The Ring of Mystery by Penny Luker

The Ring of Mystery

by Penny Luker

Bev had not been out for months, but the days were warmer now and although she had no idea how to go on, she did feel up to walking round her garden. At the back of the garden they owned a field. She corrected herself; she owned a field. Peter, her boyfriend had walked out and left her. Her whole life had turned upside down. The house was already in her name. She’d paid for everything as he tried to build up his business.

When he’d walked out on her to marry Fiona, he’d graciously said,’ I don’t want anything from here. I’m going to be so bloody rich you’re not going to believe it.’

With her old and trusty flask of tea she wandered to the end of the garden and into the field. It was unsurprisingly a mess. The Blackthorn bushes in the middle of the field had flourished and were taking over the top part of the field. The grass was high, too high, but there was a pathway near the edge. Bev decided she would take the chair from the tiny hide she’d built last year and go and drink her tea and watch the birds.

She turned a corner and came across an amazing sight. It was a circle made from thin Blackthorn branches. How on earth had that got there? This was private land. She went up to it and examined it. It was beautiful and perfect. Almost unreal. She hesitated to step through it. What if it was a time portal and took her centuries back into the past or perhaps even more frightening, to the future. What rubbish, she told herself firmly and in any case, what was there for her here? She slipped her small frame nimbly through the circle.

On the other side the grass was cut and she could hear the sound of a small child chattering. ‘No, here’s one for you, Mr. Ted, and one for you, Janet.’

The child looked up and ran over to Bev, excitedly. ‘I was hoping you’d come one day. The Queen of the castle,’ she said and curtseyed. ‘Your throne is this way.’

Bev couldn’t help but smile. The throne was a tiny plastic stool and she wondered if she sat on it, if she’d be able to get up.

‘The Queen would like to know, who you are, what you’re doing here and where’s your mummy.’

The little girl’s face fell and Bev thought that tears might follow.

‘I’m not cross with you,’ she added quickly.

‘I’m Lilly. I live next door. Mummy’s working. She likes me to play outside when she’s working.’

‘Does she realize you’re playing on my land and not in your garden?’

‘Maybe not, but Daddy knows. He knocked on your door on Saturday. He cut the grass in the top part of your field when he came for his visit.’

‘Why did he do that?’

‘Mummy said he couldn’t stay in the house with us and he hadn’t any money to take me anywhere, so he got out his gardening things. He thought you wouldn’t mind if he helped you with the field. He said he’d do the other half next weekend.’

Bev sat down on the throne and listened to Lilly chattering away. She was an enchanting child. Eventually Lilly offered to share her sandwich.

‘Don’t you go home for lunch?’

‘Mum’s very busy. I’m okay as long as I’m with Mr. Ted and my favourite doll, Janet. It’s been a lovely day with you being here.’

‘ Shall I phone your mum and ask if you can come round to my house for lunch?’ ‘Oh yes please,’ Lilly said, holding out her arm, which bore a plastic bracelet with a telephone number.

After the call they picked up Mr. Ted and Janet and made their way back to the house. As they came to the mystery ring of blackthorn twigs, Bev admired its beauty.

‘Dad made that. He said when you go back through the ring you go back to normal life. This side is our play place.’

‘Well he’s very clever.’

‘He had to wear gloves when he made it, because of the prickles and we have to be careful as we go through.’

They both safely climbed through the ring. As they did, Bev realized the truth of the ring. She was going back to reality but something had happened on the other side. She felt stronger. A small child had enjoyed her company. She was still a worthwhile person. Life could go on.

Penny Luker is a writer and artist from Cheshire. She writes novels, short stories and poetry for adults, and also writes children’s stories. You can find her work at www.pennyluker.wordpress.com or author.to/PennyLuker