1985
Gran and I fly together after dark. Our sparkling wings streak through the skies like shooting stars, lighting up the night.
‘Girls have secret powers,’ Gran says with that twinkle in her eye. It makes my heart flutter and the magic flow through my veins so fast I tingle all over.
First, we fly to the grave of Gran’s Gran. It’s overgrown and we pluck daisies that have sprung from the earth.
‘This one’s wisdom.’ She drops a daisy into the open bag beside the grave. ‘And this, hope. Then we have love, happiness, bravery and ambition.’
When the bag is full, we take off again, scattering daisies on the wind. Random gifts for whomever might come across them. We fly unseen into houses and grant wishes. With a flash of our wands, the daisies slip under pillows. Then the people breathe in their scent and the magic swirls into their dreams.
Soon, my powers will be ‘dormant,’ hidden by hormones. I won’t remember any of this. Even these words I’m writing will disappear. I’ll only be aware of a lingering bond with Gran.
‘Don’t be afraid,’ Gran says. ‘You’ll be collecting a wealth of experience in those years, just like Mummy is now. You’ll be learning lessons and gathering wisdom, that will eventually become daisies.
‘And then, one day, the hormones will ebb away and you’ll feel the magic ignite again somewhere deep within. You’ll take to the skies once more with the wind in your hair, and, if you’re lucky, your own Grand-daughter’s hand in yours. And that’s when the real magic will begin.’
‘Will you be there too?’ I say, detecting a sadness in her voice. A sadness that makes me grasp her hand more tightly.
‘In a way, yes.’ Her eyes crinkle at the corners, making her smile spread across her whole face. ‘You see, I’ll be the one pushing up the daisies. You’ll be collecting them from my grave. I may not leave you a wealth of riches, but oh my darling, I promise you magic.’
I don’t tell Gran, but I don’t really believe it. No way am I ever going to think stupid things like romance and parenting and working are the most important things in life. I’ll never forget about magic!
2022
I place the flowers on Gran’s grave and wipe away a tear. Mum and Emily’s happy chatter from the bench behind me echoes through the graveyard like birdsong. My heart swells with joy and pain at the sound of it.
It’s been almost two years, yet the pull towards Gran’s grave has been growing stronger.
A stray daisy skitters across the grass, landing at my feet. As the petals ripple in the breeze, I feel something stir inside me and another hot flush takes hold. The wind whispers in my ear. It sends a cooling shiver down my spine. It’s happened a couple of times before and I can’t quite make out the words, but it’s getting louder.
