Ways to See a Ghost

said Cally to Philip. “Although I suppose it’s less since I started seeing Gil.”
    Philip nodded, his eyes on Cally. But when he spoke it was loud enough for everyone to hear. “Children act out what they see around them, especially if their parents are absent or unpredictable. But screaming and shouting at them never helps, I think we can all agree on that.”
    “She wasn’t screaming at me,” said Isis.
    “Bringing up a child on your own can be very challenging,” said Philip.
    “But you must restrain yourself,” Andrea told Cally. “Put her needs first.”
    Cally stared at her. “I do!”
    Andrea raised her eyebrows, and glanced at Philip.
    Suddenly Isis understood; Philip had already started laying the groundwork on his threat. He’d obviously told the others his ‘concerns’ about Cally. There was an almost invisible smile on his lips as he listened to Andrea lecture Cally about childcare, and watched Cally’s growing irritation.
    “I’ll help,” said Isis loudly. She looked at Cally. “You were right, I was being selfish.”
    Cally blinked, then smiled at her. “Thank you, darling.” Her anger was gone like it had never been, and she kissed the top of Isis’s head, unaware of the cold, scrutinising stares of the other adults.
    They walked out into the wheat, Philip leading the adults and Isis following reluctantly after. As they trod the narrow tramline into the crop, Jean dropped back so she was walking with Isis. She didn’t say anything for a moment, then she put her thin-boned hand on Isis’s shoulder and gave a little squeeze.
    “Don’t worry, dear,” she said. “Things may be difficult with your mother, but I hope you won’t have to put up with living with her for much longer.”

On my own.
    It was the first time in years I hadn’t gone out UFO-chasing with Dad. Each time I thought about it, everyone out there without me, it made me feel sick inside, you know? And I was worried about Isis too.
    I said sorry to Dad, of course I did. Loads of times, actually. I asked if I could go with him. I reminded him Friday was one of the nights I was meant to be at his place, and how Mum would go mental if he cancelled because she’d already arranged a meal out with Brian. I tried anything I could think of, but he wouldn’t budge. I didn’t say anything to Mum, cos I hoped he’d change his mind in the end.
    Friday, about half past five, Mum dropped me off atDad’s. I got out, ran to the door and waved back at her, like everything was normal. I didn’t want Dad to have a chance to talk to her. I rang the doorbell, and by the time Dad answered, Mum was already driving off.
    He was holding one of his monitors. It was covered in bubble wrap, ready to go in the van. He frowned at me, so I pointed at my rucksack.
    “I’m packed.”
    Dad peered out of the door, but Mum had gone. He frowned at me again, all serious.
    “I’ve already told you, Gray, you can’t come along, not this time. Cally wouldn’t like it, and I don’t want any more arguments. I need to be able to concentrate on my work.”
    “Isis is going to be there. If she can go, why can’t I?”
    Dad shook his head. “I don’t decide what Isis does. Anyway, Cally said Philip Syndal specifically asked for Isis to go.” He rolled his eyes. “Apparently Isis has got psychic powers now, or whatever.” He looked at me. “But you haven’t.”
    “Please!”
    “No. You’re staying here. Watch a film or something, stay up as late as you want.”
    I plonked my rucksack on the floor. “You’re not allowed to leave me on my own all night.”
    Dad snorted. “Are you a baby? You’ve been on your own loads of times.”
    Which was true, and another thing I never told Mum.
    Dad put the monitor into a cardboard box. “Look, Gray. I can’t risk things with Cally. Not now, when she’s already threatened to break it off.”
    “But you’ve had loads of girlfriends!” I yelled. “And the chasing trips were always
our
thing.” About the only thing we ever did, just the two of us.
    Dad didn’t even stop packing up.
    “This is different!” he said. “Cally’s important, you know?”
    More important than I was.
    “If you won’t let me go with you, I’m going to tell Mum!”
    Now Dad stopped, staring at me. “Tell her what? What are you on about?”
    My hands were in fists.
    “I’ll tell her,” I said, “about the times you dragged me along on your dates. And the times you left me here on my own, so you could