by David Munro
As the taxi approached St Helier, Victoria looked at her watch, and asked the driver to make a detour.
“Where to, miss?”
“The hospital.”
Not long after, the taxi drove into St Helier Hospital car park. Victoria paid the driver, got out, and went to reception. As nobody was in attendance, she pressed a buzzer, and a woman appeared from a back office. “My apologies, I had an urgent personal matter.”
“Can I visit my mother, April Anderson?” Victoria glanced at a wall clock. “I realise visiting time isn’t for another two hours.”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“Thanks.”
When Victoria arrived at the ward, a nurse in attendance led her into the corridor. “Your mother has just woke-up from a long sleep.”
“I wasn’t due to visit until later, but wanted to see her.” Victoria glanced towards the ward.
“Her condition is unchanged, she is in a stable condition.”
“Can I see her?”
The nurse paused. “Okay, she is drowsy.”
Victoria slowly entered, sat on a chair next to her mother’s bed, and unbuttoned her coat. April blinked, then moved her head sideways on the pillow.
“Victoria!”
She smiled.
After April sat up, Victoria stood, and hugged her mother.
“I wasn’t expecting you until tomorrow.”
Victoria sat down. “How do you feel?”
“Just the same, what about yourself?”
“I’m fine.”
“You look tired, how was the flight?”
“Okay, apart from sitting next to someone with a cold.”
“Still enjoying your job?”
“Yes, I was on a business course in Glasgow, and met up with James.”
“Is James your boyfriend?”
“The gentleman who visited you.”
April paused. “Oh, yes, I remember.”
“He lives in Dochar.”
“Dochar?”
“Where you were born and raised.”
April yawned, and put a hand over her mouth.
When her mother’s eyes started to flicker and then close, Victoria paused for several seconds. Then got up. “I’ll see you tomorrow, mother.”
April nodded.
Victoria hugged her.
“Bye.”
April closed her eyes, and Victoria slipped quietly away. Further down the corridor, she met the same nurse.
“My mother is feeling tired, I’ll return tomorrow.”
“See you then.”
Rather than take a taxi to the guest house, Victoria elected to walk, and as she did so, a provoking thought re-entered her head. Why would James say he was visiting a relative? It could explain why he left Docharnea to a family member, but what was the connection?
With her aunt having an afternoon church social engagement, Annabelle sat in the living room with a laptop for companionship. She browsed through a variety of professional gentleman profiles wishing to meet a sophisticated lady. Returning from Europe, Annabelle found village life slow and mundane, thus a solution had to be found. Since a friend had met a charming gentleman through such means, this modern way of dating may provide the answer. Although, prior to meeting a knight in shining armour, fabricated profiles bemused and amused Annabelle’s friend. Recalling what she had emphasised, Annabelle smiled. “It’s just part of the emotional rigorous online dating process.” Annabelle continued to browse, and after a frustrating forty minutes, shook her head, then muttered. “It would appear I’ll have to withstand an uneventful village existence.” She put the laptop aside, rose from an uncomfortable couch, and went into the kitchen to make a cup of coffee. As she returned, a buzzing sound came from the laptop. Fearing a malfunction, Annabelle set her cup on the side table, and sat down. The screen displayed a gentleman’s profile not previously seen, therefore, Annabelle moved closer, raising her dark eyebrows. With the gentleman’s photograph appearing familiar, Annabelle read personal details with interest. Several minutes later, she sat poised at the keyboard. “Let’s find out if it is whom I suspect.” After composing a short message, Annabelle pressed the SEND button. She lifted her cup of coffee, took a sip, and waited. Ten minutes later, she laid her empty cup on the table. “Perhaps he’s offline.” As Annabelle returned to the kitchen, her smartphone started to ring. She hurried into the living room, and picked it up. “Damn!” A look at the screen revealed a withheld number.
A short while later, bored Annabelle went for a stroll in the late February sunshine. As she walked along Ardrishaig’s main street, a gentleman approached. “Lovely day.”
“Yes, wonderful.”
“Are you enjoying your stay in the quaint remote village?”
Annabelle hesitated.
“You should take a trip to Glasgow, it’s a vibrant city.”
“I’ve given that idea much thought.”
“There are many good hill walks nearby, May is the best time.”
“I’ll be gone by then.”
“Back to Italy?” She has an uncanny resemblance to Ann Anderson.
“I’m not sure.”
“Where are you headed?”
“Nowhere in particular.”
“Then, let’s have a coffee in the main street’s popular outlet.”
“You mean the only one!”
James laughed. “There is the Grey Gull Inn, they serve coffee in the lounge.”
Annabelle looked in the coffee shop’s direction, and smiled. “It’ll do.”
James and Annabelle entered, and sat in a discreet corner. A shop assistant came across to the table, and took their order. Annabelle removed her scarf, laid it on an empty chair, and unbuttoned her coat. Whilst James unbuttoned his, Annabelle looked at him.
“At least, it’s warm in here.”
Annabelle nodded. Strange, that his profile appeared on my laptop, and meeting him soon after. Has he received my message? “Do you believe in fate?”
