The house had not legally belonged to the Swans; it had been rented weekly from the land owner. All Bella had to do was inform the owner that she was leaving and make sure she was gone before he came to kick her out.
When she realized her parents were dying Bella had written to her aunt in Newcastle. She explained the situation. It was arranged that little Clare would go to live with Aunt Susan and Uncle William, Bella meanwhile had been offered a position of sorts.
Everything was sorted out within a few short days. Letters were sent, bills were paid and finally the bags were packed.
It was only a short walk to Angela Webbers house, about out ten minutes or so. The old reverends daughter had married a farmer the year before, there farm sat on the outskirts of the village and so had not been effected by the recent outbreak.
Angela was waiting for her by the gate. Her usual friendly face was troubled and tinged with sadness. They hadn't lost anyone on the farm but they still felt the neighborhood's grief.
With Clare wrapped tightly in her arms Bella tried to smile at her fiend as she approached. But it was no use, she ached just too much.
The young woman's feet were shaking in their boots; she felt the stones underfoot very sharply over her thin soles.
"Bella." Angela said simply, her arms open wide to embrace her friend.
Bella embraced her, her heart touched by Angela's kindness.
"I wasn't sure what time to come." Bella said apologetically.
Angela shook her head and brushed away her concern.
"I couldn't tell you a time to come, Bella. That would have been too cruel." she said.
Bella merely nodded her head.
"I packed everything of Clare's that I could. It's not much but…" she trailed off.
"Your aunt surely will have anything that you have missed." Angela said quickly.
Clare stirred and grumbled, not pleased with being outside so early. Bella had dressed her in her best woolen dress and a cheerful blue cardigan; her wispy brown hair had been combed and tucked neatly into a clean white cotton cap. She was perfectly dressed for her journey up north.
Bella handed over the small cloth bag to Angela's awaiting hands. It was light but it was full of all that the child owned worth keeping.
Bella felt the minute pass by like the hands ticking on a clock, her arms clung tighter to Clare as if she was a piece of her body and if she should be removed she would simply fall apart.
"You have the address for my aunt? I think I gave it to you the last we spoke." Bella said.
Angela nodded, "Yes I do, Benjamin knows where they might live, and he has an aunt who should live there about."
There was a moment in which neither of them spoke. They just listened to the wind around them, and without saying any words Bella said good bye to little Clare.
Then she handed her over to Angela. Clare didn't make a sound.
"You will be alright, won't you Bella?" Angela asked.
Bella waved away her friends worries, "Don't I always land on my feet?"
Angela offered her a sad smile.
"I have arrangements prepared, I'll write to you when I am settled." Bella appeased. She couldn't tell her friend the nature of these arrangements; she needed the ability to keep her resolution. Angela, the reverends daughter would not approve and would try to dissuade her.
Bella cleared her throat but the lump that was lodged there didn't move.
"I had better go." She said, though the words were barely above a whisper.
Her friend nodded her head sadly, "Benjamin will be wanting to leave soon, its quiet a journey to Newcastle." Angela said and cast a fleeting glance to the road that lead away from the farm.
It was as if Bella's boots were stuck to the mud beneath her, rooting her to the spot, keeping her with the child.
Angela stepped forward and embraced her friends, and whispering in her ear said, "Do not worry Bella, Clare will be well taking care of your aunt is a good woman, she would treat any niece of hers like her own."
Bella nodded, she knew this.
The pair parted. Angela looked her friend in the eyes, her gaze strong and determined.
"Now go Bella, make a life for yourself, and move on from all of these tragedies. This is your life now, you make all the decisions." Her voice shook with the force of her sincerity; those deep brown eyes of hers were hard with determination as if her mere words could give her friend the power to succeed.
"I don't know how to do it." Bella whispered, face trembling.
Angela gripped Bella's shoulder.
"You listen to me Isabella Swan. You have been so strong the past two years so you know you can do it."
Bella merely nodded, not trusting saying any words.
It really was time to go.
"Goodbye Angela."
"Good bye Bella and God bless you."
With that, Bella turned around and pulling her shawl tighter around her shoulders and made her way back up the path and towards Cullen Manor.
Thanks for reading x
