fourteen

But wanting something will not make it so; the wishes of little children and the prayers of fervent souls spill into nothingness. George’s progress was slow therefore, his legs tiring and his back aching from carrying his bag. He grew frustrated at the sun for shining so brightly, and when he was within a copse of sheltering trees he wanted to admonish the cold, only resisting due to futility.

The road he was following would occasionally branch onto smaller paths, many that were nothing more than the dusty grooves left by wheels. And after what felt like many hours, the road itself began to thin, as if it were the highest branch of a tree. Finally, in the distance over a field of yellow, there was a large farmhouse to be seen and George resolved to ask here for directions. It had been the first house he had seen in some while and for a long time his steps were weighted down by the doubt that comes from being in unfamiliar surroundings.

The farmhouse was very charming, with a gabled roof and ivy that covered the front of the house like a living jacket. By the door was a large sign that read Primrose Farm and this jolly name gave to George confidence that he would find a warm reception here. He knocked upon the door and was relieved to hear steps approaching.

‘Hello, how may I help you?’ asked the plump woman who opened the door. She smiled as she dried her hands on her apron.

‘I was wondering if you could give me directions. I’m trying to get to Shepley Down.’

‘Where?’

‘Shepley Down. I think it’s quite far from here by foot, but I think I’m lost.’

‘Hmm, let me just go and ask my husband.’

The woman pushed the door nearly shut, and went to look for her husband. She was gone some time, and eventually there came the sound of heavy footsteps.

‘Hello. Where is it you’re getting to?’ It was the husband, a burly man with a thick moustache and a cap on his head.

‘Shepley Down. I am going wrong?’

‘I should say so. I think your best option is to walk back the way you came here. When you get to the little wood that has a red house in front of it, then you need to head to the right along a small road. It should have a signpost. Hopefully going along that way you will reach the road you need.’

‘I see, and how long will it take me?’

‘Well if you go quickly I think you can get somewhere before nightfall.’

‘Alright, thank you. Goodbye.’

George returned to the road and with reluctant steps continued his journey. His heart was filled with bitterness and he really needed a drink now. He wondered if it would be worth it to try and get to the town or whether he should just give it all up, and decided that he would try to spend the night somewhere as soon as the opportunity arose.