Rory’s little smile was rather like the sun coming up

They spent the afternoon exploring the forest surrounding the castle. Phillip repeatedly pegged the trees with rocks flung from his slingshot while Rory watched. She didn’t speak much but Phillip chattered more than enough for the both of them.

The sun was just beginning to approach the horizon when Phillip suggested they turn back.

“We need to get cleaned up for dinner,” he said. Rory looked at her dirt streaked dressed and pinched her lips in distaste. She would need to have a bath.

Rory hated baths.

Phillip led them back to the castle, stopping in the entranceway to deposit his slingshot on the table there.

“I will see you at dinner, Aurora,” Phillip said as he dashed off down the hall.

Instead of following him, Rory eyed the abandoned slingshot. She wanted to try it but had been too shy to ask. All the boys in her village would have refused to share and probably have pushed her over. Her godmothers had always said that boys did that because they liked her and were too shy to show it. Rory wasn’t so sure.

There was still a bit of time before she was due at dinner. Perhaps she could try out the slingshot in the palace gardens and still get back in time to wash up for dinner. She made her decision, swiping the slingshot and darting back out the door.

The rock thumped onto the ground a metre in front of the tree she aimed for.

“You need to aim a little higher,” said a voice from behind her. Rory jumped at the unexpected noise and spun to face the interloper. It was Phillip. He was making a habit of sneaking up on her when she was breaking the rules. She stared at the ground guilty and held out the slingshot to the boy. There was no way Phillip was going to be her friend now that he’d caught her taking his stuff.

Phillip walked up to the small girl, put his hands on her shoulder and angled her body towards the target.

“The stone will drop in the air,” he said. “Aim a little above the target to allow for gravity.”

Rory blinked but did as she was told, taking her stance. Phillip pulled on her shoulders a little more so she stood more side on to the target.

The stone thumped onto the base of the tree she was aiming at.

“That’s it!” Phillip was enthusiastic about the small improvement. He spent a few more minutes coaching her and after a half a dozen more attempts she hit the tree she aimed for.

Phillip was delighted.

Rory turned to him seriously. “I’m sorry I borrowed your slingshot,” she said in a small voice offering him the slingshot again. He didn’t take it.

“Aurora, you can borrow whatever you like,” Phillip smiled at the shy girl. “Just remember to ask next time.”

“Phillip?”

“Yes?”

Now that she was being honest, she may as well get everything out in the open. “Aunt Leah never said that you needed to show me around. I just said that because I wanted to spend time with you.”

“I know. I wanted to spend time with you too.”

The boy’s face was so earnest that Rory couldn’t help but smile at him. She thought about all the times she had gotten herself into trouble and lied and done the wrong thing. Phillip wanted to be her friend in spite of that. She resolved to be better. She liked this boy and wanted to be worthy of his friendship.

Phillip turned towards the castle and started walking. Rory followed him.

“Phillip?”

“Yes, Aurora?”

“You can call me Rory.” She fiddled nervously with the sling shot she still held as they walked. “My mother used to call me that.”

“My mother used to call me pumpkin.”

Rory made a face at him. “I’m not calling you that,” she declared and then blushed at her confidence. Phillip threw his head back and laughed at the girl’s uncharacteristic comment. Rory was quite cheeky once you get past her shyness.

Rory smiled at the boy’s boisterous laugh. She liked being the one to make him laugh like that.

Phillip thought that Rory’s little smile was rather like the sun coming up.