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  Andrew turned glazed eyes towards her. “Are you sure of all of this?”

  The policewoman gave a small smile and pulled a mobile from her pocket. “Yes of course. Look, why don’t you ring them yourself now? Mrs. Shaman said she’d wait by the phone for your call today.” She stabbed at the numbers and held the phone out to Andrew. He stood and took it from her as if he were handling some strange, poisonous creature. Ashen-faced he listened to the voice that answered at the other end.

  “Kaley? Kaley!…How the…? Where did you…? Where…? What…Can’t..?” He paced the square oriental carpet in the centre of the room as he spoke, and Gaiah watched him with wide, disbelieving eyes.

  He stood still, eyes staring unseeing out the window. “I...I… don’t, but where...how...yes…I see…I suppose so.”

  There was a long pause. Gaiah heard the muffled sound of someone talking non-stop. She tried to catch her father’s attention, shaking her head and frowning, but he seemed oblivious. She moved closer to him, intending to make him look at her, but the voice through the phone reached her ears, forcing a shocking flood of recognition through her. She stumbled backwards.

  Andrew continued obliviously, “She would? So soon? Oh right…Well, if you’re sure…yes, okay. Tomorrow morning…with whom? She did? Oh, okay…So...oh…yes. You’re quite right, a bit of time to settle in first of course, well, okay…just…thank you, yes, I’ll put you on to Gaiah now–”

  “No way!” Gaiah turned her back to them, folded her arms and stood staring out the window.

  Andrew continued into the phone, “She won't talk to you. Yes, of course, it will take her some time to adjust to this. Anyway, she’ll see you tomorrow with Officer Bryant. Bye.”

  Gaiah turned to look at him. What the hell was going on?

  He handed the phone back to the police officer, a strange, abstracted look on his face, but there was a light in his eyes, a glow, a sense of purpose that had been missing. He looked at Bryant. “Don’t worry. I’ll see that she’s packed and ready for you in the morning.”

  Officer Bryant looked as if she didn't doubt it at all. She nodded. “I'll leave you to talk to Gaiah now, and I’ll collect her in the morning around nine thirty. As I said, they seemed such nice people and we spoke for almost an hour. They were anxious about her travelling on her own to Scotland, so I offered to take her myself, well, as far as Edinburgh and they’ll meet us there.”

  Andrew nodded agreement as Bryant collected her file, put away her phone and headed for the door.

  A cold, thin thread of fear began to uncoil in Gaiah’s stomach. What the hell? Why is this complete stranger offering to drive me to Scotland? And what in God’s name is Dad doing, agreeing to it. They can’t make me. I’m eighteen, I have to do something here. This is too weird.

  Andrew shook Bryant’s hand, assuring her again that Gaiah would be ready tomorrow. Gaiah couldn’t bear another moment of this. She elbowed her way past them as Andrew saw Officer Bryant out. She pounded upstairs and slammed her bedroom door behind her. Resisting the urge to scream in frustration, she flung herself on the bed but tears of anger and confusion filled her eyes. A tentative knock on the door made her sit up and the mirror opposite gave her a depressingly clear view of her red-eyed, scowling face as she glared at her father entering the room. She turned her back on that as much as on her father.

  He stood just inside the doorway. “This is the best thing. I know you're upset, Gaiah. But imagine, seeing your grandparents again, won't that be great? I'm not sure what the problem was with them…Kaley didn't say...I think...”

  She whirled around. “Can’t you see how crazy this is, Dad? What’s going on? You do realize you can’t make me go, don’t you?”

  He paused, stared at her, fingers abstractedly patting his lips, and then abruptly said, “Look, whatever the problem was, we'll sort it out, Gaiah. Of course, I can’t make you go, but how happy are you here? You need a new start and maybe this is it. You should really think about this option, rather than rejecting it out of hand. Anyway, Officer Bryant will be here to pick you up at nine thirty, so you should do some packing.”

