Page 1 of The Side Road
1
HE DID WHAT?
In the frontwindow of Hook & Knot, a small independent store in the historic town of Eagle Nest, stood a life-sized model of a sheep. Called Fiona, it was named after the world’s loneliest sheep.
The real Fiona had spent two years stranded at the base of a Highland cliff in Scotland. After getting separated from her mother, she stumbled down the mountain and couldn’t find her way back to the top. Animal activists eventually rescued Fiona from a cave, where she had been sheltering from the harsh Highland weather. Her survival was a testament to the sheep’s strength and resilience.
The species, not known for its intelligence, was unlikely to star in a David Attenborough documentary anytime soon, but people around town knew Fiona for her colourful clothes and coordinated accessories. Several times, her picture had appeared in the town newsletter, and she was a feature on the regional tourist map.
In the shop window, Fiona wore a fluffy green jacket with matching socks and a long scarf. A lopsided beanie rested onher head. Early autumn, she radiated warmth and cosy comfort.
Inside the store, Mia was busy stacking small, knitted dolls – modelled on famous women from history – in a basket on the front counter. After fixing the flower in Frida Kahlo’s hair, she added the doll to a pile of female icons.
A lover of hand-knits, Mia wore a pink cardigan with covered buttons and wide sleeves that cinched at the cuffs. Embroidery adorned the pockets of her frayed jeans. Her long, honey-coloured hair was pulled back in a high ponytail. She had a fine-boned but durable face and almost perfect skin, which made her look younger than her thirty-six years. In her stylish but comfortable clothes, she radiated girl-next-door glamour.
When the string of bells on the front door tinkled, she paused and looked up. Her clear blue eyes considered Saige; the sixteen-year-old part-time shop assistant was twenty minutes late.
Lost in her phone, Saige drifted toward the counter. ‘Mia, aliens just landed,’ she said.
‘I doubt that’s true.’ Mia flattened the edges of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s lace collar before adding the doll to the basket.
‘There’s a picture.’ Saige showed Mia her screen.
‘Unfortunately, that doesn’t make it true. Why are you always late?’
‘I honestly don’t know.’ Saige continued scrolling.
‘Please, no more late afternoons or unscheduled days off unless you really are sick. Then I’ll need a doctor’s certificate.’
‘Can my dad write a note?’
‘No. Come to work on time.’
Saige paused. ‘Did you just cancel me?’
‘I don’t think so…’ Mia held up Joan of Arc - the doll was missing her banner. ‘Have you seen Joan’s flag?’
Saige took this news seriously. ‘The woman on fire!’ Lifting her head, she glanced around the shop. Somewhere amongst the floor-to-ceiling shelves of yarn, the throw rugs that tumbled out of hampers, and the knitted gloves and scarves that filled the wicker baskets was a tiny white flag.
Overwhelmed by the enormity of the task, Saige promptly returned to her phone.
‘I need you to create a new seasonal display,’ Mia said.
‘Mild,’ Saige replied.
Saige had an eye for colour and a talent for visual merchandising, but her dreamy nature made her unreliable. Wearing a hoodie, a short skirt, and chunky boots, she had the air of a ballet dancer – despite the footwear – she glided past Mia and tucked her bag into the shelf behind the front counter.
When the shop phone rang, Mia picked up the receiver. ‘Good afternoon, Hook and Knot. How can—’ It was Blanche, her aunt. ‘Slow down,’ Mia said. ‘I can’t understand a word… Wait, he did what?’ Mia paused. ‘He put a chicken where?…Oh my god, I’ll be there as soon as I can.’
Mia turned to Saige. ‘I have to leave. There’s a family emergency. I won’t be long, but now is your time to shine.’
Saige frowned, chewing her lip. ‘All I ever do is clean.’
‘I’m leaving you in charge.’
The girl’s face lit up. ‘Can I dress Fiona?’
‘We changed her clothes yesterday, but you can set up the Spectacle of Socks.’ From behind the counter, Mia handed Saige a dozen cardboard display feet and a bag of knitted socks. ‘The socks go on the feet,’ Mia explained. ‘You place them around the store.’
