February light

Jess looked around her, happy with her work. Christmas had finally been tidied away properly, and all the dust and detritus that were hidden under the layers of garlands, fairy lights and ribbon was gone.

There was one string of clear, bright lights that she would leave for a while.

She loved the icy clarity of lights shining like stars against the darkening afternoon.

But the days were definitely lengthening. Any day now, she would start the decorating her parents had kindly given her money for. Now that the children had left home it would be a good idea to downsize, although she didn’t want to. Before she could even think of showing her beloved home to an estate agent, she would have to refresh the paint.

It had been a busy year. She’d got divorced and they’d managed to keep it amicable. She’d helped her parents move nearer, which involved emptying the house they’d lived in for more than forty years. That had been emotionally tough for everyone. And she’d helped her children find places to live now that they were ready to leave home. To cap it all, she’d hosted a wonderful Christmas.

She had entertained everyone: her children, their friends, her parents, their friends and even her ex-husband and his new partner. It had utterly exhausted her, but she felt proud. The food had all worked well and there had been no hideous family arguments.

But what did this year hold? Usually she loved February, the coming spring, the birdsong, the snowdrops, the daily signs that winter was passing. After the rollercoaster of the past year, this year seemed to stretch emptily ahead.

She made a final pass of her duster behind the pictures that were always propped on the mantelpiece and found an envelope. Inside was a card. It had her daughter’s writing on the front.

Dear Mum, The boys and I think it’s time you left home. We’ve all done it, so now it’s your turn. Not forever, obviously, unless youwant to, but we think you should use the money that Granny and Grandpa gave you to do something you’ve always wanted to do.

We think we know what that is! We know you’ll find it a bit scary, but you always taught us to be brave and do what we wanted. Go into the pantry and look behind the tinned tomatoes.

Intrigued and laughing, Jess did as she was bid. Behind the tomatoes, which she swore she’d looked at that very morning, was a carrier