Winter’s Wishfall by Ceri Houlbrook

Author:Ceri Houlbrook
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black & White Publishing

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The next day, we found ourselves back in the valley, sharing the odd word and snack, but otherwise reading in silence. I’d brought one of my favourite books with me – an anthology of Māori myths re-worked into modern stories by Māori writers – in the hope that Cole would turn up. I placed it between us with a pointed, ‘If you’re interested in whales . . .’

Cole had also come prepared. He swapped my book for The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. ‘One of my favourites as a kid.’

‘I’m not really into sci-fi,’ I admitted, picking it up doubtfully.

‘But you are into travel writing,’ he pointed out. ‘Think of it as a . . . cosmic travel guide.’

And that’s exactly what it was. I loved every page of it, laughing out loud at some sections, and justifying it as a foreign-language book because of the myriad made-up terms it contained. Cole seemed equally engrossed in the book I’d brought, not once opening his briefcase.

The next day followed the same pattern, only this time Cole was waiting outside the house for me after breakfast and we walked to the valley together.

‘What have you brought me today?’ he asked, as we settled down beneath our respective trees. I noticed he hadn’t even bothered to bring his briefcase.

Grinning, I pulled out the funniest book in my collection: a comedic take on Homer’s The Odyssey from the perspective of a rubber duck. Toby and Mike had bought it as a going-away present when I’d come to work for Jones Associates. Their handwritten inscription told me to have a ‘quacking adventure’.

To my surprise and delight, the book Cole offered in exchange was entitled Pioneering Penwomen: A history of female travel writers.

‘I saw it in a charity shop a few weeks ago and thought of you,’ was all he said, handing it over.

I held it delicately, like the precious treasure it was.

That afternoon as we walked back up to the house, I noticed movement in the distance. Clementine, Clyde and Alex were en route from the pier to one of the beaches, lugging two barrels between them.

‘Ah,’ Cole said. ‘That means Willum’s here, with refreshments and other items Clementine requested. He and his wife will stay and join the party.’

‘Should I be worried?’ I asked, only half joking.

He paused. ‘My mother vetoed most of Clementine’s suggestions.’

‘That doesn’t entirely reassure me.’

‘It’s just one of my sister’s parties.’

I cast him a dark look. ‘That reassures me even less.’

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