The Signalman who appreciated the Light of the Sea
Lived in a house further up the hill
When a train was due he would run down the slope and guide the train into the correct platform
When there were no trains he often gazed out to sea
Awaiting the perfect light
A rare phenomenon
After twenty-eight years in the box the signalman retired
On the day of his retirement he was presented with a silver tray
When he looked into the tray he saw reflected the perfect light that he had been searching for
That evening he visited the box for the last time
The line was quiet and the box was unlit
He carefully locked the wooden door and threw the keys into the sea
At forty-nine minutes past six he borrowed a boat belonging to the railway company and sailed towards the azure light
Which was still reflected in his silver tray
Fungi and the Fifth Girl
A soft mist is enclosing the river
Soon the opposite bank will fade into the night
Alexander and I are both writing short stories
His is set in 1953 and mine in 2017
His story does not have a title
My story is called
The Bumper Book of Discoveries
I suggest a title for his story
Fungi and the Fifth Girl
He politely declines my suggestion
As there is no mention of fungi in his story
I look out of the window
The mist has lifted but the night has not yet arrived
In the distance five girls are waking along the lane
Four of the girls are holding sticks which they are pointing towards the sky
The fifth a murderess is deliberately lagging behind
She is carefully collecting the most toxic of the fungi’s which line the lane
Alexander suddenly stops his writing
I think your suggestion for a title is admirable I shall call my short story
Fungi and the Fifth Girl
My gaze returns to the fifth girl who was staring at the house
It was then that I noticed that one of her eyes was golden whilst the other was as black as the night
The Queen of the Azores
On the 5th of January a large ship called The Queen of the Azores anchored in the deep waters of our river
She had been slightly damaged by an on-board fire and had anchored so that repairs could be made
Its captain was known as Captain Percy
On the day after the ship arrived he visited my office
He asked me if I knew a Lynne Beake who he had met during his previous visit
I confirmed that I knew nobody of that name but would make enquiries
To my surprise I found the woman he was looking for the following day
She was a housewife who lived in one of the nearby villages but had married and was now known by her married name Sharpe
I informed the Captain of my success and offered my office as a meeting place which was gratefully accepted
On the 8th of January Captain Percy and Mrs Sharpe met once more
I offered to leave but they insisted that I was of no inconvenience
Fifteen years Lynne fifteen years
You look the same you know
A bit greyer I think
No you are exactly as I remember you
If I can be as bold Lynne I think you are more beautiful than my memories of you
I have had two children they are with my husband at present
What are the called?
Ian and Rachel
And your husband
Rob my husband is called Rob he is an engineer by profession
I am also married my wife is called Amy and we have a son called Cameron
Where do you live now?
Boston
Captain Percy was carrying a parcel which he placed on my desk
Open it Lynne
Is it a gift?
Yes and no
Inside the parcel was a silver notebook and a frame
My diary you have returned my diary
You promised to send me more poems
I ran out of inspiration
I liked you work especially the poem called
The Queen of the Azores
I submitted it to a magazine in Boston and they published it a few years ago I trust you approve
It was not that good but thank you it was very sweet of you
I have framed a copy of the work for you
I am leaving the sea you know as I want to see Cammy grow up this voyage is my last
But we can still keep in touch can we not do come for dinner Rob would be delighted to meet you
Alas no my ship sails with the next tide but yes we will keep in touch even if I do not visit England again
Captain Percy’s mobile rang and he answered it quietly
Duty calls I am needed back on ship
He kissed Lynne lightly on the cheek
I went to sea because of you and now I am leaving because of you
One chapter closes another one opens
Be safe Lynne and wish me safe passage when I am gone
The Captain ran he hand lightly through Lynne’s hair
The sea ruins your hair you know it becomes brittle like mine
I will consider that when I purchase my first ship
Captain Percy turned and shook my hand
Thank you for your hospitality Sir
He left my office without a backward glance
You know I nearly married that man
But he chose the sea
I do not think I will hear from him again
Why do you say that?
History revolves in circles you know
I looked at the frame which was on my desk
There is no poem in the frame
And you will find that my diary is blank also
There was never a poem in the first place
The Queen of the Azores was never written
Forgive me the meeting you arranged was game as we are both quite fond of these games
Was it for my benefit?
No we would have played the same roles whether you had been here or not
Lynne picked up the silver book and the frame
He will never leave the sea you know in another fifteen years he will return again and ask after me
If he does do try to find me
I doubt if I will be working here
You will
Lynne smiled and left and I watched her walk towards the harbour and then fade in to the town
I sat in my chair for the remaining hours of my shift and watched as The Queen of the Azores sailed on the favourable tide
The Magic Sands
Gideon Gum was writing a book a crime thriller called
Other People Carry Cars
The telephone rang
Bessie his housekeeper answered the call
It is a caller from Castle Cary Gideon
Tell them I will ring them back but do ask them this question
When did you last see a perfect hill?
Pigeons were sunning themselves on the disused red brick water tower which had faced the fifth platform at Taunton Railway Station since Victorian times
Verna was waiting for her train
She was visiting an Ice House recently discovered in Castle Cary
Verna was an expert on Ice Houses and a Mr Hughes had requested her opinion on the one discovered in the grounds of his mansion
Two of the more knowing pigeons were discussing Verna’s area of expertise
It is a pity that she does not know that an Ice House is buried deep below this water tower
Designed by Capability Brown I am told
That is only a myth supplied by the crows
A taxi was awaiting Verna when she arrived at Castle Cary Station
Mr Hughes is awaiting you
Verna was met at the gate by her host
I am afraid that there has been a change of plan Miss Hopkins
Is there a problem with your Ice House?
No but I have just found a Rock Star hanging from the beams of the building
There was indeed a Rock Star hanging from one of the supporting beams of the Ice House
Verna touched the face of the world famous musician
It was cold
I know who he is Mr Hughes
Do you?
Yes this is Omar and he was due to headline at the festival later this year
Oh how unfortunate for him
I think he was murdered
What makes you think that?
There is a dagger in his back
I have an alibi you know
I never considered your involvement
This will be so bad for the summer trade you know
Listen I have a friend called Gideon who deals with cases like this without publicity I will give him a call
Verna took her mobile from her bag
Hi is Gideon there?
Yes but he is writing and cannot be disturbed
Oh but do tell him I have juicy murder here in Castle Cary
He has asked you a question
What is that?
When did you last see a perfect hill?