Returned by Keeley Smith Page B

all together?
                  Reluctantly climbing from the warmth of her bed, she fished around in her wardrobe which was otherwise known as the not so neat pile of clothes on the computer desk. Her room was too small for a wardrobe. She settled on soft grey trousers, a white shirt and a long beige cardigan. She headed to the bathroom, washed her face and pushed her hair into a ponytail. She blew out a breath, she couldn’t put it off any longer.
                  She crept quietly towards the muffled sounds in the kitchen. How was she going to handle this mess? She’d barely got a grasp on it herself. She pushed the door open to see her mother standing over the hob. The smell of scrambled eggs drifted across the room towards her.
    “Morning,” she murmured, her head down, her steps quick so she could reach the fridge and avoid her mother.
    She gave herself a pat on the back for being so brave.
    She poured orange juice for the two of them and sat at the table observing her mother. Blue bruises hung like sunken bags under her eyes. Her hair, usually spring curled, hung around her face like wet washing on a line.
                  Taking a deep breath, she gave in knowing that she had to approach the subject at some point. The elephant in the room was too hard to ignore.
    “Mum, are you okay?”
    Nibbling on scrambled eggs she swallowed taking her time to answer. Cora tried not to let this annoy her.
    “You're a witch, I’ve known this the majority of my life. My grandmother told me you were precious when I was a little girl. At that age I believed she called everyone precious.” Her mother stopped talking and started playing with her scrambled eggs.
    “I used to play with you,” she smiled at Cora’s shocked expression.
    “We used to run around the garden playing hide and seek. It’s unbelievable to think that I am now the adult. You don’t remember any of this of course.”
    Her mother pushed her plate aside as Cora nibbled on her nails nervously waiting for her to continue.
    “Tabitha had researched many families after the witch trial that killed your mother. She met with my ancestors and Tabitha believed we were the best family to place you with. She wanted you to live with humans, to live a somewhat normal life. I was eighteen when I was told about you. I remember that day clearly, it was a warm Saturday afternoon in late July. My mother sat me down and explained everything. She started with your history, your mother, what you’d survived. I remember sitting there and letting the whole conversation wash over me, waiting for the hysterical laughter, waiting for the April’s fool even though it was the wrong month. It wasn’t a joke. Somehow I always knew you were different. You were our family tre asure and I felt honoured that I was the next to look after you. It was the day I met Tabitha for the first time.”
    “Thank yo u for taking on the role of m y m um.”
    “You are most welcome. I do not regret it for one single minute. I'm sorry that I moved you around all the time.”
                  Knowing what she knew now, how could she blame her? She loved this woman, her mother, more than words could begin to express. She had always loved her despite the mother, daughter arguments.
    “I'm so sorry about the way I've treated you about this move and the other moves in the year. I now know why you did it. I’m sorry that you had to give up your life for me.”
    “Cora, that doesn't matter to me. I have had the best life so far and that is down to you. I don't need you to apologise, darling. I love you. You are my daughter and as far as I’m concerned you always will be.  I have been your friend, your aunt, and now your mother, who can say they have been through as many stages with their daughter? I know you inside out.”
    “I’m still so very sorry,” she apologised as tears pricked her eyes.
    Her mother pushed some of the hair behind her ears. “No,