Promises Beyond The Veil Of Light ( PT 39 )

Picture by pixabay free images.

 

 

Par Thirty Nine.

 

 

Continuing Mina's account of her time in Tintagel.

 

 

 

 

It was now the end of the first week of January, a day before me and dad were due to go back home to Evie's. Dad had to get back to the forest but was also restless and eager to be off, much to my protests of wanting to stay longer. I loved the remoteness of where we were staying with its big open spaces and small country lanes where you could walk and not see a soul for miles. I wasn't looking forward to returning to school, but missed Evie and couldn't wait to share my experiences with her.

 

On the morning of our last day, Kate had promised that she'd take me into the village of Tintagel where I could buy a gift to take home for Evie. After breakfast we both headed out along the dirt track that led on to the road and caught the bus. There were very few buses, so we would have to keep an eye on the time, but Kate knew exactly when the bus would leave and couldn't wait to show me shops she knew I'd adore.

 

There was hardly anyone on the bus as we stepped on and paid the fare. The short ride to the village left me mesmerized by the beautiful countryside, I thought Kate was so lucky to live down here and wished I could stay. I know I kept saying it but just the thought of going back didn't impress me at all. Turning to Kate I inquired. “Can we keep in contact when I get home?”

 

“Of course,” replied Kate. “You know you're welcome here any time, Mum really likes you and we could spend holidays together.”

 

That sounded so good to me, but really I'd have preferred to live down here permanently, though I decided not to dwell on it too much or mention the fact to Kate. The bus ride took less than ten minutes and I asked “can we walk back if we miss the bus. It's not that far, is it?”

 

With an expression of, 'not likely!' Kate declared, “no, mum and dad don't like me walking home, it's a bit lonely round here and you don't know who's about.”

 

On this cold crisp day the village was practically empty apart from the few locals out doing their shopping. There was a post office which I found amusing, it was like a shop built into a stone cottage. There were cafes, but they were all closed for the season.

 

I was fascinated as we gazed into shop windows. There were crystals with many lovely looking stones, I wished I had loads of money to spend, but of course I only had enough for a small gift. Stepping inside and looking around, we found a small amber pendant for Evie and hoped she'd like it.

 

“Let's go down to Merlin's beach,” whispered Kate excitedly taking my arm as we walked out the shop.

 

I thought this was a great idea as it would be deserted in early January. We found it strange to be finally alone as we ran off down the road towards the path that led to the beach, normally there would be loads of tourists even in January. There was a raw coldness that was so bitter the closer we got to the sea, it ate through our coats and woolly hats leaving us running for shelter near the cave for protection. It was one of those wild mysterious moments as I remembered the story of Merlin and wondered if it were all true.

 

As if reading my mind Kate began gazing across the expanse of Ocean. “I wonder if Merlin really did stand on these shores, looking out across the sea with fantasies of a Utopian future.”

 

I wasn't sure what Kate meant. “What's Utopian mean?” My face contorted in a confused manner.

 

Kate smiled at my innocence. “It means living in a romantic or idyllic world. Wouldn't it be blissful to think that our future could be exactly that.”

 

“Well, I think you do have a blissful future living where you do, I wish I lived with the spud family, how contented I would be.” I felt happy and alive so span around in a circle with my arms outstretched and ran towards the shoreline imagining I was flying, feeling the wind helping me pick up speed.

 

Of course Kate knew she was lucky to live at the big rambling house, but she did wonder what living in a town would be like. She chased after me and went to jump on my shoulders, but I was too quick and ran back up the beach where I spied a colorful pebble, it was a burnished cream and cherry red with gray in between, I'd never seen such a special pebble as this. Picking it up I put it in my pocket, though I felt slightly guilty at removing it from the beach, but knowing how individual it was, decided to take special care of my souvenir.

 

Making our way back up the steps arm in arm ready to catch the bus home, I felt so happy, and felt my life was perfect but little did I know that things were all about to change, and not for the better when we got back to Evie's.

 

To be continued...