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Grinning, she checked the coast was clear and lifted her hat to reveal the chocolate muffin she'd bought from the café earlier. Though she’d remembered Gertrude mentioning her deathday when they’d first met, about how she had slipped and fallen down the central staircase, she had completely forgotten to make a note of it in her diary. She’d make sure she added it when she got home later. Gertrude obviously cared about her deathday, unlike many other spirits.
She glanced at her watch, aware that the security guards had begun their rounds. She didn't have long.
Sneaking onto the shop floor, she crept past the bookshelves until she came to where Gertrude had been earlier. The aisle was empty.
“Gertrude!” she hissed, turning on the spot, the muffin cupped in her hands. “Gertrude!”
Nothing.
She sighed. Sometimes it took spirits a while to sense her presence, but they usually came. The draw of a medium was too irresistible.
Deciding to make a card whilst she waited, she moved over to the counter and set the muffin down. Grabbing a piece of paper and a pen. It was as she was putting the finishing touches to her design that the temperature plummeted.
She glanced over her shoulder to find Gertrude standing before the central stairway, face blotchy from crying.
“Gertrude!” Erica cried, taking a step forward.
She was about to fling her arms around the spirit, but the shimmering spectre flinched away.
“I’ll burn you.”
Erica smiled and pulled her into an embrace. “I don’t care.”
Ignoring the searing pain of her touch, Erica held her close. Gertrude burst into tears.
“I’m so sorry! I almost gave you away! I didn’t mean for you to get into trouble!” she said, sobbing into Erica’s shoulders.
“But you didn’t,” Erica said. “You were upset. I understand. I’m sorry I’d forgotten your deathday. Here, I got you a little something.”
She handed her the card she’d just made. She’d drawn a stick-person version of Gertrude wearing a party hat with the words ‘HAPPY DEATHDAY!’ above it.
Gertrude drifted over, tears washing her eyes once more as she picked up the card.
“Sorry, I’m rubbish at art,” Erica said sheepishly.
“No! I love it. No one’s ever made me a deathday card before.”
Erica smiled. “I’m glad you like it. And here’s your cake,” she said, revealing the muffin with a flourish.
Gertrude giggled excitedly and Erica began singing the ‘Happy Birthday Song’ to her, replacing the word ‘birthday’ with ‘deathday’ each time.
Finishing, she passed the muffin to Gertrude. “Sorry, I couldn’t find any candles.”
Gertrude accepted the muffin, her face beaming. “That’s okay. I love it. Thank you so much!”
“You’re welcome. It’s the least I could do. Happy Deathday, Gertrude.”
Chapter Seven
Nathaniel
Erica reached for her head and he overheard her say something about a hat. He watched her bid her friends farewell and return to the shop.
Had she forgotten something?
He glanced at the time on his phone 2115. Amberson would no doubt be waiting for him so they could go together to The Union.
Maybe I should go back?
