by David Munro
CHAPTER 14 - REUNITED
James found himself in a large green field, which bordered onto a loch. He looked up to a blue cloudless sky, and shaded his eyes from the warm sun. Birds sang in the nearby trees, several rabbits ate grass, however, no other person was in sight. A white dove hovered above, then into the distance. As James pondered on this pleasant traditional rural summer day, his last memory was that of a cold morning in Edinburgh’s city centre! He examined his clothes, and after being hit by a speeding motorbike, why did they look new? Also, the pain he endured for days lying in a hospital had gone. James shook his head. “This is surreal, where am I, and how did I get here?” He cast his gaze around the calm countryside with curiosity. It appeared familiar, however, he could not recollect the location. Whilst deep in thought, James walked towards the loch, and upon reaching it, the white dove reappeared. Shading his eyes once more, he looked upwards. As the dove flew off, James’s stare focused on the loch. A young woman with long raven hair, wearing a white dress, stood on the opposite side. After several moments, she vanished. A warm gust of wind blew into James’s face, and he closed his eyes. When he opened them, a past acquaintance was standing next to him. James stared at her dark blonde flowing hair complimented by an appropriate summer dress. Glad to see him, the lady held out her bare arms. After they embraced, the lady stood back and smiled.
“Since we last met, you look exactly the same.”
James took her hand.
“That is because this is how you remember me.”
“Have I travelled back in time?”
“In a certain manner, but not as in previous occasions.”
James hesitated.
“You have passed from a previous existence to another.”
“Abbie, where or what is this place?” James glanced around the vicinity.
“For you, it’s the supreme sanctuary.”
“A sanctuary?”
“That is not precisely true, this is a halfway house.”
James stared.
“Where you can say goodbye to loved ones.”
“This could also be your halfway house.”
Abbie nodded. “For both of us.”
“Why was the young woman here?”
“She became your Guardian Angel.”
“Watching over me.”
“She was grateful for preventing her suicide many years ago, and as a consequence, her parents and brothers did not have to grieve and suffer.”
“I discovered her suicide resulted in ill-health for her parents.”
“Thanks to you, that didn’t happen.”
“She prevented me from certain injury on at least two occasions.” James paused. “Abbie, I’m sorry for disappearing.” He looked into her blue eyes. “I did try to get back.”
“But not quick enough, I died of old age!”
“You don’t look old.”
“My 1967 appearance is for you.” Abbie touched hair above James’s ear. “Only a few grey hairs have appeared.”
“Given my experiences, I am fortunate.”
Abbie laughed. “Come, let’s have a seat.” She pointed. “Over there.”
The reunited couple walked in a casual manner to a nearby location, which had a wooden bench. James took off his jacket, and as the couple sat down, put it aside.
“Did you ensure that the weather would be perfect?”
“Of course.”
“After the warm summer of 1967, I arrived in a freezing cold and austere 1930.”
“I know you did.”
James raised his eyebrows. “How?”
“In 1970, a woman who worked in the local coffee shop retired, and at her party, it was revealed that in 1930, a stranger came into the shop wearing unusual clothes.”
“In 1930, the shop was a tearoom.”
“She kept the coins that you left, which had been made in the early 1960s!” Abbie moved closer to James. “I suspected it could only be a certain time travelling individual.”
James put his arm around Abbie’s slim waist.
She looked at him. “And you’re now a grandfather.”
James sighed. “And as a parent, I wasn’t around.”
“It’s not your fault, James.”
He looked at Abbie.
“At least you have met April, and also, Victoria.”
“I didn’t meet Victoria.”
“You saved her life.”
James stared.
“The young woman with blonde hair.”
“My goodness!”
Abbie gripped James’s hand. “You prevented her from serious injury, if not death itself.”
James paused. “It must have been fate.”
“It was fate that brought us together.”
James smiled.
“Would you have altered any part of your life?”
James shook his head, then looked up to the sky. “Is that the same dove I have seen several times?”
“Yes, it is.”
He looked at Abbie. “The young woman with raven hair?”
She nodded.
At that moment, a solitary sparrow landed on the grass, close to where Abbie and James sat. He stared at the small bird.
“Another spirit,” said Abbie, “of someone that you have met.”
“Who?”
“A gentle and kind person.”
James looked at the sparrow, then Abbie. “Who?”
“A girl from your schooldays.”
Jenny. “Her life was taken at a young age.”
The sparrow flew up into the air, circled, and flew off. James looked at Abbie, then to the sky.
“Are you pondering over what you will become?”
“Not a bird, Abbie, I can’t stand heights.”
She laughed.
“A field mouse would suffice.”
“In what way?”
“I could sneak into the coach house, find a discreet cubby hole, and still remain a resident of Docharnea.”
Abbie laughed.