“You can call me, James.”
Annabelle smiled. “Do you feel people have a destiny?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have personal experience?”
“I feel, in certain cases, a person’s path is predetermined.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“During my recent travels, I had several experiences.”
“In what way?”
The shop assistant returned with two cups of coffee, laid them on the table, smiled, and departed. James lifted his cup, and took a sip.
Annabelle lifted her cup.
“How have you been spending your time in Ardrishaig?”
Annabelle sipped her coffee, and looked at James. “Visiting relatives.” He did receive my message, it’s evident by his smug expression!
“In the evenings?”
“I read, and listen to music.”
“There is a hotel, not far from here that overlooks Loch Fyne.”
Annabelle set her cup on the saucer. “I haven’t been to it.”
“It’s an idyllic setting.”
“For dinner?”
“Is tonight, suitable?”
Annabelle smiled. “Yes, tonight is fine.”
Since Annabelle and James forged a relationship, five days had passed. They met each afternoon and evening, however, tomorrow, Annabelle was due to leave. The lure of a warm sunny vibrant European city swept aside Ardrishaig’s rain and quaint environment. A ray of sunshine came in the form of cultured and charming James, but would he leave his beloved Docharnea? On their first evening, it became clear to Annabelle the affection James held for his family’s place of residence. Sitting in her bedroom, she stared into the mirror of an antiquated dressing table, then at an empty suitcase. Then came a knock on the door, and her aunt entered. “Is everything okay, Annabelle, you’ve been in here all evening.” She glanced at the suitcase.
Annabelle sighed.
“Having second thoughts?”
Annabe
lle turned round, and looked at her aunt.
“What was your impression of Docharnea?”
“A lovely property, full of character and charm.”
“Similar to its owner?”
Annabelle smiled. “The coach house is an intriguing building, James told me it has not been in use for over a century.”
“Locals maintain it is haunted by a former coachman.”
“I didn’t bump into him.”
Her aunt grinned. “Before going to bed, would you like a cup of tea?”
Annabelle nodded. “Yes, thank you.”
After her aunt left, Annabelle gazed into the mirror, recalling her conversation with James. Suddenly, she screamed, and turned round. Her aunt rushed into the room, and Annabelle pointed. “I saw myself!” She took a deep breath. “Standing over there.”
Her aunt looked towards a wall opposite the dressing table. “It would be your reflection, Annabelle.”
She shook her head. “The person resembled me, but wore different clothes.” Annabelle stared at her aunt.
“Let us have that cup of tea in the living room.”
Annabelle rose from her chair, looked around the room, and followed her aunt.
As Annabelle sipped a cup of tea, her aunt set a half-empty cup onto a small oak
table. “Discussing a ghost must have played on your mind.”
“The reflection wasn’t a coachman.” Annabelle set her cup and saucer down. “Have you ever experienced a strange occurrence in the house?”
Her aunt shook her head.
“It was eerie.”
“It would have been.”
“Strange, I didn’t feel afraid.”
“Just the shock of seeing your reflection?”
Annabelle nodded.
“What was she wearing?”
“A pink gown.”
“The colour of love.”
Annabelle entered the hall with her suitcase, and laid it on the hall carpet. As she did so, her aunt came out of the kitchen.
“Thanks for putting me up.”
“My pleasure, Annabelle.”
Annabelle lifted her suitcase.
“Is it not heavy?”
“It’s not far to the coach stop.” She looked at her watch.
“What time is your flight from Glasgow?”
“Two o’clock, I’ll be there in good time.”
“What about James.”
“We’ve said our goodbyes.”
Annabelle’s aunt went to the front door, opened it, and her niece stepped out. Due to an overnight low temperature, the pavement and road had a white blanket of frost.
“Take care, Annabelle, it’s icy.”
“I will, goodbye, Auntie.”
Following a hug, Annabelle walked down the narrow garden path, opened a small wooden gate, and stepped onto the pavement. Her aunt waved, received a warm acknowledgement and then closed the door. As Annabelle walked to the stop, a van came around the corner and skidded. Hearing the sound of screeching tyres, Annabelle turned around.
Whilst in the kitchen, her aunt heard a loud knock on the door and went to answer it. A man stood with an expression of horror. “Janet, your niece, there’s been an accident.” He took a deep breath.
“What’s happened, Sandy?”
“A van skidded.” He took another deep breath.
Janet put a hand to her mouth.
“An ambulance is on its way.”
“I must go to her.”
The man shook his head. “Please, don’t, Janet.”
“Why not?”
“It’s a horrible sight.”
An ambulance’s siren could be heard and as it arrived, an eerie lull ensued. Janet walked down the garden path, followed by the man. A small crowd had gathered around the ambulance, and murmurs began. When it moved off, Janet wiped a tear from her eye.
After composing herself, she called James, and as he answered, Janet dabbed her nose. “James, I have terrible news.” Janet hesitated. “Annabelle has been involved in an accident.”
“An accident!”
“Yes.” Janet sniffed. “She was getting the 8.30 to Glasgow.”
“What happened, Janet?”
