In the August of 1974 I went to Corfu with Viola<\/p>\n
We were invited by a couple of friends<\/p>\n
The invite was so sudden that we hardly packed anything at all<\/p>\n
Only the essentials were taken to Corfu<\/p>\n
We did not think to take a camera<\/p>\n
And because of this only one photograph was taken of us during that holiday<\/p>\n
It was taken by Mike a waiter at the beach bar<\/p>\n
I think he fancied Viola<\/p>\n
The photograph showed Viola standing in the sea next to me<\/p>\n
I was wearing a pair of scruffy football shorts and Viola was wearing a light blue bikini that she had purchased in Corfu<\/p>\n
The strange thing was that this sole photograph clearly showed our scars<\/p>\n
Which were identical<\/p>\n
I was given a copy of the photograph by Mike<\/p>\n
(I suspect he kept a copy for himself<\/i>)<\/p>\n
Since 1974 I had kept this photograph in my wallet<\/p>\n
Occasionally I looked at my sister<\/p>\n
Although attractive she was not conventionally beautiful<\/p>\n
She thought herself too angular<\/p>\n
Her features were too severe<\/p>\n
But if my father was to be believed<\/p>\n
This was my creation of her<\/p>\n
She might have rivalled Cleopatra for all I know<\/p>\n
But in that photograph she was a tall rather gawky girl staring nervously at the camera<\/p>\n
Little did I know then that she was also Beryl Quail my pseudo mother<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I had broken into the corrugated iron shed at Blue Anchor Railway Station before dawn<\/p>\n
For some reason it was now locked<\/p>\n
I sat where I had sat before<\/p>\n
But Viola did not appear<\/p>\n
I had not expected her to arrive<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
During my train journey<\/p>\n
My train had stopped at a number of small stations<\/p>\n
I had slept and had hardly been aware of these infrequent stops<\/p>\n
But I remember one clearly<\/p>\n
I could not name the station<\/p>\n
But I saw a girl on a wooden seat<\/p>\n
I had never seen her before<\/p>\n
She was looking at me<\/p>\n
Just as my train was about to go she took a photograph from her cardigan pocket<\/p>\n
It was the photograph of Viola and me<\/p>\n
She smiled briefly and then set it alight with her lighter<\/p>\n
I thought I had dreamt this but when I looked into my wallet the photograph was gone<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I will mow the lawn <\/i><\/p>\n
And I will cut the overhanging branches <\/i><\/p>\n
That is if you can find me some shears <\/i><\/p>\n
If not I will use your nail scissors <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n
I smiled to myself<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Do leave this work Viola as it is so arduous<\/i><\/p>\n
I was brought up in the country <\/i><\/p>\n
Hard work does not faze me <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n
I knew that Viola was returning<\/p>\n
But how and when she would return<\/p>\n
Was impossible to predict<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
They have broken into the shed again George <\/i><\/p>\n
Have they taken anything?<\/i><\/p>\n
Not that I can see <\/i><\/p>\n
It was probably just kids from the campsite <\/i><\/p>\n
Sods<\/em> <\/i><\/p>\n I think we should inform the police <\/i><\/p>\n I agree <\/i><\/p>\n Shall I purchase a new lock?<\/i><\/p>\n I have a stronger one in the station building \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n I was sitting on the station and both of the railway staff passed me without comment<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I will ring PC Steps after the afternoon train <\/i><\/p>\n But for the time being I will lock the shed <\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n About ten minutes later George locked the shed with a much stronger lock<\/p>\n I knew that if I was to enter the shed again<\/p>\n That I would draw attention to myself<\/p>\n I wandered down to the beach pretending to be a tourist enjoying the day<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Blur Anchor had not changed much since my childhood<\/p>\n Possibly it was a little busier<\/p>\n But the families were the same<\/p>\n The habits of the visitors were identica lto those that had visited Blue Anchor in 1962<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From my vantage I could see the small corrugated iron shed<\/p>\n Such an ordinary shed<\/p>\n But it was a time point like no other<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She is my sister you know <\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n I had watched the small shed for about an hour<\/p>\n When I saw a brilliant flash of light<\/p>\n I was expecting it to be pink<\/p>\n But this was green<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Green is the colour of disease<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Something was in the shed<\/p>\n I did not know what to expect<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I waited for the next steam train to pass<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She is my sister you know <\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n The shed was silent<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Then go to the shed <\/i><\/p>\n I will not be able to break into it before dark as the lock has been replaced <\/i><\/p>\n You are taking a chance Victor <\/i><\/p>\n No I am not <\/i><\/p>\n You are stranded here with me whether you like it or not <\/i><\/p>\n We have come this far <\/i><\/p>\n What are another few hours? <\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n I then thought of the girl who burnt my photograph at the railway station<\/p>\n I did not know who she was<\/p>\n Or the name of the railway station<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I spent the next few hours on the beach<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Do you have a cigarette?