Chapter 5

The walking track around the lake looked quiet despite the beautiful autumn weather.

They stopped and ordered coffees from a pink vintage coffee van set up for the lakes, usually many visitors.

Saylor added a couple of the van's owner's homebaked cookies. He handed the small brown paper bag to Minnow, and the aromas of freshly brewed coffee and warm buttery vanilla filled her nostrils, wrapping around her senses like a comforting blanket.

The gravel crunched under their feet as they headed down the dirt track towards their favourite spot at the water's edge. 

The lake lay motionless and blank in the middle of the network of paths, reflecting the surrounding landscape like an old faded photograph. 

"I am sorry for before." Minnow felt so ashamed for her behaviour, especially now when she had calmed down. "I thought I was ready," she mumbled and sipped her hot coffee.

"You don't have to apologise. What happened to you will take time to heal. I am, in fact, proud of you for being so brave." Saylor smiled and nudged her with his shoulder. 

The entrance to their spot finally showed up in the distance, and they hurried their steps to get there. 

A tiny, almost hidden path snaked through a patch of dense bushes down to an open clearing with an old wooden bench under a liquidambar tree.

The lake opened up in front of the bench in a perfect secluded view. 

Minnow fished out her mobile phone. She turned to Saylor, who was already holding his hand out to grab her coffee.

Minnow smiled and handed him the takeaway cup before snapping a few photos of the bench under the tree of flamed foliage dancing into the blue sky.

She had taken photos of this place since they first found it. Every season brought its own charm and breathtaking imagery.

Saylor patiently waited at the entrance and out of her way. Finally, Minnow gestured for him to come over. She took a few photos of him sitting with his coffee on the bench and a selfie of them both before she put the phone away.

"Thank you" Minnow smiled, feeling energised by her moment of visual stimulation.

She leaned back on the backrest and sighed at the view of the teardrop-silver colour lake; shaped like a perfectly flat metal disc.

No sounds rang out from the shimmering emptiness of space in front of them.

Even the huffing wind was too lazy to scatter the a-flame quilt of warm earthy leaves spread out around the tree's base in the small clearing.

They sat in silence, drinking in the scenery, calming their senses and enjoying each other's company.

"Have you ever heard of the Moonfall pack?" Minnow asked after much consideration. 

"Hm, yeah, it's a small town up in the mountains. Why do you ask?"

"Um, I heard someone mention it, and I just got curious about what it was? That's all." Minnow lied. For some reason, she didn't feel comfortable telling him where she had heard it.

"My cousin Elias sells fresh produce to them. He told me it's a beautiful spot, and he likes the guy running the place." 

"Who runs it?" Minnow felt her stomach twist itself small, but she managed to keep her voice steady and calm. 

"I think his name is Miles Carter." Saylor finished his coffee and put the cup on the bench between them.

"So if it's a town. Why is it called a pack?" 

"Good question. I am not sure? Maybe they are some form of cult?" Saylor laughed and made his eyes wide for more dramatic effect.

Minnow smiled and punched him gently on the arm. "Come on, be serious. Could you ask your cousin what it means?" 

"I could, but why do you want to know?" His eyes flashed suspicious like he could sense she wasn't telling him everything.

"I told you I am just curious." Her gaze darted nervously around, and she chuckled awkwardly.

"Ok, I'll ask him. By the way, what time do you have your dress fitting? "

Minnow looked at her gold wristwatch and rose to her feet. "Shoot, I have to go, or my mother will have my head on a silver platter." 

Saylor jumped up too. He knew better than to make Minnow late. Dovie was not an easy woman to please, and she could frankly be quite scary.

They hurried through the narrow path out onto the gravelled track. Henry was still waiting in the lake's car park and walked around to open the car door as they raced up the footpath. 

"Where to Miss Minnow?" Henry smiled as she climbed into the car.

"Home, please." She informed and waited for the men to get into the car.

Minnow's eighteenth birthday was this weekend, and she was to have her last dress fitting this afternoon to ensure every detail on her dress was perfect.

