One day after stopping my father had tried to encourage me to show him my magic. I was so excited that I almost immediately obliged however my mother’s protests made it clear that I wasn’t to attempt anything of the sort in my current state and that my father should “be ashamed of himself!” for even thinking such a thing. Dad and I shared an awkward smile. 

After what must have been almost two solid weeks of travel we had finally arrived. Farndown wasn’t much to look at but it looked peaceful enough, a small township straddling a river. Aunt Trudy lived on the outskirts near the northern plains in a small patch of cottages before the land changed to a mixture of farmsteads, grazing pens and vegetable fields. As our small rickety wagon approached one of the cottages we looked around to see any signs of life but found none. My father pulled the wagon to a stop and hopped down. He walked over to the cottage door and pulled off what seemed to be a letter stuck to the front. He opened it and his shoulders dropped. He made his way sullenly back to the cart, handing the note to my mother, “Look on the bright side, at least we won’t have to deal with Trudy for now.” He said through a pained smile. Over my mother’s shoulder, I could see the written letter opened. The characters were different to what I was used to but it seemed the thug leader could read after all as I seemed to be able to comprehend the words within. They read as follows; 

Dearest Anna

I received your letter and it shook me. How anyone could be so cruel just because you’re different is beyond me. I may not agree or understand the life you and Malcolm have decided for yourselves and I know I have not always been understanding or supportive but I wanted to attempt to make some amends. I know your relationship with Mum and Dad had deteriorated by the end after you decided to tell them. I won’t bring up whether you were in the right or wrong for that but I know that you were left out in the cold so to speak, and I don’t mean just because you felt the need to move north. Consider this your half of the inheritance that they denied you. I don’t know if I can see you, Malcolm or little Gwynn right now without saying something that would hurt you. I hope this close call might make you reconsider your decision although deep down I know you would say that it isn’t a decision and then we would most likely get into an argument again. I have moved myself to Mordan, I will send a letter with my full address but should you ever visit the city I would like to see you, even briefly. With that, I welcome you to your new home. I have left the deed inside and have signed all the necessary paperwork. The key can be found in a lockbox on the porch, the code is Mum’s birthday. I love you. Take care, get well soon and I hope Farndown can prove a better home than the north ever did for you, Malcolm and especially Gwynn.

As I read the final line small dots of water landed on the page, my mother’s face streaming with tears. My father put his hand on her shoulder before pulling her tight for a hug. I lifted myself from the rear of the wagon and draped my tiny arms over them. For one perfect moment, we comforted each other’s pain. Then a set of small furry feet hopped over my shoulder and Jack toppled ass backwards into the centre of the hug tail frantically swinging in all of our faces. The tension was well and truly broken as all three of us burst out laughing. My father lead Mildred to a spot to the side of the cottage and hitched her up and the three of us entered what was to be our new home.