Where Have All the Boys Gone?(97)

“Not at all,” said the film star. “Thanks for an excellent party. Usually these things are complete crap.” And he disappeared back into the throng.

“Well, we’d better be going,” said Iain’s dad. “These babies . . .” he glanced at Iain. “They don’t wait around.”

Katie held on to Olivia and Louise as they left, sweeping past Iain, Harry, and the rest of the room.

“Shall we pick your stuff up?” asked Olivia.

“No time,” said Katie.

“Well, I mean, who knows . . . you might never come back here again.”

Katie allowed herself one smile through her terrible anxiety.

“Oh. You never know.”

LOUISE AND KATIE had never been in a helicopter before, and couldn’t help being excited, as they took off into the even now not quite pitch-dark night; the castle and the marquee becoming a more faded point of light below them, surrounded by the huge and ongoing woods that engulfed the rest of the countryside.

“It’s so beautiful here,” said Louise sadly.

Iain’s dad, who was sitting in the row behind them, sniffed thoughtfully. Katie reckoned she ought to say something to him, but couldn’t imagine what.

“Thanks,” she said again. “Thank you so much.”

“No trouble,” he said. Then he looked at her. “Were you the girl my son talked about?”

“Um, I don’t know,” said Katie, swallowing hard.

“Works for that Barr chap.”

“Yes,” said Katie.

“It was a bad business that,” said Iain’s dad. “When Harry’s mum was so ill, you know . . . I didn’t think Iain needed to see another boy go through life without a mother, after his own mum left . . . kept them apart. Then, when I saw how stupid an idea it was, he was just too scared to go. Thought he might catch something, or whatever. He’s just . . . a wee bit weak. That’s all.”

Katie nodded.

“Well,” said Iain’s dad, heaving a sigh. “It was nothing to do with my company you know. It was just a sad thing that happened. Publicity and rumours can be a pernicious thing. Though I guess you’d know a bit about that.”

Katie nodded again.

Mr. Kinross sighed. “He’s a good lad, you know.”

Katie stared out of the window at the stars. They were nearing the town.

“Good luck with your sister,” said Iain’s dad, gruffly patting her on the shoulder.

THE PRIVATE PLANE was something else. Although they were concerned about Clara, they couldn’t help exclaiming as they were whisked through a side door at the airport and straight onto the runway. Louise even stopped and posed at the top of the stairs, waving to imagined crowds of fans.

“Oh, this is the life,” said Louise, when she saw the huge upholstered seats and carpeted cabin.

“Have you never been on a private plane before?” said Olivia.

“SHUT UP OLIVIA!” the two girls shouted.

They ordered cocoas from the stunningly beautiful hostess, who was managing to conceal extremely well her disappointment at the fact that they were just three girls and not, say, an international movie star.

Katie took her drink and stared blankly out of the window. From her reflection she could see she had mascara all down her face; from all that exertion while she was dancing, no doubt. She felt in her handbag for a tissue. Her hand came across a crumpled piece of paper. As she drew it out, she realised it was a sheet from today’s paper, that Iain had given her. It was the leader page. As she spread it out, she stared at it, trying to work out why. Her tired eyes itched, and then, suddenly, she got it.



* * *



Don’t mistake it for a moment. Every hundred years or so, an event comes along that defines a town, for ever. And this is ours. Reading between the lines, this is not just a party for us. Kind of, more the start of a whole new age. Attracting a new profile for the town. Today, Fairlish—tomorrow, the world? It’s certainly a chance to put ourselves on the map. Even if we’re not all sure we want so much change.



* * *



IT WAS HER name she spotted first, all those capital letters, beginning with K. Grabbing a pen from out of her bag, she scribbled down the first letter of each sentence.



* * *



I say, yes we do. Maybe some people will see change as difficult, as new to this town. I think we should embrace it with all our hearts. Some people say our little home is all right as it is. Sod them, say I! Yes, Fairlish is changing, but it’s still our place in the world, and letting other people in to share it can only be a good thing. Often in this life, people don’t act in time, or act at all, to do the right thing. Until now—and our time is now.



* * *



AS THE PLANE soared over the dark world she clutched the piece of paper to her tightly.

ALTHOUGH IT WAS stupid o’clock in the morning, the maternity wing of St. Thomas’s Hospital was buzzing; however, they were definitely the only girls in ball dresses. Katie and the girls ran down the halls searching for the labour wing. A friendly nurse directed them the right way, and Katie burst into the suite, her heart in her throat.

Clara was lying in bed, looking sweaty and wide-eyed. Their mother was sitting calmly right beside her.