The Signalman who appreciated the Light of the Sea <\/b><\/p>\n
Lived in a house further up the hill<\/p>\n
When a train was due he would run down the slope and guide the train into the correct platform<\/p>\n
When there were no trains he often gazed out to sea<\/p>\n
Awaiting the perfect light<\/p>\n
A rare phenomenon<\/p>\n
After twenty-eight years in the box the signalman retired<\/p>\n
On the day of his retirement he was presented with a silver tray<\/p>\n
When he looked into the tray he saw reflected the perfect light that he had been searching for<\/p>\n
That evening he visited the box for the last time<\/p>\n
The line was quiet and the box was unlit<\/p>\n
He carefully locked the wooden door and threw the keys into the sea<\/p>\n
At forty-nine minutes past six he borrowed a boat belonging to the railway company and sailed towards the azure light<\/p>\n
Which was still reflected in his silver tray<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Fungi and the Fifth Girl <\/b><\/p>\n
A soft mist is enclosing the river<\/p>\n
Soon the opposite bank will fade into the night<\/p>\n
Alexander and I are both writing short stories<\/p>\n
His is set in 1953 and mine in 2017<\/p>\n
His story does not have a title<\/p>\n
My story is called<\/p>\n
The Bumper Book of Discoveries<\/p>\n
I suggest a title for his story<\/p>\n
Fungi and the Fifth Girl<\/p>\n
He politely declines my suggestion<\/p>\n
As there is no mention of fungi in his story<\/p>\n
I look out of the window<\/p>\n
The mist has lifted but the night has not yet arrived<\/p>\n
In the distance five girls are waking along the lane<\/p>\n
Four of the girls are holding sticks which they are pointing towards the sky<\/p>\n
The fifth a murderess is deliberately lagging behind<\/p>\n
She is carefully collecting the most toxic of the fungi\u2019s which line the lane<\/p>\n
Alexander suddenly stops his writing<\/p>\n
I think your suggestion for a title is admirable I shall call my short story <\/i><\/p>\n
Fungi and the Fifth Girl <\/i><\/p>\n
My gaze returns to the fifth girl who was staring at the house<\/p>\n
It was then that I noticed that one of her eyes was golden whilst the other was as black as the night<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
The Queen of the Azores <\/b><\/p>\n
On the 5th<\/sup> of January a large ship called The Queen of the Azores anchored in the deep waters of our river<\/p>\n She had been slightly damaged by an on-board fire and had anchored so that repairs could be made<\/p>\n Its captain was known as Captain Percy<\/p>\n On the day after the ship arrived he visited my office<\/p>\n He asked me if I knew a Lynne Beake who he had met during his previous visit<\/p>\n I confirmed that I knew nobody of that name but would make enquiries<\/p>\n To my surprise I found the woman he was looking for the following day<\/p>\n She was a housewife who lived in one of the nearby villages but had married and was now known by her married name Sharpe<\/p>\n I informed the Captain of my success and offered my office as a meeting place which was gratefully accepted<\/p>\n On the 8th<\/sup> of January Captain Percy and Mrs Sharpe met once more<\/p>\n I offered to leave but they insisted that I was of no inconvenience<\/p>\n Fifteen years Lynne fifteen years <\/i><\/p>\n You look the same you know<\/i><\/p>\n A bit greyer I think <\/i><\/p>\n No you are exactly as I remember you <\/i><\/p>\n If I can be as bold Lynne I think you are more beautiful than my memories of you <\/i><\/p>\n I have had two children they are with my husband at present<\/i><\/p>\n What are the called?<\/i><\/p>\n Ian and Rachel <\/i><\/p>\n And your husband<\/i><\/p>\n Rob my husband is called Rob he is an engineer by profession <\/i><\/p>\n I am also married my wife is called Amy and we have a son called Cameron <\/i><\/p>\n Where do you live now?<\/i><\/p>\n Boston <\/i><\/p>\n Captain Percy was carrying a parcel which he placed on my desk<\/p>\n Open it Lynne <\/i><\/p>\n Is it a gift?<\/i><\/p>\n Yes and no <\/i><\/p>\n Inside the parcel was a silver notebook and a frame<\/p>\n My diary you have returned my diary <\/i><\/p>\n You promised to send me more poems <\/i><\/p>\n I ran out of inspiration <\/i><\/p>\n I liked you work especially the poem called <\/i><\/p>\n The Queen of the Azores <\/i><\/p>\n I submitted it to a magazine in Boston and they published it a few years ago I trust you approve <\/i><\/p>\n It was not that good but thank you it was very sweet of you <\/i><\/p>\n I have framed a copy of the work for you <\/i><\/p>\n I am leaving the sea you know as I want to see Cammy grow up this voyage is my last <\/i><\/p>\n But we can still keep in touch can we not do come for dinner Rob would be delighted to meet you <\/i><\/p>\n Alas no my ship sails with the next