Butterfly Summer (17 page)

We’d been living in Oakbridge for exactly five weeks on the day of Albert’s christening. I woke up early and lay in bed, thinking about Rosa May. I hadn’t seen her for days, but the longer we were apart, the more I could hear her calling for me, as if we were attached by some sort of invisible thread and she was drawing me back to the Butterfly Garden.

It was already too warm in my room. I went into the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face. It helped, but only for a moment. They said the temperature was expected to reach over thirty-five degrees later on, the hottest day so far. Mum had promised she’d come to the christening when Mrs. Jackson dropped the scones round, but when I went in to wake her she wouldn’t budge.

“I’ve got a splitting headache, Becky. It came on last night and it’s killing me.”

“You’ll have to go back to the hospital if you’ve got a headache,” I warned. “You know what the doctor said.”

Mum slid further down the bed, groaning. “Not the hospital,
please
. I’ll be fine in a bit. I just can’t face the christening, that’s all.”

I didn’t like to push it, not after last time. It didn’t surprise me really. Mum’s never been keen to go to church. She says she lost her faith years ago – but it’s another one of those things she doesn’t like to talk about.

The christening was due to start at eleven thirty, followed by lunch in the church hall. I had a shower and put on my nicest outfit: a dark purple sundress with matching purple pumps and the necklace Mum bought me that day she went shopping with Stella. There wasn’t much time, but I decided to slip down to the Butterfly Garden before I set off for the church. I couldn’t bear to let another day pass without seeing Rosa May.

“What a pretty dress,” said Maggie, when I got to the Garden. “Are you off somewhere nice?”

“I’m going to a christening. It’s for Mrs. Jackson’s grandson, Albert.”

“Oh, how lovely,” said Maggie, clapping her hands together. “Well, you look a treat, you really do.”

I smiled, thanking her, then ran straight through to the little shop and out into the Garden. Joan didn’t bother stamping my hand any more. I think she just assumed I’d be coming and added me to her list of visitors.

It took me a while to find Rosa May. She wasn’t on the bridge or in the lake. I thought I saw a flash of blue just beyond the bridge, but when I got across to the other side there was no sign of her. I sat down for a minute to catch my breath. It was unbearably hot and I could feel my dress sticking to me like melted toffee. I was just about to give up and go when suddenly she was there, wrapping her arms round my neck, laughing in delight. Maybe she’d been watching me all along.

“Finally!” she cried. “I’ve been waiting for ever!”

I jumped up to give her a hug. “I know. I’m sorry. My mum’s been really ill. She’s back from the hospital but I was scared to leave her on her own.”

“But what about me? I’ve been on my own too. It’s been awful. I’d almost given up hope.” She stepped back from me, looking me up and down. “Why are you wearing that lovely dress? Where are you going?” Her eyes narrowed. “You’re not meeting that boy Mack, are you?”

“No, of course not. I’m going to a christening. Hey, you don’t want to come with me, do you?” I said, excited suddenly. “I’m sure Mrs. Jackson wouldn’t mind. The invitation was for me and Mum but I couldn’t get her out of bed this morning, and we’d have so much fun if we went together.”

Rosa May snorted. “
What?
Go to church on a beautiful day like this? You’ve got to be joking!” She grabbed my hands, hyped up and jumpy. “Don’t go either, Becky. You don’t
have
to, do you? Why don’t you stay here with me instead? They said it’s going to reach nearly thirty-eight degrees today and the hotter it is, the more likely we are to spot the Silver-studded Blue.”

I shook my head, sighing. “I can’t. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson will be upset enough that Mum’s not going.”

Rosa May pushed me away suddenly. “Why did you bother coming here then?” she snapped. “You keep doing that. You turn up and then you leave straight away. Don’t you want to be my friend any more, Becky? Is that it? Is that why I haven’t seen you for days?”

“Don’t say that! Of course not. I told you, it’s my mum. I couldn’t come because of my mum.”

“But you’re not worried about leaving her today, are you?” she sneered. “You’re quite happy to go off to this christening or whatever it is. Don’t you think you’d better stay at home if you’re that concerned about her? I’m so sick of your stupid excuses!”

