The Blinking Lights of Memory

Chapter 1: Love In Air

# The Blinking Lights of Memory

There was no graceful way to say it.

Hey. My mum is dying. Would you like to go out with me?

Tamsin had composed versions of that message in her head, each one worse than the last. Sometimes it sounded like a plea for sympathy. Sometimes it sounded like a warning. Mostly, it sounded like she was placing something fragile and terrible between herself and Wyvern before they had even worked out what they were to each other.

So she said nothing.

Mum had told her not to put her life on hold.

“The ravens of memory fly around the universe,” she had said one morning, “but they never roost in the tower.”

Mama had looked up from buttering toast.

“Well, I hope the ravens of memory will still be joining us for Sunday dinner.”

Tamsin had laughed despite herself.