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‘Here it is,’ Ben says, racing ahead of us to touch one of the most haggard trees.
He runs his hand over the bark and shines the dwindling light of his phone onto the carved area. ‘A plus S,’ he reads aloud. ‘There’s a date too. September-third, 1959. My God, Nana. Wow.’
I’ve never thought of my brother as a romantic, but he’s practically gushing right now.
‘Is September-third a special date, Nana?’ I ask.
My grandmother moves her head slowly up and down. ‘Very special,’ she replies with a warm smile.
‘Do you want to tell us about it?’ I encourage.
Everyone waits with bated breath for her answer, but Nana doesn’t speak. She lifts her head towards the sky and sighs. The moon disappears behind a thick cloud and my heart sinks when I hear her disappointment.
‘I’m sorry, Nana,’ I say, ‘I know you wanted to see the stars.’
‘It’s okay, Holly,’ Nana croaks. ‘I see them in my mind every time I close my eyes.’
‘Here,’ Nate says, his voice cracking. He turns off the torch on his phone and passes his phone to me. ‘I downloaded an astrology app earlier.’
I glance at the screen. It’s black except for tiny white dots scattered randomly all over. ‘Stars,’ I whisper.
‘It’s an app for studying the constellations. I know it’s not as good as the real thing, Annie,’ Nate admits. ‘But I thought…’ Nate runs an awkward hand through his hair. ‘Well, I thought you’d still be able to find the star you’re looking for here.’
‘Thank you, Nathan,’ Nana murmurs.
Hot, salty tears trickle down my face as I look at Nate, so thankful he’s here. He smiles back at me, and I know there isn’t anywhere else he’d want to be right now. I crouch beside Nana and place Nate’s phone gently on her lap.
‘Can you see?’ I ask.
‘I can see,’ Nana says, smiling.
‘When I was a little girl, you told mewhen it rains to look for rainbows and when it’s dark to look for stars,’ Mam says, heartbreak dripping off her words. ‘I’ve always looked, Mammy. I’ll keep looking. Always. I promise.’ My mother sniffles back heavy tears and my father gathers her into his arms and kisses the top of her forehead.
‘We came here tonight to find one special tree,’ I say, my eyes scanning the carved bark again. ‘But is Nate right, Nana; are you looking for one special star too?’
‘He’s a clever boy.’ Nana runs her slender, shaking finger over the smooth phone screen. ‘It’s this one. This star right here.’
‘Why is it so special, Nana?’ Ben asks.
‘Because of him.’ Nana smiles, her eyes dancing with memories.
‘Sketch?’ I say.
‘Holly…’ Nana barely manages my name. ‘Could you read some more now? We’re at the good bit.’
I sniffle and nod. ‘Sure, Nana. Of course.’
My mother reaches into the tray under Nana’s wheelchair and pulls out a couple of blankets and Nana’s manuscript. She spreads the blankets out to cover the cold ground next to Nana and she passes me the mound of paper as we all sit. Nate drapes his arm over my shoulder, holding the light from his phone towards the pages, and I tuck my hip next to his as I sit crossed-legged on the fluffy blanket. Our baby flutters inside me as if letting me know he’s ready for Nana’s story too. I clear my throat with a gentle cough and begin.
FORTY-TWO
ANNIE
‘Good morning, beautiful,’ Sketch says as I open the car door with trembling fingers. He’s fitted out in a charcoal suit coupled with a crisp white shirt that complements his bright skin. ‘I hope you slept well.’
‘What’s going on?’ I ask. ‘This is all very sudden and very odd. I’m not sure I’m even awake.’
‘You’re not dreaming, Annie. Don’t worry,’ Sketch says with a smile. ‘Hop in.’
