A Winter's Tale

Chapter 1

Ring, ring... Dad picking up the phone, putting it on loud speaker...

"Hello?"

"Good evening. We have some news for Mr. Major."

"Yes. That's me."

"It is concerning Mrs Abena Major."

"Yes? How's she doing?"

"Well unexpectedly she has passed away. We are very sorry about this."

Silence. Dad looking shocked, then overwhelmed as it sunk in.

"Thank you for letting us know...Sorry, who's speaking?"

"Leia."

"Ok. Well thank you very much."

The line ending.

Dad's countenance as he turned to face us. His realisation that we'd heard the conversation...

"Ashley, get up! Get ready for school, and pull yourself together! You have 20 minutes till school starts."

Ashley rolled out of bed, and rubbed her temples. She pondered over the nightmare she'd had. They were becoming more frequent, like someone was trying to tell her something. The death had been very sudden; the hospital had admitted it themselves. But the lady on the phone hadn't given much detail, maybe because there wasn't much to say about it, but what is they'd been hiding something? Now Ashley was sure she saw overthinking.

She brushed her teeth and had a hot shower in her en suite, which woke her up. Ashley dressed in the uniform of St. Joseph's and jogged downstairs meeting her little sister Lillie eating pancakes. Ashley's dad flipped some onto another plate and pulled it in front of a chair.

"Good morning, honey. You'd better hurry."

"Morning."

Ashley looked round to find the clock which showed 08:30. 10 minutes to get to school.

Just as Ashley stood up out of her seat, Thomas Junior came down the stairs.

"Tom, take some fruit to eat on the way. You've only 5 minutes to arrive at school. How many times do I have to say not to spend too long in the shower?"

"At least I brush my teeth properly, unlike someone!"

Thomas was looking at Lily.

"Tom, think logically, she's 8 years younger than you! There'd be no surprise if you did!"

Lily argued, "I do brush my teeth well, thank you very much!"

Their dad sighed, as Thomas rolled his eyes.

Ashley sighed as the rest of her family bickered amongst themselves. If her mother had been there, the argument would've been settled ages ago; she knew that his dad did try, but still...

"Kids, hurry along now!"

The trio grabbed their bags and headed out, all half-heartedly saying their goodbyes to their father.

"Bye kids. Have a great day!"

Thomas collected his bag and car keys and exited the house, locking the door behind him. He unlocked his BMW 7 Series Saloon and drove to work.