me was worse than a physical pain. Had I been travelling with my mother? I didn’t remember. Knowing that we might never meet again was more than I could bear.
‘There’s some paperwork to complete before the hospital can discharge you, but I’ll take care of that while you pack.’ Nicky reached for her briefcase, pulled out a carrier bag and handed it to me. ‘I brought this to put your things in.’
What things? All I had were the toiletries Kirsty had given me. I took the bag and thanked her. Then I went and found Kirsty to say goodbye. She wrapped her arms round me in a bear-like hug. ‘Don’t worry, pet. It’s going to work out fine. A pretty young girl like you, someone knows who you are.’
It took seconds to throw my possessions into the bag. I couldn’t sit still and went to the window to look out. A man was walking through the car park with a mobile phone clasped to his ear. With a jolt I remembered my phone or whatever it was. I couldn’t believe I’d nearly left it behind. I spun around and fixed my eyes on the bedside locker. I held the top drawer with my mind and tugged it open. It slid effortlessly, allowing me to transfer my thoughts to the object lying inside. With one fluid movement I lifted it up and directed it to the carrier bag, but as I was about to drop it inside I changed my mind. The device felt too important to chuck in a bag. Instead I brought it towards me and, releasing my mind grip, pulled it from the air.
The gadget was solid yet light. As I curled my fingers around its curved back something shifted in my mind. A memory slowly began to surface. When I tried to retrieve it the image flitted just out of reach. The harder I tried to recall the memory the blacker my mind went. Frustration welled inside me. I sighed as I tucked the gadget into the pocket of my jeans.
The door opened and I jumped guiltily as Nicky breezed in. ‘I’m done. Get your shoes on
. You’re free to go.’
‘These are all I’ve got,’ I said, pushing the yetis with my foot.
‘I’ve got a spare pair of trainers in the car. They should fit you. You can have them. You can’t arrive wearing those furry things. We don’t want Mia changing her mind and withdrawing her offer to let you stay indefinitely.’ Nicky chuckled.
If I don’t watch the mind stuff Mia won’t let me stay, full stop! I smiled weakly as I headed for the door.
Four
My feet slowed as I crossed the car park to Nicky’s small red car. I don’t mind admitting it, I was nervous about the journey. Would it bring back memories of the accident? I sincerely hoped not. I’d got enough to deal with already. It turned out that my knowledge of cars was patchy. I knew to wait while Nicky unlocked the doors with an electronic key, but I struggled to fasten the seat belt. She leaned over, showing me how to pull the belt out of its plastic housing. She stretched it across my body and clicked it into a special fixture on the floor.
‘Ready?’ She shot me a friendly grin as the engine leapt to life.
My mouth was too dry to reply, so I nodded.
The hospital was on a main road that ran through open countryside. Everything seemed extra bright and colour-rich after my clinically clean hospital room. Nicky switched some music on and the tune was catchy but unfamiliar. She sang along and I tapped out the beat with my fingers. My head swivelled from side to side as I absorbed the scenery. I’d hoped that I might recognise something, anything, but there was nothing memorable about the route or the small volume of traffic using it. We reached a town and the road became much busier. I held my breath, full of respect, as Nicky navigated the narrow streets that threaded their way between tall stone buildings. The architecture was quaint, but I hated it. The cramped streets seemed to suck the air away and made me feel breathless. It was a relief when we left the town behind. The traffic faded as we drove further into the countryside, passing by fields full of fat white animals with funny, flat faces. Low hills scrolled across the horizon, their barren slopes littered with rocky outcrops. A short time later our journey was over. I wasn’t sorry. The seat belt was chafing my bruises and I ached all over.
‘Nervous?’ asked Nicky as she turned into an unmade drive. Two wooden posts, with a bar across the top, supported a white sign that read ‘Waterside School of Music’.
‘A bit.’ An understatement; tiny birds were swooping in my stomach.
Nicky drove along the bumpy drive. Sunlight filtered through the trees, dappling the road with patches of gold. It was extremely peaceful. For a moment I forgot about the dull ache in the pit of my stomach. I filled my lungs with the sweet woodland air and committed it to memory, along with the view. There was a huge black cavern in my head. I hoped these new experiences would help to chase away the darkness. The road curved sharply, the trees to my left thinned to reveal an enormous expanse of water that shimmered invitingly. Taken by surprise I gasped out loud, ‘A lake!’
Not that the clue wasn’t in the name, the Waterside School of Music.
‘Pretty, isn’t it? We call it a loch up here in the north. You can do all sorts of water sports at Waterside, including sailing. You should try it.’
‘Maybe.’ I hadn’t meant to sound unenthusiastic. Skimming across the loch in a boat sounded great fun, if that’s all you had to worry about. I touched my amber necklace. Not knowing who I was, or where I’d be now if I hadn’t had an accident, made me feel restless. I wanted to be doing something to learn my identity.
The drive looped again, to the left this time, and opened into a car park. Beyond it stood a graceful, two-storey house built from an orangey pink stone. It had a pointed roof with decorative gables and a tall, ornate chimney. To its right, and set back, was a similar but smaller building and beyond that a collection of brick built buildings and wooden cabins. Several cars were parked nearby and anxious parents were helping their children to unload an assortment of luggage and musical instrument cases. I glanced down at my one crumpled carrier bag. At least I wouldn’t have to waste time unpacking.
