Dark clouds gather in the skies from the early morning hours, shading the world in deep purple gray. Winds whirl and rustle through leaves, but no rain falls. A cold threatening blanket lies over the town, a storm in waiting

Olympia perches at her workbench, staring at the empty seat at Vera's bench. It's been an hour since work began, the lab bustles and hums around her. Even though she's hopeful, she knows Vera isn't coming in today.

Hey, you doing okay?

Are you coming to work today?

Oly's messages are delivered but no answer comes from Vera.

After another hour, Oly can't stand peering over her shoulder another moment.

'Knock, knock,' she says, peering into Redia's office.

'You know I hate that.' Redia grins, keeping her eyes on the screen. 'The door is open, come on in.'

'Then I'd miss out on the chance to annoy you,' Oly says, plopping down onto one of the chairs in front of her friend's desk. 'I forgot how luxuriously you live up on this floor.'

'Can't say it's worth it,' she says, 'worked into the evening yesterday.'

'Damn corporate machine.'

'You're telling me.' Redia sighs, leaning back on her chair.

'So. Vera didn't come in today. I was hoping she would. It surely can't help her to be cooped up in that house all alone all day. No distractions. Anyway, if you can avoid the corporate machine this evening, will you come with me to her place after work?'

'Did you try to call her?'

'Phone is off.'

'Surprise pop-in it is. If we skip lunch we can leave an hour early.'

'Best get on then,' Oly says, standing, 'see you at four.'

As Oly arrives back at her workbench, she notices someone waiting near her desk.

'Tasmin, can I help you with something?' she asks drily.

'Hi, friend!' Tamin says. 'Dr Mfuta called a meeting in 5 minutes. Just told her you were taking a break so I would let you know.'

'Who says I was taking a break?' she asks. 'I could have been in the bathroom.'

'Yeah, you're right, but I checked the bathroom and you weren't there.'

Oly sits at her desk and turns back to her work. 'Yeah okay thanks Tamsin.'

'I'm going there now if you'd like to come.'

'Just have something to update on my schedule,' Oly says. 'I'll meet you there, rather.'

'Okay, I'll pour us coffees so long then!' Tamsin disappears into the meeting room.

Oly lets out a long breath. She waits a few moments, and when she sees others heading to the meeting room, she joins them. 'Hey James,' she greets as she enters the room. 'How are you?'

'Better thanks,' James adjusts his glasses. 'I got a puppy.'

Oly raises her eyebrows with a smile. 'A puppy huh?'

'Yes, it was spur of the moment, if I'm honest. But it helps to make the house feel less empty. Always some kind of activity happening or training to be done.' He smiles awkwardly. 'His name is Terror.'

'Here's your coffee!' Tasmin approaches Oly with a cappuccino is hand. 'I heard you ask for a flavoured one last week so this one is also flavoured. Since Vera isn't here, I'll just sit with you.' she says, taking the seat alongside Oly.

Oly sighs, trying not to roll her eyes.

James leaves his seat for a coffee, and when he sits back down, it's across the table.

Dr Mfuta walks in and the room quietens down. 'Good morning, everyone.'

'She's going to announce the team, I bet,' Tamsin whispers.

'I've called you in today to announce the team for the forest fire.'

'I knew it,' Tamsin says.

'Shh,' Oly whispers, unable to help herself.

'I am calling everyone in here to explain that this is an unusually high profile case, give that the story has received some media attention. This team might be under scrutiny by other labs or by the media. Multiple managers held a meeting to determine the team that would be working on this, and I hope you will all be pleased with the selection.'

'I hope it's me, I work the hardest in this lab,' Tamsin whispers.

Oly sighs audibly.

Dr Mfuta pulls a list from her file. 'The team leader will be James. Technicians working beneath him will be Serena, Cale, Tamsin and Jessica.'

Tamsin makes a little noise, whether from happiness or disdain for the remainder of the team, Oly is unsure. Once her name hasn't been called, she stops listening and checks her messages under the table, until the team is dismissed.

