Winter Damage
Page 22
‘More than that.’
‘More than everythin? Hell.’
Ennor sighed. ‘For teachin me stuff, bout life. You taught me to love life. I’ll miss that, I’ll miss you.’
Sonny smiled. ‘It’s true you don’t make lists any more and you don’t count half as much.’
Ennor agreed and she looked out to sea to watch the boat drifting towards the shore.
‘This is goodbye then,’ she said.
‘Until the next time,’ said Sonny. ‘You’ll see me along the line. Don’t worry bout that, greenhorn.’
She hugged Ennor and then Trip and the dog and went to join the boys, who were sitting on the harbour wall.
Ennor and Trip waded out to the boat with the dog awkward between them and they sat crying and stupid among strangers. Ennor watched the beach and waited for Sonny to go and she laughed when she came back down to the shore to stand proud in the surf.
‘You cryin, Sonny Pengelly?’
‘Nope.’
‘Looks like you are. What is it you want to say?’
Sonny shrugged. ‘I guess I’ll miss you un all.’
The boat was loaded and two oarsmen were set to take turns in rowing the distance.
‘There’s somethin else,’ shouted Sonny.
‘What?’
‘Bout the end of the world.’
‘Go on.’
‘Only it’s not the end, is it, it’s the beginnin.’
Ennor smiled. ‘I’ll be seein you.’
They were both smiling and they were both crying and it was true, life would go on. Winter had its damage done but things would soon heal and be forgotten and gone.
Ennor knew this and it was not wishing or hoping or banking on luck. It was the truth and as she thought it she sank her arm into the water and let go of the picture frame, two strangers’ faces, one and two, and gone for ever.
Bloomsbury Publishing, London, New Delhi, New York and Sydney
First published in Great Britain in August 2013 by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
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This electronic edition published in August 2013 by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Copyright © Natasha Carthew 2013
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eISBN 978 1 4088 3584 5
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