Woodlington

Chapter 8 - The Storm

Through the window, she could hear as well as see the wind picking up. It shook the branches of trees, and leaves – whipped from their stems - swirled against the panes of glass. The only other sound was the distant snoring of Mrs Dowling. Alex glanced at the ceiling and smiled.

She watched as the sky slowly darkened.

By the time the first stirring of thunder reached her ears, the clouds were overhead. As the deep rumble crept through the open window, a face suddenly mashed itself against the glass.

She nearly screamed.

It was Jessie of course. Scowling, Alex hurried to the back door and opened it. The wind tried to whip it out of her grasp, and she had to hold on tightly.

"You nearly gave me a heart attack," she whispered.

"I couldn't help it," grinned Jessie.

She was back to wearing her boots and coat, and Alex was glad. Walking barefoot through a storm didn't bear thinking about, especially in the dark.

"Honestly, I just had to do it."

Alex smiled.

"Well seeing as how I'd have done the same, can't say I blame you."

She pointed at the sky.

"Looks like you were right."

"The storm? Course I was. Anyway, are you ready?"

Alex nodded.

Letting Jessie hold the door for her, she slipped into her own boots and coat and stepped outside.

"Wow!"

She braced herself against the wind.

"Yeah, wow," repeated Jessie. "This storm's going to be amazing. Here, help me with the door."

Together they managed to shut it.

"Where's Gypsy?" asked Alex, looking round.

Jessie shook her head.

"Can't bring him out in a storm, he'll be scared witless."

"What, the lightning?"

"Thunder, he hates it. Anyway, come on."

She turned and made her way onto the patio.

Before following, Alex looked up.

It was scary.

The clouds were a writhing mass of bruises, hanging so low she wondered if she could reach out and touch them.

She hurried to catch Jessie. It wasn't easy; the wind seemed to have a mind of its own, an unpleasant one, and was trying to push her against the house.

Alex brushed hair from her eyes and squinted through the leaves and twigs being thrown at her. She could hardly see a thing.

"I've known it dark before," yelled Jessie, sounding breathless. "Especially during a storm. But never this dark."

Unable to help herself, Alex stole another glance at the sky.

Inside the darkness were colours, but they were hard to pin down. One moment she thought she saw purple, the next, green. How on earth was it not raining already?

She yelped as a twig struck her face, too close to her eye for comfort.

"Come on," shouted Jessie.

She had to shout, the wind was making it hard to hear now.

"It'll be quieter in the garden."

She tugged Alex's sleeve, and together they hurried towards the shadowy outline of bushes and trees.