21.

The door swings open. Stella’s mum stands there, her mouth open, hissing, ‘Get away from him.’

‘I …’

‘I said, get back!’

She storms across the carpet, grabbing the old man’s frail arm. Stella’s right behind her, saying, ‘Mum, don’t freak out!’

‘Don’t? There’s a memory-eating monster sitting on my couch.’ She stabs the air between us with her finger. ‘Seth, I want you gone. I’m calling someone … anyone. I said get away from him!’

Connor hovers in the doorway, clinging onto the door handle, tears shining in his eyes. I jump to my feet, ready, but for what? All she has to do is open the blinds. I’m finished.

The old man says, ‘For goodness’ sake Liz, calm down.’

‘Don’t tell me to … wait.’ Stella’s mum blinks and her mouth drops open. ‘Did you just call me Liz?’

He runs a hand over his head. ‘Well, it is your name, isn’t it?’

‘But — but you remember it?’ She tightens her grip on his arm. ‘Dad, do you know who I am?’

The old man blinks and turns away, looking at Stella and Connor. ‘Did I forget you lot were coming for a visit or something? Something seems odd … what’s with that awful rug? It’s not mine, is it?’

Everyone stares back at him.

The silence seems heavy and then, he manages a shaky laugh. ‘Stella? Connor? Why’s everyone looking at me?’ His smile wobbles, then collapses. ‘Something’s wrong. I’m wearing pyjamas.’

Connor takes a step forward, but only one. They’re all unsure, almost afraid to move. The old man takes them in with a long glance, frowning, then starts fumbling with his buttons. ‘I-I don’t recognise these pyjamas. These ones have food stains, where are my navy ones?’

His daughter whispers, ‘D-dad?’

‘Yes, Liz?’

Stella’s mum makes a sound like wind rushing through trees, throwing herself around the old man. Hugging him tight, she gasps, ‘Dad! You’re — you again!’

Stella reaches for the couch’s arm, like she needs something to hold. Across the room, she looks at me, wide eyed. ‘Seth, did — did you fix him?’

‘Yes.’

Her granddad turns around, frowning. ‘Fix me … ?’ He looks me up and down. ‘You look familiar. Do I know you?’

‘Umm, sort of.’

Stella’s mum twists her head towards me, still clinging onto her father. ‘But you took his memories.’ She glances back at Stella. ‘It was him, wasn’t it?’

‘Yeah, but I gave the memories back. I didn’t know I could until, um … well, he’s okay, now.’

Until what? I can’t remember. Something to do with Stella and standing in the river. I’m sure I gave her memories back, but I don’t remember what we said. Come to think of it, how did Celeste end up in the Leith?

My heart starts hammering and I’m taking deep breaths. My memories are fading. Whatever happened, Celeste will be furious. And when did I figure out I could give memories back? Come to think of it, why is Stella staring?

Stella nods at me. ‘I’ll explain it to you later.’

I’m forgetting, already. Something inside me sinks. But no one seems to notice.

Clearing my throat, I say, ‘I’ll need another hour at least. He’s coming right, but there are still more memories to give back.’

Mrs Walker stares, but gives a small nod.

‘You lot are making my head spin.’ Stella’s grandfather smacks his lips. ‘We obviously need to talk, my mouth tastes like sandpaper. How about I put on the kettle and we’ll sort everything out over a cuppa, hey? Right after I’ve had a shower …’

He pats his daughter’s arm, but she grabs his fingers and holds them tight, saying, ‘Okay. Okay.’

He clears his throat. ‘What’s okay?’

She’s looking at me. ‘Seth, don’t say a word. You’ll stay in this room until the sun goes down, then you can go home. That’s the deal.’ She glances at her dad. ‘But we’re not staying here, it’s not safe. We’ll give you one hour with Dad and then we’re going somewhere Seth can’t hear us. But we’ll leave our gate open, so he can get back into the garden when it’s dark.’ She glances at Connor. ‘Kids, let’s go wait in the car.’

‘Steady on, Liz,’ says the granddad, ‘you’re not making any sense.’

Stella interrupts at the same time, ‘Mum, I think …’

Mrs Walker waves them both down with one hand. Her eyes turn on me, cold and blue like winter skies. ‘I don’t understand what’s going on, but Dad’s back to normal and Stella says you saved her, so there must be something good about you.’ She glances at her children, again. ‘All the same, you could hurt them by accident, take their memories … do you understand me? You need to leave.’

Her father tightens his grip on her hand. ‘Now Liz …’

‘No,’ I say. ‘She’s right.’

Stella’s eyes widen. ‘But …’

‘Not a word, Stella.’ Mrs Walker shakes her head. Her mind’s made up, I can tell. She speaks in short, sharp bursts, like her words are a list of facts instead of conversations. Mrs Walker isn’t someone who second-guesses herself, no wonder Stella said, ‘Get Mum.’ Actually, put a clip in her hair and she’s a lot like Stella.

‘Dad. Please. You can argue with me outside. But not here.’

He opens his mouth, then looks down at his stained pyjamas and bare feet. Frowning for a moment, he gives a sharp nod.

She turns back to face me. ‘I don’t want to ever see you again, understand me? Otherwise I’ll change my mind and your statue won’t stay a secret. And I want you to promise something first, okay?’

I nod. What else can I do?

She stares at me, folding her arms. ‘Promise you’ll stay away from my daughter or the deal’s off.’