The Visit

The Visit  

By Paul McCann

The trees brushed up against the windows of the cottage and the rain battered the shutters from their hinges. The thatched hay roof was tattered and clung on to the last strands defying the wind to blow it off. It was dark and cold in the wild wood of Limegrove Glen and the lonely figure of Bilo Lovechild made his way home with his sheepdog by his side.

Since Bilos wife died Shannon and Bilo were never far apart. As Bilo approached the bridge at Rosebank River he noticed a young boy sitting there alone. 

“Easy Shannon. “Said Bilo who saw the old dog was a little worried.

The moonlight glistened on the rivers surface and the wind died down.

The young boy walked over to meet Bilo and said,

“Excuse me I’m looking for Margaret Lovechild . Would you know where I could find her.”?   

The tears fell from Bilos eyes as he replied,

“My Margaret died last year . I have only memories of her but I can share them with you if you’d like.”

“Oh I am so terribly sorry sir. I didn’t know. You must be Bilo her husband “.

” That’s right. Since her death I haven’t spoke to a soul about her and I really need to talk to someone who knew her. My company is now an empty heart and my old dog Shannon. Please join me for a cup of hot soup in my cottage just in the clearing up ahead. .“

“I would be honoured Bilo.”

For the first time since his wife’s death Bilo smiled and then walked on across the bridge that led on to a pathway. As Bilo opened the gate to his cottage waft of turf burning filled the air.

Inside the cottage an old hat stand stood by the front door. A bookcase filled with books proudly occupied a place in the parlour, The open heart fire was gently burning some peat briquettes and a large pot of soup hung from a strong hook that was attached to a iron rod above the fire.

 Bilo took some a soup bone and placed in on the ground at Shannon’s feet who immediately took it into the corner and started to crunch it.Bilo set two bowls on the table and poured the warm broth into them.

 “So tell me then did you know my wife?  “

“ I did. Margaret was my form teacher at school sir “

“I see. Then we have something in common because she taught me a lot during her lifetime my friend . “

“My name is Isaac. How did Margaret die ? “

Bilo seemed to drag something from the bottom of his heart and said ,

“She was on her way home when a tree got hit by lightening . The tree crushed her Isaac . I had searched for her all night and eventually found her near the bridge where you were sitting “.

Bilo heard a knock on the front door and went to open it up .No one was there . With a blank look on his face Bilo returned to the table even more surprised was he now to find that Isaac had disappeared .Another knock came to the front door again .Shannon jumped up and growled at the door .Bilo opened the door but agin there was no one there .

Suddenly lightening flashed across the sky and thunder crashed as the rain lashed down in bucket loads . The wind thrashed away and then the power went dead .Bilo closed over the door of his cottage and looked for some candles .He lit up a few old candles he had found and left them in the corners of the parlour . He sat down on the rocking chair by the fire and shouted out ,

“Isacc are you there .” Not a sound was heard . A tiredness came over Bilo and he went out . Fast asleep by the turf fire was he .He was wakened abruptly from his sleep by a voice ,

“Bilo wake up blast you .“

He recognised that voice anywhere . It was Margaret’s .

He refused to open his eyes . He spoke from behind his cupped hands .

“I don’t believe in ghosts . Go away .and leave me in peace .“

“Bilo I’ve come a long way to be here now please look at me .“

Bilo opened up his eyes and saw Margaret standing there with the most beautiful smile upon her face . “Is it really you my love ?” He said .

“Follow me .“ came the reply .

She led the way out of the cottage . The road to Rosebank Bridge was covered with tree branches as the wind drove hard towards their face .

“Look Bilo .“ Pointing her finger to a small boy who was lying under a tree by the banks of the river . Bilo ran over and discovered that it was Isacc who had become trapped by the weight of the fallen tree . Somehow he managed to pull the tree from him . Bilo turned around to look at Margaret but she was gone . Bilo carried back the small boy back into his cottage where he gave him some soup and laid him down on his bed .

The storm was wild outside and as the night  went Bilo sat watching

And looking for any movement or sign of life in Isacc .

Bilo prayed for the dawn to come as the minutes ticked like hours .

Eventually dawn danced away the darkness of the night and the storm had passed over .  Outside the cottage it was devastating . Total destruction everywhere . Trees uprooted and broken limbs were scattered around the countryside .

Bilo heard the moaning of the young boy who spoke softly , “Where am I. “ 

“Don’t worry Isaac you’re ok  .“ ]“How do you know my name ?” came the reply .

“You were in here last night with me , don’t you remember .“

“I’ve never seen you before in my entire life .“

Bilo got up and went over and opened up the front door .

Outside he watched the sun glisten as the birds sang a new song in the chorus of life .

After a few days the young boy was back on his feet again .

Bilo had a lot of questions and fired them one by one at Isacc who tried to answer as many as he could .

As it turned out Isacc did have a teacher called Margaret but that was in the

Next county where unknown to him Bilo and Margaret had lived before their retirement . On the  night of the storm Isaac had got lost and was walking around in circles for about an hour and that’s all he can remember .

Isacc needed to find his way home .

He was sure his mother would be worried sick .

He got directions from Bilo and then thanked him for taking care of him and  walked off towards Limegrove Glen .

 

THE END