I rubbed my shoulders for warmth as the first of the snow began to fall, blanketing the Canberra skyline in a sea of white powder.
‘Incredible, isn’t it,’ the woman next to me intoned, eyes wide under her beanie and shock of brown hair.
‘I guess,’ I frowned, looking around the deserted bridge for where she came from. ‘Sorry, do I know you?’
‘I hope not,’ she grinned, ‘because I have no idea who you are.’
‘Right… well, you enjoy your night,’ I said cautiously, stepping away and cupping my hands in front of my face.
‘Wait!’ she called out, jogging to get in front of me. I frowned at her from behind my still-cupped hands.
‘Sylvie,’ she said with a grin, holding out her hand.
‘I’m sorry?’
‘Sylvie,’ she repeated. ‘That’s my name.’
I looked around again, this time for a hidden camera.
‘I used to work in ducted heating repairs near Canberra,’ she continued, ‘but then it got too hot when summer rolled around, and they didn’t need me anymore.’
I flicked my eyes up to the sky, and the snow that was still falling on top of us.
‘It’s winter,’ I frowned.
‘What’s that?’
‘Summer was seven months ago.’
‘Was it?’ she looked puzzled. ‘How strange. Well, that’s global warming for you,’ she joked.
‘I don’t think that’s what global warming—’
‘Wait!’ she threw her hand out, splaying it against my chest, stopping me in my barely-moving tracks.
‘What?!’
‘Do you think this means I can get my job back?’
‘What job?’
‘That place that does heating services and repairs. Near Canberra? Ring any bells? Seriously dude, we were just talking about it a second ago.’
‘Riiight,’ I frowned. ‘You’re a bit strange, aren’t you?’
‘I have been told that, yes.’
‘By who?’
‘A few people. Most people,’ her face fell slightly. ‘Everyone.’
‘Right, well, I have somewhere to be,’ I said, removing her hand from where it still pressed against my chest. ‘Enjoy your winter,’ I called behind me as I trudged down the bridge.