She couldn't care less about her birthday but turning eighteen was a significant deal in the Venandi household, and her mother had spared no expense for this big event.

And unfortunately, half the town was already invited, making Minnow feel sick to her stomach. 

Henry dropped them off outside the main gate where Saylor usually parked his Wrangler jeep. 

"Thank you for today, and promise me you will call me tomorrow." Minnow gave Saylor a firm embrace to show her genuine gratitude. 

"I promise, Minny Moo." He grinned, turning his handsome face boyish and cute. 

"Don't call me that, jerk" She laughed a carefree sound that left a warm feeling in her chest.

She watched his car drive down the asphalted road and onto the street below before she turned and walked into the Mansion.

Dovie and Elvira Wanderwalt, the dressmaker, were waiting for her on top of the stairs, and Minnow could tell by her mother's frown that she was unhappy with her being late.

"I am sorry I lost track of time," Minnow mumbled as she rushed up the wide staircase.

Her mother didn't answer but sighed and walked into the dressing room.

Dovie was always ideally put together in the latest fashion, and today was no exception. She practically looked royal in her blush pink satin dress and Manhattan Crop jacket in Marlborough feathers oozing both sophistication and style.

Minnow was convinced Dovie had put in some extra effort today to impress Elvira, who was a sought-after stylist and dressmaker.

Elvira was a thin younger woman dressed in a flawless ensemble who looked terrified of her mother.

Her green almond-shaped eyes darted over the checklists on the clipboard, and she nervously flicked through the papers.

Her rich auburn hair was neatly styled in a low bun, and she smelled sweet and fruity when Minnow walked past her into the room.

Minnow's dress hung over a large floor mirror in the middle of the ample space. The silvery fabric glistened like tiny raindrops in the soft light from the afternoon sun trailing through the grand windows.

"What are you waiting for? Get out of those rags you call clothes so we can try on your dress." Dovie's voice was firm and impatient.

Minnow suddenly got nervous. What if her mother saw her bruises? Minnow's head went blank, and she knew she would struggle to come up with an explanation of how they came about.

"Mother, could you please ask Ariella for a glass of water? I have such a headache." Minnow asked in a desperate attempt to buy herself some time. 

Dovie gave her an annoyed glance and headed for the door.

Minnow quickly ran behind the floor mirror to undress.

She grabbed the dress, and the dressmaker called out. "Please, madam, be careful. Here let me help you." The younger lady hurried around the mirror to assist Minnow with the expensive fabric.

Minnow could feel her eyes burning on her bruised skin, but Elvira said nothing.

The dress felt like heavenly silk as it flowed over her bare skin and made a faint rustling sound as it dropped onto the floor. The fabric hung loosely over her usually fuller hips.

Elvira guided her back around the front of the mirror. Minnow gasped at the stunning dress that was a simple but elegant design. The dress was made to hug her figure with a plunging neckline and an open back.

She swung from side to side and watched in awe how the fabric followed her body in a perfect lightweight dance.

"You have lost some weight," Elvira stated while writing down some notes on her clipboard.

"Are you planning on losing more?" she questioned, straight to the point.

"Um, no, I wasn't planning on losing anymore." Minnow mumbled without taking her eyes off her reflection in the mirror.

"Good. I'll sort out the dress and have it done by Saturday." Elvira looked up from her clipboard as they could hear Dovie's high heels clattering on the marble tiles.

"I'll talk to your mother outside. So you can undress in peace." Elvira said with a small smile before she left the room.

Minnow could hear the two women talk outside the door, and she hurried to slip out of the dress and back into her clothes. She hung the shimmering sequin fabric over the mirror and exited the room.

Dovie and Elvira were in deep conversation as she hurried past them towards her room.

"Minnow darling", her mother called out just as she thought she was in the clear.

"Yes, mother", she sighed, struggling to hide her annoyance.

"What about your glass of water?"

"Oh, I forgot, thank you." Minnow couldn't help feeling a bit of guilty conscience that she always presumed the worst from her mother.

She walked back, collected the cold glass glistening from condensation, and gave her mother a genuine smile before heading towards her safe haven.