‘No, I didn’t. It’s my doll.’
‘Ok. So why can’t you play with it?’ Amaranthine continued her investigation.
‘Because everyone thinks it’s stolen.’
‘So you didn’t steal it, but everyone thinks it’s stolen?’ Amaranthine tried to wrap her head round the logic.
‘Uh-huh.’
‘Why don’t you just show it to Samuel and Dorothy, and everything will be sorted,’ she suggested. ‘They know which toys are whose, and if you didn’t steal it, they will know that.’
‘You don’t understaaand,’ the girl said, a note of childish irritation in her voice.
‘You’re right. I don’t,’ Amari said, surprised that she could be bothered talking with the girl. ‘Why don’t you just tell me the whole story from the beginning?’
The girl hesitated.
‘My name is Amaranthine, but you can call me Amari. I grew up here, just like you. You can trust me.’
Sarah’s eyes opened wide and became round like the buttons sewn to her doll’s face.
‘Are you an Immortal?’ she asked, deeply impressed. ‘A real Immortal?’
‘Yes, I am. Why?’
‘Wow.’
Amaranthine gave a little sigh.
‘So what happened?’ she asked.
‘Ok,’ Sarah started in a very quiet whisper, craning her neck towards the door, as she could hear people looking for her all over the house. ‘After lunch I went to my bedroom and my doll wasn’t there. I asked everyone, but nobody would say they took it. Then Katie laughed at me, when she thought I couldn’t see. So I knew she must have taken my doll, so I told Samuel and he asked Katie and she said no, but I just knew it was her. Samuel was angry, and he told me that I can’t say things like that if I don’t know for sure, and that I had to sit in my room the whole afternoon. It was sooo boring! But some girls sneaked in, and we played hide and seek, and they all believed me because Katie is from Mortal parents. But then...’
‘... you found your doll,’ Amaranthine guessed. She was beginning to understand the girl’s plight.
The girl confirmed with a silent nod.
‘And now you are ashamed that you wrongly accused Katie,’ Amari summed up.
A small nod again. Then the corners of Sarah’s mouth dropped, and her eyes swelled up with tears.
What the hell do I say to this child? Amari thought. Why did I even get involved? I should have just called Samuel and let him handle it.
But it was too late now. The girl stared at her, seeking help. Amaranthine tried to remember what Dorothy would say to them in similar situations.
‘Sarah. Listen to me,’ Amaranthine said. ‘There is only one thing you can do. You have to go out there and tell everyone the truth.’
The girl backed off.
‘And you have to apologize to Katie. Did you ever think how she must be feeling? How would you feel if everyone called you a thief and you did nothing wrong? Think about it.’
‘But Jason says all Mortals are thieves. I’m always going to be immortal when I grow up.’
‘Sarah. How many Mortals do you know?’ Amari asked. The girl’s saucer eyes just opened wider in response.
‘So how can you judge them on what someone else says?’
The girl’s mouth dropped open, almost matching the shape of her eyes.
‘Exactly,’ Amaranthine said. ‘Believe me, it’s much better to form your own opinions than repeat what others say. Now. You will not feel better until you’ve apologized. Trust me, people will respect you for it and there will be no more punishment.’
‘You promise?’
‘Cross my heart.’
The sheepish look returned to Sarah’s face again.
‘I know it’s a hard thing to do,’ Amari said, ‘you need to be brave. But it will be worth it. And I’ll be here with you, ok?’
Sarah took a deep breath and nodded.
‘Ok.’
Amari stood up from the sofa. ‘Samuel!’ she cried. ‘Here, I’ve found her!’
She felt the girl’s little hand grab her own.
‘Amari?’ she said.
‘Yes?’
‘I don’t know how to… what to say,’ she whispered.
Amaranthine crouched down in front of her and squeezed her shoulders.
‘Just keep it simple. Walk over to Katie and say: I’m sorry I called you a thief. It was very bad of me and now I know you didn’t steal anything, because I found my doll.’