  His footsteps receded downstairs, and soon the smell of strong coffee filled the house. Gaiah sat on the edge of her bed, her brain whirling, swinging her from anger to curiosity to disbelief and back again. This is mad. Where have they been? I heard Grandma’s voice talking to Dad. It really was her. Why is Bryant so involved? This is mad. I wonder what they look like? Why do they suddenly want me? I could run away and get a job somewhere, though I’d really love to see them, even just to yell at them.

  Gaiah got lost in creating a devastating, scathing, yet eloquent monologue that would leave her grandparents close to tears and regretting whatever they had been doing for the last eleven years.

  Andrew’s knock made her jump. “Gaiah, come on downstairs and talk,” he called through the closed door.

  She threw it open and glared at him, swiping her palms across her tear streaked face. “You are extraordinarily quick to send me off to the very people who abandoned us. I know I've let you down and you're upset, but this is unbelievable. How can you do this to me?”

  “You must do this, Gaiah. It's the only option I can see. Kaley said it was the best thing and that it would be life-changing for you, and I think she’s right.”

  “Oh did she? Well then, of course, that's what I must do!” The minute the words left her mouth, Gaiah felt her heart leap. God almighty, I am going to do it! I’m going to go! She slammed the door, and stood shaking. Just like that, she’d realized she wanted to go. To find out what had happened all those years ago. To learn about her mother. To confront her grandparents.

  Chapter Three

  Gaiah was waiting outside in bright autumn sunshine when Bryant arrived at nine thirty the next morning. She always loved Linden Gardens at this time of the year when the huge, shedding trees lining the street seemed to wave at their reflections in the hundreds of gleaming window panes. But this morning, she wasn't interested.

  She had been ready for ages; there was nothing left to say to her father and she was anxious to get 'this' underway, whatever it was. Bryant was out of uniform, making her far more approachable and human than she'd previously appeared. Her hair was loose, blown around her face by the gusts of wind which were choreographing leaves along the footpath.

  “Ready for an adventure, Gaiah?” Bryant’s voice was cheery.

  Adventure! Does she think I’m eight? God, this is going to be a deadly journey. Gaiah’s shrug inside her oversized duffle coat was barely visible. She tugged her black hat down to her eyes. This morning she had chosen her faded denims and the trainers she only wore for gym. Yesterday she had thrown a small, random selection of her clothes into her oldest case. She was determined not to make the slightest effort to impress her grandparents. She was also determined not to cry.

  Despite the police checks and the fact Andrew had spoken to her grandmother himself, a part of Gaiah still felt it was a mistake. These couldn't possibly be her grandparents. If they were, where had they been? Why hadn't they been in contact? And how the hell did they ever think she’d be happy to live with them? Bizarre as the situation was, Gaiah felt slightly buoyed up by the prospect of getting some sort of handle on her life, and was determined to use her ‘ability’ to its fullest at any sign of trouble.

  Her father stood on the steps and hugged her.

  “I'm sure it will all work out, Gaiah, don't worry. Look, while you were packing yesterday, I went out and bought these.”

  He held up two mobile phones. Gaiah's eyes filled. She knew what a big deal it was for him to tackle any technology, and he had done it for her. “Now you can contact me with your news. I even got them to program our numbers for me! I'll ring you as soon as I figure it all out.” Andrew pulled her close again and kissed her forehead, the unfamiliar feel of his stubbled cheek rasped her face as he whispered, “I love you so much, darling. See you soon.”

  She knew he would miss
her. However, she was also sure that, as soon as the car pulled away, Andrew would be heading up to his studio, his mind already on his art.

  She waved at his turning back as the car drove out of Linden Gardens. She couldn't have felt more unwanted and confused, but…somehow she wasn't unhappy. At least she was leaving London. The fizz of anticipation began in her stomach again. Through the open window came the warm smell of traffic, and the interwoven sounds of a weekday morning, well under way.

  Gaiah leant her head back against the leather and turned to watch the people, normal people, on their normal day, with their normal problems of school exams or work deadlines, cheating boyfriends or no boyfriends. Let them try my life and see what they’d make of it, having their hair grow to their waist every day, having their long lost grandparents turn up overnight, apparently never having been lost. Not knowing if today, their thoughts were going to be strong enough to knock someone down.