<\/i><\/p>\n Sorry I do not smoke <\/i><\/p>\n (I travel time but I do not smoke) <\/i><\/p>\n That\u2019s a pity I am dying for a cigarette <\/i><\/p>\n A small fat girl was standing opposite me<\/p>\n She was wearing a summer dress<\/p>\n Which did not suit her at all<\/p>\n Are you on holiday at Blue Anchor?<\/i><\/p>\n (No I am waiting for my sister we travel in time) <\/i><\/p>\n I am on my way to Minehead to work in a hotel <\/i><\/p>\n The small fat girl looked at the sea<\/p>\n I wish I had the confidence to swim in the sea <\/i><\/p>\n Can you not swim?<\/i><\/p>\n I can swim but as you can see I am quite large and I feel like a beached whale <\/i><\/p>\n Look at my fat <\/i><\/p>\n The girl lifted one of her flabby arms in the air<\/p>\n She had also neglected to shave her armpits and exposed knots of sweaty hair<\/p>\n Beauty is in the eye ——– <\/i><\/p>\n Beauty is in the eye of the beholder <\/i><\/p>\n How many times have I heard that before? <\/i><\/p>\n But it was sweet of you to say it <\/i><\/p>\n I will swim with you <\/i><\/p>\n (As long as I can see the small corrugated shed) <\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n I opened my eyes as I had fallen asleep in the warm sun<\/p>\n I looked for the small fat girl<\/p>\n But she was not there<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For a moment I was oblivious to the shed<\/p>\n I had seen the small fat girl before<\/p>\n But where?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In August the days are shortening towards autumn<\/p>\n But darkness still does not occur until about nine in the evening<\/p>\n I was going to need complete cover of darkness<\/p>\n If I was going to break into the shed<\/p>\n I thought about how I would force the lock<\/p>\n The previous one had been easy and had most probably dated from Great Western days<\/p>\n I knew the new one was going to be a challenge and to add to my troubles I did not have any tools to break it<\/p>\n In a way this calmed me as I did not know what I would find in the shed<\/p>\n If Viola had returned at all<\/p>\n What state would she be in?<\/p>\n I wondered if I could stand the shock if she had been time scattered<\/p>\n And there was also my brother to contend with<\/p>\n Everywhere I went he followed<\/p>\n That was a basic law of time<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As the day grew older the beach emptied and apart from a few dog walkers it was mostly quiet<\/p>\n I looked at the shed again<\/p>\n The a faint green glow could be seen seeping from under the ill fitted door<\/p>\n This filled me with fear<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Green is the colour of disease<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The last train of the day called at the station and made its way to Minehead<\/p>\n Shortly afterwards the station staff began to close the station for the night<\/p>\n I was sure that they were going to spot the green glow<\/p>\n But they seemed to be in a hurry<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I waited to it was quite dark and then made my way to the shed<\/p>\n As I thought the lock was a sturdy new one<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Is that you Victor?<\/i><\/p>\n Viola <\/i><\/p>\n Don\u2019t worry I will release you <\/i><\/p>\n You might not like what you see <\/i><\/p>\n Are you disembodied?<\/i><\/p>\n No <\/i><\/p>\n It does not matter if you are grains of time dust <\/i><\/p>\n I am not dust <\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n I would stay in there Viola <\/i><\/p>\n I am coming for you <\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n Father told me everything <\/i><\/p>\n About mother <\/i><\/p>\n About you <\/i><\/p>\n About us <\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n Our father was crushed by a time warp <\/i><\/p>\n He saved me so that I might save you <\/i><\/p>\n But what of our brother?