Winter's Bite

Chapter 2

I helped Aunt Louise around the house. I don't do housework. But figured I should remain in the good books of my one ally.

'You're so like Erin,' my aunt told me as we changed bedding.'I missed her all these years. It's strange, when we were young I was the one wanted to travel. Erin always loved it here. It's funny how life turns out.'

'Why did she leave?'

Aunt Louise hesitated. 'Your mother never spoke about it?'

'Mom said she came to study in America. But she could have studied in Ireland, couldn't she?'

'Maybe this place just got too small for her.'

Aunt Louise shrugged. I felt she hadn't told me everything but let it go. Perhaps once my aunt knew me better she'd open up.

After lunch Aunt Louise suggested I take a walk around the village.

'Change shoes though, or your feet will get soaked.'

She eyed my converse doubtfully.

'I can hunt out some wellies.'

'No thanks, I have snow boots,' I assured her.

Upstairs I pulled on a purple and black snow suit and matching boots, adding a cream and black Tibetian hat with earflaps and thick cream mittens. Last time I'd worn them had been with my parents on our skiing holiday. An empty void swallowed my stomach as I put Iphone and Ipod in my pockets.

'You were prepared for snow,' Aunt Louise commented when I reappeared downstairs.

'Mrs Hagan, my friend Bethany's mother, said Ireland's mostly cold and I should take warm clothes.'

Bethany and I had been best friends since kindergarden and now I'd probably never see her again. I'd stayed with them after the accident until social services arranged flights. I missed her.

'Your friend's mother wasn't wrong,' Aunt Louise said. 'Although we generally have more rain than snow.'

I'd hoped to stay with Bethany. The Hagans had been willing, but social services decided I should go to Aunt Louise.

'Follow the lane straight down to the village. You can't miss it, although there isn't much there. Don't stay out too long,' my aunt continued.

As I opened the front door Aunt Louise pulled me into a hug.

'I do hope you'll be happy here, Caitlin.'

'Thank you. Everybody calls me Cait,' I whispered, afraid my voice would break.

She kissed my forehead and released me. As I turned away with a wave my eyes filled. Perhaps it would be okay here afterall.

The lane glittered like a magical winter's wonderland. Bare tree branches stretched from both sides, forming a tall archway overhead. A weak winter sun shone through on snow patches. The fields on either side were empty, their snow undisturbed. The only sound I heard was snow crunching beneath my boots. I felt like the world's last inhabitant.

Five minutes and several path twists later, the village appeared. The long village street with its slate houses looked like a picture from a chocolate box. I walked down the street, gazing around. Not all the buildings were dwellings. Some had been converted into shops and businesses. I peered through modern grocery stores windows and boutique dress shops. One large house had been converted into a library.