The Arctic Curry Club by Dani Redd

Author:Dani Redd [Redd, Dani]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2021-10-05T12:00:00+00:00

24

The arrival of the next residential group coincided with an Arctic blizzard of such intensity I worried my hut would get blown away. I cracked open the door of the cabin and watched as the snow whirled in relentless, chaotic rhythms. The wind swelled to a howling crescendo. Overnight the storm grew teeth and claws, became frenzied in its intent on destruction. I was sure I could hear noises inside as well. When I finally slept I dreamed of being lost in the Arctic, staggering like a sleepwalker across the ice in search of something familiar. Finally, I saw a light in the distance. As I drew closer I realised it was an igloo, the interior illuminated. Dad and Uma were huddled on the sofa, a large furry blanket tugged across their laps.

‘Make a curry from it, won’t you? There are so many recipes to choose from,’ Uma said, holding something up.

It was the carcass of a polar bear, teeth still bared in a snarl.

I woke up with a start. Since I’d moved up here, I’d been having the strangest dreams. But this one was easier to decode than most.

There are so many recipes to choose from.

Mum’s recipe book was still in the suitcase. I extracted it and I experienced that strange plummeting sensation again. But it was less intense this time, and mixed in with something else. Curiosity. Perhaps even excitement. Slowly, I turned the pages. Most were dishes I hadn’t heard of before. Bisebele bath. Poriyal. Payasam. Karela fry. Sometimes the handwriting was neat, measured. Other times it was so illegible I couldn’t tell what language was being used. One recipe had been scribbled over so violently that holes had been gouged into the paper. Feeling unsettled, I flipped to the next page. It was a complete contrast, the writing neat and evenly spaced. She’d even doodled some flowers in the margin. Khichdi, the title read. The name was familiar – I was sure I’d heard Nina mention it before.

A high-pitched noise made me drop the recipe book onto the bed. It sounded like a demonic baby. It’s just the wind, I told myself. The sooner I was back in human company, the better.

There it was again; a shrill wail that made my scalp prickle.

Something, or someone, was in the room.

I jumped out of bed and threw my body against the door. It didn’t budge. I looked out of the window and saw the glass was covered with snow. It was like the whole hut was completely submerged. My pulse skyrocketed. I hammered on the door as loudly as I could.

‘Help! I’m snowed in!’

Why had Adam confiscated my phone? Now I’d just have to sit here and wait for help. Perhaps whatever was in here would devour me before I got rescued. I redoubled my hammering on the door.

‘Maya,’ said a muffled voice from outside. ‘It’s Adam.’

‘Get me out of here!’

‘I need to get a shovel.’

‘There’s something in here. Something that shrieked.’

‘It might be an Arctic Fox.’

‘Oh shit. Is it dangerous? What do I do?’

‘No, it’s just seeking shelter.

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