Lacybourne Manor (Ghosts and Reincarnation #3)(115)

“I’ll take you home,” he informed her as she started to move away.

She turned and, for the first time, awarded him a non-cantankerous smile. Then, with a gentle tone he didn’t know she had in her, she said, “You get Sibyl home, luv, she’s worked hard tonight and is likely dead on her feet.”

Then she patted his forearm affectionately and shuffled away.

The Godwins were all engrossed in conversations with a variety of people and Colin gave himself time to watch Sibyl in her element.

Although she didn’t live in this community, she was obviously a part of it and loved her place just as those around her loved her in it. She knew everyone, not just her “oldies” and the children, but everyone.

Colin himself had been warmly welcomed, it became clear after moments of entering his “anonymous” donation was no longer anonymous and his other gestures had been gratefully received. He was not, however, accepted by these proud people, and his class and station meant he would likely never be. Nevertheless, most were courteous and very kind. The ones closest to Sibyl, however, including Kyle, his wife Tina and their daughter Jemma, were completely accepting of him because of their closeness with Sibyl.

“Do you know where Marian went?” Bertie asked, approaching Colin but looking around the Hall. “She was acting a bit strange and then went to the loos before the performance but never returned. I kept a seat for her the entire time but she didn’t use it and looked for her at intermission but couldn’t locate her. Now, I still can’t find her.”

Colin helped Bertie scan the crowd, concerned about Marian’s disappearance but also impatient and wanting to get to Sibyl, who was now surrounded by her four girls, all of them jumping around her excitedly.

“I don’t see her,” Colin informed Sibyl’s father, “Perhaps she felt unwell and went home.”

“Perhaps,” Bertie didn’t sound convinced.

“Does anyone have her mobile number?” Colin asked.

Bertie shook his head. “I don’t know. I’ll ask Mags and get her to look in the toilets for her.” Bertie muttered distractedly and wandered away.

By the time Colin reached Sibyl, it looked like some of the girls’ parents were also standing around them.

“Can we keep the outfits?” the girl named Katie asked, her eyes shining up at Sibyl.

“Of course, they’re yours,” Sibyl replied with a sweet smile and the girls shrieked their delight with such ferocity, Colin winced and feared the glass in the windows would shatter.

“Really, we couldn’t –” one of the men was saying and Sibyl turned laughing eyes to him, effectively cutting him off.

“I can hardly wear them, Phil,” she responded with a teasing tone to which it would have been impossible to take affront.

“Hey, Mr. Morgan,” Katie called, upon noting his arrival.

“Hey, Mr. Morgan,” Emma echoed.

“Hey, Mr. Morgan,” Cheryl, not to be outdone, repeated.

“Girls,” Colin greeted them and this caused another series of shrieks and giggles as Colin finally made it to Sibyl’s side. He dared not kiss her (which he very much wanted to do); the girls’ high-pitched screeches might be the final death blow to the rundown building and bring the roof crashing down on their heads.

Sibyl introduced Colin to the girls’ parents and, after a brief conversation; they all peeled off toward home, taking their loud daughters with them. Except one, who stood alone, no parent behind her. She looked acutely uncomfortable and was trying to put her eyes anywhere but on Colin or Sibyl.

“I’m going to go home now, Miss Sibyl, I’ll see you next week,” she muttered and started away.

“Wait a second Flower, where’s your mother?” Sibyl put a gentle hand on the girl’s shoulder to keep her where she was.

“She’s out tonight. My brothers are with Nan. I was supposed to be there too but I talked Nan into letting me come tonight.”

“But tonight’s the Talent Show… your mother –” Sibyl started.

“She forgot,” Flower quickly explained with a deftness borne of practice.

“But, how did you get here?” Sibyl asked.

“I walked,” Flower answered

“By yourself?” Sibyl enquired, the last syllable higher than the others, a tone that showed her irritation.

Flower nodded.

Colin regarded the young, awkward, but pretty, girl. He hid his reaction to her words and the thought of any parent or grandparent not only not remembering a Talent Show but not being there to witness it.

Sibyl, however, did not hide her reaction. Her lips thinned, she turned angry eyes to Colin and he saw the warning light of emerald fire.

“Sibyl,” he murmured as Scarlett approached.

Sibyl whirled back to Flower. “Where are you staying tonight?”

“With Nan.”

“Go and get your things, honey. Mr. Morgan and my sister, her name’s Scarlett, are going to drive you home. Once you’re inside, I want you to go to the window and wave to them that everything is okay. You must remember to go to the window and wave because he’s going to be waiting. Can you remember to do that?”

Flower looked uncertainly between Sibyl, Colin and Scarlett and nodded her head slowly, clearly not used to anyone taking care of her.