Elizabeth Hughes

The fog had long since rolled over the crop fields signifying the first presence of morning. The old rustic farmhouse of Elizabeth's grandparents -Mr and Mrs Hughes- sat in peaceful silence as all its inhabitants slept. All except one. A little girl of twelve years sat contently on her cushioned windowsill reading a novel that had seen better days but was so clearly loved and well-read. Time seemed irrelevant as she was sucked into the dark tale for hours, the moon morphing into the sun and the cold fading into the warmth of what would soon be just a nostalgic memory. The morning rays seeped through young Elizabeth's bedroom window, hitting her face and book creating a welcoming glow of bright orange that compelled her to look out across the fields. There she was presented with a scene of her grandfather. He was tending to the horses, grooming and feeding them, following his daily routine like clockwork. The sight caused a large grin to spread across Elizabeth's face as she gently marked the page of the book, abandoning her spot with enthusiasm to go assist the man with his farm duties. The minute the young girl exited her room on the second floor, she took to the stairs with heavy steps, immediately rushing through the kitchen and out the front door. She only stopped long enough to acknowledge her parents with a good morning and to slip on her aged brown sandals before she was off again. "I'm going to help gran'pa!" Came the distant shout of Elizabeth who was already out the door and making her way down the paddock.