coming home

It had been a long day at school, punctuated by calls from Lizzie asking where she was going, who with, what about the children, does she need to take food?

I picked her up on the way home and closed down the house.  This is the first time she's left her home for several years.  I was touched by the bag which she'd packed herself.

We drove to Bram through the deepest countryside and the darkest night.  The little town's decorations dropped silver light down onto deserted roads.  We found an open café on the dark square and ordered a glass of wine and a coffee each.  

As we left I felt that little lilt of happiness that happens often when you're a child and a little less often as you age. I turned to Lizzie and said 'this is winter, this feels good'.  

Ju was there at the Péage as promised and whisked Lizzie away towards the coast.

I got back in the car, took a deep breath of cold winter air and negotiated the darkness back home.