Satellite Heart

Prologue

Oxfordshire countryside - Summer 2004

"Girls! Wait for me please!" I can distinctively hear my dad shouting at Emma and I, his voice not strong enough to cover our loud giggles.

It had become our little family tradition to spend a night in the woods, except this time mum and Rob decided against joining us. Every summer, we would go and visit our family near Oxford, and dad would take us to a gorgeous clearing nested right behind our grandparents' cottage. It felt like we were the only ones who knew where to find it: our secret place.

My heart raced as I darted through the woods, brushing away the branches grabbing at my arms and legs. The familiar smell of dew on moss filled the night and dappled tree trunks loomed around me, watching as I went. If it weren't for the brightness of the moon, I would not be able to find my way. The gorgeous moon, so variable, was always fascinating to me.

Panting and shaking, I celebrated "FIRST! PAHA EM, I WIN!"

My cry of victory was soon followed by my little sister's footsteps, before she jumped on my back and started tickling me. "You might be faster, but I am stealthier than you!"

At long last, our father caught up with us and started setting up our midnight camp: my favourite blanket covered with animal patterns, some snacks and a homemade telescope we built together a few months before. As we all settled down, Em already pouncing on the food, Dad cleared his throat and started talking :

"Miss Emma, Miss  Juliette," he starts, switching to his professor voice. "It is my greatest honour to have you both here with me on this lovely night."

With a sweep of his arms, he gestures to the sky above us.

"We are lucky my darlings; the sky is clear, which should make it easier for us to see the stars tonight."

We listened intently to his words, our eyes wide, an engaged audience listening to Dad teach us about the stars.

"Dad?" I interrupted him, shyly.

"Yes, love?" He replied, his back facing me.

"Can you tell us more about the moon?" I enquired, my hands tucked away in the pockets of my hoodie. I should have brought my gloves, but as usual I was too excited to plan ahead.

Dad turned around and knelt down in front of me and put his hands on my shoulders.

"Nothing in this world would give me greater pleasure, Madame!"

His words caused both of our faces to light up with smiles.

"First off... Did you two know that the Moon is Earth's only natural satellite? It means that the Moon rotates around the Earth." He would point out to the big white dot, making round movements with his fingers.

"Satellites - natural or artificial - can influence the weather, the sea's tides, the way we can communicate... See the moon? Everybody on the planet sees the very same moon we are looking at now." 

I can hear my sister gasping, as our dad continues his talk.

"That is the reason why during the War you would find people telling their loved ones to stare at the moon and take comfort from knowing that they were thinking of them." 

But that was a long time ago...