The Meddler

by Donna Maria McCarthy

  ‘Reuben, come now? I am all for a bit of magic but nowt can beat a good tale told with feeling; I will tempt you with a nip of the bad brew, if it will charm that tongue of yours?’ Nella implored.

  And so as was custom, the elder told the tale and the young ones acted out, though the excitement left all empty, Meddler noted later that night. He wondered what magic they shared as they slept, for though was not his it was still telling, and he felt no need to meddle that night, nor did he have anything to say.

  Reuben comforted him in his sleep, saying that he need not worry about becoming less knowing, for was not true. It was just that these people had developed their own sort of magic, perhaps from Meddler himself - and was why of late, some thoughts eluded him. Meddler, gladdened and perhaps allowing the illusion to take him, informed the proprietor of Fi Fi La La that Reuben was to town tomorrow and it tickled the Old Dragon to know that it woke her and made her smile.

  Chapter 6

  Next morning, the heady smell of pancakes and warmed spiced fruit woke all with a ferocious appetite. Meddler, though he rarely ate and then only of curiosity, said to Nella that she would be hung for a witch, truth, for less in Hares Folly. The young ones fought and cheated their way to be first in line.

  Nella exclaimed, ‘Wait now, all of you! Someone take this plate to Kane, I believe he slept there last night?’ She shared a look with a few, enough said. One of her boys, Oaky, took the plate and looked to his mother sincerely. He was at an age, not yet a man but no more a boy and hungered to be included in these secret assemblies. Still she felt it not yet time and sent him to Kane with a plate of treats under strict instruction not to nibble the edges or slurp the juice.

  Oaky noted that Kane talked with someone and with staff in hand; this was not right, he thought, and he quickened his step,

  ‘Father, I have a plate for you. Sir?’ he addressed the stranger and stood between the two, seeing that Kane looked confused and was shocked at a sudden strength and courage that for now, he wielded awkwardly. Nella often spoke that all you ever see of a person is their soul and brought her boys up with this ethos. Here stood a strange one, Oaky thought; he was dark and as close as he was Oaky still could not make out a face.

  The man spat at Kane’s feet. ‘I come with an invite for a man called Reuben and his creature, Wakanda The Magnificent, isn’t it? Ha! Filthy schemers the lot of you if you ask me, but my aunt sees fit to amuse herself further, so I cannot argue.’ He went to push past Oaky.

  ‘No need, I shall give them the message, Sir. But we are at breakfast as you see, and would be more civilised, I think, to wait on people later. Perhaps you could come back? At say, eleven? If you wish to deliver the invite personally? I am sure that would be agreeable, ay Kane?’

  ‘Well then, Sir, you must agree that here we have an odd set of circumstances. A boy not more than ten and three speaking more sense than we two have between us! I myself found your manners impossible and was going to dismiss you and this invite out of hand - perhaps driven by an empty stomach? I think upon reflection, that Oaky here has a point, yes? Which will it be then, stranger? Do you trust us to deliver the proposition, or will you return at a reasonable time?’

  ‘Farmer Lickspittle’s this land, isn’t it? Generous of him. Still I suppose the silage will have the field ready for crops next year. Maybe I will have a word with him, maybe I won’t. But as for coming back this way, I cannot see the reason. They will attend if they know what’s good for them.’

  ‘Sounds proper nice, ay, Father?’

  ‘Aye, boy, such a treat!’

  The surly lad took a look over Okay’s shoulder - more to threaten than to survey - and turned to leave. ‘Surely, old man, you will need the particulars of this invite? Or are you psychic, like Wakanda? Or maybe even Wakanda can guess? Yes, let’s leave it at that, bound to work!’ And with that he left.

  ‘Kane, you are too old to keep this up, you must come join us at the Heart. Us younger ones will take turns here, if only to please you. Come, Kane, we have had no trouble, not here, not anywhere in my knowledge.’

  ‘Aye, boy, but you are young and is only luck that keeps us safe, and my vigil.’

  ‘Oh tush, old man! It is in small part your watch, but is more so Meddler. We will never be taken by surprise for as long as he stays here with us.’

  ‘No, boy, he is not so telling these days and either tires of us, or loses his knowing.’

