An extract von my epic novel

An Extract

Hello, I'm Laura. You probably knew that. If not, why the HELL are you reading this? Click the back button please. Anyway, Here's a bit of an extract from the novel I'm writing, just to draw the customers in. Don't forget, I love you all lots and lots, so don't forget to leave complimenting comments at the end of it. MuchThankies. xx

‘Arthur!’ I called, watching his face light up at the thought of a visitor ‘Arthur!’ I fell down next to him after running the last stretch of the hill. ‘Hello, it’s been a while’‘Sure as apples are apples it has,’ he replied smiling. ‘I’ve long since finished the last of my Jane Austen’s, and I’m well into Dickens now.’I often think that Arthur’s main goal in this life is to read every single classic book out there. I don’t understand half of the titles, let alone the plots. ‘Well done, I’d never have the stamina to finish one of those.’Arthur smiled quietly at the spine of the book he was reading. ‘Well, I love it, so it’s no great sacrifice. I’m thinking of asking for War and Peace for my birthday; I’ll be eighteen in a few months. Seems an appropriate title, don’t you think?’ The smile vanished slowly from my face. ‘Yes,’ I said eventually, trying to keep my voice steady with all of my might. ‘Very.’Arthur dropped the book he was holding, which was unusual enough to distract me from my near-tear crisis. He lectures me endlessly about looking after the spines and bindings of books. ‘Wait - Elsie, what on earth is wrong?’I let the whole miserable story tumble out, along with a few tears, even the part about looking after Ma and Lily now Pa was gone. Arthur shifted uncomfortable, and after a while, passed me his handkerchief. It was only when I began to calm down a little that I noticed his arm was around me. I blushed deeply, wondering what Ma would say. ‘Well, gosh. Well, forgive me for saying it again, but that’s not the best thing to happen, is it?’ I shook my head in a mixture of despair and embarrassment ‘But maybe the war won’t be a long one. Maybe it’ll be a flash-conflict.’Arthur has the most vexing habit of using terms that only a specialist in that field could even begin to comprehend.‘A flash what?’ I asked, a familiar grin starting to creep across my face.‘Oh, a flash-conflict,’ He began enthusiastically. ‘A flash conflict is where neither sides have enough troops or supplies to sustain a long, drawn out war, and…’ He trailed off, having seen me looking away, my shoulders shaking. ‘Oh, Elsie, I’m so sorry…I…’I turned around, giggling. ‘Oh, you are one Arthur,’ I laughed, wiping away tears of laughter this time. ‘Fancy discussing army tactics with me of all people!’ Arthur laughed too this time.‘Oh, yes, I suppose you aren’t the most appropriate. My father would…’ He trailed off again. I sat up a little straighter, knowing that whatever had made Arthur stop hadn’t been good. ‘Your father would what?’ I asked tentatively, nervously twisting a strand of hair between two fingers.‘My father.’ Began Arthur slowly, ‘my father would be more of the person to talk about armies with, because…well…’ He bit his lip. ‘My father wants me to enlist.’ He blurted out.My heart skipped a beat for the second time in a little while.‘He wants you to enlist? Why on earth?’‘Because he doesn’t think I’m tough enough. He wants me to be one of those thugs in the army or navy that go out to get themselves killed.’ Arthur picked up a buttercup with his free hand and twirled it between his finger and thumb. The flower was dying; its petals were hanging off. One fluttered to the ground. We sat in silence for a while. Eventually I plucked up the courage to say something.‘I don’t want you to be one of those thugs, Arthur. I think you’re marvellous.’My cheeks went as red as the bloody sky above. I glanced up for a second to see if he was looking at me. His cheeks were as red as mine. He didn’t say anything, just held me a little closer. I rested my head against his shoulder, and knew I’d never been so happy.Btw, I'm fully aware that this is a particulary lovey-dovey bit. I PROMISE to get some gory or drama stuff on here at a later date, primarily when I've wriiten it.