Raven by Suzy Turner Page B

just because we're friends...
practically family.
    As
lunchtime approached, I suddenly realised it was Friday and I
hadn't gone to school. I voiced my thoughts aloud and was reassured
to hear that Gabriel had phoned the school that morning and told
them I was unable to attend, for personal reasons. He told me I
shouldn't worry because, under the circumstances, they were very
understanding.
    It also
dawned on me that Friday was when I had a date with Oliver. I
blushed at the thought. Meredith smiled. She knew what was going
through my mind.
    “ I
think perhaps we've put rather a lot on poor Lilly since last
night. We should all go home and leave her to think about
everything. After all, it is a lot to take in,” she said, standing,
“plus, John will be coming home for lunch so I'd better go and get
him some food ready.”
    She
kissed me on the top of my head, kissed everyone else before
putting on her warm green coat and walked out the front door
without a backwards glance.
    The
others stood and said similar things, before they prepared
themselves for the cold weather outside with coats, scarves and
gloves before following along behind her.
    As Rose
stood up, she took my hand and offered to make me some lunch at her
house if I wanted to walk her home. As Gabriel had also gone out, I
locked up and wrapped up warm as we headed off in the direction of
her home. Instead of walking along the roadside, we chose to take
the scenic route, the way I had walked when I had first come across
the lovely Portuguese music.
    I
thought back to that day, to my first impression of Rose and
wondered if I looked anything like a cat... or a raven for that
matter, but I couldn't see it in myself. Perhaps others saw me that
way. Although I hoped that the dangerous ones couldn't tell, I
certainly wouldn't want them to know.
    As we
wandered along the shoreline, I heard the plops again of the fish
jumping out of the water and back again, wondering if they were
simply fish or fish that had another secret side to them. A human
side.
    They
looked pretty harmless so I assumed, and hoped, that they were of
the simple fish variety. They were small creatures so it was hard
to imagine them changing into human form. But then, so were ravens
and cats. I wished I knew how the change took place. I didn't feel
the need to change myself, but I would have liked to witness
someone else changing – perhaps then I would feel better prepared
for what was to come in my own life.
    Just 24
hours ago I would have walked down there by the sea and I wouldn't
have had a care in the world (other than that of my missing
'mother' and father). I would have seen everything in a completely
different light. Innocent and naïve to the real world. That was
me... yesterday.
    How
things can change in less than a day. Now everything I looked at
appeared different. Everything that once would have taken my breath
away because of its natural beauty would be scrutinised in a way I
never dreamed possible. Even the other birds that sat innocently in
the trees above us could be more than just birds. Were they really
birds? Or were they humans that could change? As they watched us,
what were they seeing? Did they see innocent bystanders to the
world? Or did they see us as threats? Particularly Rose with her
catlike appearance? Could they sense the cats in us?
    The
world was a completely different place to what it was
yesterday.
    As we
wandered through those immensely tall cedar trees and I noticed
glimpses of the bright blue sky between the branches, Rose stopped
and turned to face me.
    “ I'm
sorry that I couldn't tell you the truth when we first met, my
dear. I do hope you understand that I had to wait for your
grand-father to speak first. It was between him and
you.”
    I told
her that I did understand the reasons behind the decisions and I
didn't hold it against her. It was irritating at first but not any
more.
    “ I so
wanted to tell you about your mother.”
    “ You
can now, though,”