Drink With The Devil

by David Woods

  One day Jim heard a chain saw cutting up a large beech tree, which had fallen across a bridle path during a particularly windy night. He quickly went to investigate and saw that there were two men, one with the saw and the other pulling the sawn wood away, but suddenly the noise stopped. Jim stepped on a dead twig, which cracked loudly. The two men stared in his direction and he moved swiftly behind a tree, hoping he had not been observed but heard one man say. “Did you hear something?” Not waiting to hear the reply, Jim moved quickly and almost silently away, not knowing if he had been seen, and praying he had not.

  Chapter Two

  Manor Farm was dominated by the large white Georgian mansion which stood on the side of the hill overlooking the farm buildings to the left. The forest was beyond on the right. Directly below were well maintained lawns and gardens with grass meadows in the distance.

  Sir William Osborne, a middle aged portly gentleman, liked to sit on his large York stone patio watching his herd of pedigree Friesians grazing beyond the gardens. He looked forward to retiring in a few years time and living permanently on the farm, but in the meantime his business took him to London during the week. His wife, Lavinia, and daughter, Angela, preferred the farm and lived there permanently. His son, Garry, had just joined his father’s firm and lived in London on his own.

  Angela was nineteen, of medium height with dark curly hair and a trim figure. Being a keen horse rider, she hunted regularly, and had two chestnut mares. Her mother liked her daughter to meet the right kind of men, such as members of the hunting fraternity, but Angela’s experience with young men had been varied. When she left private school at seventeen, she came home and was soon lonely, missing the hectic life to which she had become accustomed. Within a short time she fell in love with one of the young farm workers, but when her mother caught them in a passionate embrace in the cowshed, the lad was promptly dismissed and told to leave immediately. She never really got over this boy, although several “suitable” young men dated her. She was not impressed by their pompous sense of self-importance, and these brief encounters normally ended when their clumsy attempts at lovemaking did not come close to the passion she had previously experienced.

  Angela turned her energies to running the farm office and riding. One particularly beautiful spring afternoon, when there was not a cloud in the sky, she decided to take a long ride. As she galloped past the front door, her hair blew in the breeze. She shouted to her mother, “I’ll be gone for about three hours.”

  “Okay, darling, but be careful.”

  The mare was frisky and wanted to canter, but Angela kept her in check until they reached the flat pasture, and then off they went towards the edge of the wood. She rode around the outside until the bridle path came into view. She stopped and wondered whether to go back the way she had come or, back through the forest via the bridle path, but decided on the latter.

  The mare was a gentle animal called Gemma, with long powerful legs that never seemed to tire. Angela patted her as they turned into the forest and walked between the trees, which hung low over the path. She ducked to miss some of the branches, but the path soon opened out and they moved faster. The grass under foot was long and lush, which kept their pace to a trot, Gemma’s forelegs ploughing twin furrows in the forest floor. Suddenly a hare ran out of the long grass directly in front of them. The mare stopped dead, neighing and bucking, its rear end lifting Angela until she was catapulted headlong forward. She hit the ground with a thump, her unprotected head cracking against a sawn-off branch of a fallen beech tree. As she lay motionless, the horse whinnied loudly with fright and trotted a short distance down the path, before turning around to walk back to her mistress lying prostrate on the damp ground. Gemma whinnied again and sniffed at Angela’s face.

  Jim was wandering aimlessly through the forest, appreciating the warm weather and the scent of the primroses blooming in clumps in the clearings. He heard a horse whinny not far away, and deduced that the sound came from the bridle path, so he made his way quickly towards it. Hearing the second whinny, it was obvious the horse was distressed; later he found the path and ran along towards the sound. As he approached, the horse whinnied again and laid its ears back, looking angry and frightened. Jim stopped a few yards away. He spoke softly. “It’s all right, ole girl, I won’t hurt you.” Gemma pricked up her ears and walked towards Jim. He stroked her neck, talking quietly to her as she whinnied softly and nuzzled against him. He looked down at the girl lying on her back. Her eyes were closed and she looked very pale, so he quickly felt her pulse and checked for broken bones. When he felt her head, he noticed a bump starting to form. Her clothes were damp from lying in the grass and he wondered what he should do.

  After a while Angela groaned and stuttered. “Where am I?”

  “You had a bad fall, but don’t worry, I’ll take care of you.”

  She closed her eyes as her head throbbed with pain. As Jim carefully picked her up he found she was surprisingly light, and he cradled her like a baby. Gemma sniffed her mistress again and Jim said “Come on, ole girl. You can follow.”

  Jim walked through the forest, choosing a route he thought the horse could follow. After five minutes his arms felt like dropping off, but he kept going to the lodge. Gemma stood by the rhododendron bush as he laid Angela gently on the camp bed. He stood up and studied her face, again wondering what he should do, when he noticed her eye lids open. He knelt down beside the bed and stroked her forehead and hair, desperately hoping she would wake soon.

  Slowly Angela regained full consciousness and looked up at Jim, who was spellbound when he saw her beautiful brown eyes. Before she could speak he said. “It’s all right. You fell off your horse and I’m looking after you, so relax.”

