Finally I reach a grove of trees. Wait, catch me breath, look for the light, but it is no longer shining. Then I hear singing, fading in and out on the breeze. I follow the sound, move silent, slip from tree to tree. As I get closer, I also hear the sound of water, a river flowing past. Overhead, the clouds suddenly part and the full moon beam down, turning the grove silver like in a dream. And I start to make out shapes in the silver moonlight. Strange shapes, shimmering in white. Could be a gathering of them duppies Calla always used to go on bout. I move closer, stay hidden, just in case. Is a group of men and women softly singing a hymn of praise for the Lord. They standing in a circle, dressed all in white, the women with turbans wrapped tight round them head. Leading the singing is a backra preacher dressed in red robes, him face covered in sweat.

When the hymn done, him call out.

‘Step up now! Step up, all those sinners who want to be saved.’ Nobody make a move so him lift up him arms again and say, ‘Don’t be afraid, my children. After tonight, you’ll be under the protection of the love of Jesus Christ, your saviour. Come, come my children, come and be cleansed of all your sins. Be saved.’

Preachers, some white, some black, used to come visit Rock Pleasant when Massa gave permission, held the service under the shade of a large guango tree. But this baptism business is different, done in secret. Is the first time I see it like this.

I remember after one of them visits, Stella told me she got baptised. She made Eliza do it too, but not me, and not Sammy. We said no. Is one of the few times we agreed. And after what backra did to Stella, hard to believe Jesus going save anybody, much less a slave.