seventeen

The morning was still fresh with a cool wind whistling across the fields and George felt invigorated by the early start. He was sat next to Roy at the cart enjoying the new things that he was observing; the creaking of the harnesses, the motion of the horses, the rattling of the cart’s wheels.

‘So tell me George, what is it that you plan on doing in Shepley Down? There isn’t much there from what I remember.’

‘Well I’m delivering a package for someone that I met in Gorlis.’

‘Ah I see. Is that something you do normally, delivering packages?’

‘No, not at all. I was working previously in a little office in my home village, but I have decided to go travelling.’

‘I see.’ Roy was silent for a while. ‘I can’t say I understand that. When I was young I had a friend who decided to go and work far-off, in a different country. He said he wanted to see more of the world. But for me the thing I have enjoyed is my family and my home. I know it’s not very glamorous, but this land feels part of me, and more importantly, me a part of it.’

The conversation ended there, but not because George was offended, rather that Roy’s ideas had given him something to think about. Why was it that he himself did not feel this way about his previous home? Why had he not wanted to stay in the valley, and walk in the woods? He supposed it was different for someone who worked outdoors and tilled the soil. For him there was a distance between the human and the rest of nature, a separation that perhaps had dislodged him.

The cart rolled on down the long and winding roads that connected these distant places, but after almost an hours travel they were stopped by two men in uniform who were waiting by a car.

‘Stop!’ they shouted with firm and aggressive voices. One of them remained by the car while the other walked over and began to question Roy and George.

‘Where are you travelling to?’

‘Just to the market in Teverton.’

‘On what business?’

‘To sell some crops,’ responded Roy as he pointed into the cart with his thumb.

‘And who is this?’

‘This is my nephew, John.’

‘John hey? Where are you from John.’

‘He’s from Teverton. I’m dropping him back at my sister’s…’

‘Let him answer! Have either of you seen a young man travelling alone, or perhaps someone who was talking about hitching to Shepley Down?’

‘No,’ answered George, ‘we’ve been working these past few days on the farm.’

‘I see. Well if you do see anyone trying to hitch a lift, ignore them, they could be dangerous.’

‘Dangerous?’

‘Yes. Wanted for crimes against the state.’

‘We’ll keep a look out,’ said Roy, and, after another suspicious look into the cart, the man allowed them to pass on. The other man, the one who had stayed by the car, looked them over and made notes as they passed.