<\/i><\/p>\n I am your brother <\/i><\/p>\n You might hurt me <\/i><\/p>\n That is a possibility <\/i><\/p>\n But it is a chance we will have to take <\/i><\/p>\n He might destroy us both <\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n Suddenly there was a movement near the railway line<\/p>\n My heart jumped<\/p>\n I expected it to be a policeman<\/p>\n But to my surprise it was the small fat girl<\/p>\n She handed me a crowbar<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Perhaps this may be of use <\/i><\/p>\n <\/p>\n It is not what it seems <\/i><\/p>\n But I must break into this shed <\/i><\/p>\n (She might be diseased so please go away) <\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n It was then that I placed the girl<\/p>\n She had been the person responsible for burning my photograph<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Why did you destroy my photograph? <\/i><\/p>\n I had my reasons <\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n After a struggle I was finally was able to break the lock<\/p>\n But I did not open the door<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Go ahead open the door <\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n Please would you leave <\/i><\/p>\n You will not understand what I am doing <\/i><\/p>\n I understand perfectly <\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n I glanced at the girl who was standing in the shadow of the small shed<\/p>\n (The moon was young but very bright)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It has been a long time Victor <\/i><\/p>\n Too long <\/i><\/p>\n You have been on a long journey <\/i><\/p>\n Yes <\/i><\/p>\n <\/p>\n I could hear Viola\u2019s voice<\/p>\n But I could not see her<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I have trapped you at last Viola <\/i><\/p>\n It is only a matter of time <\/i><\/p>\n You have been weakened <\/i><\/p>\n And you know that to be true <\/i><\/p>\n That is why I need your strength <\/i><\/p>\n My strength vanished years ago <\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n Without warning a vivid pink light illuminated the interior of the corrugated iron shed and for the first time in time I saw Viola<\/p>\n That lovely girl who you were so nice to committed suicide in her room this evening <\/i><\/p>\n She wanted to love life <\/i><\/p>\n But it hated her <\/i><\/p>\n Perhaps you were responsible <\/i><\/p>\n People were not always nice to her <\/i><\/p>\n <\/p>\n She burnt our photograph on my journey down <\/i><\/p>\n It was a smokescreen <\/i><\/p>\n <\/p>\n I had already identified her as a possible host <\/i><\/p>\n She had tried to kill herself before <\/i><\/p>\n It was only a matter of time <\/i><\/p>\n But she was strong and that is what I needed above everything else <\/i><\/p>\n Strength <\/i><\/p>\n You will try to kill me <\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n I looked at Viola<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As soon as Daddy was crushed I was able to release myself <\/i><\/p>\n I have been here for quite a while <\/i><\/p>\n Were you on the beach earlier? <\/i><\/p>\n Yes <\/i><\/p>\n You asked me for a cigarette <\/i><\/p>\n I did <\/i><\/p>\n Why did you not tell me who you were at the time?<\/i><\/p>\n Would you have believed me? <\/i><\/p>\n After all that has happened yes <\/i><\/p>\n You know the laws of time as well as I do <\/i><\/p>\n I had to meet you here <\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n You are sapping my strength <\/em><\/p>\n I can feel it leaving me <\/em><\/p>\n Then you will have to commit an act of complete love\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n I picked up a blunt chisel and handed it to Viola<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hold this weapon over my beating heart and with all your strength push it in <\/i><\/p>\n I cannot do that Victor <\/i><\/p>\n If you do not our brother will chase you through time <\/i><\/p>\n He may be weak but I cannot control him as you can see <\/i><\/p>\n Thrust the chisel into my heart <\/i><\/p>\n It will kill one of us <\/i><\/p>\n If it kills me then make haste dear Viola as I will not be able to help you further <\/i><\/p>\n But if it kills your brother then the task is complete <\/i><\/p>\n Go to the hotel in Minehead and reverse time by a matter of hours <\/i><\/p>\n And then catch the first train to Blue Anchor <\/i><\/p>\n If you have been successful then I will be waiting for you on the station platform <\/i><\/p>\n If our brother has won then do not alight from the train as I will not be there<\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n The pink light was fading<\/p>\n As Viola leaned forward with the chisel I could see tears in her sea blue eyes<\/p>\n I have always thought you were so beautiful Viola <\/i><\/p>\n Thrust the dagger into my heart dear girl <\/i><\/p>\n Let this charade end <\/i><\/p>\n Shakespeare you have always loved Shakespeare Victor <\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n I felt the chisel enter my heart and then a warm blackness overwhelmed me<\/p>\n I felt like I was drowning<\/p>\n (I have drowned many times)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n End<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In the August of 1974 I went to Corfu with Viola We were invited by a couple of friends The invite was so sudden that we hardly packed anything at all Only the essentials were taken to Corfu We did not think to take a camera And because of this only one photograph was taken […]<\/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\/3752"}],"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=3752"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3752\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3752"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3752"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3752"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}