Sarah nodded. Amari led her into the center of the room as Samuel, Dorothy and a few kids ran in, surrounding them with a tight semicircle. Amari tried to step aside, but Sarah wouldn’t let go of her. The girl’s little hand was warm and soft.
All curious eyes were set on Amaranthine and Sarah. Samuel made a move towards the girl, but Amari stopped him with a gesture. Within a few seconds everybody was there. Amari looked at all the girls, trying to figure out which one was Katie. She looked at Sarah, and traced her look to a girl who got there last.
Sarah looked up at Amaranthine, as if asking for encouragement. Amari smiled and squeezed her shoulders slightly. Sarah slowly went over to Katie.
‘I am sorry I called you a thief,’ she said quietly, but clearly. Then she paused, looked at Amari again, trying to remember the line. ‘I found my doll.’ Then she lowered her eyes.
There was tense silence.
Samuel came over to them and crouched down.
‘That was a very brave thing that you just did, Sarah,’ he said. ‘I am very proud of you. Now ask Katie if she forgives you.’
Sarah looked up at her friend.
‘Do you forgive me?’
A smile brightened up the little girl’s face.
‘Ok,’ she said simply, shrugging her shoulders and smiling.
‘I am proud of you, too, Katie,’ Samuel said. ‘It is just as hard to forgive others, as it is to ask for forgiveness.’
I hope that’s not true, Amari thought, because what I have to do tomorrow feels harder than anything I’ve ever done in my entire life. She felt jealous of little Sarah who already had it behind her. She was worried Daniel wouldn’t just simply say ‘ok’ the way Katie just did. Then again, I accused him of a hell of a lot more than stealing a toy.
Samuel gently pushed both girls towards each other.
‘Now give each other a hug and be friends, ok?’
‘Ok,’ the girls said in unison.
‘Good girls,’ Samuel stood up. ‘Now let’s all go and have dinner, before it gets completely cold.’
The kids didn’t have to be told twice. They all ran to the dining room, resuming the usual uproar.
‘I’d better go and dish out dinner before another disaster strikes,’ Samuel said, giving Amari a hug goodbye. ‘I’ll let you two catch up.’
‘My little darling, how we’ve missed you,’ Dorothy said, also hugging her tightly. ‘It’s so good to see you. You look a little tired. Is everything all right?’
‘Thanks, Dorothy, I’m all right. It’s good to see you, too. But I don’t want to take up too much of your time, you should be dining with everyone...’
‘Don’t you worry about it, Samuel can handle the dinner,’ she said, ‘let’s sit down together, I want to hear all your news.’
‘Oh, there’s nothing to report,’ Amari said. ‘I just wanted to say hello to you. I must be going, it’s getting late.’
‘Are you sure you don’t want to stay for dinner?’ Dorothy was clearly disappointed. ‘There is plenty of food... Aren’t you hungry?’
‘It’s not that, Dorothy, I just have something... something brave to do tomorrow and I, um, I have to think it through.’
‘Sorry? Are you ok, sweetie?’
‘I’m ok, Dorothy, don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. I’ll visit again soon, I promise. I’ll let you know in advance, and we can have dinner or lunch together, ok?’
‘That would be wonderful,’ Dorothy said, but she looked as if she didn’t quite believ
e that would happen. ‘I will walk you to your hovercar.’
They went outside.
‘See you soon,’ Amari said, kissing her goodbye.
‘Take care, darling.’
Amaranthine entered her vehicle.
‘Thanks for your help with Sarah, Amari,’ Dorothy said before the hatch closed. ‘Whatever you said to her, it was exactly what she needed to hear. It worked wonders.’
Amaranthine smiled. ‘It was nothing,’ she said. ‘We kept it simple.’
Dorothy watched Amari’s vehicle lift up and fly away, turning into a tiny speck above the line of the trees. She heard steps behind her and a second later felt Sam’s arms wrap around her from behind.
‘I’m worried about her,’ Dorothy said, feeling a lump form in her throat. ‘She seemed… lost. Did she tell you what was bothering her?’
‘No,’ Samuel replied. ‘But she came over to see us. After all those years, it means more than words. She’s never been good at expressing her feelings with words.’
