That evening, they had an early supper at The Harp.
When they came out, there was a large crowd to wave them off.
The Icelandic leader, who was called Hinrik, made a farewell speech.
“Please remember that you can visit us anytime. We will give you our best hospitality,” he promised. “As you go, you must know that we can never thank you enough for what you have done here. We owe you a debt we cannot repay. We are your friends and your family. We bless you with a thousand blessings.”
He embraced Jonathan and Helena and kissed them.
They all boarded the train and waved out of the open windows.
The train driver hooted and moved slowly off.
Some children ran alongside the carriage, waving and smiling until the train picked up speed.
Soon they were in the tunnel.
The team congregated in the lounge car as they had done on the way up. They shared stories and sang some songs. They did a folk music version of Mark’s song.
Later on they washed and got ready for bed.
Mark felt a pleasant weariness. It had been hard work, but as fulfilling as he had imagined it would be.
They said goodnight.
There was a gentle sway to the movement of the train.
Mark drifted into a deep sleep.
In his dream, he was standing in the desert, as before, shading his eyes against the intense glare. There was the sandstorm: it filled the view from earth to sky: awesome, forbidding, intense. There were the steel discs spinning at frightening speed. Yet again, he was overwhelmed by the scale and power of the sandstorm. This time, words came to him, like an earnest message: This is going to happen. The winds of change are coming.
* * * * * *
Flashback Saturday 21st January 2017
The snow was falling in Davos.
The four friends were sitting together around a table, dressed for dinner.
“Are we agreed, the time has come?” asked the American.
“All is prepared,” said the Indian.
“The world is about to experience chaos like it has never known,” said the South African.
“There is a tide,” said the Englishman, “in the affairs of men. Let us take the current.”
The End
Acknowledgements and thanks
I have so many people to thank: my family, first and foremost.
My father imparted to me a love of the story and of words written well. His letters to me at school were witty, and as sharp as a blade. He would have made an exceptional academic. He died in 1993. I miss him.
My mother was our main nurturer and gave me a love of adventure.
My sister Liza is an author, and gave wise advice.
My stepmother Angelika was generous in her support.
Two people stand out in my school days with helping me in creative writing: Mrs. Jane Maclure, a demanding English teacher at prep school-if your writing was lazy, you soon heard about it; and Paul Watkins, a friend a year older than I in my house at school, he helped me see the potential in writing a story even with a simple title, like ‘The Bench.’ He is a talented author.
I came to Christian faith in Edinburgh, Scotland, aged 25. Many friends helped me in those early years: Roger Simpson, Roger Cooke, Pippa Rimmer, Kenny Macaulay, Cameron Collington, David Scott, Martin Williamson, Ray Dunn, James Croft, Eileen Kerr, Angie Inchley -to name a few.
I thank all the children I have had the privilege of teaching in the last ten years: I have learnt many things, including something of how you see the world.
In my current role, many have encouraged me and have been generous friends: Jonathan Perry, Jenny Perry, Morne Vosloo, Warren Miller, Caroline Miller, Rebecca Noon, Martyn Ford, Peter Thacker and many others.
Sincere thanks to my friends the Cavans for your love and advice.
Thank you to my proofreaders: Josh Menzies and Becky Williams.
Thank you to my script doctor: Mark Stibbe.
Thank you to Kim Cross and everyone at Grosvenor House Publishing.
I am deeply grateful to many worship leaders and musicians in the church for music that has lifted me and accompanied me on my walk over the years: love and blessing to you for helping me worship: Kent Henry, Kevin Prosch, World Wide Message Tribe, Ian White, Iona, Charlie Groves, Cathy Burton, Vineyard, Martin Smith and Delirious, Toby Mac, Matt Redman, Brenton Brown, Phatfish, Tim Hughes, Worship Central, Bethel, Hillsong United, Hillsong Young and Free, among others.
Words from He is God by Nick and Becky Drake from the album God Is Here © 2009 Elevation Kids, used with permission.
Words from Hallelujah (Praise The Saviour) and The Cross by Mark Pennells of World Wide Message Tribe/The Tribe from the album Chilled © 2001 used with permission.
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All rights reserved
Copyright © Freddy Campbell, 2016
The right of Freddy Campbell to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with Section 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
The book cover image is copyright to Imogen Campbell 2016
ISBN 978-1-78623-750-7 in electronic format
ISBN 978-1-78623-014-0 in printed format
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, incidents and places are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, organisations, events or locations is entirely coincidental.
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