  ‘No, Father, he will look after us, you will see. He is one of us now. Now come down to be with us.’

  ‘I will stay here a while, Oaky if you don’t mind, and have my breakfast - or at least what’s left of it!’

  ‘Ha, ha, sorry Father, it was my rush to get to you when I sees how busy you was, will you come and fetch another?’

  ‘There will be none left now, will there, boy?! No, I will take what I have got. You go now, be with the others.’

  ‘Will I tell Reuben of our visitor, Kane?’

  ‘Let me think on it, boy.’

  With that, Oaky left and Kane decided that he would pass on the message, surely Meddler would see if something was wrong. Kane’s worry, and he had shared as much with some, was that he meddled less these days and he worried that they had lost some instinct where they had come to rely on him. It bared no thought and made him feel older than his seventy years. Meddler was fond of saying that humans were afflicted with thoughts such as these but with no impetus to act on them. Kane was a mind to think him vindicated, but to stir his family? To make them fear again? This would take more thought and he decided that he would talk with Reuben of it, surely the wisest and bravest he knew but who was sensible where Meddler might be vain.

  Chapter 7

  ‘Nella has the Hoomey Bread! Nella has the Hoomey Bread!’ a young one told Rosie excitedly.

  ‘We are in for a treat then tonight, ay? I can see no reason for schooling today, just with the littl’uns so eager for story telling they will take none of it in?’ She looked about her but nobody argued. So, well pleased with herself and securing a day of making charms and frills, she said, ‘I will call Kane to the heart then, shall I? The old man will not want to miss it!’

  ‘Why me again? Haven’t I told enough tales?’ Nella had awoken that morning with a small biscuit type bread at her feet, called the ‘Hoomey Bread’ – literally meaning ‘ who me ?’ – and was now for her to divulge a little about herself.

  Her life before she came here to be amongst these people, and to be known as Nella – for each pilgrim that joined must too have a new name to herald new beginnings and confuse bad fortune that may haunt. Whoever it was that placed the Hoomey Bread at people’s feet never divulged, though they seemed wise, for rarely was it placed at Meddler’s. These stories could go on and on. But still, all agreed that it was not conceit just such an abundance of histories that he had lived, for as we know he had known no beginning and was without limits. The young ones thought the Hoomey Bread magic, but not of the Meddler, this would not do - for it filled them with wonder and anticipation; and though to an onlooker Meddler was entirely wonderful, he was too familiar to the children and sadly was tossed aside in favour of their own imaginations. Still, he delighted in their thoughts and was perhaps why he did not feel the lack of one himself, at least for the present. For now his mind was full of others and was best, perhaps, for him not to be able to conjure, for who knows where it would lead?

  ‘Where is that pesky creature? We have an invite to lunch today with a good man, name of Punch, but we will be back for the Hoomey, Nella.’

  Meddler appeared and cast a silly shadow for Reuben which the children found most entertaining, with his big ears and diminutive size. Reuben grabbed him by the collar and picked Meddler up to face him. ‘Always mischief with you isn’t it, Creature?! I would say be on your guard today, but since Harry finds your charade amusing, well then you can meddle and mischief as much as you like!’ He put wee Meddler down and sat by Nella, trying to contain a fury for the lack of
pancakes and spiced fruit.

  ‘Here, you will have mine, can’t have one your size going without.’

  ‘Dear Nella, though I am a little rough and coarse in manners I have yet to treat a lady as anything but, so you will keep your breakfast and if you are set, Creature? We have a journey to take.’

  Curtseying before the two, it was obvious he was quite made up with the clothes Rosie had designed for him.

  ‘A little too many bows and frills I think! Come here, little one, you are not a doll.’

  ‘But as a magician, Nella, surely this is perfect attire?’

  She tugged at his oversized shirt and pulled some of the handy work apart, ‘Go on then, that will do.’

  ‘You look like a tart.’ Reuben chuckled and readied the cart.

  ‘If you will delay the Hoomey, Nella. By an hour or so, I think we will be delayed.’

  ‘Can’t see why, Meddler, what you know?’

  ‘Just that we are summoned, Reuben, by the Dowager Proctor Forsythe to take tea. All will be clear when we see Kane.’

