Winter's Bite

Chapter 11 Cait

The next morning, after a restless night with little sleep, I went up Garnoran Hilll in search of Owen. I found him seated on a large boulder.

'Have you been here long?'

I had a strange sense he'd been there all night. Silly, of course.

'Not long. How are you?'

'Not too good.' I sat down beside him. 'I keep thinking about the dead boy.'

'Me too.'

'And remembering when Mom and Dad died. I thought I was finally dealing with their deaths. Now it's all crashed down on me again.'

I looked away so he wouldn't see my tears.

'It gets easier.' Owen put his arm around my shoulders. 'I know everyone says so but it's true. When my parents died I thought I'd never get over it. I did. I'll always miss them but the pain fades. You learn to live without that missing part of you.'

'How did they die?'

'A disease. A long time ago. Many people died.'

'I'm glad you didn't.'

'I almost did. My foster father saved me.'

'Is he a doctor?'

'No, just some-one who took pity on a dying boy.'

Owen's voice held a strange tone. I looked at him with curiousity.

'Forgive me. Like I said, it happened a long time ago.'

Sometimes Owen spoke old-fashionedly. I liked it. He wasn't like anyone else I knew.

'I'm glad you survived too.'

Owen ran his fingers down my cheek. I shivered with pleasure.

'Would you do something for me. Would you come meet my family?'

My heart leapt. Owen wouldn't invite me to meet his family unless he really liked me, would he?

'Sure,' I said. 'When?'

'Can you meet at the foot of the lane in fifteen minutes?'

Fifteen minutes. So soon. Thank goodness I'd already dressed up and put make-up on, hoping to see Owen.

'Okay.'

I wondered if my outfit would do. What did you wear when meeting a boy's family? Maybe I should put on a dress? I'd never encountered this situation before.

'Your clothes are fine.' Owen smiled as if he read my mind. 'And don't look so scared. They won't bite.'

He grinned.

'Is it so obvious?' I smiled back.

Owen left me at my gate before heading on down the lane.

I hurriedly touched up my make-up. I decided my best jeans and River Island boots would do but I needed a more formal top.

Eek, five minutes gone already. I threw half my wardrobe's contents on my bed as I hunted for the perfect top. I settled on a blouse with a Peter Pan collar. Did it make me look too young?

I glanced at my phone. No more time. It would do. I grabbed my jacket and ran for the door. As I closed the front door behind me, I realised I should have told my aunt where I headed. My aunt and uncle might not approve.