“Is everything on the cart already?”
Rudi’s voice rang out, remarkably cheerful, the following morning. The sun had just begun to peek over the horizon, casting long, golden shadows as they prepared for their departure to Greywood.
Whatever thoughts had plagued him during his late-night stroll seemed to have vanished with the dawn. He and Stan had already helped Auntie Glenny load her large suitcase and travel bag onto the sturdy cart, a process accompanied by a surprising lack of grumbling from either man.
“Yes, everything I need is on there,” Auntie Glenny sighed, a sound of contentment mixed with a touch of relief. “It’s mostly thick clothing and a few valuable items I absolutely had to bring.”
Her eyes now sparkled with an almost childlike excitement for the unknown journey ahead.
Rudi had indeed returned late from his night walk, but the darkness of his previous evening’s reflections seemed to have evaporated. He got out of bed refreshed, appearing at the breakfast table with a w
