Shasta Summer

by Teresa Geering

  “Come and meet my parents, Merlin, and, yes, they know that you can speak, so don’t worry.”

  “Can you see me smiling?” he asked cheekily.

  “No, but you look like the cat that has got the cream,” she said laughing.

  As Shasta carried him into the cottage, she put him on the floor and introduced him to her parents. Obediently he sat down and, for effect, held out his paw as a dog would.

  Amused, Iris took his paw in her hand and shook it.

  “I’m very pleased to meet you, Iris,” he said

  “Well whatever next?” said Iris laughing.

  Chapter 43

  Now that Shasta had returned safely, there really wasn’t any reason to stay longer but, by mutual decision, they decided to anyway. Shasta suggested that a fête be held on the village green so that her parents could experience the community spirit of the village in its entirety. It would also be a good opportunity to say goodbye to everyone.

  When May went to the village the next afternoon to deliver the potions prepared by her and Iris, she approached the villagers to tell them Shasta’s idea. Everyone had heard that Shasta was back, also that she had been unable to change history after all. Merlin had remained a cat.

  “Let’s do it this weekend,” said one villager.

  “If we all work together we could make it very special for the mistress,” said another.

  Leaving them to make arrangements, May walked back to her cottage humming quietly to herself. Maybe Erasmus will come as well, she thought to herself. Oh well, she would just have to wait and see. She certainly wouldn’t raise her hopes. He hadn’t been around for some time now. At least she still had the book.

  On the Friday before the fête, Shasta wandered down to the village with Merlin at her heels. She was deliberately walking slowly to enable him to accompany her at a sedate pace so that she could hold a conversation with him.

  As they approached the green the usual respect was shown to her by everyone she met. The men tugged their forelocks while the maidens bobbed in a curtsey. Each gave Merlin a look of sympathy, and some bent down to give him a pat on his head, for which he gave a meow of thanks. They knew he could talk, of course, but respected the fact that he didn’t.

  Shasta sat down on the green with Merlin on her lap. As she gently stroked him, she remarked how festive everything looked, very similar to the last time they had celebrated before they left to go back in time.

  Merlin had been pondering on this as Shasta stroked his back lovingly.

  Reading Merlin’s thoughts she said, “I know things didn’t work out as we planned, Merlin, but at least we’re back in our own time and you’re still alive.”

  Merlin agreed and sighed at great length.

  “If only though…” he said sadly.

  Shasta hugged him close to her.

  “I know, Merlin, I know,” she whispered into his fur.

  Taking a last look at everything in readiness for the next day, Shasta lifted Merlin off of her lap and stood up. Slowly she made her way back to May’s cottage with Merlin walking beside her endeavouring to maintain some dignity in his catlike state.

  Unbeknown to them, someone had silently observed them in the distance. To himself he said, “Soon my, Shasta, very soon, your body will be mine. Merlin will never again possess you. On my next life I vow this.”

  * * *

  The following morning Iris, Shasta and May had great fun choosing the clothes they would wear. They produced a whole range of clothes in their sizes, then spent at least a couple of hours trying them all on. Eventually they all agreed to be different. May decided to model herself on her ancestor, accepting recently acquired first hand knowledge from Shasta. Iris decided on an Elizabethan theme, whilst Shasta decided to stick to her present clothes. She had experienced enough of the past lately. George decided to just be himself and enjoy everything on offer when he got there.

  When they were ready, they walked down to the village. Due to the heat of the day they decided on a slow stroll. Merlin was staying at the cottage as any form of entertainment on the village green reminded him of when he had had human form. He was resigned to being a cat as long as Shasta still loved him. Sighing deeply he settled down in the chair in the kitchen and slept. Shasta watched her parents with amusement. They were like reborn children laughing at everything from sticky toffee apples being made to the local children chasing a pig for the fun of it.

