Page 22 of Midnight Ash

"I don't totally dislike the idea, Alexander. Have you run it by the teams that would be involved?"

"Yes, and apart from the editing team, the rest are really excited about it."

"What's the concern from the editing team?"

"That they'll get manuscripts that are too rough and time consuming to edit. And they’re always swimming against the tide, so they're concerned about having to make someone available to work directly with the winner."

"Could we pair up the winner with a junior editor?"

"Absolutely."

My father gets up and walks to the window. I look out too, and smile when I remember I can just about see the corner of the farmer's market.

"I agree with you, this could bring us some good publicity. One condition," he says.

"Go on."

"You're not to get involved with it beyond the concept. Give it to someone as a project. I need you to focus on the business."

He doesn't give me a chance to challenge his decision before he leaves.

Mia comes straight back in with a hopeful look on her face.

"Oh no, he said no," she says.

"He said yes."

"Why the long face then?"

"I'm not allowed to get involved." I get up and go to the same spot where my dad stood a moment ago.

I wonder if people walking past this building ever look up. When I was a kid, I used to make up stories about the lives of the people in all the buildings.

What they did inside all day, and if they ever came out.

My younger self believed the benefit of becoming an adult was that you could do what you wanted. No one could make you do your homework or attend boring parties.

My dream was simply to read all day.

I laugh to myself. What a dream to have.

I sigh.

What a dream to have and to lose.

9

ASH

I pullmy coat tighter and blow into my hands to keep them warm. For some reason, today, I'm feeling the cold all the way to my bones.

The Duchess complains a little, but doesn't stall, when I turn the key in the ignition, and when I know the engine is warm enough, I turn the heat up. It's a small luxury, but I'm so freakin’ cold today.

The forecast predicts snow in the coming weeks, which will make for a beautiful Christmas but an absolute standstill for my business.

The market doesn't open when it snows because it becomes too dangerous for most stall owners to drive into the city. Which means I need to find a more local source of income.

I look up at the grey sky and pray it doesn't get worse.