Oly scurries back to her desk to avoid further unwanted conversation.

*

When Redia and Oly arrive at Vera's cottage, the sky is still a bruised gray-purple. There is a rumbling in the air, but no rain falls. A wild frigid wind blows through the trees.

'Light's on, that's a good sign,' Redia says, opening the gate. They make their way up the garden path. Sitting politely on Vera's porch is a plastic bag with a red ribbon tied atop it. Oly leans down. 'This thing smells. Ew, is that...poop? Is that poop in a bag?'

Redia knocks loudly. 'Vera?'

No answer.

'Vera, it's us. We're coming in.' Redia calls.

She tries the door. It isn't locked. She swings it open and strolls slowly in.

'Vera?'

Vera' head appears above the back on the sofa. She's on the couch, swaddled in a blanket. There's an empty popcorn bag on her lap, the TV plays loudly.

'Oh goodness, I've never seen you watching TV.' Redia laughs. There is a wine glass in Vera's hand, there is an empty bottle on her coffee table.

'Hey guys, what are you doing here?'

Oly closes the front door and throws her coat over one of the chairs at the dining room table. She slips her shoes off, and hops onto the couch alongside Vera. She lifts the blanket and cuddles up underneath.

'We are here to watch TV with you, or drink wine with you,' Oly says. 'Or do whatever you want to do.'

'Or to eat dinner with you,' Redia says, lifting the food bags in her hands.

'Aw guys, thank you. You don't have to do any of that.'

'We want to,' Redia says, taking the food to the kitchen. 'Already told hubby that I'll be home late and I need a break from that little adorable monster I call my son so please don't send me away.'

She comes back into the room with two more wine glasses and a new bottle of wine. It makes a small pop as she opens it. She tops up Vera's glass, pours one for herself and one for Oly, and cuddles up on the other side of Vera.

'We know it's been a tough day,' Oly says, 'but we want you to know that you can choose some members of your family. And we've chosen you.'

Vera smiles gently. 'Youre the best.' She rests her head on Oly's shoulder. 'I'm watching rom coms, is that cool?'

Oly puts her arm around her friends shoulders and snuggles closely. 'Vera,' she says, 'I never thought I'd be asking one of my friends this but... why is there a bag of poop outside your door?'

'Oh,' Vera says, 'it's about the story in the paper. Some people have been whispering to the town that I'm a witch. That I killed a man in the forest. The poop hasn't been the first gift. I got spray paint all over my door last week..'

Redia sighs. 'Sometimes I wonder why I came to this town.' She smiles and nudges Vera gently with her shoulder. 'Are you okay though? Do you want to talk about it?'

Vera's eyes well with tears. She sighs. 'I just miss her.'

Oly rubs her shoulder. 'Of course you do.'

'I feel like something is missing. Like I forgot something at home, you know? I'll be around people and feel alone.' She sniffles. 'Not you guys, obviously. But, she was my support. My counsel. I lost my best friend.'

'We know.' Redia hugs her.

'I keep hoping she'll come through those doors. That I can have dinner with her and laugh about how silly this whole thing was. That she was never really gone, it was just a misunderstanding.'

'Losing a sister is trauma.' Oly says.

Vera sniffles and snuggles closer.

'What would you two have been doing on a night like tonight?'

'Don't know. Might just have been a quiet dinner. Maybe a night on the town,' she chuckles.

'I know what will help,' Oly stands suddenly, grabbing her phone from the table. Music begins to blare from it. She holds out her hands to her friends. 'We're having a dance party.'

'What?' Vera giggles.

'Come on,' she takes their hands, tugging them from the couch. 'You know the words.'

Oly begins to dance. She pulls their hands into open space and begins to sing along, dancing to the swelling music. Vera dances too, reluctantly, and so does Redia. She starts laughing, then Vera is laughing, then they all are. The music builds and they dance, they jump, they sing; until the tears have dried and dinner gets cold.