I wanted to explain, to put my point across, but I felt dizzy again, as if my head was filled with fluff. Every time I saw Rosa May lately, we ended up arguing. I didn’t have the strength to fight with her any more.

“I am worried about my mum, but I didn’t want to upset Mrs. Jackson. And I’m here, aren’t I?” She didn’t say anything. She was watching me. Waiting. “Look, I’ll come tomorrow, first thing, and I’ll stay all day. I promise.”

“Cross your heart and hope to die?” she demanded, her eyes glittering. I’d never seen her this angry. It was like she couldn’t bear it unless she had me all to herself.

I backed away, nodding. “Cross my heart and hope to die.”

The church was packed. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson were standing at the doors, greeting people and guiding them to their seats. Mrs. Jackson looked lovely. She was wearing a pale pink dress with a matching hat, and she’d got Mr. Jackson into a suit.

“She’s forced me to wear a tie,” he said, winking at me. “In this heat! I’ll be slipping it off as soon as the service starts.”

“No you will not!” said Mrs. Jackson, wagging her finger at him. “Where’s your mum, Becky? Couldn’t she make it?”

“She’s got a headache,” I said. “She’s really sorry.”

“Not to worry. Pop yourself over there by Stella and Mack.”

I looked across to where she was pointing. Stella was all glammed up in a bright multicoloured dress and a hat with a massive feather, but my eyes were drawn to Mack. I’d only ever seen him in shorts and a T-shirt, or in his swimming gear, but today he was wearing smart grey trousers and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up. His arms were strong and tanned and the thought of him holding me in the pool made my face burn up. He turned round suddenly as if he could sense me watching, and waved me over.

“You look nice,” he said, shifting up to make room. “Purple really suits you.”

Stella laughed. “What a charmer! I don’t know where he gets it from! How are you, Becky? How’s Mum this morning?”

“Not so great,” I said, tearing my eyes away from Mack. “She’s got a headache again but she didn’t want me to call the hospital. I think she might need to talk to someone.” I looked down at my hands. “You know, someone, erm...professional.”

Stella took hold of my hands and squeezed them. “Don’t worry, my love. She’s got her follow-up appointment tomorrow afternoon. I’ll take her up there and speak to the doctor myself. We’ll soon get her sorted.”

I wanted to ask her how we were going to do that – how we were ever going to get her sorted – but just at that moment Father Hill appeared at the front of the church and everyone stopped talking. The christening only lasted for about half an hour. There were some prayers and some singing and then Albert’s mum and dad brought him up to the front. He was wearing this frilly white dress and Father Hill poured water on his head, blessing him in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Albert cried a bit and so did Mrs. Jackson, but you could tell she was chuffed to bits.

I liked Father Hill straight away. He was quite old, and even though he’d probably done a million christenings before, he put so much feeling into the service. He had this big, booming voice that echoed around the church, but there was something gentle about him, especially the way he was with Albert.

“He seems nice,” I whispered to Stella. “Really kind. Maybe
he
could talk to Mum?”

Stella shook her head. “I think we’d be better off discussing it with the doctor. Especially if she’s still getting headaches.”

When the service was over we all trooped next door to the church hall for sandwiches, cake and tea. Father Hill was standing with Mrs. Wilson, greeting people as they came in. I wanted to talk to him, but not with Mrs. Wilson there. I only wanted to say that I’d enjoyed the service and that I might try to come the following Sunday, but she was giving me the evils again; staring at me as if I had three heads. I remembered what Mack said about her performing exorcisms and I shrank back, wondering why she always looked at me like that.

“Let’s get some cake,” said Mack, steering me away from Mrs. Wilson and towards the food. “Mrs. Jackson easily bakes the best scones in Oakbridge.”

“I know, she brought some round this week.”

We helped ourselves to scones and cake and found somewhere to sit. Neither of us said anything for a bit. It was the first time I’d seen him since that day at the pool and I could feel it hanging between us, making things awkward. I was dying for him to crack a joke, go back to the way he was before, but he was fidgety and restless.

