“Ouch!” I exclaimed as my finger pricked on a sharp object inside my bag. I pulled my finger out to inspect it, before retrieving the broken mirror – being careful not to injure myself further – and placing it out of harm’s way (in the bin). The doorbell rang at that moment, and I grabbed my jacket before heading down the wooden staircase.

“Bye Dad!” I shouted in the direction of the living room.

 “Wait a minute young lady!” Ian hollered. I sighed. He shuffled into the hall like a bear, his grey eyes suspicious. “What time are you planning on being home?”

“I’ll be back in time for dinner, Dad. Don’t worry, ok? I’ll be fine; I’m with Allie and Matt. See you later!” I turned and flung the door open. Allie Avery grinned at me, her piercing emerald green eyes glittering in the sunlight. I shifted my gaze to the blond haired, blue eyed boy standing beside her. Matt’s smile was dazzling. I stepped out onto the wet gravel, pulling the red door shut behind me, and took his hand.

“Where shall we go then Lily?” Allie asked in her local Irish brogue as we wandered up the road.

“I don’t mind. You choose,” I told Matt’s sister. She frowned in thought.

“How about going to our meadow?” My boyfriend suggested. I shot a look at him and he smirked, his eyes twinkling. Allie and I nodded simultaneously. I bit my lip, but I couldn’t hide the grin that flashed across my face. The trees around us swayed in the biting wind, and I shivered, despite the afternoon sun that blazed down, warming everything in sight after the recent downpour.

We walked slowly down the dark, muddy lane. Matt’s face was content, watching mine as I gazed across the open fields bordering the path.

“Come on, let’s race!” Allie’s eager voice cut through the peaceful silence like a knife. For a twenty-one year old, Allie sometimes acted more childlike than Matt and I, even though she was six years older. I groaned, but nodded reluctantly, shaking my hand free of Matt’s. He chuckled at my disgruntled expression: Matt knew my low tolerance for running.