Page 46 of A Sky Painted Gold

“Sounds terrifying,” Robert murmurs. And then we both laugh.

I have to admit that Robert’s laugh is wonderful. It’s warm and rich, and all the more rewarding for being so hard-won. I have noticed that I seem to be able to make him laugh more than anyone else, and that is a prize that gives me a sense of deep and lasting satisfaction.

“So.” Robert speaks, after a moment of silence. “Your birthday? You kept that quiet.”

I groan. “Only because I don’t want anyone to make a fuss.”

“But you only get one eighteenth birthday,” Robert says. “You should make a fuss. And, anyway, you won’t have any choice in the matter once Caitlin finds out.”

“And how is Caitlin going to find out?” I ask sharply.

“A little bird might tell her,” Robert replies innocently.

I scowl. “You look like a pretty big bird to me.”

“I certainly won’t tell her if you don’t want me to,” Robert says slowly.

“Good,” I say.

“Of course…” He trails off.

“What?” I ask suspiciously.

“If Caitlin found out after the fact, that you hadn’t told her about your birthday, she’d be upset.” He stops and looks me right in the eye. “Very upset. And –” he lifts a finger “– if she found out that I knew about your birthday and didn’t tell her, she would make my life … uncomfortable.” He sighs heavily. “But if you still don’t want me to say anything, I suppose I can keep it to myself.”

“Fine,” I huff. “You can tell her, but please don’t let her do anything too over the top.”

Robert laughs. “I’m sorry, have you met my sister?! I can tell her, but I think you’d better brace yourself. Once she’s got an idea in her head there’s no getting rid of it.”

I grumble a little at this, but even I know that I am being ungrateful. I’m just not sure that a party for me is such a good idea. I love the Cardews’ parties, but the thought of being at the centre of one of them is a little overwhelming. That’s precisely why I kept my birthday a secret in the first place. I know where I am happiest, and it is somewhere between watching from a tree branch and being the star. When I first appeared at the Cardew House I was something of a novelty and that made me uncomfortable, disposable, but – thanks to my innate dullness – the shine seemed to wear off pretty quickly and most people lost interest in me as I became part of the furniture. Not the Cardews, though, nor their immediate circle. I could have been discarded after a week or two – I was under no illusions about that, as I saw it happen to others who came and went – but for some reason I have been admitted to their group. I still can’t really believe it, but I am their friend. It is an exhilarating, addictive thing, especially when I am more used to being grudgingly included in things as “Alice’s sister”.

“Seems like you’ve won over the whole Trevelyan clan,” I say then, changing the subject.

“I had a lot of fun,” Robert says, walking on again, his hands clasped behind his back. “Your family are very nice.”

“Oh, yes,” I agree, rolling my eyes. “When they’re not driving me mad they’re an absolute delight.”

He smiles a little at this, but the smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Well, I think you’re lucky,” he says, and if I didn’t know better, I would think his voice is almost wistful. “It must be nice having a big family.”

“It is,” I say carefully. “But you have Caitlin.”

“Yes,” and the word is an exhalation. “I have Caitlin.”

We have reached the beach now, and the causeway stretches out across the sand, back to the house. Even now that I am spending so much time there, my heart aches a little at the sight of it.

“So, remind me, who’s coming for dinner tonight?” I ask.

Robert sighs. “Oh, just some people from town. It’s going to be terribly dull. Why don’t you join us?”

I laugh. “Thank you very much; who could resist an invitation like that?”

“It will be a lot less dull if you’re there,” Robert says, and even though it is perfectly innocent, the words hang between us, just for a second, as if they mean something more. And then, just as quickly as it appeared, the moment is gone.

“I’ve only just left,” I say lightly. “But don’t worry, I’m coming back tomorrow to beat you at cards.”

“Because you cheat at cards,” Robert replies automatically.

“No one needs to resort to cheating to beat you, Robert Cardew.”