“That coach house has a lot to answer for!” James stared. “Was it your voice I heard in my bedroom?”
“Yes.”
As the couple reflected on past events, a robin landed close to where James sat. He stared at the bird, and seconds later, it flew off. James turned to Abbie. “I’ve not seen a robin in summertime.”
“It’s the sign of a new beginning.”
“Appropriate.”
Abbie rose. “Let’s walk.”
Whilst they reminisced, James and Abbie strolled along the loch’s bank, and still no other person had been seen.
“Why are we the only people here, Abbie?”
“This is our final time, together.”
“If there had been a coach house, I could have travelled back in time.”
“You may have gone to a hostile period in time.”
“I did, shortly before and during the Second World War!”
Abbie smiled.
“Although, that is when we first met.”
“And I was a young girl who spotted someone dressed as a coachman.”
“A legend about a ghostly coachman began, and it still exists.”
“Blame your grandfather and his brother – they started the rumour.”
“How do you know?”
“They told me.
“But they are dead.”
“So are you!”
James grinned. “This situation will take a lot of getting used to.”
“When I spoke to your grandfather and great-uncle, they did not believe that you were a time traveller, but your great-aunt convinced them.”
James pondered.
“Yes?”
“April and Victoria.”
“One day, Victoria may discover your true identity.”
James stopped walking. “How?”
“She has your genes.”
“And April?”
Abbie shook her head.
“Why not?”
“Fate.
”
“I was not born a time traveller.”
“No, you became one.”
“And, not until the age of forty-two.”
He does not recollect going back in time as an eight-year-old.
James sighed. “It was sad to see April in her present condition.”
“She is strong, and can cope.” Abbie faced James, and held his arm. “Do you regret what happened?”
“With us?”
“No, your adventures through time.”
Then, the white dove flew above, circled and disappeared into the distance. Abbie looked at James. “Someone has no regrets.”
“That was a rewarding aspect of my travels through time, also, meeting my distant relatives, and preventing them from suffering trauma.”
“You will soon be reunited.”
“Has a welcome party been arranged?”
“This isn’t Docharnea, James!”
“I trust no beer is allowed here?”
Abbie laughed. “Or food, you won’t require either.”
The couple continued to walk along the bank, then sat down on a dry patch of grass. James loosened his tie, and looked at Abbie. “Are you aware of all past occurrences?”
“When it concerns family and close friends.”
“What became of Charles and Mary Carsell-Brown?”
“They moved to Africa, and remained there, until passing on.”
“I will be reunited with them, too?”
“All your past family.”
“Does that include Michelle Duvallier? I discovered that a family connection existed.”
“Your great-uncle William can enlighten you on her. I’ve been told she’s having an interesting life.”
“Of that, I’ve no doubt.”
Abbie smiled.
“Have my past family members aged?”
“They will appear as you last saw them.” Abbie stared at James. “You haven’t asked me about your parents?”
James sighed. “Not long after we visited my great-aunt, they were killed in a car accident.”
“Is it a painful memory, James?”
He nodded.
“They are waiting for you.”
“They will be younger than I am!”
“However, you can be together again.”
“Mother will no doubt have many questions.”
“How it feels being a grandfather?”
“It was only a short time ago that I found out a daughter existed.”
Abbie pointed. “Look!”
“What is it?”
“The rabbits have returned.”
James turned his head. “Another sign?”
“Did you ever keep rabbits?”
“My grandfather bought me a hutch suitable for two.” James paused. “After I vanished, what did you think?”
“That you had gone to another timeline for a particular reason.” Abbie flicked back her hair. “Remember, I was aware of your ability.”
James nodded.
“I returned to the coach house for a clue as to what had happened.”
“I didn’t have a chance to leave any.”
“It must be frustrating, and painful for people you have known.”
James held Abbie’s hand. “Especially, when you reappear, and discover that changes have taken place.”
“Nancy?”
“She wasn’t pleased.”
“Because you left without saying goodbye?”
“No, she had grey hair, whereas, I hadn’t.”
Abbie laughed.
“Upon meeting Nancy in 1896, I was older, however, on the final time our paths crossed, I was much younger.”
Abbie shook her head. “The grief you bring.”
“Don’t blame me, Abbie, that damn coach house is at fault.”
Abbie put a forefinger to her mouth. “Where you are going, cursing and bad language is not permitted.”
James glanced around the vicinity. “There is only us, nobody else can hear.”
Soon, a loud thunderclap echoed around the tranquil scene. James looked at Abbie, and acknowledged the warning with a grin.
“One more, and you won’t be in such a picturesque setting.”
“Extreme heat and darkness?”
Abbie nodded. “Full of fire and fury.”
James looked up to the sky. “My apologies, sir.”
“Why, sir?”
“Is the Supreme Being a woman?”