  She looked nervously at his face with its thick black beard, deep blue eyes and long hair. “Who are you?”

  “My name’s Jim. Now don’t try to move in a hurry.”

  “Okay. I’ll keep still for a few minutes.”

  “Good, ’cause you may have concussion.”

  “Where am I?”

  “This is an old shooting lodge and I live here.”

  “What about my horse?”

  “She’s okay, and waiting for you outside.”

  She lay still, studying this wild-looking man, who somehow made her relax.

  Jim smiled at her. “Try and sit up slowly.” He put his arm around her shoulder, the smell of her perfume distracting him, and he held her longer than was necessary. She sat looking around the lodge and he sat on the floor in front of her. “How d’you feel, then?”

  “A bit dizzy and my head aches. Otherwise all right.”

  He looked into her brown eyes. “Thank goodness for that. Please tell me your name.”

  “Of course. Angela Osborne.”

  Jim’s face developed a more serious look. “Your father owns this lodge, and I’m trespassing.”

  She smiled for the first time. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell on you. After all, you could have left me lying in the damp grass.” She felt her damp legs.

  “Thanks, ’cause I like it here.”

  “How long have you been living in the forest?”

  “About a year, I suppose.”

  “Good gracious! What d’you live on?”

  “All the things nature provides.”

  Jim seemed to tower over her when he returned with a cup of water. She looked at his well-built body whilst sipping the cool liquid, and wondered why such a perfectly built man would want to hide himself away. She imagined him without the beard and with his hair cut, and thought he could be very handsome. She even liked the sound of his voice.

  “Aren’t you lonely? All on your own for so long.”

  “Not at all. I’ve lots of animal friends.”

  “What animal friends? I see no dogs or cats.”

  “The forest animals. You probably think I’m daft, but they do keep me company.”

  She nodded, trying not to look surprised.

  “Your ho
rse is a beautiful animal. What d’you call her?”

  “Gemma. My father bought her for me to go hunting.”

  Jim frowned and said slowly. “I don’t approve of hunting. Chasing those poor foxes till they drop, and then tearing them apart.”

  Angela could tell he was serious and felt deeply about animals, so instead of arguing, which she would have done with anyone else, she just said, “I can appreciate that point of view.”

  Jim smiled. “I’d like to show you my friends. Then perhaps you wouldn’t want to hunt them again.”

  “Friends? Oh, I see. You mean foxes? Yes, I’d like that.” Unsteadily she suddenly stood up. “It’s nearly dark. I think I ought to be getting back.”

  “But are you fit enough?”

  “Just a little dizzy, perhaps. But I’ll make it.”

  “Come on then. Follow me.”

  Gemma was waiting patiently by the rhododendron bush and nuzzled up to Jim. Angela was amazed.

  “She’s never done that to anyone except me.” She held Jim’s hand and whispered. “I do feel unsteady. Please don’t let me fall.”

  He experienced a tremor going through his body when she touched his hand, and felt rooted to the spot.

  Angela smiled. “Come on. There’ll be a search party looking for me.”

  “Okay. We’ll make for the bridle path.”

  They walked as fast as possible with Gemma following behind, and after about ten minutes reached the path near to where it left the forest.

  “On you get and Gemma’ll take you home.”

  “Thanks for everything.”

  Just then a powerful torch lit the bridle path and a loud voice said “She’s here, and looking good.”

  Angela turned to say goodbye but Jim had vanished. She nearly cried out to him but stopped herself just in time, as the figure of a farm worker ran along the path towards her.

  “Are you all right, Miss? Everyone’s out searching for you.”

  “Yes. I’m fine. Just a minor fall.”

  The farm worker walked beside her, lighting the path ahead with his torch.

  Jim watched from behind a tree as she disappeared from view, hoping she would return. He walked slowly back to the lodge, his mind filled with the afternoon’s events. He could see her face smiling at him and remembered the strange sensation that went through his body when she held his hand.

  Angela arrived home to be confronted by her mother. “Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick.”

  “I fell off. And bumped my head.”

  “Oh my goodness. I’d better call the doctor.”

  “There’s no need. I’m feeling fine now.”

  “But where did you fall?”

  “On the bridle path through the wood.”

  “But that was searched an hour ago.”

  “Oh well, I was sitting on a log in the wood.” She dismounted and felt the bump on her head. “I’ve just got a small bump, that’s all.”

  Her mother felt it. “I really think I should call the doctor.”

  “What for? I’m okay.”

  “Well, if you say so, darling. But you must be careful in future.”

  “Yes, Mummy. I will.”

  The search party was called off and Gemma returned to her stable.

  After removing her damp riding gear, Angela decided on a bath. As she lay back in the warm soapy water, she thought of Jim and how different he was. She knew she had become attracted to him and wanted to see him again. She closed her eyes, picturing his wild-looking face in her mind, and wondered when she would hear that deep husky voice again.

  The following weekend Sir William was informed of the fall, but made light of the matter. “That’s a risk you take if you go riding, I’m afraid.”