  ‘Is that right? Well, then let us see what the old man has to say.’

  Meddler mumbled to himself until Reuben gave in.

  ‘What you on about then? It is a deal annoying, Creature, that habit of yours!’

  ‘It is only that I know how strongly you feel about these things that I keep quiet. But as you ask, I have calculated that tea at the Dowagers will be a dull affair. She is herself a bitter widow and will require much trickery from me and attention from you.’

  ‘From me, Meddler? What would a lady of considerable worth want from me?’

  ‘She expects it, Reuben, and gobbles it up. It is indeed her ‘considerable worth’ that inspires it! I can take some comfort in that the prickly one, Niamh, shapes up as worthy subject, but is a little hazy, Reub?’

  ‘Like me, Meddler?’

  ‘No, nothing like you, Reuben. Hers is perhaps too dark to find reason in, which is what I base my calculations on. But I am convinced I am not confused.’

  ‘Perhaps sometimes, little friend, the dark ones simply take no working out? And the fact that they are capable of anything is obvious to you as it is to all else, and even boring ?’

  ‘Then you would have it that I am truly confused, Reuben?’

  ‘Gah! Enough, Meddler!’

  The old cobb pulled them up the hill seeming in better mood to do so today, and Reuben stopped to talk with Kane.

  ‘How do, Father?’

  ‘Hmm.’ Kane looked accusingly at Meddler. All innocents love this sort of attention, ‘Oaky has told you then?’

  ‘Told me what, Kane? And no, Creature, I will wait to hear the old man’s words!’

  ‘Just we had a visitor yesterday, didn’t catch his name, but said I was to pass on an invite to yourself and - Wakanda, is it? I have no other particulars.’

  ‘Ah, now you will mean the Dowager, and no, Oaky did not breathe a word. But Creature did.’

  ‘He seemed surly, sort of bitter about something. I was on my way to tell you, as it happens.’

  ‘Well, well, we shall see. I am not sure I wish to take tea is it, Creature? Still Kane, how does you this fine morning?’

  ‘I am well my old friend. The sun is warming and the birds still teach their young – but tell me why, if you are not sure you will attend, you are here this day and away to town?’

  ‘To lunch, Kane! We two met a good sort yesterday and we are to enjoy his company further. You could join us if you wished?’

  ‘I will thank you, but no, Reuben. Maybe another day.’

  A shallow promise, for as we know none but these two oddly coupled pilgrims would venture further than Kane’s post. Perhaps through fear of prejudice, told of in guise of folklore and fantasies, at The Heart on sympathetic nights.

  ‘Argh.’ Reuben nodded and the two headed off.

  No ceremony marked a turn in this simple tale. No darkening sky or chilling wind and the charm of birdsong that accompanied the two, held them spellbound – aided of course by Reuben’s careful watch of Meddler’s tongue.

  Arriving by direction at Harry Punch’s address was as easy as Reuben allowed, and in truth he took advantage of our Meddler as much as the children, without ever owning to it.

  ‘A pretty palace, ay, Creature?’

  ‘Yes, Reuben, and although I knew it already, it still charms the eye.’

  ‘None could be more cynical than you, Meddler. So I says that is just about right for good company and a good lunch.’

  ‘You would not be ambitious in assuming this, Reuben, but let us set sail soon after. I see no reason for delaying with the Dowager, she is mean and I have no wish to indulge her.’

  ‘Oh, but then I know you have taken a fancy to the one called Niamh. Stop your worrying, Creature, nothing can be undone that is already undone.’

  Meddler noted that a change can sometimes go undetected and that ‘he’ had done so was apparent, just he could not grasp it. Was it sentiment? Was it calculated? Or was it that he loved this Old Dragon and could not see enough of a future with him to satisfy, as he could niether curb a talent for informing? But no fault if you at first, in this tale, take heed of a warning – that as humans we act accordingly. Why then, a meddler must meddle.

  *

  ‘They are here! They are here!’

  Harry Punch had a little sister and she greeted the two with unbridled enthusiasm. Still, she was young and favourite with her father so for at least now, her enthusiasm went un-checked.

