Robbie took a few steps towards Robyn but took a step back when she stood up and moved behind his headstone. Something told him he'd come back too soon and scared her. Whatever he did now would determine whether or not he could resume his relationship with his daughter. He held out both hands palms facing upwards in an age old gesture which said he meant her no harm. He was a little disappointed to see that this had no affect at all and that Robyn hadn't moved. She stared at him as if trying to work out whether or not what she saw was real.

"You're dead." Robyn said at last hoping that this spectre would return from whence it came, her imagination.

"You're right." Robbie answered trying to gauge Robyn and not say too much at once.

"What are you doing here? Am I dreaming this?"

"No you're not. You have a gift Robyn, a gift that allows you to see and speak to spirits of those that have passed on. You can see what happened to them, like what happened the other day. You saw and felt how I died, its part of the gift."

"Where did I get this gift from?"

"You were born with it. Can you remember fourteen years back when you were on the mountains and saw those flickers you thought were tricks of the light?" At Robyn's nod he continued, "That was your gift at its most basic form. As you've grown it's grown and you can now see those flickers for what they really are. You have no idea how long I've waited for this." Sensing it was safe he took two more steps forward and this time Robyn didn't walk away but moved from behind the headstone to stand in front of it.

After a few more seconds Robyn walked closer to Robbie and stopped not more than a foot away from him. She looked deep into his eyes and studied the face she'd known so well in childhood. He hadn't changed at all from how she remembered him but then realised that he wouldn't have grown old as he was just a spirit.

"Can I touch you?" Robyn whispered slowly raising a hand.

Robbie shook his head sadly and wished he could hug Robyn when she lowered her head and fresh tears formed in her eyes. Every time over the last fourteen years he'd seen her cry it ripped him to pieces because he could do nothing to comfort her. At least now he could talk to her but it wasn't the same as having actual physical contact.

"Do you have any idea how proud of you I am?" Robbie asked and the ache in his heart lessened when Robyn looked up at him again. She shook her head in response. "You are so beautiful and have grown up so well. You have so much love in you and care so much about other people. You have grown beyond any of my expectations of how I thought you'd be at this age. I admire your spirit the most and the way it's knocked over but never crushed. I love you so much and have waited so long to be able to talk to you. You can't imagine how hard it's been to watch you grow up from a distance and never to be able to help you." Robbie continued. His face fell again when he could see that Robyn had taken his pain on board and he tried to think of a way to cheer her up.

Uncharacteristically of Robbie he came up with a solution in seconds, "tell me about this young man I've seen you with."

Robyn smiled shyly and a slight blush touched her cheeks, "He's called Kit. He's twenty one years old and an orphan like me. His parents died in a fire and he was in a boarding school at the time. He managed to escape Mr Snail and has been a drifter ever since."

Robbie nodded understanding then smiled a little, "you like him don't you?"

Robyn's blush grew as did her smile, "Yes. I like him a lot, an awful lot. The moment I saw him something just clicked and every time I see him my heart pounds like a hammer. He also makes me feel really happy. I want to tell him how I feel but I'm worried it might scare him away."

Robbie nearly chuckled; he knew exactly what Robyn was talking about and recognised the atypical symptoms of love at first sight. Sharing this time with Robyn and being part of her life again felt wonderful. He knew she was wanted at the Mayor's house for dinner and it pained him to have to send her away but it was easier this time knowing that he'd see her again when she was alone.

"A little birdie tells me that there's a surprise waiting for you at the Mayor's house. I'll come to see you again when you're alone, you'll be able to see me all the time now when I'm around." Robbie said motioning back towards town.

Robyn was about to give Robbie a kiss on the cheek but remembered she couldn't touch him so blew him a kiss instead before heading back to town. Her heart swelled in her chest and for the first time in her life she felt complete.

Robyn made it back to town in time for her dinner and when she saw Kit ran to greet him with a hug. Kit hugged back and felt extremely glad that his suggestion had worked and that Robyn was obviously feeling better. He was impressed at Robyn's impeccable timing at returning and had been worried about covering for her as he knew he was rubbish at lying. Once their hug was over Kit took Robyn by the hand and walked with her into the Mayor's house but told her to close her eyes before they entered.

Everyone except Kit and Robyn went to stand at the far end of the kitchen. When everyone was in position Kit told Robyn to open her eyes and she looked around with awe. The kitchen had been decorated with sparkly purple and silver streamers and there was a big banner stretching across the kitchen cupboards which read, 'happy birthday Robyn' in big silver letters. The kitchen counter was laid out like a buffet so everyone could choose what they wanted to eat. Candles had been placed in the centre of the table in a decorative way and with the lights dimmed the room looked magical. Soft music which played in the background completed the scene and Robyn smiled when she saw everyone standing under the banner. Robyn walked over to them and gave each of them a great big hug, these were her friends, her family and all that she could ever need. Kit had followed her and she hugged him too.

Before everyone got too distracted the Mayor declared dinner was served and handed everyone a plate. Robyn served herself first and everyone followed choosing their own things before sitting at the table. Robyn sat at one end of the table and Kit had been placed at the other both of them being something of guests of honour. Everyone ate in relative silence with the odd bit of conversation here and there.

Once everyone had had their fill of food it was time for the presents.