Angels Next Door
Page 13
‘What do you mean?’ I ask, letting her soothe me, letting my shoulders sink.
‘Wow, your shine is strong, Riley!’ she says, smiling at me, her eyes ever-so-slightly changing colour, like the swirls of oil on a wet road. ‘That’s brilliant. It means you don’t need us any more.’
Those last words she said are like a punch in my chest.
Are they going?
Leaving?
Suddenly, the warmth isn’t working any more. The thing is, I knew that was the angels’ plan – they’d move on at some point, to someone somewhere who needed them more than I did – but I hadn’t thought it would happen so soon.
Please … I didn’t really mean any of that stuff about you freaking me out, I fret silently. I’ll make an effort not to be so shy; you can try out as many skills on me as you need to. Just don’t vanish from my life!
‘Now you’re strong, Riley, we can use all our energies to find someone new to help,’ says Kitt, suddenly joining us, joining in the leaving speech.
They might think I’m strong, but I don’t feel ready to lose my friends, not yet. And what about the promise they made, to help me find out more about my mum? I’ve been meaning to remind them about that, just as soon as I get over my latest bout of shyness.
‘We think we can sense a fading at school,’ I hear Pearl say – which immediately makes me feel better. I mean, if the next person they need to help is nearby, then they won’t be moving away anytime soon, will they?
Then – as the relief kicks in – I start fretting over who might be in trouble.
‘Someone’s stopped shining?’ I ask, concerned. ‘Any idea –’
‘Hey, have you found any, Sunshine?’ Dot interrupts, skipping up beside us again before I can finish my question.
‘Any what?’ Sunshine asks, the wind whipping strands of red-gold hair around her head like dancing rays of light.
‘Nits!’ barks Dot.
‘No,’ says Sunshine, letting her fingers fall from my forehead where they were still resting.
‘Really? Oh well,’ mutters Dot, as she ruffles the furry head of Bee, who has conveniently positioned himself under her hand. ‘Anyway, I’m bored. Can we do something? Can we have an adventure?’
‘Yes, let’s have an adventure!’ Pearl agrees enthusiastically with Dot.
But she’s looking straight at me.
In fact, all three angels are looking at me.
Their eyes have turned the exact blue of the sky above us.
Well, I guess I’d better try and feel as strong as they think I am, cos they might need me.
The angels have their powers, but who better to spot someone fading than a girl who’s been there already?
A girl like me, who lost – and found – her shine.
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Other titles by Karen McCombie
ANGELS NEXT DOOR
ANGELS IN TRAINING
ANGELS LIKE ME
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First published 2014
Text copyright © Karen McCombie, 2014
Chapter illustrations by Madeline Meckiffe
Cover Illustration by Madeline Meckiffe
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ISBN: 978-0-141-34453-9
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