‘I know.’
‘Do you think it has something to do with – ’
‘No,’ he said quickly. ‘If she had a specific question, she would have asked it. I think she was just feeling a little lost, just like you said. Maybe some trouble at work? She mentioned she may think of a career change.’
‘I hope you’re right,’ Dorothy rested her head on his chest. ‘I’ve always dreaded the day she comes back asking questions and expecting answers. Answers we cannot give her.’
‘We’ll worry about it when that day comes.’
‘She’s still wearing her mother’s pendant. I don’t think she’s ever taken it off since she got the key to her deposit box.’
‘I’ve noticed.’
‘She promised to come and visit again soon. Do you think she will?’
‘I don’t know,’ he kissed her hair. ‘We’ll just have to wait and see.’
CHAPTER TEN
Butterflies fluttered nervously in Amaranthine’ stomach.
It was five in the morning on Monday, March 8th. She hadn’t expected the concierge to let her into Daniel’s office at this insane hour, she was prepared to wait in the lobby until he turned up, hoping that he would be alone and she could catch him before he’d go upstairs. She wasn’t quite ready to face his whole team.
But the concierge greeted her with a big smile and let her right through as soon as he heard her name. He said she could wait in Mr. Collins’ office and that he’d inform him of her presence as soon as Mr. Collins arrived. He should be here shortly, he added. He’s always the first to come in and the last to leave.
She was so surprised with his kindness that she did as he suggested, unable to come up with some convincing arguments against his plan. Having assumed that the news of her storming in late Friday, and having a row with Collins, had spread by now, she had expected indisposition, even hostility from anyone working in the building. Every office building in the world had ears, she knew that from many years of personal experience. So why would the concierge be so accommodating? Maybe he’s just new, she thought, or right back from a vacation. As soon as others come to work this morning, he’ll find out all about what I’ve done and he’ll hate me just like everybody else.
She sat at the long table in Collins’ office, in the same chair as the first time she was here. It felt like a century ago. The same office, the same table, the same seat. And yet, absolutely everything was different, as if she was in some sort of alternative reality.
She still didn’t know what to say to him when he walked in. Every time she tried to form some sentences in her mind, the butterflies in her stomach would decide to fly all at once. She couldn’t gather her thoughts, she couldn’t stop the shaking of her hands. Just keep it simple, she repeated in her mind and that helped a little. Just keep it simple.
Please let him be here before anyone else, like the concierge had said. With every minute passed, she felt her courage grow a little bit smaller, and she was worried it would run out before he got there. She was worried she would snap, stand up, and leave without speaking to him. She knew she wouldn’t be able to bring herself to come here again.
She took a few slow, deep breaths to calm down. But as soon as she heard the clink of the elevator door, every muscle in her body tensed immediately, and to the limits.
She heard his steps, strong but somewhat hesitant, slower than his normal, energetic stroll. She guessed why. He saw her hovermobile, and the concierge had told him she was waiting for him upstairs. He was giving himself time to prepare strong words for her, to tell her precisely and clearly to leave his office, and never to show her face in there again. The steps approached the door and stopped right outside.
Here we go, she thought. She stood up and faced the entrance.
His eyes seemed bluer than ever. They had their usual magnetic power, the power she couldn’t overcome. She had to look into them, and once again see the pain and regret, and disappointment that they held. His eyebrows were pulled slightly together, forming long, horizontal lines on his forehead.
‘You get up early,’ he said.
‘So do you,’ she replied, surprised but relieved at his calm voice. It could have started much worse.
‘Not as early as you,’ he said, heading for his desk. ‘What can I do for you?’
She waited, watching him take off his coat and place his idatron on the desk. Then he looked at her, leaning against his desk, with his arms folded. Defensively, as if he was preparing himself to fight off another avalanche of insults.
Can’t exactly blame him, she thought.
She walked over to him. When she was close enough, she looked again into his eyes.
