I try hard to follow. Sure, I remember getting angry. ‘What did I do?’
‘You caused an earthquake.’
OK, I hear what she’s saying. I caused an earthquake. I stare at her. ‘I caused an earthquake!’
A smile forms, but there’s no humour in her voice. ‘I can’t be sure exactly what it was. Let’s put it this way, there’s not much left of the Icehouse Cafe.’
‘I remember something now. Breaking glass, screaming.’ I shake my head, trying to clear it. There’s more I’m sure, but the memory of it is fuzzy. ‘Maybe I got hit on the head. If it’s as bad as you say, something must be responsible for my hazy memories. I don’t remember an earthquake.’
Kate is shaking her head in frustration. ‘You almost were hit on the head, by a collapsing ceiling and crashing chandelier. But I pushed you out of the way.’
‘Are you saying you saved my life?’
Suddenly the frustrated look mutates into something definitely hostile. ‘Oh, for goodness’ sake, Jarrod, you’re missing the point.’
Jillian touches her arm, an attempt I realise to calm her. ‘A little slower I think, my dear.’
Kate tosses her head aggressively, spinning around and muttering under her breath. She moves to the centre of the room where she can stand without stooping, her hands on her hips.
Jillian is still hovering by the door. I realise these are the only two places a person can stand without hitting their head on the ceiling. ‘I met your mother this afternoon, and your little brother, Casey, isn’t it?’
‘Yeah,’ I reply. Jillian is trying to lighten the atmosphere. I’m glad of the reprieve. Things have a way of growing eerie very quickly with Kate.
‘They had a browse in my shop.’
I drag my eyes from Kate’s stiff back. ‘Did they? Mum would like that. She’s into all this weird stuff.’
Jillian’s eyebrows lift. Oh no, I’ve probably offended her too. ‘I didn’t mean …’ I stumble to find the right words. As usual they never come when I want them.
She smiles reassuringly, and I see a resemblance to Kate. Not in appearances; they’re different there. Jillian’s hair is wavy, kept short, especially at the back, and light brown. Kate doesn’t look anything like Jillian except in the eyes. It makes me wonder about Kate’s father’s origins – Asian probably, or some Hawaiian island perhaps. I bet she wonders too.
‘She told me about the clothes and jewellery she makes,’ Jillian says. ‘They sound interesting. She’s going to drop in with a sample next week. We’re going to hang them in the shop, see if we can generate some movement. Tourists like that sort of thing. You know, weird stuff.’
I can’t help but laugh. Jillian is all right. She has a sense of humour. I wish she could’ve passed some on through her genes to Kate.
‘I’m going to make you two a couple of sandwiches.’ And to Kate Jillian says, ‘Remember, Kate, you’ve had sixteen years to adjust to your talents, but can you tell me you’re totally at ease with yourself, with your abilities, even now, after this length of time?’
Kate nods without replying. It seems Jillian doesn’t require any other confirmation anyway. I’m glad. The thought of them discussing powers and talents and abilities gives me the shivers. Jillian leaves and I decide to set this discussion straight before it gets out of hand. ‘Look,’ I begin and Kate spins around with an aggro look on her face. ‘I know you’re into magic and stuff.’ She glares at me, her incredible almond-shaped eyes narrowing defensively. I put my hand up to stop whatever she’s going to say. ‘That’s OK with me. I can handle that, I think. At least, I will, as long you don’t involve me in it. I mean, you can involve me, but not include me. The point I’m pathetically trying to make is that I don’t have any magical powers, or mystical talents, or anything like that, unless of course you count clumsiness in your list of paranormal qualities.’
She actually smiles, then lowers herself to the floor so that her back rests against the edge of the bed. My knees are level with her shoulders. My hand is so close to her head I have a sudden urge to touch her, feel for myself if that hair is as soft and silky as it looks. I don’t though. As much as part of me wants to, I’m just not sure. She’s beautiful. In a really exotic sort of way. But looks aren’t everything. Kate is different from other girls. Maybe that’s the attraction. Those other girls at school, Jessica Palmer, Tasha Daniels, they’re really shallow. I guess their only appeal over Kate is that they’re ‘safe’. They don’t scare me, like Kate does. And that makes me comfortable in their company.