I look at the people in the room in a new light. ‘So all these people–’
‘Yes. You’re in Sleeping Beauty’s castle, after all.’
I swallow the painful lump in my throat. ‘That’s awful.’
‘It could be worse.’
Frankly, I can’t see how. A sick feeling rises up in my stomach. ‘Does that mean I’m in a coma too?’
‘Probably not.’
‘Probably not?’ I try not to screech. The Mayor aside, I enjoy my dream jaunts but I don’t want to leave behind the real world forever. Just how strong is my mother? Involuntarily, I touch my skull again where she whacked me. I hope she’s not freaking out too much.
Esme smiles. ‘You’ll be fine.’
‘I’d better be,’ I mutter. ‘Sorry, that’s not fair on you.’
‘It’s okay. I’m kind of used to it.’
I hear something and glance from side to side but see nothing new. I shove my hands in my pockets. ‘I should thank you,’ I say. ‘For helping me get out of that room. And for the information about the mares.’
‘I’m glad you managed to free them.’
‘I thought you weren’t on anyone’s side?’
Esme shrugs. ‘As far as I’m concerned, it’s all about survival. Mine and theirs,’ she says, gesturing at the sleepers. ‘I’ve had one foot in my grave for almost two decades. I live every day with the threat of having my plug pulled. If someone decides to do that, then there’s not a damned thing I can do about it. And there’ll be no one left to look after this lot. So while I might not agree with the Mayor’s methods, I’m not about to go up against him myself. Life is too precious. Even this life.’
I’m incredulous. ‘He’s murdering people!’
‘All the more reason to keep away from him.’ Her eyes harden. ‘You should be careful too, Zoe. If you really are the dreamweaver everyone says you are, then you’re hot property. It won’t just be the Mayor who wants to use you.’
I think about Dante and Bron. Are they trying to use me? Is that why Dante made such an abrupt volte-face about trusting me? I open my mouth to ask Esme about him but then I hear something again. It sounds like my own name.
Esme watches me carefully. ‘You’re lucky,’ she says finally.
‘What do you mean?’
I hear my own name again. This time it’s clearer and more distinct.
‘I’ll see you around, Zoe,’ Esme says softly. ‘Don’t come here again though. They don’t like strangers.’
I blink, confused. Then there’s a deep throbbing pain in my head and my mother, phone in hand and fear in her eyes, is gazing down at me.
***
‘I don’t understand,’ she says for the umpteenth time.
I shrug. ‘I can’t really explain it,’ I lie. ‘I just realised I didn’t want to stay indoors any longer.’
‘So you did meet that man? Mr Malpeter? When he appeared at my door and said he’d met you in the city and wanted to find you again, I thought he was lying and up to no good. I told him I didn’t have any children.’
I think quickly. ‘He is up to no good,’ I say. ‘If you see him again, you need to steer well clear of him.’ I lower my voice; I need to say something to convince her that he’s dangerous. ‘He’s been to prison.’
She stares at me in horror. ‘Zoe, how did you meet him?’
‘It’s, uh, a long story. But please, if he comes round again, stick to the same story. You don’t have any children and you don’t know who I am.’ It sounds feeble even to my own ears. I’m not sure she can pull it off. But if the Mayor re-appears, he could do anything to hurt her ... my stomach twists with anxiety. I need to think of something else to keep her away from his clutches.
‘I don’t understand,’ she says again.
‘It’s okay, mum,’ I reply reassuringly. I spread out my arms. ‘Look! I’m alright! I even walked here! Ta da!’
She sinks down into a chair. ‘This is all so strange.’
She doesn’t know the half of it. For something to do, I search around her cupboards for a vase. Eventually I locate one and fill it with water, then shove in the bouquet of flowers. When I turn back to her, she’s still gaping at me.
‘Aren’t you pleased?’ I ask in a small voice.
‘Oh, Zoe,’ she says suddenly, reaching up to hug me. ‘I’m thrilled. I’ve been so worried. It’s just...’
‘Strange. I know.’ I force a smile. ‘I’m still quite nervous when I’m out and about but I really think things are getting better.’
‘Well, obviously, darling! You’re here, after all.’ She shakes her head as she surveys me. ‘It’s fantastic. I can’t wait to tell everyone.’
My eyes widen in alarm. ‘Actually,’ I say hastily, ‘I’d prefer if you didn’t.’
She frowns. ‘Why ever not?’
I take a leaf out of Jerry’s book. I need to know that she’s going to be safe; I can’t count on the lies she told the Mayor – or Malpeter, or whatever he’s called –keeping him at bay for long. ‘You should go off on holiday instead,’ I declare.