Chapter 20

Aaron starts by having a panic attack about Mam being in hospital but Mr. Barton calmed him down, then, when they went to the hospital, he started to talk about his nightmares to Skye.

Characters
The characters featured in this chapter are Aaron, Skye, Mam and John Barton. A few significant things happened to them, including Aaron's panic attack, John Barton having to calm him down and Skye finds out about Aaron's nightmares.

Plot
Aaron was tidying the chapel for Mr. Barton when Skye walks in asking for help with her homework. Aaron agrees to it as long as it is okay with Mr. Barton. Mr. Barton says it is okay and while saying this, unintentionally reminds Aaron that he is staying for dinner. Aaron panics because he is worried about how Mam is doing in hospital. He has a major panic attack, bowling Skye over. Mr. Barton calms him down and they decide to go and visit Mam at the hospital together. Before they leave, Aaron briefly tells Skye of his nightmares, opening up to someone for the very first time.

Themes
The themes in this chapter would be distress (Aaron's panic attack), courage (Aaron opening up a little bit to Skye), trust (to confide in Skye), love (Aaron loves Mam so much that he worries about her all the time, he is always protective of her).

Key Quotes
Aaron - "My breath snagged and I thought about Mam for the first time in hours. I couldn't stay for dinner, who would look after her?" This shows Aaron's overprotectiveness for Mam.

Skye - "Maybe, but it doesn't mean I don't want to know." This shows Skye's inquisitiveness.

Aaron - "I have this dream. Recurrent. I've had it since I was a kid. Nightmare, really. Lately I have it every time I go to sleep." This shows Aaron's courage and trust to confide in Skye.