‘I came to apologize to you for everything I said on Friday night,’ she said. Then she continued, trying not to sound pompous. ‘I unfairly accused you of doing things you did not do, blinded by prejudice and resentment, and I didn’t even give you a chance to respond, and set the record straight. I made assumptions about you, vented my anger on you, and blamed you for my own failures. I realize how wrong I was, and I know I hurt you. I just wanted to say I’m sorry.’
He didn’t move a muscle. His expression was still, as if chiseled from stone. His body motionless. He just stood there, looking at her.
Amaranthine waited a few moments and then started to feel awkward. She didn’t know what reaction she was expecting, but this wasn’t looking good. She put her handbag on her shoulder, getting ready to leave.
‘I know this doesn’t fix things, and I don’t expect you to forgive me,’ she said in the end. ‘But I had to apologize to you. I won’t waste any more of your time. Thank you for listening. Take care, Daniel.’
Still no reaction. The silence was unbearable.
She nodded her head slightly, then turned around and started walking towards the door. I did it, she thought. It’s over. Despite his reaction, or rather lack of any, she felt relieved. She managed to say what she wanted to say, and there was nothing else she could do. He actually treated her much better than she deserved. He took time to listen to her, gave her a chance to apologize. Silence was a better reaction than a smile of triumph or a pout of contempt.
I’ll never see him again, she suddenly realized. I’ll walk through that door and our paths will never cross again. At this thought, she felt a strange emptiness, as if a big hollow grew inside her chest.
The sliding door opened before her with a whisper.
‘So you wanna go and get, um… breakfast?’ she heard his voice.
She halted in mid-step. It took her a few seconds to process what he’d just said. She turned around very, very slowly.
‘I don’t eat breakfast,’ she blurted out, completely not knowing how to respond.
The silence that followed felt like time had stopped for a few moments.
‘Neither do I.’
They looked at each other across the room, none making a move.
Then his face finally changed expression. The tensio
n disappeared from it, and he smiled at her.
And she smiled back.
‘So where would you like to go?’ she asked as they stood waiting for the elevator. She still felt very tense, but it was a very different kind of tension. This was such an unexpected turn of events, she didn’t know what to think. She felt it was a turn for the good, though. She was pleased.
‘It’s a place I go sometimes,’ he said, smiling again. ‘You’ll see.’
When the elevator door opened, Daniel took a step back, and let her go through the door in front of him. She glanced at him, surprised – these sort of gestures were regarded old-fashioned, and unnecessary in a modern society. But it strangely suited him and he did it in such a natural manner, that it seemed like a part of him, and not a gesture that he had to calculate, or even think about. She stepped in.
The parking lot was still empty except for their hovercars.
‘If you like, we can take just mine. It’s a two-seater,’ he said when they reached the charging stations.
She hesitated briefly, but quickly made her decision.
‘Okay.’
‘The passenger seat is on the other side,’ he said.
‘Oh. Sorry,’ she said, embarrassed. She’d headed for the wrong side. But then again, what did she know about multiple-seater hovermobiles? They were almost exclusively used by the Mortals, and she’s never even been in one.
The hatches on both sides opened up, making Daniel’s vehicle look like a massive dragonfly spreading its wings to take off. Amaranthine got in and tried to relax.
Daniel started the engines. She was relieved to see the same safety panel as in her own machine, displaying the same message.
The next thing that happened, though, was very different from what would normally happened in her own hovermobile. A big hatch started opening in front of Daniel. Of course, she thought. He has to type in the destination, if he doesn’t want to use his voice to instruct the computer where to go. He wants to keep it a surprise. She was curious as to where he was taking her. She also wanted it to be a surprise, but couldn’t help glancing at what he was doing.
Suddenly she sat upright in alarm.
It wasn’t a touch-screen that emerged from the hatch. It was a joystick.
To steer hovercars manually was an extremely rare thing for people to do in the 22nd century. All machines were equipped with on board computers that were run by hover traffic control systems all over the world. Any hovermobile could be programmed to fly anywhere in the city, in the country or abroad, so long as the location was within range. And it was the safest mode of transport. Very few people were licensed to steer manually. There was no such need, and automatic pilots were much, much safer.