  Seeing a vendor selling wares from a basket hanging around his neck, George meandered over to see what was on offer. Remembering the story May had told of trysts being formed by the giving of ribbons, he decided to buy two, one for Iris and one for May. He hoped that this would make up for Erasmus not being around lately. He opted for a pale green one for Iris to match her dress and a cream one for May to enhance her black hair. Pleased with his purchase he made his way back to the women. Suddenly the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. He was convinced that there was someone watching him. Turning around, the only person he could see was a man in the distance wearing robes which reminded him of Merlin the wizard in stories of King Arthur and the Round Table. As he thought this, the man seemed to blend in with the crowd and disappear. Although convinced at first that the face looked familiar, he shrugged the thoughts off as imagination. After all this was to be a day of fun. Spotting the women in the distance he made his way towards them. Both May and iris were touched by the gifts and instantly attached them to their hair. At the same time he made flirtatious suggestions which were all taken in the mood of the day. None of them noticed Shasta’s sad look which, although only momentary, reflected her memories of the occasion when Merlin had given her a ribbon for her hair which had formed their own love tryst. Determined to enjoy the day, Shasta made them laugh with her own comments and thoughts.

  The smell of the roasting pig drew them towards the crowd waiting eagerly to savour the first cuts of meat and crackling which had begun to spit. Their mouths began to salivate as they imagined the taste. One rather rotund man dressed like Tweedle-Dum could wait no longer and began to slice pieces from the belly of the pig, burning his fingers in the process. This was the signal for everyone to start cutting pieces at random. George entered into the spirit and tore off three large pieces which he had managed to transfer onto forks that May had conjured up. With fat dripping down their chins, they moved on to see what was on offer to wash it down with. As they headed to their right, they noticed a precariously erected awning on long poles buried in the ground. Getting closer they could see beer barrels with taps on the front. Tankards were lined up on a table to enable everyone to help themselves which they did as soon as they got there. Shasta and Iris settled for ginger beer as they were not as keen on the beer.

  Sitting down on the grass beside the beer awning, they were joined by some of the local villagers. Mostly they were just happy to make conversation but others mentioned how well their herbal potions, which had been made by Iris, had worked. She blushed happily to think that they had singled her out for praise. From the corner of her eye she could see George looking on with pride. May and Shasta sat quietly listening bemused. Neither of them could believe the change in Iris. Shasta especially was pleased as it made things a lot easier on her that her mother seemed to take everything in her stride nowadays.

  As Shasta looked away to the distance, she suddenly felt a cold shudder run through her body. Erasmus had popped into her mind for no reason. It made her feel sick and uneasy. Why on earth had that happened? Could he be here somewhere, she wondered. Not wanting to dampen the happy atmosphere, she kept her thoughts to herself.

  “I have just had the same thought. Shall we walk for a while?” said May quietly to Shasta.

  “Yes, I’d like that, May.”

  Explaining to George and iris that they were just going for a wander around, they walked off slowly until they were out of earshot.

  Shasta slipped her arm through May's as much for confidence as companionship. She was feeling particu
larly vulnerable suddenly.

  “Why do you think he suddenly came into our thoughts, May?”

  “Maybe because I was remembering that we first met at the previous fair we had here. I still miss him, Shasta, and it’s strange that he should disappear out of my life with no explanation.”

  “I agree, but if you had been back in our previous life, maybe you could understand my apprehension, May.”

  With silent consent they headed towards the fire, not because they were cold - indeed the day was very hot - but just needing the comfort a fire brings. Talking to some of the villagers doing the same thing, Shasta felt the hairs at the back of her neck stand up on end.

  She clutched hold of May's arm and said, “He’s here, May. I know it. I can feel it.” Shasta’s grip on May's arm tightened.

  May gently loosened it and tucked her arm into her own. “Come child, lets go back,” she said.

  Iris, noticing Shasta’s pale face, asked if she was all right.

  “Yes, thank you, mother. Just tired, I think. I’m sure I’ll be alright if I just rest here.”

