Awakening
Page 24
“In what way?”
“Patients not only had their family as visitors, also, other families.”
“A community spirit.”
“After visiting time ended, it became difficult to usher them out”
Abbie laughed.
“Nobody wanted to leave!”
Abbie gripped James’s hand. “It was in 1938, we first met.”
“I had left the coach house.”
“And dressed as a coachman.”
“1967 was a strange year.”
“In what way?”
“Being there as an adult, and as a child.”
“How could that be?”
James shrugged his shoulders.
“Time travel is bizarre.”
“I don’t give it much thought, and if I did, a headache would ensue.”
Abbie smiled.
“An advantage of going back in time was being able to attend that concert at the Glasgow Apollo in 1967.”
“The pop concert?”
“Most of the Tamla Motown stars appeared.”
“Tamla Motown?”
James stared at Abbie. “Stevie Wonder, the Supremes and the Four Tops?”
“That concert is a distant memory for me!”
“When my parents and I visited Olivia in June of that year, I still recall feeling sick in father’s car.”
“Too much chocolate on the journey?”
“That and the strong smell of leather upholstery in father’s new car.”
“Don’t make excuses, James, you love chocolate.”
James paused. “Strange.”
Abbie looked at him.
“I don’t remember much about that visit.”
“Being at Docharnea?”
“I recall arriving there, meeting Olivia, and leaving to go home.” James stared at Abbie. “That’s about it.”
“Your long-term memory is similar to mine.”
James sat with Abbie, and continued to reflect on enthralling experiences gained travelling back in time. His physical form had ended, and a spiritual existence about to begin.
CHAPTER 15 - RE-ENACTMENT
Victoria blinked, felt light-headed and then steadied herself. Looking into a Gothic mirror, which faced her, she saw the reflection of a figure encompassed in brightness. Victoria shrieked, turned around, and stared at the mysterious apparition several yards in front of her.
“Do not be afraid,” said a calm voice.
Victoria stepped back. “Who, who are you? What are you?”
“I have a connection with your family.”
Victoria paused. “Why, why are you here?”
“I will explain, Victoria.”
Victoria cleared her throat. “How do you know my name?”
The apparition moved forward, and Victoria stepped back. As the apparition stopped, Victoria stared at its head, however, the face was a blur.
“I am not going to harm you.”
Victoria clenched both hands tight. “What do you want with me?”
“I require your assistance.”
“Me!”
“Yes.”
“In what way?”
“There has been an error in the timeline, and I require you to put right the wrong.”
“A timeline?”
“It involves James.”
“James?”
“Yes, Victoria, James Carsell-Brown.”
“He’s dead!”
“Not as you perceive him to be.”
“Are you an angel?”
“That is one title I have been referred to as.”
“Why can’t you reveal yourself?”
“It would complicate matters, you have to trust me.”
“In this current situation, it’s difficult.”
“That is what James would say.”
Victoria gave a faint smile.
The apparition pointed. “Please, take a seat, Victoria.”
She looked at a wooden chair. “Where did that come from?” Victoria touched it.
“When I entered the room, there was no chair.”
“I have a startling revelation for you.”
Whilst gazing at the apparition, Victoria slowly sat down, and it pointed to the window.
Victoria turned her head. “Have I been out cold for a long time?”
“No.”
“Why is there daylight?” Victoria stared at the apparition. “When I came into the coach house, it was dusk.” She looked at her watch. “It’s stopped.”
“For you, Victoria, a new dawn has started.”
Victoria stared at the apparition. “What do you mean?”
“You have received the power to travel through time.”
“That is for the writers of fiction, not me.”
“You have travelled back to June, 1914.”
Victoria frowned. “1914!”
“Does the room not appear different from when you entered?”
Victoria looked around. “It’s warmer.” She unbuttoned her coat.
“When you go outside, do not be alarmed.”
“What will I find?”
“A different landscape.”
Victoria rose, walked to the window, and looked out. The trees are smaller. “What about the villa?”
“That has also changed, a family stay there.”
“A family?”
“However, they are at present on vacation.”
Victoria carefully walked down the staircase, opened the door, and stepped out. The villa’s exterior was grey instead of cream, no rear extension existed, and grass had replaced the courtyard’s gravel surface. She looked upwards at the deep blue cloudless sky and warm sun. Victoria went back upstairs, and stood opposite the apparition.
“Are you convinced?”
“What now?” She took a deep breath.
“First of all, you have to find an eight year old James, who has also travelled back in time.”
“How did he get here?”
“Please, make yourself comfortable.”
Victoria removed her coat, folded it over an arm, and sat down.
“I would like you to rectify two separate instances.”
“In 1914?”
“The first is in this current year.”
“And the other?”
“In the present.” The apparition paused. “Listen carefully, this is what you must do.”
