hourglass | h.s.

iv

Europa loved the rain.  She grew up in the rain, danced in it, and wore the smell of it on all of her clothes; like the flower she was.  While a lot of the people she lived around paid no mind to the weather (seeing as it was the norm for dreary England), Europa considered herself lucky to have grown up in such a climate.  She couldn't imagine living somewhere without it, such as a desert or a place of which it was a rarity, and quite frankly, she didn't want to imagine a life without it.  She was happy and content with her little life in Kentford, and she was even happier about it when it rained.

The way she figured it, rain made everything sweeter.  Rain made warmth feel warmer, colours look brighter, sounds become amplified, and her personal favourite, rain made the sun feel... happier.  Almost like you could feel it shining on both sides of your body at once, but not quite. 

So as she looked out at the heavy rainfall, she smiled.  She felt the warmth of her shoppe, enjoyed the stark contrast of her yellow wellies, listened to the pitter patter against the roof, and thought about how sweet the next time she saw the sun would be.  That was, until the familiar sound of the bell over the door interrupted such thoughts.

"Europa! Europa!" a small voice cried, stamping her small feet on the door mat. "You'll never guess what!"

Europa knew that voice, like she knew every other voice.  But this one was special, for it belonged to the girl that Europa felt lucky enough to call one of her best friends: little Katherine.  Or, as she so vehemently insisted to be called, Kitty.

"What is it, Kitty?" Europa asked, meeting the girl on the other side of the counter. "And where's your mum?"

"She's down at the market, but that doesn't matter!"

Europa shook her head, laughing a little at the girl's theatrics.  Nevertheless, she took her seriously.

"Apologies.  What was it that you were going to tell me?"

"Guess what store is opening up just across the road!"

"What store?"

"A Caplin Co., Europa!  Right across the street from you!"

Truth be told, Europa already knew.  She was reminded of the chain every time she looked outside, and she was conflicted.  It was no secret that something big was coming to Kentford, seeing as for a good month or so all she could see (and hear) were construction workers working on the old abandoned building across the road.  And when she found out it was a Caplin Co., she didn't know how to react.   On one hand, it would surely bring in more revenue for the town and therefore the people would reap the benefits of that, but on the other hand, it would take away from the charm of the town.  One thing people liked about visiting Kentford was that there weren't places like Caplin Co. on every corner.  They liked the simplicity of the town.  Or maybe that's just what she liked about it.

"Well that sure is exciting news, then!"

"Yes! I was talking to my mum and she said that someone told her that it would open on Friday!"

"This Friday?"

Kitty nodded, a full smile spreading over her face, leaving her missing front tooth on display.

"Whenever I have to go to London, my mummy takes me to the big Caplin Co., and she lets me pick something."

The thing about Kentford was this: it was a small town, and therefore diversity was not its strongest of suits.  So just as Europa was the only person to be adopted in town, Kitty was the only child that was sick.

Kitty had been diagnosed with sickle cell anaemia when she was just a baby, and frequently had to travel into the larger cities (such as London) to receive treatment.  It was tough on her, and she felt the repercussions, but she was a trooper.  It wasn't uncommon for Kitty's mother to leave her with Europa during the days when Kitty missed school and both she and her husband worked, and Kitty loved those days the most.  Granted, it was usually when she was feeling poorly, but Europa made it all better.  She always did.