As he paused, his hoary breath slowed after the dash from the forest. Left. Nothing. Right. Nothing. The track showed nothing, but that meant little, for there were dangers secreted everywhere. High above, he could hear the waves lapping in the gusty, North-easterly wind, straight from the Steppes.

There were three of them that morning, and as the light faded, he was the only one left. For a few moments, his smallness lingered in his thoughts. After all, what difference could he make, in the bigger scheme of things?

The backpack felt heavier and he reminded himself that the purpose of the mission must be his focus for the next few minutes. Looking around at the silence once more, he lowered the canvas bag to the floor and retrieved the small, intricate mechanism. He would only have one opportunity, for the patrols were consistent along the roadway that ran along the top.

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Brickwork was all that was between them these days, and little good it did, for they hadn’t spoken for over thirty years, for a reason neither chose to remember.

Now, each of them left alone in the world, they continued with their long-forgotten feud. Two women whiling away the dog days of their lives empty and routine, of no comfort to anyone, least of all themselves.

The doorbell rang on a Tuesday, much to Mildred’s surprise.

She woke from her mid-morning doze with a jump and hurried as best she could to the door, checking her hair and other presentation as she passed the hall mirror. Not perfect, but she would do.

“Hello, Mrs Jenkins, how are you today?” He didn’t wait for an answer as he bustled his way through his bag.

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Soft blonde curls lay on their pillows. Two near-mirror images face each other with only a nightlight to see them, somehow making more of them, in that angelic light.

Every evening, Julia always feels a little choked when she walks in and looks at them. It would be ten years tomorrow she brought them home and she can never make sense of where the time has gone. She tip-toes over and pulls the cover up a little on Isabelle and pushes teddy back into bed with Melissa. She stops and smiles once more as she leaves them.

All is well. Continue reading →

You see a flash of orange across the square, just for a moment.

It’s the first time that you’ve actually seen him, but you know there have been other times recently when you sensed him as well.

It was a him back then. Always a him. For that’s how you know they do it. Every time.

He’s gone now, after he knows you saw him. Not that he was anyone you actually knew.

~~~

But you did know of him, from the other times.

That one time in the back street in Siena. And the other time way up in Ravello, way across the valley from the restaurant. The pizza was the best you’d ever had and Michel was with you. He almost threw you off guard for a while. Those beguiling eyes that he used so much to his advantage, peering deep into your soul.

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“Goodbye darling. I love you.”

My little red legs are running to keep up with her as we scurry along, on that misty, cold morning. It’s a grey and brooding Victorian stone-built school and I’m feeling bad as we make our way through the crowd of bigger children and their parents. We walk up the steps, where a blonde, cheery woman speaks with my mother, sharing encouraging, sympathetic words. As she touches my mother’s arm, one last time, I look up at that face I love and she smiles a nervous smile and turns and leaves through the half-glazed door. I’m rooted to the floor in disbelief. My new red St James’ blazer is stained with bitter tears. “Come along Reggie, let’s hang your coat up here.” Continue reading →