The distance between us

The Party

Outside, everyone was dancing. Girls in frilly dresses, boys in suits. I admired their mother's stitch-work, my own dress a pale blue, with shoulder-less sleeves that hook over my thumbs. Not the usual, but then again, I'm not the usual. I'm the daughter of the pack Alphas. I don't have to be like everyone else.

I wander over to one of the food stalls, my sensitive nose overflowing with thousands of different scents; spices from the furthest corners of the earth; citrus fruits that make my mouth water just thinking about how sour they'll be; meats bathed in paprika and salts - my favourites are the lamb chops Ms. Barnaby makes - when she cooks them, she stuffs them with garlic and vegetables so they absorb all the tastes. When she puts into a wrap for you, all the juices drip out the bottom. Mmm. I can't resist. I skip over to the stall where I can see the lamb slowly turning on a spit over a fire. It's crispy, honey-covered outside makes me slaver just looking at it.

"Lovely dress my dear," she says. "That colour suits you!"
" Thank you, Ms. Barnaby. I really love Eliza's dress. That lilac is just to die for!"
Eliza is Ms. Barnaby's granddaughter. Her father died a few years ago during a territory scout. He went too close to the edge of the ravine. The ground fell away beneath him. He was gone before they could reach him. So Eliza and her mother live with Ms. Barnaby now, and nothing could be better for them. A warm, comfy bed each, and homemade breakfasts ready for them each morning. This year for Eliza's birthday, Ms. Barnaby made her a beautiful lilac dress, and Eliza couldn't help but wear it to the festival. It really suits her. And many of her admirers do too. Young lovers. It's so cute seeing her and Luke dancing together and laughing. I'm only two years older than her, but we couldn't be closer. When she turns around to face me, I wave at her and mouth " Do you want a wrap?"
She couldn't nod her head faster.
I smile and turn round to face Ms. Barnaby. "Two please."