*Hattie*
The moon is a silver coin dangling in the night sky, casting a pale shimmer over the cottage. I stand next to Eric’s stone well, heart pounding, hands shaking. My jeans and T-shirt feel strange against my skin after so many weeks in heavy linen dresses.
I can still feel Eric’s kiss on my lips, the way his hands cupped my face like I was something fragile and precious. We hadn’t said goodbye exactly. Neither of us could bear the word, but I’d kissed him one last time beneath the oak, trying to memorize the taste of him, the weight of his body against mine. Now, with possibly only seconds left in this time, I already miss him so much I feel hollow.
I’m surprised Eric didn’t show up and try to stop me. He must not have wanted to watch me leave….
Behind me, Charlie shifts from
