Sixty-four

Aside from Laira and Riley, I've never had any girlfriends. Soph seems like the type of girl, to find the silver lining, even in the worst situation. I settle on the toilet and decide to make conversation.

" So, for how long have been working in the mines?" I'm well aware she is a physician of some sort.

" Since I can remember. I grew up poor. My father was a miner, and so was my grandfather and every generation before him. My dream was to study medicine but my parents never had enough money to send me to medical school. So I learned what I could from books and god rest his soul, the old doctor in the village. He is dead now, but when he was alive he'd let me in the clinique and taught me all he knew. Now, I work in the mines and tend to the boys when they get injured. It takes three days for a doctor to get here, " even though I'm finished, I don't step out of the stall and just listen to this girl speak. She hasn't had an easy life and still managed to keep a positive outlook on life.

When she falls silent, I step out, and offers to take the bag from me, " So what's your story mystery girl?" She asks as she leads me towards the door.

" LiLy. My name is Lily," I say with a sigh, " We came here on a camping trip, and I got lost from the group when we were on a hike, " She gasps and I wonder why I'm lying to someone who has been nothing but kind to me. I don't want to burden Soph with my problems. She has plenty of her own. That's why?

" They must be looking for you, " She says morosely. I have no idea if anyone has been looking for me.

" I think they do," I shrug, as we step out into the cold, and limp my way down the steps. Up was easy, going down not so much.

" Don't worry. The big boss is coming tomorrow and he'll sort everything out. He is nice like that, and also very handsome," A vague memory of Antoine drifts to the forefront of my mind. I knew his father was in the mining business and I can't help but wonder if he owned this particular mine.

" What's the boss's name?" Only one way to find out if things are finally looking up for me.

" Gerald," Nope. Some things never change, I guess. No such luck. Not even close.

" He will take care of it, don't you worry. People around here are," She laces he fingers together to emphasise her point," Like that," Tightly knit. Close to each other. Like family.

Once we are back in the cabin, I settle back on the bed, Soph hangs the bag back on the hook and bids me goodnight.

I don't think she has gone to bed yet, and I don't want to keep her any longer. She has done more than enough for me. More than anyone should be expected to do, considering the situation.

Settling back on the bed, I stare at the logs that make up the walls of the cabin and try to come up with a plan to head back home.

It should be fairly easy to leave the Varan district. It takes about three to four days to reach Morston by car. What if it snows? It would have been as easy as breathing with Shay but that is out of the question.

Dawn finds me staring at the wall as the camp comes back to life. I hear people milling outside, shouting, machinery screeching, and groaning.

A very broody and sleepy Abe slips into the cabin with a tray of food in his hand and a steaming cup. I don't even dare to dream of coffee. Tea it is, then. Although, I'm slowly developing an aversion to tea.

" Morning, " Abe grumbles, as he takes the tray from the other night and replaces it with a new one, "Next meal is served at the cantine. If you want to eat you'll have to get it yourself," He grumbles, sleepily as he rubs his eyes with one hand. Not a morning person.

"Thank you. I'm sure I can manage," I say with a smile directed at him which in turn is met with a scowl. Definitely, not a morning person.

" Bye then," He says as he storms off the same way he came. I won't laugh at him because I'm afraid that will rattle him even more and I'll get an earful.

Breakfast is simple. Tea, toast and jam. I suppose there is more to choose from but I'll have to go to the canteen to get it.

Hopefully, by lunchtime, I work up enough courage to face the crowd of men that inhabit this place.

After breakfast, I brave the chill and step outside to have a look around and familiarise myself with the grounds.

A snowflake drifts on the breeze in front of my eyes and dread settles in my stomach like a block of ice. If there is heavy snowfall, I'll be stuck up here for weeks.

I send a quick prayer above in the hopes that it doesn't and begin my mission of reconnaissance.

The camp is vast but easy to reach at any point on foot. The thick muddy sludge sticks to my boots slowing me down, as I hobble from cabine to cabine trying to map out the camp.

I meet a few men as I wander around the camp, they greet me with curt nods or completely ignore me.

Eventually, I stumble across the mess hall and make my say inside. My sense of smell still missing, but what I ate so far tasted good, so that will have to do.

A few men occupy one of the tables, they spare a glance at me as I make my way to the buffet. Their selection is more varied than I expected but I guess with the harsh living and working conditions, hearty meals are necessary.

"You should try the stuffed boar heart. It's absolutely delicious, " A voice says from behind me. I look over my shoulder and notice the thick woolly jumper, and the olive green trousers and I know this man must be the big boss.