Bertie misinterpreted her meaning and inclined his head politely. “I’ll save you a seat.”
She nodded to him then scanned the crowd as they all began to settle into their chairs.
She felt nothing.
She moved to stand at the back, carefully considering each person as her eyes touched the backs of their heads.
More nothing.
She felt the hairs go up on the back of her neck and she whirled, seeing the dark material swirl about the corner of the doors to the Hall and disappear outside.
On her guard and chanting a swift spell under her breath, she followed.
There was no sight of anyone as she looked this way and that in the now deserted front of the Community Centre.
She thought perhaps she was being silly. The golden aura was dim, yes, Colin had not yet realised his true feelings for Sibyl. But Sibyl’s were more than strong enough to protect the pair. She radiated her love for him, true and pure. And Marian was aware enough of their generation (and Colin’s reputation) to know, without a doubt, that this love had been consummated.
However, for good measure, she decided to put a protection spell on the Hall. She wasn’t going to be caught unawares this time.
She carefully closed the double doors, turned her back to them and walked two steps into the lobby. Then she opened her mouth to start her chant and cast her spell. But before she uttered a noise, a dark figure spirited out of the cloak room to her left.
With a blinding flash of excruciating light, Marian crumpled to the ground.
Then the darkly clad form dragged her limp body, unnoticed, out into the night.
* * * * *
Colin was surprised at how good the Talent Show was, definitely worth the meagre price of admission. It was lovingly, if cheaply, produced and obvious that each child had received a good deal of kindly direction.
Sibyl’s “girls” did not win, but came in second place to a young lady who recited a poem so precociously, with her talent and a great deal of luck to get out of her dire surroundings, Colin could see her in the West End.
Throughout the performance, keenly tuned to her, he saw Sibyl slide in and out of the Hall. She would tiptoe in to talk to the DJ or stand at the side and gesture to the man who trained the spotlight from the loft in the back. But when her girls performed, Colin noticed she stood to the very edge of the back of the audience and, hilariously, did the entire dance right along with the girls and then hooted and cheered the loudest when they were done.
When the lights came up after the prizes were awarded, people milled about and Mrs. Griffith announced her intention to go to Sibyl’s office and call herself a taxi.
“I’ll take you home,” he informed her as she started to move away.
She turned and, for the first time, awarded him a non-cantankerous smile. Then, with a gentle tone he didn’t know she had in her, she said, “You get Sibyl home, luv, she’s worked hard tonight and is likely dead on her feet.”
Then she patted his forearm affectionately and shuffled away.
The Godwins were all engrossed in conversations with a variety of people and Colin gave himself time to watch Sibyl in her element.
Although she didn’t live in this community, she was obviously a part of it and loved her place just as those around her loved her in it. She knew everyone, not just her “oldies” and the children, but everyone.
Colin himself had been warmly welcomed, it became clear after moments of entering his “anonymous” donation was no longer anonymous and his other gestures had been gratefully received. He was not, however, accepted by these proud people, and his class and station meant he would likely never be. Nevertheless, most were courteous and very kind. The ones closest to Sibyl, however, including Kyle, his wife Tina and their daughter Jemma, were completely accepting of him because of their closeness with Sibyl.
“Do you know where Marian went?” Bertie asked, approaching Colin but looking around the Hall. “She was acting a bit strange and then went to the loos before the performance but never returned. I kept a seat for her the entire time but she didn’t use it and looked for her at intermission but couldn’t locate her. Now, I still can’t find her.”
Colin helped Bertie scan the crowd, concerned about Marian’s disappearance but also impatient and wanting to get to Sibyl, who was now surrounded by her four girls, all of them jumping around her excitedly.
“I don’t see her,” Colin informed Sibyl’s father, “Perhaps she felt unwell and went home.”
“Perhaps,” Bertie didn’t sound convinced.
“Does anyone have her mobile number?” Colin asked.
Bertie shook his head. “I don’t know. I’ll ask Mags and get her to look in the toilets for her.” Bertie muttered distractedly and wandered away.
By the time Colin reached Sibyl, it looked like some of the girls’ parents were also standing around them.
“Can we keep the outfits?” the girl named Katie asked, her eyes shining up at Sibyl.
“Of course, they’re yours,” Sibyl replied with a sweet smile and the girls shrieked their delight with such ferocity, Colin winced and feared the glass in the windows would shatter.
“Really, we couldn’t –” one of the men was saying and Sibyl turned laughing eyes to him, effectively cutting him off.
“I can hardly wear them, Phil,” she responded with a teasing tone to which it would have been impossible to take affront.
“Hey, Mr. Morgan,” Katie called, upon noting his arrival.
“Hey, Mr. Morgan,” Emma echoed.
“Hey, Mr. Morgan,” Cheryl, not to be outdone, repeated.
“Girls,” Colin greeted them and this caused another series of shrieks and giggles as Colin finally made it to Sibyl’s side. He dared not kiss her (which he very much wanted to do); the girls’ high-pitched screeches might be the final death blow to the rundown building and bring the roof crashing down on their heads.
Sibyl introduced Colin to the girls’ parents and, after a brief conversation; they all peeled off toward home, taking their loud daughters with them. Except one, who stood alone, no parent behind her. She looked acutely uncomfortable and was trying to put her eyes anywhere but on Colin or Sibyl.
“I’m going to go home now, Miss Sibyl, I’ll see you next week,” she muttered and started away.
“Wait a second Flower, where’s your mother?” Sibyl put a gentle hand on the girl’s shoulder to keep her where she was.
“She’s out tonight. My brothers are with Nan. I was supposed to be there too but I talked Nan into letting me come tonight.”