Invisible in a Bright Light by Sally Gardner

Author:Sally Gardner [Gardner, Sally]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781786695215
Publisher: Head of Zeus

At the apartment, Anna went to light the fire and make the tea.

‘I didn’t think Mama would be so very angry,’ said Hildegard. ‘Did you?’

‘Yes, I did,’ said Celeste. ‘Now, tell me – which of us is more frightening – your mama or me?’

Hildegard burst out laughing and so did Celeste.

CHAPTER 23

Celeste couldn’t quite describe how she communicated with Maria, but she did her best to explain it to Anna as they walked to Peter’s apartment. They had left Hildegard to learn her part. To their surprise, Madame Sabina had sent a maid and the coal buckets were full and the apartment warm.

‘I hear Maria in my head,’ said Celeste. ‘It isn’t me – her voice is very Maria-ish.’

Anna laughed. ‘She keeps her words short and sharp.’

‘Yes – unlike me,’ said Celeste, pulling her muffler tight about her neck.

Anna had to admit they were both dressed poorly for the weather. ‘We’ll soon be there,’ she said, putting her arm round Celeste. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t believe you. You’re not like Maria at all. You might be identical in looks but you are the mirror opposite of each other in personality. I should have known straight away when I saw you eating with your left hand. Maria is right-handed. Tell me about the beams of light.’

‘I don’t know what to say,’ said Celeste. ‘It only happens when I’m angry.’

‘Is it what scared Hildegard?’ asked Anna.

‘Yes. She told Madame Sabina and now Madame Sabina has seen it for herself.’

‘This is what worries me. I think Madame has sent the maid to spy on us and tell her if it happens again.’

‘Which it won’t, I promise,’ said Celeste.

‘It’s a good thing that you’re staying at Peter’s.’

‘Madame Sabina looked frightened when she saw the lights,’ said Celeste.

‘Yes, but before we know it, she will have you on stage, starring as the Living Chandelier.’

They both laughed.

‘Bet I can beat you to the corner,’ said Celeste.

And still laughing, they ran until they reached the end of the street.

‘What else do you remember, apart from the hat shop?’ asked Celeste, out of breath.

‘I have a vague memory of the ship – the Empress. It was Christmas but I didn’t take any days off – I imagine I didn’t want to.’

‘Do you have a family?’ said Celeste. ‘I expect I used to know that.’

‘No, I was brought up in an orphanage,’ said Anna. ‘Perhaps that’s why I believed the story I was told about us – I mean Maria and me – living in poverty. I didn’t question it, not until today in the hat shop. Today I feel I’m me again.’

‘I think once you start remembering, you remember much more than you think,’ said Celeste.

‘It appears that I do. It was the 27th of December when we boarded the ship. It was night. It wasn’t going to be a long voyage, but you insisted on bringing your Christmas present – a toy theatre. You told me you would have to find a role for the Harlequin because he didn’t belong in the play… but after that there’s nothing more.

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