  Meddler tugged one of her curls. ‘Don’t you forget your father for a farm hand who is fired by resentment. But I am sure you will have your fun with him, that’s all I can see.’

  ‘Already, mama! Already! Welcome, Mr Wakanda, I would say you were right but then I would waste my breath by your reckoning, yes?’

  All ribbons and curls she swept away and Harry appeared, another full of life, and unashamed.

  ‘Reuben, Wakanda, I am so happy to see you. Please come and meet my parents. I see you are already acquainted with my sister Elspeth. Gentlemen, would it surprise you to know that I have never longed for a brother?’

  ‘Aye, and be careful what you wish for, ay.’ Reuben tweaked Meddler’s hat.

  ‘Magic? Oh no, there can never be enough, dear Reuben, surely? Wakanda, if your friend ever tires of you then you must come stay with us.’

  ‘If I thought either of you meant your statements, I might be both offended and tempted. But as Reuben is a constant confidant and you, Harry, well you are just plain stupid. I will ignore you both!’

  A very tall lady, was Mrs Punch, and her husband made good use of the fact in his numerous anecdotes as they ate. One that seemed to tickle him more was that he would ask his wife to take a turn about the room as the cornices were full of cobwebs. Meddler liked this muchly, and found no need or wants to meddle here except to amuse. All present that day were of good humour and Reuben could not help but remark that it was most unexpected from people of their class. Meddler added that it was perhaps not so surprising after becoming acquainted with Harry.

  What a time was had and a promise was made to call upon these good people again, when the two found themselves next in town.

  ‘Where do you live?’ asked Elspeth as they readied to leave. Reuben stopped and bent down to face her.

  ‘Beneath the moon and above the sun where dreams are besieged by an army of doubt, but within this fortress she holds fast!’ He tapped her head and her face filled with wonder.

  ‘Yes, and for my pains it is so, dear Reuben. Come along, you, I am sure there is some calculus or scripture that can occupy you.’

  ‘Oh, mama!’

  ‘Enough dreaming for one day, Elspeth. Come along!’

  ‘Just one moment mama, please? Mr Reuben, what is your magic?’

  ‘He is a dragon!’

  ‘A dragon, Wakanda? Can he breathe fire?’

  ‘Oh, but only once in a life time. Which is why I pay him such regul
ar attention and only when he can be sure that this myth will only propagate as one. You see, Elspeth, it would be too dangerous for others if it was widely acknowledged. Too many witnesses of this metamorphosis, from man to dragon, might have the species hunted to nigh-on extinction. Just one is all we require, to make you question. As Reuben has informed, without imagination you are blind, am I not right dear friend?’

  ‘Yes, missy, do not always discount that part of you. Some grow out of it and mourn it, I am sad to say. But why do you look so sad?’

  ‘It is just that I shall probably never see it. I feel as though I ought, you see?’

  ‘Gentlemen please, my sister is too spoiled! Dragon fire? What else girl?’

  ‘You certainly have a way about you though, Elspeth, more than I have seen in most.’

  ‘Really, Wakanda? Truly?’

  ‘I never lie, dear Elspeth, do I Reuben?’

  ‘Never, never! He cannot, and for sure it is sometimes painful!’

  ‘I see our paths crossing more, is all I will say, and that you are more pertinent to this tale and are not to just observe.’

  ‘Lord, I feel as though I would faint! I must sit – this is too much to take in.’

  ‘Come on you, let them be,’ Harry chuckled. ‘Thank you both for a most magical time and I am sure there will be many more just so.’

  ‘Yes, you must always call when you are in town,’ Harry’s mother added, as she urged Elspeth up the stairs.

  ‘Reuben, I would call on you but am ashamed to say that I have listened to tittle tattle and am unsure as to how I would be received?’

  ‘Harry, you would be welcome as a change in fortune, man.’

  ‘Yes, and certainly Rosie already expects you! Do you believe in serendipity, Harry? Before you answer – myself, as one who studies probabilities and math, shall answer for you and say that you do or shall. There is no such thing as a surprise, you see, only a lazy mind.’

  ‘Do you mean then, Wakanda, that if I apply myself to calculus, such magic as yours could be mine?’ Elspeth halted on the stairs.