  Bryant glanced across at Gaiah. “What's your favourite subject?”

  “English.”

  “Do you like sport?

  “No, not at all.”

  “Have you thought what you'd like to do in uni?”

  “No idea.”

  There’s no way she’s getting me involved in a heart-to-heart here. Especially as I’m not even really sure that I trust her. This whole situation is bloody unreal.

  Bryant was looking at her expectantly. “Well?”

  “Oh, sorry I was daydreaming.”

  “I said, do you have any favourite books?”

  “Not really.”

  As they neared Leicester, Bryant gave up trying to make conversation. Back in the car, after a quick stop for coffee and a bathroom break, Bryant handed Gaiah a plastic folder with a large collection of CDs. “See if there's anything you like there.”

  This was perfect for Gaiah. Then the time and the countryside flew by as they took turns in choosing CDs from the surprisingly varied collection.

  “Actually, half these CDs belong to my children. They never notice when I swipe them.” Bryant’s confession almost made Gaiah smile.

  An hour or so later Bryant suggested lunch.“Yes, I’m starving.” A rumble from Gaiah’s stomach confirmed what she said and Bryant grinned. They were on the outskirts of Leeds and a red Texaco service station was just coming into view.

  As she got out of the car, Gaiah thought Officer Bryant was humming loudly. Surprised, she glanced over at her, but the rictus that was Bryant’s face banished that thought. Before Gaiah could run around to the other side of the car, Bryant’s moan had become a shriek and she was collapsed, writhing on the ground.

  “Help. Help! Someone please get help!” Gaiah’s voice broke with the force of her scream. There was no way to get Bryant’s attention. Her eyes were squeezed tight and her hands clawed at her chest. People swung into action instantly. Gaiah was gently moved back and Bryant covered with blankets.

  Within minutes there was an ambulance and a police car screeching to a halt next to them. Gaiah watched as something in a syringe seemed to help the stricken officer. Bryant held out her hand for Gaiah as she was being lifted into the ambulance.

  “I’m so sorry to leave you like this, but they will take care of you from here, contact your grandparents and...” She paused while she squeezed her eyes closed and dealt with another wave of pain. “Oh God,” she moaned. After a moment she opened her eyes, and although tears leaked down her cheeks, she tried to smile. “I really wish you well, you know.” Her eyes widened. “Your hair! Gaiah, what on Earth?”

  Gaiah’s hand flew to her head. Her hat had fallen off in the commotion and her fair hair was now curling down beyond her shoulders. Luckily, at that moment the medics slammed the doors and took off with sirens screaming for the nearest hospital.

  Gaiah was driven to the local police station, where she sat on a hard bench and read the messages on the notice boards over and over again. She took out her phone to ring her father, looked at it and decided there was no point. What could he do? She looked at her nails. They were bitten down as far as they could go. She buried her hands deep in her pockets and waited for someone to give her some idea of what she was supposed to do now.

  Eventually, a rather cute, young policeman appeared and introduced himself as Constable Fred Walsh. “Strangest thing, Officer Bryant was right as rain by the time they got to hospital. The medics in the ambulance were stunned, heart rate, blood pressure, all suddenly back to normal! They’re keeping her in, just in case. You were lucky she didn’t get that attack on the motorway. God knows what could have happened. Anyhow, I'm dropping you at Northallerton station, shortly, to get the train to Edinburgh.” Her grandparents had been contacted, he added, and were going to meet her at the station.

  Gaiah nodded, agreeing to everything. There was no point in protesting anyway. She sighed and leant her head back against the wall, tired and listless, floating on a tide of events over which she had no control. Fred disappeared and returned shortly with a mug of coffee, some ginger nut biscuits and a newspaper; they helped.

