THE SHOUT OF A KING

By Tessa Harvey



November

Alice looked out from her lounge seat. Although over eighty, she liked to keep active and had been blessed with no debilitating age-related diseases. Trim and fit-looking, walking better than many of her age group, Alice loved gardening, visiting the local library and on-line centre.

Sipping her warm tea, Alice thought back on her English childhood, part of which had been spent in the Northern part of the British Isles, known as the Lake District.

Scrambling around the fells (hills) and valleys had been something many of her large family had enjoyed. Once, climbing a hill track among the bracken and native bushes, one of them had heard the sound of falling water.

They had slid between old fence wires and gone to investigate. What a treasure! A hidden waterfall plunging into a pool! Neither the waterfall or the pool had been very big, but the family had had such fun there. Alice still had old photos of the waterfall sheathed in ice in winter, and also ones taken in summer of the whole family enjoying the water or perched on the grassy bank.

Once she had moved aside a bush near the water's edge and a wild duck had flown out. That had thrilled her as a young girl. At fourteen she remembered climbing a boulder nearby, lichen and moss decorated, and imagined herself as the princess of the whole lovely valley she could see before her.

Suddenly her reverie was interrupted by the sight of a young woman sitting on the kerb opposite. That was unusual as the woman looked as though she was no longer a teen, though still young. Young people often passed through the small road, as it was a short cut to the market and the town.

Alice felt compelled to go out to the woman. Something drew her, possibly her exhausted, dishevelled appearance, but perhaps more the utter bleakness of her expression.

Even from across the road, her desperation was evident. The older lady opened her door quietly out of instinct and drew near to the stranger.

"Hello," she said softly, and put out her arm as though she sensed the young woman would leave. A look of alarm crossed the young one's face which was bruised and swollen in places.

Deciding not to comment, Alice merely stated "Bit bleak out today. Spring is having an off-day, I reckon. I live alone and would love a little company."

She could see the other was not taken in by this, but because Alice looked what she was - elderly and harmless - the younger woman nodded and wearily followed her indoors.

Moira looked anxious and asked to use her bathroom. "I won't take anything. My name is...Doreen." Alice noted the hesitation before the name, but merely smiled welcomingly. "Be my guest."

When Moira returned and Alice offered her coffee or tea, she hesitated. "If you are concerned about your baby, I have hot chocolate."

Gratefully, the offer was accepted.






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