One Hundred Names (Special Edition)

witnesses.’
    ‘I’ll film it on my iPhone so you can have video footage of you completing the challenge,’ Sam offered.
    ‘And I’ll be taking plenty of photos,’ Steve added. ‘And it will be backed up by the presence of a journalist who is going to write about it.’
    Jedrek, ever the sentimental one, seemed moved by their kind words of encouragement, though he remained cynical over the possibility of acquiring the adjudicator.
    While Steve was talking to Eugene about butterflies and how best to grow butterfly-friendly flowers in his allotment, Kitty sat in the seat next to Ambrose.
    ‘The devil’s-bit scabious will grow in damp and dry situations, the Ragged Robin, primroses, violets, the common dandelion …’ Eugene listed off as Steve nodded his head but didn’t say a word.
    ‘I really appreciate you coming today,’ Kitty said gently. ‘I know it’s not … easy for you.’ Kitty had meant it in a kind way but it seemed to anger Ambrose.
    ‘Because of my face,’ Ambrose snapped, turning to Kitty and fixing her with that angry green eye. ‘I know about the conversation you had with Eugene. He shouldn’t have told you what he told you.’
    Kitty had to cast her mind back to figure out what she shouldn’t know but she instantly guessed it was the surgery Ambrose was saving for to have the birthmark removed. Eugene had told Kitty that all of Ambrose’s savings were going towards multiple laser surgeries, which would be needed to remove what they called a disfiguring birthmark, though Kitty thought the opposite was true: if anything it did not mar her beauty in any way but added to it; she was like some exotic-looking butterfly that she had framed on her walls. But she doubted Ambrose would believe her if she told her this.
    ‘We weren’t talking about you in the way in which I think you think we were,’ Kitty said slowly.
    Ambrose frowned, confused. ‘Yes, I’m sure you weren’t having a laugh at my expense, or discussing poor Ambrose’s disgusting face. I don’t want you writing about it. I don’t want any mention of my appearance in the article.’
    ‘The article is about you, Ambrose. If I can’t write about you, I can’t write the article.’
    ‘Well then, we might as well pull the bus over here because I will not give you permission to mock me in public.’
    ‘Why do you think I’m planning to mock you? On the contrary. If you must know, and I think you must, the only reason Eugene told me about the laser surgery is because he
doesn’t
want you to have it done.’ Kitty knew she was speaking out of turn but felt it would be harmless to smooth over the obvious misunderstanding between her and Ambrose, and obviously between Eugene and Ambrose. Ambrose couldn’t see how he felt about her.
    ‘What?’
    ‘He was comparing you to the butterflies that you both adore and cherish, and he said you were special for all the same reasons: you were rare, exotic and entirely you. He said he thinks you’re beautiful exactly the way you are now. That’s the only reason we were talking about you, I promise,’ Kitty said.
    Ambrose’s mouth opened and closed as she tried to process the information. She wanted to be angry, Kitty could tell – any discussion or comment on her appearance immediately made her so – but for once, this didn’t. She eventually closed her mouth and Kitty saw the hint of a small smile.
    Kitty had wanted to use this journey to do as she’d promised Gaby, by getting to know Eva better, but quickly after they’d left Dublin, Eva was seated beside Birdie and the two were deeply engrossed in conversation. Edward was sitting in the tour guide’s chair beside Molly and they were arguing about the route to take to Cork to best encompass everyone’s destination. After the city, they could make it to Birdie’s hometown of Nadd by the afternoon, and Eva’s wedding was tomorrow. Kitty had it all planned out, but it was this that caused her to worry: things never went according to plan. Kitty desperately wanted to get in on Birdie and Eva’s conversation but she couldn’t. Instead, Mary-Rose made her way from the back of the bus to where Kitty was indecisively hovering.
    ‘Kitty, do you mind if we have a word?’ She seemed anxious and so they sat in a row of two vacant seats where Kitty could still hear Steve being lectured by Eugene on how better to help conserve butterflies on his father’s land.
    ‘Is everything okay?’
    ‘Yes, everything’s great.