Month: June 2026

“There you go,” he said, when they arrived outside a snug looking little cottage. A light was on downstairs and voices could be heard from inside at a subdued level.
“There is nothing we can do just now, Korah. It’s just too dark. We’ll try again in the morning,” said a male voice.
“Thank you James,” said a woman’s voice dejectedly.
“Mrs Manrara!” yelled the man at Hunter’s elbow. “Holly’s been found! Come quick!”

Hunter’s lips curved upwards slightly as he watched the water burbling gently over the rocks. The ravenous swarms blighting the land had spared several thickets of Purple Tympany and these stood defiantly at the water’s edge, propelling their tiny black seeds far and wide.  Near the curve of the river where a lone heron kept watch for that tell-tale flash of silver, a straggly bed of emerald reeds undulated slowly; their leaves whispering soothingly to the drunken nano bees roaming from flower to flower.  May had not yet arrived but there was a definite stillness to the air, a lull in the proceedings between spring and the onset of summer…

The cloud is thickening and the birds are frantically trying to find some place to roost as the wind whips itself into an ever increasing frenzy.  I hurry down the coastal path, the tall grass surrounding it seemingly wanting to trip me and send me careening head long down the steps.  Agitation chokes me as I grip the icy cold rail knowing she takes this path daily and sometimes in the dark. Alone…