Aurora

New Beginnings

One

The man idling in the rain by the police cruiser was not her father, Vesta knew that much but for one long shell shocked moment, she was rooted to the spot, her heart thudding in her ears as she saw her dad once more. But then she blinked and the moment was over. It was only Charlie Swan, the man she would be living with for now.

Mr. Patton had sent her to Forks, Washington. He thought she'd be safe here, far from the sunny glades of her home, until everything was settled. He'd made the arrangements himself after the funeral, digging out the family tree and tracing the branches until he found which one was suitable.

Until that cloudy day in Patton's study, Vesta had never heard of a Charlie Swan living in America. And yet, Patton claimed that her father was somewhat close with him, they'd seen each other a lot as boys and Charlie had visited once when Vesta was one. But if they had been so close, why did her father never mention him? Vesta knew each and every one of her extended family. They'd spent every holiday together; quibbling; quarreling and being friends. Her father had six other siblings growing up and was incredibly proud of having been raised in a large family. He never missed any birthday, wedding, anniversary or important events in their life and even kept in touch with the distant relatives in Ireland, Germany and France. Vesta knew them all by name and by face. Of Charlie Swan, she knew nothing. But it was decided she would live with him until it was time to come home.

Patton had spoken with Charlie before he informed her. Then Charlie called, asking to speak with her. His voice was low but reassuring and also hesitant, treading carefully around the tragedy.

"I'm so sorry about your father. He was a good man … and also the house. It - it was a good house."

Vesta couldn't stop the noise that escaped her : a half sob, half laugh. She'd never heard anyone refer to the place she'd lived as a house. To her family it was simply "The Manor." It had stood since the 17th century. Four hundred years of history had been blown to bits.

"It was a good house," she'd agreed, wiping the inevitable tears from her cheeks.

She couldn't tell though how he felt about her encroaching on his life.

Charlie had called again the day before Patton drove her to the airport, before he shook her hand and dabbed his eyes behind his glasses with his handkerchief pretending it was dust not tears. They'd driven up from the shire to London and stayed in a cheap motel overlooking the Thames. Vesta had chosen a seat in the tiny balcony, watching the gray water move sluggishly. The small winding river in the glade took on whatever hue it pleased and flowed fast. It had been a cold day, the asphalt was still slick and gleaming from the rain and she was wrapped in the quilt her grandmother made for her but no matter what she did, she was still cold.

Patton came to her side and handed her the phone.
"It's Charlie."

Charlie told her he'd gotten her registered for the school in Forks and he'd be waiting for her plane.

Vesta's thanks was soulless. She tried to inject warmth into her voice for the man who was opening his home to an almost stranger but she couldn't. Charlie seemed to understand what she couldn't say, he told her he was looking forward to seeing her and she handed the phone back to Patton.

Patton later advised her to dress warmly. Forks was a sunless place and rain fell in almost perpetuity. He gazed at her severely over the rim of his glasses, his eyes anxious and concerned.

"Eat," he told her.

Vesta tried to, but her arms were heavy, her heart was heavy and the food tasted like chalk. When she fell asleep, she dreamt of a dinner party and the manor exploding with them in it. She woke not soon after and went to sit on the balcony, her misted eyes made the sloshing waters of the Thames wavy.