Chapter 5

She woke up late the next morning, only getting out of bed because she was getting hungry and knew there would be good food on the breakfast table. Brighid was the only one left sitting at the table, reading her newspaper. She looked up at Bloom as she came in.

"Good morning… just about," Brighid said as she glanced at the clock and Bloom sat down. "I hope you are feeling better this morning, I ordered you a gift that I think will cheer you up."

"Thanks." She didn't feel like talking much right now, instead very glad that Effie had filled her grandmother in on everything that had happened.

They stayed in silence for a while, Bloom finishing off what was left of the cooked breakfast while Brighid went back to reading the paper. The old woman hummed as she scanned the articles and Bloom guessed that she had something to say but was trying to allow for some space.

"You know," Brighid said eventually, putting the paper down. "This probably won't be the last time that someone with ulterior motives will try to get close to you. I hesitate to say this because all my advice comes from my witchcraft but…"

"...I should be more careful?" Bloom said, staring darkly at her plate.

"I'd say the issue is your naivety rather than the fact that you care. You're a fairy, keep hold of that drive that makes you want to help people," she said. "Just remember that you have to help yourself too."

"You're not going to tell me off?" She had assumed that Brighid would be more angry. Whatever this was, it was confusing her.

"Not really. I told you before that we learn through mistakes; and now you've made another mistake so you've just got to learn from it." Brighid sat back in her chair. "I feel like going into the city centre today, I want you to come with me and push my chair."

There wasn't any saying 'no' to Brighid or her request so Bloom got ready. She didn't really feel like doing her hair or putting on makeup but there was a chance that someone from the Society might see her and she couldn't have them thinking she was a slob.

Going out with Brighid was an effort. Not only did she have to be transferred back to her wheelchair for the long trip but everything she wanted to take with her had to be packed around her too. Effie and Dagda were out with her parents so it was left to Bloom, and Branock once he realised what was happening, to get Brighid ready. The taxi driver they called knew Brighid and joked around with her as he put down the ramp and helped her into the back.

Then once they reached the city Brighid had Bloom running around doing all errands for her. Several were not urgent but Brighid insisted on doing them anyway. None of it was very interesting and the old woman herself seemed bored. Bloom really didn't know why they'd come out.

"It's almost time for a late lunch," Brighid declared finally. "The others should be back at the house now and with any luck your gift will have arrived already."

Bloom wanted to ask what her present was, or at least to be given a clue, but she knew that if Brighid had wanted her to know then she would have said something by now. It was supposed to be a surprise and Bloom, as much as she hated it, was just going to have to deal with that.

She helped the taxi driver get Brighid and her chair into the car and then climbed in next to her. Brighid was certainly much happier now that they were on their way home than she had been in town. Bloom had no idea why they'd needed to go out today, especially when Brighid had needed her chair. Perhaps she just hadn't wanted to deal with Bloom moping around the house.

The taxi pulled up next to the pavement and they extracted Brighid from the vehicle and Bloom pushed her back to the door.

Dagda helped them inside and gave Brighid her cane again, all the while shuffling his feet in excitement. Bloom looked at him for an explanation of why he was so happy but he didn't say anything.

"Did you set up lunch in the garden?" Brighid asked her son, tapping his side when he didn't answer her.

"Yes," he nodded after she got his attention. "Everyone is waiting."

Bloom followed the two of them through the house to the garden door. She stepped out and her attention was immediately caught by blond hair pulled back into a ponytail. Sky had been sitting with her parents, long enough that both Mike and Vanessa had relaxed around him and were talking easily with him.

Sky stood up when he saw her and Bloom practically ran to him, colliding with him as she gripped him for a hug.

"How come you're here?" She asked into his shirt. "I thought your dad was being really strict about who you could and couldn't see?"

"Yes, well, he gave the order for no one to pilot me anywhere without his approval but he didn't tell me not to fly myself," Sky laughed. "Brighid told me a bit about what happened so I thought I should be here."

"I'm so glad you came," she said. "You're not mad at me, are you?"

"Of course not. Are you mad at me?"

"Why would I be mad at you?"

"Because this is the second time troubles in Eraklyon have hurt you, and it's my responsibility." Sky stroked her hair. "I'm not going to let it happen again, I promise you."