Page 46 of Where Broken Wings Fly

After grabbing a cable-knit cardigan to cover the black handprints still visible on my arms, I help Arianna into her new shoes. She races ahead of me, thudding down the staircase and breaking outside without a second glance.

“Ari! Be careful.”

“I will!” she yells back.

The smile on her face as she steps out into the sunshine makes it all worth it. Everything I endured for the past ten years. That’s what I fought so hard for, that smile right there. It’s the most incredible sight, and I’ll never grow tired of seeing it.

Outside the cabin, she races through the long grass and chases a stray butterfly that’s dancing amidst the blooming wildflowers. I sit down on the bottom step of the wraparound porch, content to watch her play. The town is hard at work around us, as usual.

I’m coming to recognise there’s a natural sense of routine around here. No schedules or rules are needed though. Everyone has a part to play and gets on with the work without complaint, all contributing to the smooth running of the town.

Lola is the taskmaster, and Albie acts as her iron fist. They keep Briar Valley spick and span, from ordering in supplies and organising the various greenhouses and allotments that provide food to each household, to maintaining the books that pay for it all.

“Mummy, look!” Arianna’s hands are cupped around a butterfly that she’s caught. “It’s so pretty and colourful. Can I keep it?”

“No, Ari. You have to let it go.”

“Why?” she whines.

“It belongs outside, baby.”

With a grumble, she opens her hands, and the butterfly takes flight. Her enthused gaze follows it up into the air, escaping to a nearby patch of sunflowers sprouting through the earth. I caught her trying to eat one the other day too.

“I can’t take another family right now.” Lola’s voice floats through the open front door from the phone call she’s taking in the living room. “We’re at capacity.”

There’s a brief pause, before she curses.

“Alright, send me the information. I’ll take a look.”

Lola rehomes people in need, from refugees to displaced families fleeing flooding or debt. With minimal funding and an iron will of determination, she gives them a new life, safety and the warmth of a caring community.

Driving past in his age-spotted truck, Albie waves at me from the driver’s seat. He’s transporting a huge, ride-on lawn mower in the back. Next to him, Ryder is riding shotgun with a pair of shades shielding his eyes from the sunshine.

“Hey, Willow!” he shouts.

I wave back with a smile. “Hi.”

Ryder is the resident gearhead. He’s lived in the valley for most of his life after being raised by his uncle. I’ve heard that his boyfriend is a criminal investigator working hundreds of miles away in London. He rarely makes it out to Briar Valley.

Asking Albie to pull up at the edge of the clearing, Ryder hops out and bounds over to me with long, loping strides. He’s ridiculously tall. Stopping to ruffle Arianna’s hair on the way past, she’s too distracted by the flowers around her, staining her clothes with pollen.

“How’s it going?” Ryder stops at the steps.

“We’re good.” I gesture to his uncle. “Going somewhere?”

“Just finished my latest job. The lawnmower is going back to Highbridge. I’ll be glad to see the back of that piece of shit. It was a nightmare to repair.”

“Why don’t they take it to a mechanic in town?”

“Because I’m the best around and everyone knows it,” Ryder answers confidently. “Hell of a job getting it up the mountain though.”

“You’re so modest.”

He shrugs, unfazed. “I’ve been working with engines and cars for my whole life. Albie taught me everything I know. We’re lucky to have decent clients who pay well.”

“Can I ask you a couple of things?” I glance around. “In confidence?”

His smile expands into a conspiratorial grin. “Oh, gossip. Fire away.”

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