Page 36 of Gothikana

The hours flew by with the music between them, broken by occasional light conversation. He didn’t ask another serious question and neither did she, her mind on the letter she had to send to her mother for her birthday. Her mama might not remember a lot, but that was the one day she never forgot. She waited every year on her birthday week for contact with Corvina, even though her doctors said she didn’t want her daughter to come and see her.

The sky greyed outside as the town gradually came into view in the distance after countless songs. The terrain slowly flattened and Corvina took in the view of the houses dotting the sides of the road as they sped by, children playing outside, couples walking along, people doing normal, everyday things that felt so far removed from her reality.

Mr Deverell took a turn at a T-junction, slowing down as they came to the main street in the town. Corvina recognised it. The train station she’d stopped at was at the end of it.

‘I’m going to drop you off here,’ he told her, pulling in neatly outside a small single-storey blue building with a board that said POST OFFICE. ‘I have some errands to run, so I’ll be back in an hour to pick you up.’

Corvina nodded. ‘Sounds good. Thank you.’

He indicated for her to get out and she complied, jumping out of the high seat. Moving to the sidewalk as he pulled out, she stood there until his taillights disappeared around the corner of the main street.

Taking a deep breath in, Corvina turned to the small door of the building, one that reminded her of her hometown, and pushed it open.

A bell jingled overhead and an old woman with a weathered, smiling face looked up from an old computer on her desk.

‘Hello, my dear,’ she greeted Corvina with a huge smile that lined her face with happiness. ‘What can I help you with today?’

Corvina walked to the counter, her lips mirroring the nice lady’s. She slid the envelope in her hand toward her. ‘I just need to send this as priority.’

The old lady pushed up her large, round glasses and peered at the envelope. ‘One moment, my dear,’ she said, slowly typing the details on her keyboard with wrinkled hands. Corvina stood patiently as she took her time, not wanting to be rude.

‘Usually they send out more mail from the school. And usually, they send that lovely boy,’ the woman remarked while entering the information on her computer.

‘Troy, you mean.’ Corvina smiled.

‘Yes.’ The lady smiled back. ‘He’s a good one. Always helps me lift some of my heavier boxes and asks me if I need anything from the store. Such a good boy.’

He was. Troy was one of the nicest people she’d ever met.

Corvina stared at the woman, appreciating the fact that she didn’t ask her about the institute’s address on her envelope. She remembered Troy had said this woman was a wealth of information, and Corvina didn’t know if she should ask her anything. She had time to spare but no social skills needed to initiate a conversation like that.

‘Corvina.’ The lady looked at her name, then up at her. ‘Unusual name. My sister tells me you’re a studious one.’

‘Your sister?’ Corvina asked, confused.

‘Ah yes.’ The older woman nodded, peering at her screen. ‘She works in the library. Comes to visit me every other weekend. Tells me what’s happening up there.’

‘You’re Mrs Suki’s sister?’

‘Mrs Remi. I’m the older sister, though I look younger if you ask me—’ The woman chuckled, giving Corvina a cheeky wink, and Corvina felt her lips curve. The older woman put in the final details, took the envelope and the cash Corvina handed over, folding her hands round it.

‘How are you getting back, my dear?’

‘Um…’ Corvina looked out at the gloomy sky, then at the clock on the wall. ‘My professor will pick me up in fifty minutes.’

‘Ah, you have so much time.’ Mrs Remi slowly came around the counter, heading to a small kitchenette with a dining table and two chairs on the side. ‘Would you like some tea? I’m afraid I only have herbal at my age. Helps with the sore muscles.’

Corvina rushed to pull out a chair for her. ‘Please sit, Mrs Remi. I’d be happy to make some tea for you.’

‘You’re wonderful, my dear,’ she said, taking a seat on the chair, and guiding Corvina around the kitchenette. ‘You know I knew of a Corvina once.’

‘You did?’

‘Yes. Back when I was a girl. She lived down the block from me before her family moved away. Nice girl but she had red hair, not raven like yours. Never understood why they called her that with that hair. There wasn’t anything raven about her.’

Mrs Remi kept chatting as the tea brewed in minutes. Corvina poured them both a cup and sat down on the other chair.

‘You have the most unique eyes I’ve seen, Corvina,’ Mrs Remi remarked, blowing on her hot tea. ‘And I’ve seen many in my lifetime, dearie.’

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