  Lavinia was surprised at his reaction. “But she could have been hurt badly.”

  “That’s true, my dear. But it’s no good worrying about what might have been.”

  After Sir William returned to London the following Monday morning, Angela announced her intention to go for another ride. Her mother felt her head. “Well, the bump seems to have disappeared. Don’t go far. And nowhere near that bridle path. You should wear a proper riding hat, you know.”

  “Yes, Mummy. I’m sure you’re right.”

  Gemma seemed pleased to go out again and was straining against the stable door when Angela arrived and whispered. “I know where you want to go, don’t I?” Soon they were off with Angela choosing a path along the side of the hill behind a tall hedge, and out of sight of the house. The path led directly to the forest and then turned and went down the hill beside it to the bridle path. As Angela turned slowly into the path, Gemma’s ears were pricked as she stared into the forest. A few minutes later she started whinnying and halted. Angela looked towards the trees, but could see nothing. Suddenly, a few yards in front of them a grinning Jim appeared, and Gemma walked forward and nuzzled him.

  “Hello, Jim. I thought I might see you.”

  She climbed off the saddle and Jim held her arm, whispering “Are you fully recovered now?”

  “Yes. I’m fine, but I think my horse is about to desert me and join you in the forest.”

  “She’s lovely.”

  “Will you show me your lodge again?”

  Jim smiled. “I hoped you’d ask.”

  Gemma followed with her reins thrown over the saddle, and then nudged them in the back if they slowed down. Angela tried to remember the route they were taking, but after five minutes realised she would be lost without Jim. When they arrived she walked around the room looking carefully at Jim’s possessions as he watched her in wonderment. “I can’t offer you tea ‘cause I only drink water.”

  “Water’ll be fine.” She sat on the camp bed sipping the cool liquid. “What a terribly spartan life you lead. Don’t you want any normal home comforts?”

  “No, not really. I have all I need and besides I spend most of my time outside. Let me show you around.”

  “I’d like that.”

  They walked along the edge of the hill, Jim holding her hand and fearing she might slip. When they arrived, Angela just stared and whispered “How lovely.” Just as she was looking down at the water, the clouds above parted to let a shaft of light penetrate the trees and fall on the water. The surrounding area sharpened the contrasting colours and made the water sparkle. They both stood still and marvelled at the beautiful scene. Instinctively she leant against him and did not move as his arm slipped around her shoulders. A few seconds passed as the world stood still and Angela whispered “It’s nice being totally on our own.”

  “Well, nearly.”

  She looked sharply up at him. “Who can see us, then?”

  “The animals and Gemma, of course.”

  She buried her head into his shirt-covered chest. “They won’t mind.”

  He held her gently, feeling her heart beating against him. He could smell her perfume and kissed her forehead, feeling overwhelmed with desire and affection. She flung her arms around him and clung to him, pressing her body against him. They stayed locked together, oblivious of the world around them, until a sharp nudge caused them to part in surprise. Gemma put her head between them.

  Angela chuckled. “She’s jealous. Now Jim, look what you’ve done to my horse. You’ve turned her into an old softy.” They both laughed and walked back to the lodge hand in hand. Once inside Angela said, “I’ll have to go in a minute or my mother’ll send out another search party.”

  “You’ll come and see me again, won’t you?”

  “Of course. As soon as I can.” She walked up to him and whispered “I want to see you a lot more.”

  Jim looked down into her eyes, and saw to his delight his own intense feelings reflected. She looked lovingly first into his eyes and then slowly down to his lips. He gently folded his arms around her in a loving embrace and their lips met; the sweet taste combined with the perfume of her hair, which he stroked as his other hand felt the warm skin through her silk blouse. As he drew
her closer she felt the softness of his beard against her cheek, and locked in an embrace they were completely engrossed in their feelings for each other. Jim felt his whole body shake, and Angela, sensing his state of mind, gently eased away, her face flushed with pleasure.

  “Oh, Jim. I’m sorry, I really don’t want to leave you but I must.”

  “Please don’t go yet.”

  “I must. I’ve stayed too long, now.”

  “But you’re so beautiful.”

  “You’ve been locked away too long.”

  He flung his arms around her again and she returned his embrace, but eased away.

  “I really must go now.”

  “Yes. I suppose you must,” he said sadly.

  They walked back to the bridle path hand in hand, and stopped for another embrace before Jim forced himself to say goodbye, and disappeared into the wood.

  Angela returned to find her mother pacing up and down the stable yard.

  “Where have you been?”

  “Just out for a ride.”

  “You’ve been gone for hours.”

  Angela slid down and stood in front of her mother, who looked her in the eye accusingly. “Look, Darling, you’re all flushed. You should have come home earlier.”

  Angela felt her face and found it was burning. “It’s nothing. You worry too much.” She led Gemma into the stable, removing the saddle as her mother walked off towards the house.

  Later that evening she sat and picked at her food whilst thinking about Jim.

  Her mother noticed her faraway look and remarked sharply. “Are you sure you’re not suffering from concussion?”