tide but yes we will keep in touch even if I do not visit England again <\/i><\/p>\n Captain Percy\u2019s mobile rang and he answered it quietly<\/p>\n Duty calls I am needed back on ship <\/i><\/p>\n He kissed Lynne lightly on the cheek<\/p>\n I went to sea because of you and now I am leaving because of you <\/i><\/p>\n One chapter closes another one opens <\/i><\/p>\n Be safe Lynne and wish me safe passage when I am gone <\/i><\/p>\n The Captain ran he hand lightly through Lynne\u2019s hair<\/p>\n The sea ruins your hair you know it becomes brittle like mine <\/i><\/p>\n I will consider that when I purchase my first ship <\/i><\/p>\n Captain Percy turned and shook my hand<\/p>\n Thank you for your hospitality Sir <\/i><\/p>\n He left my office without a backward glance<\/p>\n You know I nearly married that man <\/i><\/p>\n But he chose the sea <\/i><\/p>\n I do not think I will hear from him again <\/i><\/p>\n Why do you say that?<\/i><\/p>\n History revolves in circles you know<\/i><\/p>\n I looked at the frame which was on my desk<\/p>\n There is no poem in the frame <\/i><\/p>\n And you will find that my diary is blank also <\/i><\/p>\n There was never a poem in the first place <\/i><\/p>\n The Queen of the Azores was never written <\/i><\/p>\n Forgive me the meeting you arranged was game as we are both quite fond of these games <\/i><\/p>\n Was it for my benefit?<\/i><\/p>\n No we would have played the same roles whether you had been here or not <\/i><\/p>\n Lynne picked up the silver book and the frame<\/p>\n He will never leave the sea you know in another fifteen years he will return again and ask after me <\/i><\/p>\n If he does do try to find me<\/i><\/p>\n I doubt if I will be working here<\/i><\/p>\n You will <\/i><\/p>\n Lynne smiled and left and I watched her walk towards the harbour and then fade in to the town<\/p>\n 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 <\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n The Magic Sands<\/b><\/p>\n Gideon Gum was writing a book a crime thriller called<\/p>\n Other People Carry Cars <\/i><\/p>\n The telephone rang<\/p>\n Bessie his housekeeper answered the call<\/p>\n It is a caller from Castle Cary Gideon <\/i><\/p>\n Tell them I will ring them back but do ask them this question<\/i><\/p>\n When did you last see a perfect hill? <\/i><\/p>\n Pigeons were sunning themselves on the disused red brick water tower which had faced the fifth platform at Taunton Railway Station since Victorian times<\/p>\n Verna was waiting for her train<\/p>\n She was visiting an Ice House recently discovered in Castle Cary<\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n Two of the more knowing pigeons were discussing Verna\u2019s area of expertise<\/p>\n It is a pity that she does not know that an Ice House is buried deep below this water tower <\/i><\/p>\n Designed by Capability Brown I am told<\/i><\/p>\n That is only a myth supplied by the crows <\/i><\/p>\n A taxi was awaiting Verna when she arrived at Castle Cary Station<\/p>\n Mr Hughes is awaiting you <\/i><\/p>\n Verna was met at the gate by her host<\/p>\n I am afraid that there has been a change of plan Miss Hopkins <\/i><\/p>\n Is there a problem with your Ice House?<\/i><\/p>\n No but I have just found a Rock Star hanging from the beams of the building <\/i><\/p>\n There was indeed a Rock Star hanging from one of the supporting beams of the Ice House<\/p>\n Verna touched the face of the world famous musician<\/p>\n It was cold<\/p>\n I know who he is Mr Hughes<\/i><\/p>\n Do you? <\/i><\/p>\n Yes this is Omar and he was due to headline at the festival later this year<\/i><\/p>\n Oh how unfortunate for him <\/i><\/p>\n I think he was murdered<\/i><\/p>\n What makes you think that? <\/i><\/p>\n There is a dagger in his back <\/i><\/p>\n I have an alibi you know<\/i><\/p>\n I never considered your involvement<\/i><\/p>\n This will be so bad for the summer trade you know <\/i><\/p>\n Listen I have a friend called Gideon who deals with cases like this without publicity I will give him a call <\/i><\/p>\n Verna took her mobile from her bag<\/p>\n Hi is Gideon there?<\/i><\/p>\n Yes but he is writing and cannot be disturbed <\/i><\/p>\n Oh but do tell him I have juicy murder here in Castle Cary <\/i><\/p>\n He has asked you a question <\/i><\/p>\n What is that? <\/i><\/p>\n When did you last see a perfect hill? <\/i><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2068"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2068"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2068\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2068"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2068"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2068"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}