Jess is finally going! That New Zealand holiday is at its dawn, and all she can think of is landscapes, walks and adventures. But what she does not expect to find, is what is waiting around the corner - someone.
Someone who will turn her holiday up...
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The Sun rose with Jess and her bounding expectations. Had she been much of a reader, this line from Macbeth might have come to mind:
'I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself and falls on th' other'.
While Macbeth may have been talking about murdering the king and rather more malicious intents, Jess was so full of ambitious fantasies that day, it was highly unlikely that most of them would come to fruition.
But then again, they had filled her dreams with dappled sunlight and tumbling waterfalls - and still they were there, when she opened her eyes and took in the cosy little room she was in.
It was small, and had that almost rustic, log cabin feel, that ran throughout the house. Still, this was not nearly overwhelming, being neutralised somewhat by the drapes, carpets and furnishings that made it seem slightly more modern, and a whole lot more cosy.
Shivering, Jess left the room, treading lightly over the clothes she had somehow already managed to abandon on the floor. Carefully prying open the door and shutting it behind her, she was eternally thankful that it did not squeak. Her mother was still sleeping, and Jess knew she needed her rest before the big hike-walk.
Sure, the Sun was just peering over the horizon. Sure it was only just about half-past five. But Jess had always been a morning person, and this morning - this was a big one.
Hopping over to the little kitchen, puffing on her numb hands, she put the water to boil and plucked a sachet of 3-in-1 Milo from the snack bag, thanking the gods for the thoughtfulness of her mother, and the little taste of home she would soon get to sip from her mug.
It was not like she missed home just yet (she doubted that she ever could). She just longed for those simple homely comforts you overlook so easily when you have them - especially when you have never before woken up, to find the air around you chilled to below ten degrees.
So, revelling in the hot, sweet, chocolatey sips of Milo, she perched herself by one of the windows, looking out at the copse of trees surrounding the cottage. Peeking through the very corner of the window, she fancied she saw what was to be a part of their walk. Her heart gave flutter of anticipation.
Slowly (it seemed to Jess) but surely, the family awoke and got out of bed. Once everyone had freshened up, put on clothes fit for an adventure, and started on breakfast, the Sun had already properly risen.
"Alrighty folks it's nine o'clock and we are late!" Aunt Charlotte declared, grabbing her things and fishing in her bag for the car keys. They were supposed to have left at eight.
Jess glanced over at her mother, who was tugging on another jacket. She was looking just as excited as her, but somehow, it seemed, already a little weary. Jess was tempted to announce cheekily that maybe her mother was still not ready. But as they all trooped outside, and Jess stared at her mother's turned back, the words dissolved into memory; the tolerance for that sort of thing seemed to be too thin to risk it just then...
