When I first met Rail Fox he had a large snake dangled around his neck. It was not a python but a harmless snake from the Amazon Basin

The snake told me a story about a woman called Sophie Gray

Once a year in the first week in July the Day of Ghosts is celebrated on the island. There are similar ceremonies held all over the world most notably in Mexico with The Day of The Dead.

It is a day where the living can meet the dead.

Sophie Gray was sitting on the jetty that ran from the stony beach into the sea. Her bare feet dangled idly and the gentle swell occasionally caught the hem of her white cotton dress

She was aware of this invasion but did not move

As she looked at the sea it spoke to her

What is your name?

Sophie Gray

I know no-one of that name

Then I am a ghost after all this is the day of ghosts

You are no ghost

Why do you say that?

Because Sophie Gray is not your real name

Then I have no name

I have visited the countries of the world and have met many like you

Explain?

The sea is full of ghosts

Sophie was aware that her foot was being caressed but did not move as she found it pleasurable

Why do you caress my foot?

Your foot is being caressed by the ghosts of the dead

The dead of the sea?

The sea is full of ghosts

Sailors who perished before their time?

As Sophie looked into the waves she could see light gossamer shadows flitting beneath the waves. Occasionally a hand would break the surface and touch her feet and ankles

It was a pleasurable sensation

Why do you not swim today?

Because I am dressed in fine clothes which will spoil if I swim

What is your name?

Sophie Gray

You will have an unhappy life Sophie Gray. You will marry without love and die young

You alarm me

That is not your real name

Sophie did not answer as she had become aware of a slight woman dark in complexion walking towards the sea. The woman ignored Sophie’s presence on the jetty and soon began swimming until she was out of sight behind the rocks

Did you know the swimmer?

No

She was an ancestor of yours

What was her name?

Amelie

I know no Amelie

She knows who you are

Then why did she not pass greeting?

Today is the day of the ghosts

She did not look like a ghost to me

What does a ghost look like?

Like the souls in the sea who caress my feet

And on land should they look the same?

I do not have an opinion

What did you notice as the woman walked towards the sea?

Her nakedness, her dark complexion, her slight figure. I noticed that she was sweating even though the day is not mature

The woman had emerged from the rocks and was swimming towards Sophie. She reached the jetty and held up her hand in greeting and indicated that Sophie should join her in the sea

I am afraid of the pleasure that the sea might share and this inhibits my action

The woman smiled and dived beneath the waves. From her vantage Sophie could see the woman swimming with the ghosts of the sea

The woman surfaced and again indicated that Sophie should swim with her

I will swim without fear

Sophie stood up and readied herself for a swim. Moments later she dived into the sea and was surprised to find that she was quite alone. The sea was not caressing her. Her swim was without incident

As she turned towards the beach Sophie saw the slight woman dark of complexion walking towards the sea

As she emerged from the waves she passed the woman who greeted her with a smile but said nothing

Sophie stood on the beach and watched as the woman swam towards the rocks before disappearing from sight

The snake which had unwound itself from Rail Fox fell silent

Why tell me such a story?

I told you no story you closed your eyes for a moment and imagined my story. After all snakes do not speak

But what of your master?

Rail Fox is mute he tells no stories

Then why do I meet him on this day of ghosts?

Ask Rail Fox

But he will no hear me and is unlikely to answer you have told me that yourself

He will hear you and he will answer you Solange

The snake dropped to the ground and slithered away into the undergrowth which covered the hinterland between the road and the beach

My friend will return but it is time for us to talk

I think it will be to my advantage husband