  Sometime later, he appeared again, out of uniform. Gaiah regretted her choice of deliberately grungy clothes. She wished she was wearing something way cooler or more sophisticated. The journey to Northallerton took about an hour and Fred chatted non-stop. Gaiah had to smile at his stories of his brother’s efforts to roller-skate, his friend’s failure to captivate the girl of his dreams and his own endless problem of hiding the station’s biscuits from the sergeant.

  They arrived at the station with just enough time for Gaiah to get her ticket and shout goodbye as she ran for her platform. She caught Fred's amazed look at the length of her hair as she turned away from him. It seemed to have grown even faster than usual and was swinging almost to her waist.

  The train to Edinburgh wasn't crowded. Gaiah took a window seat and watched as people arranged themselves around the carriage. A family group sat across the aisle from her. The mother loudly double checked everything and fussed about everyone’s positions. Two children grinned across at Gaiah as their mother tried to move them yet again, and their stocky, cheerful father rolled his eyes and allowed his wife to cram her huge hand bag behind him to ‘support his back’. A family size packet of wine gums appeared from the pockets of the woman’s beige gabardine.

  “Help yourself love.” She held them open to Gaiah.

  “Oh, I'm fine thank you.”

  “Nonsense, we've loads. Nothing like a good chew to help pass the time, I always say.”

  Gaiah could see there was no possibility of saying no to this woman, so she reached across and took a squidgy fistful. She smiled at the two children as she chewed a rubbery sweet. This was enough encouragement; they immediately wriggled out of their seats and brought their new books to show her. “Look what we got, they’re brill.”

  “We got two, but they’re different, see?”

  Their mother leant across the aisle, introduced herself as Mrs. McCrea and interrupted them frequently to quiz Gaiah on her plans, her family, and her destination.

  Eventually the children became sleepy, and moved back to their own seats, where they curled up against their mother. Gaiah turned and stared out the window. That spin to the station with Fred was really cool. I totally chatted like a normal person, didn’t worry about my hair and didn’t suggest at him, even by accident. Jeez, I should have left London ages ago.

  But those children had reminded her of herself; sunny, energetic, full of curiosity and fun. That had been a different world. The thought made her sad. Gaiah gnawed at her nails. She pulled at the torn skin down the sides of her thumbnail. She stared vacantly out the window. She had never really understood what happened or why. She'd begun to feel everything about her was just ‘too much’. Too cheerful, too clever, too happy, too enthusiastic. Why had things changed? She knew her 'suggesting' ability had something to do with it. Even sitting here on the train, she squirmed with embarrassment at the memory of trying to suggest at some girls that they wanted to
be her friends. But the resulting uncomfortable and bewildered conversations made her vow never to try anything like that again.

  So she changed, fought against her nature, which made her surly and unhappy; she hunched her shoulders to hide her height as she grew taller than her classmates, and she folded her arms and wore baggy jumpers to hide her shape when at twelve, she seemed to turn into a woman, overnight. Then the hair started. Damn! I do not want to think about it. She turned her attention to the landscape, trying to see through the dark, but the windows only reflected her tired face and her waist length mane of hair. Gaiah sighed and leant her head against the cold glass and started to doze.

  ***

  An hour later, on the road above the embankment next to the train track, John Baird, ‘Yogi’ to his friends, a 30-year-old lorry driver was doing his last fruit and veg delivery of the day. He was headed to Dalkeith, only a few miles further on. He sang loudly, belting out the lyrics to his favorite song, drowning out the voice of Peter Cunnah. “THINGS CAN ONLY GET BET...” he never finished.

  His face became puce and veins stood out down his neck, as he struggled to control his hands. His grip on the steering wheel became vice-like and while he screamed in disbelief, the van swerved off the road and careered down into the path of the train. The crash was sudden and violent. The train hit the van head on and pushed it half a mile down the track, before its locked brakes finally screeched the train to a stop. The wreckage of the van was spread along and around the tracks.

  Gaiah’s head cracked hard against the window. It took several shocked seconds to sort out the ringing in her ears from the screaming of the passengers. She couldn't tell what was inside or outside her head. Then two important things became clear. She wasn't hurt and there was no smell of fire. The lights in the carriage flickered but remained on.