‘Today is change-over day,’ Nicky explained as she parked the car.
‘Change-over day?’
‘Summer School runs for the whole of the holiday, but the majority of students just stay for two weeks, arriving and going home on the Saturday. That’s today. Mia tells me this is the start of week three.’
All at once I was overcome with shyness. Everyone looked so confident and many of them knew each other, judging from the amount of screaming and hugging going on. Even those students who were here for the first time shared one thing in common with the regulars. They all played a musical instrument. I didn’t even know if I liked music.
Nicky threw me a sympathetic look. ‘You’re going to have such fun,’ she said brightly. ‘But you can call me if it doesn’t work out for you.’
‘You won’t forget me, will you? You’ll go on trying to find out who I am?’ I hated how needy I sounded.
‘Of course! We’re doing everything we can. Right now we’re checking the missing person’s database to see if anyone’s looking for you. We’re also making enquiries in England. Your accent’s so hard to place. We wondered if you might have travelled up from the south. Then again, you could be from Europe. Someone knows you and...’ Nicky paused, ‘your travelling companion. You won’t be here for long. It’s only a matter of time before people start asking where you are.’
As I climbed from the car I slipped my hand into my pocket to touch my mobile phone. Its smooth surface, solid against my fingers, gave me hope. It wasn’t a fake. I sensed it. It was the key to my past. All I needed now was to find out how to unlock its secrets.
Several adults with clipboards stood around. They were dressed in black polo shirts with the school’s name neatly embroidered in gold letters on the left side. They directed everyone to the smaller of the two buildings. Nicky walked on past them.
‘Mia told me to come to Melody House. It’s where she and her family live. It’s also where the students have their meals.’
I followed her up the steps to the front door and stood awkwardly while she rang the bell. As we waited for someone to answer I realised that I was looking forward to seeing Mia again. Imagine if I’d had to go and live with someone I’d never met before. When the door swung open I was touched that Mia seemed pleased to see me and hugged me like an old friend.
‘Hi there, you found us then. Welcome to Waterside. You’re going to have such fun here. I know it! I’ve put you in Chopin, our cabin for the older girls. Most of the students have to share a room, but there are a few singles. I’ve allocated you one of those, but if you’d prefer some company then I can change it.’
‘A single’s great, thanks.’
‘Good,’ Mia smiled. ‘Let’s get you settled and then I’ll give you the tour. I’ve got your timetable here, but apart from meal times, feel free to ignore it. You don’t have to join in with any of the activities.’
I glanced at the piece of paper she handed me. Breakfast was early, which suited me fine. Along with group practice, I’d been given a private music lesson every morning except for Saturday. Afternoons were dedicated to sport. The evenings were free time but there were lots of organised activities too. It sounded pretty intense, but I wouldn’t be bored.
Chopin was set apart from the other cabins. It had its own little garden and there were a couple of wooden tables and benches. My room was on the first floor, at the end of the corridor and opposite a bathroom. It was small but comfortably furnished. It had a single bed, a wardrobe and a chest of drawers. There was also a tiny dressing table with a mirror, a desk and a chair. The walls were pale yellow and the blue and white curtains and bright, multicoloured rug on the floor gave it a homely feel.
‘We’ll need to get you some things,’ said Mia, eyeing my carrier bag, ‘How about a girly shopping trip this aftern
oon?’
I hesitated. Something was stirring in my mind, but before I could work out what was bothering me it slid away. ‘That’d be great, thanks.’
‘Don’t worry about the money,’ Nicky interjected. ‘We’ll make sure Mia is reimbursed.’
Money! That was it. I didn’t have any of my own.
‘No problem,’ Mia was unconcerned. We’ll leave when lunch is over. Now that you’ve seen your room, how about I show you the rest of the campus?’
Nicky skipped the tour because she had another appointment to go to. Before she left she handed me a card with her direct line number. I tucked it in my pocket along with the one from my solicitor. At this rate I was going to need an address book.
The Waterside School of Music was set in sixty acres of scenic woodland, so Mia proudly informed me. Most of the buildings were clustered around the south side of Loch Calness. There were eight log cabins divided equally between boys and girls and segregated by an infirmary and the water activities centre. Meals were taken in the main building, Melody House. A smaller building, Mahler, was the office, where you went to adjust your timetable, sign in and out of school – older students only – and pick up parcels. Not that anyone would be sending me a parcel. There were courts for netball, basketball, volleyball and tennis, and football and rugby pitches. On the east side of the complex, just past the boys’ cabins, stood the Bluewater Concert Hall. It seated an audience of 260 and also housed a function room and several practice rooms.
‘And now for the pièce de résistance,’ said Mia. She led me through the woods to a beautiful building with a spectacular open-air stage, right next to the loch. ‘The Margaret Becker Memorial Building and Stage,’ she said proudly. ‘Margaret Becker was a friend and a composer. She loved it here. When she died she left us a significant amount of money for the advancement of music. We used it to build this. It’s such a shame that she never knew about it.’