I take a closer look around at my surroundings and my gaze stops at the darkest corner of the room. I can vaguely make out a shape in the very back row of the chairs. On closer inspection I recognise that it’s a woman--an elderly lady. Asleep, I think, as she hasn’t moved since I spotted her.
I start silently backing away so I don’t accidently wake her up, when she suddenly moves, sitting up straighter.
“Hello there, young lady. How do you do?”
I freeze. Maybe if I bluff her, she’ll believe I’m meant to be here. She’s smiling and doesn’t seem to think there's anything wrong about this situation.
“I’m doing well, thank you Madam. How do you do?”
She smiles in a flash of white, “Here to see the sermon, dear?” She gestures to the seats in the darkness around her, “Please take a seat. This is the best view in the House!”
I sit, nodding gratefully in response. Seems like she either believes I’m allowed to be here, or she’s not supposed to be up here either.
“It should begin soon.” She remarks to me conversationally, “We have the best singer in the country, if I do say so myself,” She chuckles quietly to herself, “And such a sweet girl too.”
She seems to need no reply, so I let her chatter on without interference. The church is almost completely silent now. From my perch, I can only see the altar and a few of the left-hand front pews.
A golden head appears at the front and turns around. It’s Melissa, she must be a part of the church leadership if she’s about to start the service. Piano music starts—softly at first before gaining in volume. It silences the few noises remaining, then Melissa opens her mouth—and sings.
The old lady wasn’t wrong when she said they had the best singer in the country. Her voice could rival those of professional performers! She sings the first song alone; an old hymn that we used to sing our church. Apparently, it’s still traditional to sing at the start of a church—or mass in the old days.
She finishes the last verse, her angelic voice ringing though the church. They really knew how to build a good church in the past.
The pastor says a few words of welcome, as well as some church news. Then Melissa, who’s been joined by a few others, rise again and sing another song.
Though I don’t believe in a God anymore, the songs still resonate within me. Something that could be peace washes over me and, somehow, seems to soothe my troubled mind. I relax into the peaceful atmosphere—it’s been years since I felt this calm and relaxed.
Maybe there’s something to this after all.
After a few more songs the music stops and the pastor goes to stand behind the pulpit and starts to preach. On love of all things! I thought sermons were all about hell, and damnation, and ‘if you don’t repent, you’ll go to hell!’--that sort of thing. Either I am extremely mistaken, or this church is the exception.
The service finishes with a few more songs, sung angelically by the singers. I stay seated quietly in me chair and watch the congregation as they leave their seats and interact with the people around them.
I spot Melody walking towards the altar, Julian in tow. They greet the preacher, and Melody seems to have a lot to say to him. After a short while, Melissa joins their little group and draws Julian into the conversation.
I hear a big sigh, and some scuffling movements from behind me. It shows just how much the music got to me that I’d completely forgotten she was there!
“Enjoy the music, did you my dear?” The old woman smiles, getting up with a groan, “Oh my poor bones.”
She walks slowly down the steps and stands by my chair.
“I did tell you we had the best singer in the country,” she chortles happily, “You didn’t believe me, did you?”
I smile back and stand up as well, “I completely believe you now, Madam.” I nod to her politely, “I should get going now, though. Thank you for your hospitality.”
“Oh, that’s alright, deary. You mustn’t keep your friends waiting.”
I turn and head towards the stairs.
“You know,” the old woman remarks casually, walking next to me, “You really remind me of someone. Now who was it?”
I glance at her slightly worried, she’s old enough to remember my mother in detail, and if she recognises me, things could get complicated to say the least.
“Oh really? Well, this is my first time in this country. I’m on holiday from Australia.”
She nods, but remains silent as we head down the stairs, when we come to the bottom, I go to open the door to the auditorium but stop. I have no idea where Melissa is, and the whole reason I hid upstairs was to avoid her.
The old lady ignores my hesitance and opens the door, pulling me out with her.
“Don’t be shy, my dear. Come with me and I’ll get you to the entrance in a jiffy!”
She must think I’m scared of crowded places or something along those lines. My lucks holding; I should be able to make it, if I follow this nice old lady out. And I do. I keep my head down and follow my little old lady out the door as quietly as a shadow.
I turn to go and wait for Melody and Julian in a secluded spot on the outside of the church grounds, but she grabs my arm, stopping me in my tracks. She’s surprisingly strong for such a little old lady.
“I don’t know the real reason you’re here,” she comments quietly, holding up a hand to silence my objections, “But, if you ever need any help, come find me. I’m usually around here somewhere. Ask for Madame Le’grange.”
She lets go as I nod and I move away swiftly, the congregation is starting to trickle out now.
“I hope you find what you’re looking for, little Snow-White.” She calls after me.
I keep moving, but on the inside, I’m panicking. Snow-White; that’s what they nick-named Mother and I, though I was usually referred to as ‘little Snow-White’, or just ‘little Snow’.
No one will believe her. Though I really didn’t want to take that chance or have those sorts of rumours floating around. It could blow my cover if the wrong person hears them.
I find a nice, secluded spot; high up in a tree—people seldom look up—to wait and watch for Melody and Julian to appear. Soon enough they do, along with Melissa. They part at the gate, an apologetic look on Melissa’s face; Melody probably invited her over or something—to meet me—but she had better things to do. Thank goodness.
Once Melissa disappears down the road, I dismount my branch and wander my way over to where they are standing. Julian spots me when I’m only a metre away—which is pretty good as I’m not exactly announcing my presence. He alerts Melody to my presence and she turns towards me, a frustrated and upset expression on her face.
“I thought you agreed to come to church with us?” She sighs disheartened, “If you didn’t want to go, you should have told me!” Melody looks down at her hands, “I would never have forced you to come.”
I look at her astonished, I expected her to be mad at me. Why is she sad when I’m the one who disappeared without telling her?
“You didn’t, that’s not it,” I explain hurriedly, “I just got nervous when I saw all the people, so I went into the church first.”
Melody looks up with wide eyes, hope replacing the sadness on her face.
“I never saw you,” Julian interjects--he thinks I’m lying.
“I was on the second floor. Your friend sang the opening hymn.” I respond, “Ask me anything about the service, I promise I was there.”
I don’t know why I’m going to such lengths to prove I didn’t run away. I should just let them believe I ran away. Why can’t I?
Julian looks as confused as I feel—I guess he doesn’t know the answer either. Melody, on the other hand, appears calmed by my answer, she smiles sweetly at me.
“No need, dear. I believe you. Now should we head back to the hotel, or go out for lunch?”
I shrug my shoulders—I don’t particularly want to deal with any more people, and I have a big night planned. Quite a few big nights planned, actually. But whatever they decide to do is fine.
In the end, Melody and Julian decide to eat out, but they let me go back to the hotel, so I can finally catch up on some much-needed sleep. Even Melody noticed I looked extremely tired.
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