After leaving the coach house, Victoria walked down the driveway, and being a pleasant day, she did not require a coat. Turning left at the driveway’s end, Victoria headed towards Ardrishaig. Whilst walking, she heard an unfamiliar sound from behind, and turned around. As the slow-moving vintage vehicle went by, Victoria watched in amazement. Twenty yards on, it came to a halt, and the driver looked round. “Want a lift?” he shouted.
Victoria walked hesitantly to the vehicle, stared at its chassis, then looked at the driver. He lifted up his driving goggles, and grinned. “No charge.”
She smiled.
“Where are you off to?”
“The village.”
The driver leaned over, pushed down a handle, and the door flew open. Victoria got in, and surveyed her surroundings. After the driver replaced his goggles, and the vehicle moved off, Victoria continued to look with interest. The driver glanced at his passenger. “Lost something?”
“I have not been in a car like this, where’s the seatbelt?”
“A car, what’s that?”
“What do you refer to this vehicle as?”
“An automobile.” The driver glanced at Victoria. “You’re not from around here, are you?”
“I’m from Edinburgh.” Victoria stared at the driver. Retro gear indeed.
“Are you on holiday?”
“Visiting relatives.” This is surreal, it’s like being in an old film.
“That is the second time in recent days I have heard that.”
“Visiting, or relatives?”
The driver laughed. “No, car.”
/>
“What other person mentioned it?”
“A boy.” The driver glanced at Victoria. “He also came from Edinburgh, are you related by any chance?”
“A distant cousin.” Victoria looked at the driver. “Do you know where he is?”
“My wife and I took him to the police station, located in the village.”
“Will he still be there?”
“I’m not sure, I’ll take you there.”
“Thanks.” Victoria looked at her watch.
The driver stared at it. “What’s that?”
Oh, shit! “It’s, it’s a gift I received, from an aunt in America.” It’s working again.
“As far as devices go, they are one step ahead.”
Victoria put a hand over her watch.
As she admired rural surroundings, the Rover reached Ardrishaig and headed for its local police station. “Would you like a cup of tea, first?”
Victoria nodded. “Yes, please.” Something stronger would be better.
“There’s a tearoom nearby.”
The shiny maroon vehicle drew up outside a small quaint establishment, came to a halt, and the driver removed his goggles. As they were about to enter the tearoom, Victoria looked behind, then at the driver. “Don’t you lock your vehicle?”
The driver frowned. “Lock my vehicle?”
“The doors.”
The driver grinned. “Nobody else can drive around here.”
Victoria smiled.
“By the way, what is your name?”
“Victoria.”
Upon entering, the driver took off his cap, and led Victoria to a woman with bobbed dark hair reading a book. As they approached her table, the woman looked up.
“Rosalind, this is Victoria, she is related to the young boy we found.”
The woman closed her book. “Please, have a seat.”
Victoria sat opposite her.
The driver looked at Victoria. “I have business to take care of, my wife will give you directions to the police station.”
“It’s not far,” said Rosalind.
“Thanks for the lift.”
“My pleasure.” The driver departed.
Victoria looked at Rosalind. “I was glad of a lift.”
“Edward is always the gentleman.” Rosalind glanced at Victoria’s narrow shoes.
“Cool.”
Rosalind stared. “A cup of tea will help.” Rosalind looked towards the counter.
“What does your husband do?”
“He is an officer in the army.” Rosalind looked at Victoria’s top. “Are you warm enough?”
Victoria nodded. “Is he on leave?”
Rosalind nodded. “Unfortunately, he has to report back within the next three days.”
A waitress in an ankle-length black dress appeared, and Victoria stared at her hair tied in a bun. The waitress smiled at Victoria. “Afternoon, what can I get you?”
“A white coffee, please.”
“Coffee?” said the waitress, “this is a tearoom.”
“A cup of tea, please.”
“Would you care for some of our home-made shortbread?”
Victoria nodded.
“Another glass of water for me, please” said Rosalind as she looked at the waitress.
“Certainly, Mrs Beaumont.”
When the waitress departed, Victoria put both hands under the white tablecloth, removed her watch, and put it into her denim jeans pocket.
“The young boy wore unusual clothes, are you also from Edinburgh?”
“Yes.”
“Once my baby is born, and I feel up to it, I must visit the city.” Rosalind smiled. “I want to view the latest fashions.”
“There are many boutiques.”
“Boutiques?”
“Another name for a shop selling clothes.”
Rosalind smiled. “Ah, I see.”
A man came into the tearoom and then approached two middle-aged women sitting near the shop counter. The waitress returned with a glass of water, cup of tea, plus a plate of shortbread fingers.
“Thanks,” said Victoria.
The waitress stared at Rosalind. “I overheard a customer say that the Archduke of Austria and his wife have been assassinated.”
“Assassinated!” said Rosalind, “surely, not in Vienna.”
The waitress nodded. “Sarajevo, the man said.”
“Where is that?” said Rosalind.
