The Aurora (Aurora Saga, Book 1) Read Online Free

truth.’
    ‘Londuo, I have to say, you can tell a very good story. All those strange words; Treitans, Qintaino and to top it all, you’re from the future.’
    ‘I said you wouldn’t believe me.’
    I don’t think it matters what I say, they’re never going to believe me. Londuo shook her head.
    ‘I’m sorry, Londuo. It’s too much fantasy. Anyway, when will you be leaving?’
    Londuo felt guilty, like she had lied. They didn’t believe a word I said, and I have no way of proving it. There’s no point in trying to make them understand.
    ‘Monday. I’m going to leave Monday,’ she said, in resignation.
    ‘I’ll do you a nice apple pie for you to take with you,’ Violet said.
    ‘That should last you a few weeks!’ Walter said cheekily.
    Londuo smiled.
    ‘I’m going to miss you both.’

Chapter Three
    In 1973, Londuo moved to Orlando but never lost contact with Walter and Violet, writing to them every week and visiting them every three to four months. Then, in 1984, Walter passed away at the age of eight-four. Violet was devastated. They had been married for over sixty years, and she had lost her soul-mate: her lifetime lover. Londuo spent five weeks with Violet trying to convince her to come and live with her in Orlando, but without success. She couldn’t even persuade Violet to get a telephone so they could be in contract more often.
    Eventually, Londuo went back on her own to her day-to-day life in Orlando and carried on communicating with Violet by writing to her every week. Then, one week, Londuo failed to receive a letter from Violet. She put it down to the postal system, but couldn’t help worrying. She would wait to see if Violet’s next letter arrived the following week; if not, she would drive to Hinsdale to visit her the following day.
    *****
    Friday arrived and after finishing work Londuo returned to her flat. As usual she picked up the mail at the entrance before walking up the stairs to her flat on the first floor. She browsed expectantly at the envelopes on the way, looking for a letter from Violet. Bill, another bill, junk mail; nothing from Violet, but what’s this?
    She unlocked the door and placed her keys on a table just inside the flat. An official looking envelope had the words ‘Johnson, Lewis and Carter’ printed on it. Londuo tore open the envelope before she fell back onto the large sofa to relax. Inside was a letter from a solicitor. Londuo glanced through the text quickly realising its content. Violet! She’s gone . Londuo read that Violet had collapsed in the local store in Hinsdale. She had died the same evening in hospital. Londuo wiped her eyes and read on. The letter mentioned that Violet and Walter had never had any children, and they left the house and car to her. Why would they leave everything to me? I don’t deserve anything. They were so kind to me; it’s me who owes them everything.
    *****
    The following week, Londuo attended Violet’s funeral. She was surprised at how many of the Hinsdale residents came to pay their respects. Londuo never realised how popular Violet was.
    ‘So you must be Londuo,’ an old man said to her, as people were starting to leave the churchyard.
    ‘Yes,’ Londuo replied.
    ‘Bill Turner,’ he said and offered his hand to her. ‘I run the local store.’
    Londuo shook it gently.
    ‘I’m sorry for your loss.’
    ‘Thank you for coming, Bill.’
    ‘She was very fond of you, you know.’
    ‘Really?’ Londuo said.
    She felt uneasy, wondering what Violet might have told people.
    ‘Violet thought of you as the daughter she never had. It’s a shame they couldn’t have children; she would have been a wonderful mother.’
    ‘I didn’t know,’ Londuo replied in amazement.
    ‘I’m not surprised. Everyone here knew, after all it’s such a small community and everyone gossips, but Violet and Walter didn’t like to talk about it. When you arrived they seemed happier; full of life again…’
    Londuo felt sad and thought about