“A driver lost control of his van near the stop, and it hit Annabelle.”
James hesitated. “How is she?”
Janet’s voice grew raspy. “I’m not sure, she’s been taken to Lochgilphead General.”
“I will go there, now.”
“Poor, Annabelle.” Janet sobbed.
“After visiting the hospital, I’ll come around to your house.”
“I hope she’s okay.”
James left Docharnea, and with his heart racing, arrived at the hospital. At reception, and after taking a deep breath, he pressed a buzzer, and a woman appeared.
“Annabelle Drake, how is she?”
“Annabelle Drake, sir?”
“She was admitted earlier this morning.” James stared at the receptionist.
A second receptionist came forward. “Are you a relative, sir?”
“A good friend, I’m also here on behalf of her aunt.”
“Your name, sir?”
“James Carsell-Brown.”
“The lady has been taken to surgery.”
“How is she?”
“It’s a serious injury.”
James glanced at a row of empty chairs. “Can I wait here for news?”
“If you wish, sir.”
“There’s a coffee shop along the corridor,” said the other receptionist.
“Thanks.” I need one.
After James departed, both receptionists looked at each other, with solemn expressions.
James returned to reception, and waited for news. To alleviate his concern, he sat and browsed through a selection of magazines, although, not taking in their content. As footsteps on the polished vinyl flooring became louder, James looked up, and observed a middle-aged man in a long white coat. Standing up, James faced him.
“Are you the next of kin, Mr Carsell-Brown?”
“No, Ms Drake’s aunt in Ardrishaig, but she is unwell. How is Annabelle?”
“I am afraid we couldn’t save her.”
James stared.
“Her internal injuries were too severe, I am sorry.”
James sighed.
The doctor departed, and James sat down. After a few minutes, he rose and then left the hospital. Whilst walking to Ardrishaig, thoughts ran through his mind. A person’s life was preserved in 1916, why not now? Also, as Annabelle is related to Ann Anderson, perhaps there is a spiritual connection.
Instead of going to Ardrishaig, James headed for Docharnea. He entered the coach house, walked up its wooden staircase, and into the coachman’s quarters. Approaching the Gothic mirror, James stared into it, and waited. Experiencing no sensation, he spoke. “Grant me this favour, you owe me.” Beginning to feel light-headed, James held onto a nearby chair. After composing himself, observed no mirror hanging on the wall, instead, it had fallen onto the wooden floor and lay in pieces. James walked with care back down the staircase, and when outside, looked around. “It’s morning!” Those birds in the tree woke me up at 6.30, and chirped for three hours. James looked at his watch, and entered the villa to check the correct time. A kitchen wall clock stated 7.59, therefore, he had thirty minutes to save Annabelle. He walked quickly, although, carefully along the frosty pavement towards Ardrishaig.
Upon reaching the main street, James observed a clock above the village hall. It showed the time was 8.23. Two minutes later, he spotted Annabelle leaving her aunt’s house, and caught up with her. “Annabelle.”
She turned around. “James!’ Annabelle paused. “We’ve said our goodbyes.”
“Yes, however, I’m about to save your life.”
She frowned. “Save my life!”
“Stand here for a few moments.”
Annabelle glanced at her watch.
“You’ll still catch the bus.”
She s
ighed, and laid her suitcase on the frosty pavement.
Seconds later, a van came round the corner, skidded, and careered onto the pavement hitting a wall. After its driver got out to check the damage, Annabelle stared at James. “How, how did you know?”
“To explain, will take a long time.”
Annabelle smiled and then hugged her knight.
Janet walked up to James and Annabelle, looked at the van, then her niece. “Annabelle, it could have hit you!”
At that moment, the coach to Glasgow appeared and went past the stop. Janet looked at Annabelle. “What about your flight?”
Annabelle looked at James. “I want to hear this story.”
That evening, James and Annabelle had a candlelit dinner at Docharnea, and after leaving the dining room, took their drinks into the lounge. Soon, James lifted Annabelle’s empty glass, and went through to the kitchen. He opened a second bottle of wine, and filled Annabelle’s glass. Whilst walking through the hall, James saw a young woman’s reflection in the wall mirror. With long raven hair and wearing a pink gown, he stood transfixed, then recognised her.
She whispered. “Farewell, James, thank you.”
James gripped the glass.
After Ann Anderson’s image vanished, James paused, and returned to the lounge. He sat down, and handed Annabelle a glass of Chardonnay. A few moments later, she looked at James. “Are you okay?”
He nodded, lifted his glass of red wine, and took a sip.
“Now, I want to hear this story that you promised.”
James took another sip, and set his glass on the table. “It begins sixteen years ago, just after the Millennium.”
Annabelle sipped her wine.
James revealed that a mysterious force within Docharnea’s coach house had sent him back to various timelines, and as a consequence, he prevented past members of his family from suffering serious injury, if not death. The first timeline he was sent back to was 1896…
Annabelle set her empty glass on the table, and sat upright. “Do you expect me to believe that story?”
James smiled.
“Mind you, it is compelling.”
Perhaps, I will write that book after all.
The End