“Look, I’m sorry about the other day,” he said in the end, not quite meeting my eye. “You know, what my dad said and everything. I wish he’d kept his mouth shut, to be honest – I could see how much it shook you up.”

“It’s okay,” I said, embarrassed. “He was only saying what he thought was true.”

“Did you tell your mum in the end?”

I nodded, swallowing. “It was awful. I shouted at her. I called her a liar and then I ran out of the room to get something, this photo, and when I came back in to show her, she was on the floor, unconscious. That’s why she ended up in hospital.”

He leaned forward. “What was the photo of?” he asked.

I rubbed my hands on my dress. They were slick with sweat. I knew I could trust Mack, he was so nice, but I still found it difficult to say the words out loud. I breathed in deeply. “A baby. My mum in hospital with a baby. It was taken twelve years before I was born so I know it wasn’t me – but I’m pretty sure it’s a little girl because she’s wrapped in a pink blanket. The thing is, my mum’s never mentioned her.”

“Wow.” Mack opened his mouth and closed it again. “That’s crazy, Becky. Are you sure it’s her baby?”

I held out my hands, shrugging. “I don’t know. I think so, but I don’t know for sure.” Suddenly, a thought that had been niggling away at the back of my mind popped into my head. “And that’s not all. Ever since we’ve been back in Oakbridge, things have been really strange. Like, this note came through the door asking to meet me, it was weeks ago now. I thought it was from my dad but then your mum said he left Oakbridge years ago, so now I’m not sure who it was from or if it was even for me.”

Mack sat for a minute, taking it all in. “Listen,” he said slowly. “I know your mum’s not well, but I really think you need to ask her about all of this. Show her the photo, and the note. Find out who the baby is. It might even explain why your dad left Oakbridge.”

“I can’t, Mack. You don’t know what she’s like. She’s so secretive. And she’s scared. What if she collapses again? I’d never forgive myself.”

“I know it’s risky, but seriously, Becky, you can’t just pretend you never found it.”

We were still talking when Mrs. Jackson came over with Albert. She was cradling him in her arms, showing him off to everyone. “Wasn’t he a star?” she cried. “I thought I was going to burst with pride. Look at his little face! Isn’t he a picture?”

“He’s gorgeous,” I said, stroking his hand. “It was a lovely christening, Mrs. Jackson, and the scones are delicious.”

“Thank you, Becky, my love. I’m so pleased you could come. Have you met Father Hill?” She turned round just as Father Hill was making his way over to us.

“This is Becky Miller, Father. Tracy Miller’s daughter,” she said, introducing us.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Becky,” said Father Hill. He smiled warmly, as if he really meant it. “I hear your mum’s been feeling poorly. I do hope she makes a speedy recovery. It must be so difficult for her, especially being back in Oakbridge after all this time. My heart goes out to her, it really does.”

He moved on to greet someone else before I could say anything. Mack’s eyes met mine. He grabbed me by the arm, blew kisses at Mrs. Jackson and Albert, and dragged me out of the hall.

“What on earth did he mean by that?” he hissed as soon as we were outside. “Why would it be difficult for your mum to be back in Oakbridge?”

“I don’t know. I keep telling you, I don’t know anything. She says she came back to Oakbridge because of this great new job she was offered, but that’s rubbish. There’s another reason, I’m sure of it.”

“I asked
my
mum, you know,” he said. I stared up at him, holding my breath. “After I got back from the pool that day. I asked her what my dad meant when he said he’d met you before, but she wouldn’t tell me. She said it was up to your mum to tell you when she was ready.”

I breathed out, disappointed. “Well, that’s not about to happen any time soon, is it?”

We stood there in the blistering heat. I could tell Mack was hatching a plan. I could almost hear him thinking.

“The photo,” he said finally. “You need to look at the photo again when your mum’s not there. See if there are any clues. Something you missed the first time you saw it.”

I shook my head, frowning. “I can’t. It’s in a box under her bed. How am I supposed to get it? She spends practically every waking moment in her room these days! It’s never going to happen.”

“Yes it is,” said Mack, clearly pleased with himself. “Tomorrow afternoon, when my mum takes her up to the hospital.”