“Bosnia-Herzegovina,” said Victoria.
“It won’t affect us,” said the waitress, “it’s too far away.” She departed.
Victoria stared out the window.
“A penny for them, Victoria.” Rosalind picked up her glass, and took a sip of water.
Victoria lifted her patterned cup. “Just reflecting.” She sipped her tea.
A short time later, both women finished their liquid refreshment, then went to the counter. Rosalind took a small purse out of her leather bag, and paid the waitress. After leaving the tearoom, Victoria looked at Rosalind. “Thanks for that.”
“My pleasure, Victoria.”
“Is the police station far from here?”
Rosalind shook her head. “I will walk with you part of the way.” She pointed. “It’s in that direction.”
Crossing a street, Victoria spotted a cyclist rubbing one of his eyes and heading straight for her and Rosalind. As Victoria tugged Rosalind’s dress, she stopped, and the cyclist whizzed by.
“Phew!” said Rosalind.
“Did you not see him?”
“He was on my blind side.” Rosalind pointed. “The police station is round that corner.”
Victoria faced Rosalind. “Thank you.”
“You and the boy have the same eyes.” Rosalind smiled. “Goodbye.”
“Bye.”
Whilst Victoria walked to the police station, a passing trio of young men gave her a second look. She entered the building, walked up to a reception desk, and knocked twice. A constable appeared from a rear room, and gave a warm smile. “Can I help you, miss?”
“I have come to collect my young cousin.”
The constable laid a pencil on the desk.
“I was told he was here.”
“What is his name, miss?”
“James Carsell-Brown.”
“Can you describe him?”
“Blond hair, eight years old, and when I last saw him, wearing a white top with a ladybird logo on the sleeve.”
“Logo?”
“An emblem, a badge?”
The constable nodded. “Got you, miss.” He lifted his pencil. “What is your name, miss?”
“Victoria.” She hesitated. “Carsell-Brown.”
The constable wrote on a sheet of paper. “Can you verify that, miss?”
“I have no documents on me.” Victoria smiled. “Do you not believe me?”
The constable hesitated.
“We look alike do we not?”
“James is staying at the ‘Korongo’ guest house.”
“Korongo?”
“The name of the guest house, Gaelic for a coastal part of the country.”
“Where is it located?”
“Walk back to the main street, and it’s third left.” The constable laid down his pencil. “Ask for Alice Lawson.”
“Thanks.”
“James’s mother and father must have been concerned?”
“I’ll soon return James to his parent’s time.”
Victoria walked back to Ardrishaig’s main street, and followed the directions given to her. Finding the guest house, she rang a brass doorbell, and waited. A middle-aged lady answered, and looked curiously at Victoria.
“I have come to collect James.”
“I know you have,” the lady smiled, “a constable from the police station just telephoned.”
Victoria smiled.
“Come in.” The lady opened the door. “I am Alice Lawson.”
“I’m Victoria.”
Stepping into a compact alc
ove, Victoria spotted a blond-haired boy in the hallway with a comic in his hand.
Alice Lawson glanced at James. “He loves reading my nephew’s comics.”
Victoria stared.
“I can see the family resemblance.” Alice Lawson glanced at James, as he entered a room. “During his stay, he wore my nephew’s spare clothes.”
As they chatted, the telephone rang, and Alice Lawson excused herself. When she answered it, Victoria went into the room, and James put down his comic.
She whispered. “James, my name is Victoria, I will take you back to your parents.”
James stared.
Victoria smiled. “Would you like to go now?”
James nodded.
“Come with me.”
After James stood up, and took Victoria’s hand, Alice Lawson came into the room. She smiled at James. “He has been well-behaved.”
“Thank you for looking after him.”
“It was no problem.”
“Thank you,” said James, “and Alan.”
“Next time he visits, I will tell him.”
Alice led both guests to the front door, and Victoria, once more, thanked her. As James walked with Victoria along the main street, he tugged her arm. “How are we getting back to Edinburgh?”
“First of all, we must return to your great-aunt’s property.” And, my feet are killing me!
James pointed. “Victoria, a coach with two horses.”
She looked. “Maybe it’s for hire.”
When they approached the stationary coach, its white-bearded driver looked at them from his elevated position.
“Are you by any chance for hire?” said Victoria.
“Where do you want to go, miss?”
“Dochar, and, a property called Docharnea.”
James gazed at the driver’s colourful green and black uniform. He came down from his seat, then opened the nearest coach door. Victoria and James stepped inside, and sat on a long black seat. The driver closed the door, returned to his perched position, and released a handbrake. As he threw the horses reigns forward, the coach moved off.
Twenty-five minutes later, the coach arrived at Docharnea and then entered its driveway. Outside the coach house, the driver applied the handbrake, and came down from his seat. After opening a door, his passengers got out.
“I believe the family are on holiday, miss.”
“I’m looking after the property until they return.”
James looked at the two black and white horses.