Kindling the Blaze by Leslie Johnson

Author:Leslie Johnson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Atrevida Publishing

“Congratulations, Francine! Oh, I’m so happy for you.” Veronika trilled cheerfully when she heard the news. “I take it you’ve visited St Andrews? What’s it like?”

“Tiny,” Francine replied, trying to muster the unadulterated joy she had felt when the offer first came through. “If you can imagine Badenburg without the mountains but with university buildings everywhere—it’s like living on campus, except the whole town is the campus!”

“Mmm,” Veronika took a sip of her coffee. “Sounds very different than where you got your first degree.”

“It is,” Francine nodded. “Boston U and MIT were both easy to escape from, being in such a big city. It was great, but it was all really modern and bustling. I feel like I’m ready for something quieter now, and I’m a total sucker for historical buildings. You go to Boston and they’ll tell you that it’s a city full of history, but it’s nothing like this. Medieval ruins, a castle, initials in the ground where Protestant martyrs got burned in the 16th century. It’s crazy, it’ll be like living in a museum!”

“Are you going to sell your apartment?” Veronika asked.

“No. Definitely not. My grandmother would never forgive me. I’m planning to rent it out, if I can. It’ll help keep me going while I’m studying. Doing this is not going to be cheap. Amazing, yes, but expensive. I’ve got a little funding, but renting out the apartment will make things a lot easier.”

They sat for a few moments, drinking their coffee, eating morsels of cherry cake. Francine liked concentrating on practicalities like accommodation and funding. It spared her from dealing with any of the messier emotional issues.

“Have you told Erich yet?” Veronika inquired, stepping right into the middle of Francine’s biggest concern.

“No.” Francine was shocked to hear her own voice coming out small and powerless. She pulled herself together and continued. “Please, don’t say anything to him. Not yet. I’m planning to tell him when he comes back from his shift. I’ll let you know how it goes.”

Veronika nodded. “I won’t say a word until you tell me it’s okay.” She glanced down at her wristwatch. “Aren’t you supposed to be catching the bus in a few minutes?”

Francine started. “Yes, I am!” Frantically she began to gather her belongings, scrabbling around in her purse for cash to cover her coffee and cake. “I’ve got to meet the rental agents about the apartment. Thanks for reminding me!”

“No problem,” Veronika smiled, shaking back her long dark hair. “I’ll get this, you can get the next one—go get your bus!”

With a few more words of profuse thanks, Francine high-tailed it out of the café and dashed toward the bus stop.

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