Page 99 of A Shard of Ice

“Oh! Oh, sorry. I think I must be tired after so many new experiences today.” I pick up the glass container, looking at thetiny grains inside. I wonder for a moment if this is salt from the mine where we toiled day in and day out. It feels like a lifetime ago. Like an imagined dream.

I hand the small container to Elsie. “Thank you.” She shakes it over her food before handing it back. “Do you want some?”

I shake my head. “I don’t like salt much.” Not after all we went through to get it.

“You don’t like salt.” Elsie widens her eyes. “Why not? I suppose it’s a good thing. We put far too much of it on our food, don’t we, hon’?” she asks her husband, Scott, who grunts.

“I’ll have some salt, please, dear,” Merna says, taking it from Elsie.

Scott works in the vegetable fields. Apparently, they grow several crops up in the mountains. Vegetables such as potatoes, turnips, and kale, even out in these cold conditions. He’s a bear of a man who doesn’t say much, which is probably good because Elsie talks enough for the both of them. I like that about her.

“Can I have more cheese, Mama?” their little girl asks.

“I already told you, Tamara, you have to finish your food first.”

“I don’t like fish,” she whines.

“Eat your supper or no pudding,” Elsie warns.

The little girl sighs dramatically and puts a forkful of fish into her mouth. She chews twice and swallows it down, making a face.

“Your vegetables, too. What are you doing, Owen?” she yells at her ten-year-old. “You can’t put the whole fish in your mouth.”

“I can,” he says around his food.

“And don’t talk with your mouth full.” Elsie looks at me with pleading eyes. “I’m so sorry. They’re normally better mannered than this.” Then she puts her hand up in front of her mouth to shield it. “Actually, they’re not.”

We laugh.

“It’s delicious. I haven’t had fish in years.” Not since I was taken by the fae.

“I thought you said Hollyoaks was close to the sea.” Elsie raises her brows.

“It is, but the fish are hells expensive. We were quite poor. We lived mainly off the land. Even meat was reserved for special occasions.”

“You poor thing. No wonder you were so amazed by the hot chocolate today.” Elsie smiles.

“I’ve never tasted anything like it,” I say, meaning it.

Elsie puts a mouthful of soft food into the baby’s mouth. The little one takes it into her mouth and then makes a raspberry, food spraying everywhere.

“Avery!” Elsie yells, but she soon smiles. “You can’t do that, you messy little girl.”

The baby laughs, and we all join in.

“So, you say that things went well with Lady Siophra?” Merna asks.

“I start first thing tomorrow. I’m nervous.” I push out a heavy breath.

“Yes, it’s early to bed for you tonight,” Merna says.

“Most definitely. I’ll help Elsie with the dishes, and then I’ll need to get back and head to bed.”

“You shouldn’t worry too much. Lady Siophra is really strict, but she’s also quite fair. She likes hard workers, so put your back into it, and you’ll be fine,” Merna tells me.

“Oh, I plan on it. I’m grateful for everything.” I look from Merna to Elsie and then at Scott, who has just dished himself seconds. He doesn’t seem to be paying much attention to the conversation. “Thank you all.”

“You keep thanking us, Sindy, but there is really no need. You’re family and family stick together, don’t we, Mom?” Elsie asks Merna, who nods.

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