Today Clarissa Cartharn stops by to share an excerpt from her book, Winter’s End.
Excerpt from Winter’s End
It was one of those rare days when the sun would shine over the mass of dense dark clouds. She did not know how long the good day would last but she wanted to make the best use of it. She drove down the highway and toward Broadford. Jai sat beside her, his eyes focused on his book. Hannah meanwhile was clearly busy as there was silence reigning in the car, other than her occasional burst of excitements in between the beeps of her Nintendo DS device.
Ten minutes later, the row of shops and busyness of the small town began to emerge in the distance. As Emma neared the co-op, she couldn’t help but admire the blue of the sea that bordered the bay.
“How long are we going to be?” asked Jai, looking at a white van pulling out of a parking bay.
“Hopefully not that long,” she answered. “We’re short of groceries and general cleaning stuff.”
“Would it be okay if you dropped me at the library while you’re doing the shopping,” he asked.
“Jai…,” she started.
“Please Mum,” he said. “I really can’t be bothered following you and a trolley today.”
“Fine,” she sighed. It might be for the best, she thought to herself. “How about you, Hannah? Coming with Mum or staying with Jai?”
“Jai,” she replied without looking away from her game.
Emma swung at the turn and pulled in front of the library. “Jai, I need you to stay here until I get back” she reminded. “Okay?”
“Yes,” he said hopping out the door quickly in case his mother changed her mind.
“Jai?” she called out through the window. “Stay here. And take care of your sister.”
“Mum, chill!” he shouted back as he ran after Hannah, who was already racing through the doors of the library. “I heard you!”
Emma watched them disappear between the automatic doors before heading back into the main street and towards the co-operative store. She parked at the closest parking bay she could find. She glided out of her car and walked briskly towards the supermarket. An elderly couple walked by her giving her a curious second glance.
She didn’t think much of it and began her routine of hunting for items on her shopping list. A few others smiled at her as she walked by them with her trolley. She smiled back aware that she was now living in a much smaller part of the world than she was used to. She was bound to get recognised sooner or later as the woman who moved from London to Breakish with two kids.
“You’re the woman who moved to Breakish with two kids, right?” asked the middle aged blonde cashier. She looked Emma over with a smile as she swiped the shopping items.
Emma returned a small, nervous smile.
“I’m Lisa,” the cashier said.
Emma glanced down at her name tag. “Lisa” she read silently.
“I’m Emma,” she said aloud.
“I live two houses down from yours,” Lisa said. “Where did you come from?”
“London,” Emma answered.
“London?” a weaker, older voice answered from behind her. “I’ve been to London once. A long time ago.”
She looked behind her to find an old man approximately in his eighties holding a gallon of milk and a box of cereals. His old wrinkled face held up a frown high on his forehead, a set of spectacles sat at the end of his nose and his thinning gray hair was slicked back. He looked back at her with steel greying eyes.
“Matthew,” Lisa growled. “Don’t mind him,” she told Emma. “He is actually quite a sweet old man once you get to know him. Isn’t that right, Matthew?” She gave him a side grin as she swiped another item across her scanner.
Matthew Allaway harrumphed in indignation looking away. “You should stop with the chit-chat, so I can get on my way,” he grumbled.
Lisa smiled again and turned to Emma. “I’m at number 17. If you need anything don’t be afraid to knock.”
“You live next to Mrs. Kinnaird’s property then,” said the old man, his eyes giving Emma a harsh appraisal.
“Yeah,” chirped in Lisa quickly before Emma could answer. “I know, ” she said as she rolled up her eyes.
Lisa put the items into a shopping bag. “That would be a hundred and fifty three pounds and forty-four p’s.”
“Do you mind if I use a credit card?” asked Emma.
“Certainly not,” said Lisa, pulling forward the mobile terminal and handing it over to her.
Emma punched in her pin. “Lisa,” she asked quietly over her eyebrows. “Is there something I need to know about Mr.s. Kinnaird?”
Lisa stared at her blankly. “No,” she muttered at last. “Here’s your receipt.” She handed Emma the small slip of paper.
Emma took it hesitantly. She bit her lips thoughtfully as she picked up her shopping bags.
“Stay away from the old lady,” said Matthew.
Emma turned but Matthew was not looking at her. He was laying his gallon of milk and box of cereal on the counter. Lisa tried to avoid Emma’s questioning stare.
“She’s trouble. Always have been,” added Matthew, turning slightly towards her now. He gave her the same icy cold look that he had given her earlier.
About Winter's End (2013)
Clarissa is interested in learning new languages and is currently on a quest on conquering Mandarin Chine
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About the Author:
I was born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England and have always been a bookworm and enjoyed creative writing at school. In 1999 I created the Elencheran Chronicles and have been writing ever since. My first novel, Fezariu's Epiphany, was published in May 2011. When not writing I'm a lover of films, games, books and blogging. I now live in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, with my wife, Donna, and our six cats - Kain, Razz, Buggles, Charlie, Bilbo and Frodo.
David M. Brown – who has written 856 posts on Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave.
