Abigail woke with a strange feeling, as if there was something she couldn't remember. She glanced at the clock on the drab grey walls but the second hand only jerked from side to side. Sighing, she reached for her watch in the pocket of her long skirt but it wasn't there. She patted her sides wondering if she might have put it somewhere else and frantically pulled open the drawers in a chest at her bedside. Only a cowering wood louse peeked up at her with a timid expression. She knew she must have lost her watch.
She quickly changed into a rough linen dress and woollen socks before padding down the stairs to breakfast. What greeted her was most unexpected - a chorus of voices broke out singing
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Abigail, happy birthday to you!"
Applause erupted in the kitchen. Of course! Abigail thought. It's the 25th of November, my birthday! She felt a warmth in her heart reaching out towards the other children when she saw something so unexpected that it made her heart stop. Eva was sitting at the table next to a girl. And not just any girl. Eva was sitting next to a new girl.
Her fair hair tumbled down her head, looking exquisite against her pale skin. Her eyes were as dark as the midnight sky but a clear blue also shone through like a candle in a dark room. Her lips were soft and a pale pink colour and when she smiled she looked all the more beautiful. Abigail couldn't stop herself from staring at the girl and there was only thing that she was thinking about. Mum? she mouthed. The girl looked up at her.
"Hi" she said. "My name is Flora."
YOU ARE READING
Wishing for the Dead
RandomWhen someone you love has died you're always wishing for them back even though you know that it isn't possible. Although, sometimes, maybe they do but not always in the ways that you might expect.