“You’ll find out later.” Abbie paused. “Someone wishes to meet you.”
“Who?”
Abbie looked behind James.
He looked round, and got up. A short, sturdy woman with grey hair tied back in a neat bun and wearing a long black dress faced him.
“You’re as I remember in 1912.”
The woman gave a hearty laugh. “That’s when you vanished for a second time.” She glanced at Abbie. “He still needs a good meal!”
The two former acquaintances hugged each other, and then the woman wiped a tear from her eye.
“I did return many years later, Nancy.”
“When I was about to pop my clogs!”
Abbie laughed.
“I knew you would return, James.” Nancy touched James’s arm. “I told William and Geoffrey that one day we would see you again.”
James smiled.
Once more, Nancy hugged James, looked towards Abbie and then at James. Another tear was wiped from her eye. “It’s good to see you again.”
“And you too, Nancy.”
“It’s not fair.” She glanced at Abbie.
Abbie nodded.
James looked at Abbie.
“You don’t age!” cried Abbie.
Nancy laughed, then paused. “I have to leave now, James, but we’ll meet again.”
“I’m glad it’s here, and not in a lower domain.”
Nancy laughed.
As James laughed, Nancy’s image slowly disappeared. He looked at Abbie, and she put her hand on the grass. “What do you remember most about your parents?”
“My mother dragging me to school every day and father driving us to seaside locations.”
“Didn’t you enjoy school?”
“Not at first, but as I got older, loved it.” James stared. “When they were killed, if not for being ill, I would have been in the car.”
“Where did the accident happen?”
“Ardrishaig, another visit to my great-aunt. I stayed with my grandparents in Newhaven, and can still recall how upset they were at having to explain what had happened.”
Abbie held James’s hand.
“On their previous visit in 1967, I met my great-aunt for the first time.”
“And, other occasions followed.”
“Our paths crossed on several occasions. Each time she wasn’t aware of my true identity.”
“Was there not a temptation to tell her?”
James shook his head. “It may have resulted in my life being more complicated!”
Abbie laughed, then looked behind James.
“It was also complicated for me.”
James turned his head, then stood up.
A slim attractive middle-aged lady with dark greying hair in a 1960’s black polka dot dress smiled. “Hello, James.”
James hesitated.
“Not as young as when our paths crossed in 1930, or 1940.” Olivia moved forward, hugged her great-nephew, and stepped back.
“Did you recognise me at the hospital in 1930?”
Olivia shook her head. “Not until another ten years, when you brought William safely home.”
“He required a helping hand.”
“You saved his life, and because of your intervention, we had many more years together.”
“Where is William?”
“You’ll meet him later, along with your parents and grandparents.”
“When we met the following day, I felt uncomfortable.”
“I was aware of that.” Olivia glanced at Abbie.
“He’s a quick drinker!”
Abbie laughed.
“As an adult, I came to visit you three decades later.”
“My housekeeper told me you had visited, but soon departed.”
“She scared me off!”
Once more, Olivia glanced at Abbie. “If Pearl hadn’t, you may not have met with a certain lady.”
James looked at Abbie, then his great-aunt. “At least you received the letter I left.”
“And I carried out your instructions.”
“It meant a young woman didn’t have to lose her life.”
“Did she survive?”
James hesitated. “I presume so.”
“She survived,” said Abbie.
Olivia hugged James, stepped back and her image faded.
James stared into the space his great-aunt had occupied, and sat down. “At Lochgilphead Hospital in 1930, I remember not only a young teenage Olivia, also, a teenage William.”
“Oh?”
“Charlotte, his mother, brought him to the hospital.”
“For what reason?”
“William had injured his leg.”
“Why were you at the hospital?”
“I thought you were aware of what happened in the past?”
“Not everything!” She raised her thin fair eyebrows.
“I worked there as a porter. When I arrived in October 1929, the coach house was freezing, and if I had lit a fire, smoke from its chimney would have drawn attention.”
“True.”
“The hospital was ideal.”
“Food and accommodation.”
James nodded.
“Lucky you.”
“And in the midst of a depression, however, I had to start work at six o’clock in the morning.”
“Outside, it would have been pitch black.”
“I hated those dark austere times.”
Abbie looked up to the blue cloudless sky and bright sun, then at James. “No more dark nights or difficult times.”
“Promise?”
Abbie nodded. “Also, there is no cash requirement.”
“What happens if you break a promise?”
She sighed. “You don’t want to know.”
James looked towards the calm waters of the loch. “In 1938, I met a woman in Glasgow, and found out she worked for the French Secret Service.” James glanced at Abbie. “What became of her?”
“I’m uncertain of that person, but I’ll find out.” Abbie stared at James. “That is if she came here.”
James laughed.
“When did you meet Philip and Charlotte?”