  George took out the letter he had in his pocket and re-read it. Henney, his manager in Holland, had written to say that the police were baffled by the vandalism to the garden centre. They had followed up all the usual leads but no one had seen anything. The good news was he had received a cheque from the insurance company and they were making a start to put right the damage done.

  “Maybe after dinner we could pay a final visit to Abelia,” suggested Iris. “I would like to see her before we go.”

  “Good idea, mother. In fact, why don’t we start back now?” said Shasta rather hurriedly.

  The decision was made and they slowly made their way across the green. As they passed their newly formed acquaintances and friends they said their goodbyes and made promises of a return in the future.

  Chapter 44

  “Hello, Abelia. It’s really lovely to see you again. I do so enjoy watching George having to shrink down to an acceptable size to meet you”. Iris said this with more amusement than malice.

  “Thank you for coming to see me before you leave the village. I will really miss you all. When you visit May, please be sure to renew our acquaintance,” Abelia said with feeling.

  “Just try and keep us away,” said George. “I intend for us to visit Shasta at every opportunity we get.”

  “Shasta, you wish to ask me something? Shasta?” Abelia had noticed that she was looking into the distance deep within herself.

  “I’m sorry, your majesty, what did you ask?”

  “You wish to ask me something, Shasta?” said Abelia, repeating herself.

  “Yes, I do,” said Shasta. “When we were at the fair I felt certain that Erasmus was near, but at no time did he show himself to me.”

  Before Abelia could respond, George immediately interrupted and told them of his experience of seeing the man dressed similarly to Merlin the Wizard.

  “George, you never said anything,” said May and Iris almost simultaneously, word for word.

  “I didn’t want to spoil the lovely day we were having. If I had known that Shasta and May had had similar experiences, we could have discussed them.”

  “Yes, I’ve been watching him,” said Abelia. He’s biding his time and kicking his heels. He, of course, was the person responsible for wrecking your garden centre, George.” Seeing his startled face, Abelia went on to explain why Erasmus had done it. “He needed to get Summer, as she was then, to Shasta. The only way she would come to stay with May would be if you had to leave the country. Iris wouldn’t really trust anyone else to look after her, no matter what denials she makes.”

  Iris gave May a loving sisterly look which didn’t go unnoticed by the others. They were aware of the derogatory remarks that Iris had made in the past but that had now been long forgotten.

  “Let’s not forget that he loves to manipulate people and play with their thoughts,” went on Abelia. “So that was why caused havoc at you garden centre in Holland. The police never found any vandals because there weren’t any as such. Erasmus was doing it all from a distance. Once Shasta was here, he began to manipulate her into whatever he wanted, including sending her and Merlin back into the past. He was determined to get rid of Merlin so that he could have Shasta to himself. To a certain extent he succeeded. He managed to kill Merlin when he took over Seth’s body, but he hadn’t expected Shasta’s love to be as strong as it was. After all, she is still in love with him even though he’s reverted to being a cat, and who knows one day maybe…” Abelia let her words trail off.

  “Oh, Abelia, do you really think it will be possible for Merlin to become human again?” asked Shasta.

  Even Iris and George leant forward expectantly.

  “We shall see, my dear, we shall see.”

  Shasta felt light-hearted at hearing this. Deep down she had the feeling that this could happen but to hear it confirmed by Abelia made her feel more confident about it.

  “I don’t think any of you will have any further trouble from Erasmus once you leave here. He knows that he has lost, Shasta.”

  Abelia secretly hoped that she was right. She didn’t want to admit it but Erasmus had regained the strength in his powers and he had ensured that she wasn’t aware of many things that had happened. Maybe I am just getting old, she thought. Amused by this, she allowed herself a small laugh, which sounded like wind chimes gently disturbed by the breeze on a summer’s day.

  Saying a final goodbye to Abelia, they returned to May’s garden and their own size once more.

  They put off packing their cases until the next morning and spent one last evening together, Merlin sat on Shasta’s lap making the most of it before she left.

  He was to stay with May on Shasta’s insistence. It was the hardest decision that she would probably ever have to make, but she accepted the fact that fate had decreed that he live with May while he was a cat. They could always be together when she made her many intended visits to May and, after all, absence makes the heart grow fonder, so it is said.

  Chapter 45

  George woke up first next morning, reluctant to move as Iris was wrapped around him. He wondered if she would go back to her former self when they arrived home. He hoped not as she had become so much more loving of late and he was enjoying it. Oh well, he would just work on it if not.

  As he moved Iris opened her eyes and smiled at him. “Good morning, George. What a wonderful morning,” she said, glancing out of the windows. Last night they had left the curtains open while they had watched the moonlight. “When you pack the cases, George, can you pack us some of this wonderful sunshine too? That is certainly something that I will miss.”

  “Certainly, I will. Now move out of that bed,” and he smacked her playfully through the bed covers.

  Stretching languidly, she got up, pulled her dressing gown on and went in search of a drink.

  Shasta was sitting in the kitchen with Merlin on her lap, making the most of him before it was time to go.

  Raising her head as her mother entered, they exchanged good mornings.

  “Good morning to you also, Merlin,” said Iris, unsure really of what else to say.

  It was going to be very difficult for Shasta to leave him behind but she admired her daughter for it.

  Eventually they were ready to leave and their cases had been put in the boot of the car. As usual with holidays, they seemed to be leaving with far more than they came with. Using a final walk in the garden as an excuse, George and Iris left Shasta to say goodbye to Merlin. May walked with them, stating that she really had enjoyed their company and was eager for them to return as soon as it was possible. Meanwhile Shasta and Merlin were in a caravan on the verge outside the cottage. May had acquired it recently to try to help Shasta and Merlin recapture some of the past.

  “I will miss you so much, Merlin, but I promise I will phone May to see how you are. Perhaps she can hold the phone for you so that we can talk.”

  Merlin
could hardly speak. So much had happened to them both and now he had gone full circle by becoming a cat once more.

  “Oh Shasta, life is so hard sometimes. Just when we thought everything would be right, suddenly everything goes wrong. I would give anything to be human again, even for just a moment so that I could hold you in my arms again.”

  “Merlin, please don’t torment us. It makes me feel so sad. I promise that I will come back as often as possible to see you.” With this she kissed him on his wet nose and hugged him to her, not wanting to let go.

  Finally the time had come to go and, looking through the back window of the car, Shasta blew kisses to Merlin who was in May's arms. He twitched his tail agitatedly.

  “There, Merlin, it will be alright, I promise. They will be back again before you know it. You can have a nice piece of fish for tea tonight.” May was unsure really what to say to pacify him.

  With that she walked up the path talking to the flowers as she went.

  Chapter 46

  As they reached the top of the hill on the outskirts of Shasta, George stopped the car to enable them to look back at the village and the surrounding area.

  With the sun in front of them shining through the windows of the car, it made them feel very lazy and sleepy. By the time they had finally left it was nearer to lunchtime, so May had insisted that they make up a picnic for themselves. No longer would they be able to wish for things now that they were out of Shasta. Welcome to the real world, thought George.

  Iris said she would prefer to eat outside of the car so, using the car rug to put their food on, they tucked into chicken and salad, washed down with iced tea which they had taken to drinking recently. They decided to stay awhile after they had eaten and just laze in the sun.

  Eventually Iris and George began to doze. Shasta sat up hugging her knees and thought about what the future held for her. She had left her home as a young girl of eight and three quarters and here she was now a young woman. What would her friends make of it, she wondered. She certainly wouldn’t be going back to school any more, but how she would cope was another matter. Maybe she should have stayed in Shasta with May. It was her heritage after all. She pushed up the sleeves of her dress which had begun to annoy her by hanging over her hands and, feeling weary, she lay back on the grass and offered herself up to the warmth of the sun.