Open Writing

When I was a young lad there was a large forest near where we lived. My brother and a couple of mates would take a bottle of orange juice and some dripping sandwiches, and then go on an adventure into the forest. With it being so huge, well when you are small everything looks huge, it was quite easy to get lost in its depths.

My brother Roy and I, along with our friends, David and John - all dressed alike in grey flannel shorts and jumpers - got a quarter of the way into the forest before noticing that there was no wildlife. Perhaps the creatures and birds were afraid of us. They had no reason to be. We would not have harmed them.

When we reached a large stream David climbed a tree and fastened a rope to one of the branches which overhung the running water. After ensuring that the knot was secure he came hand-over-hand down the rope. We then took turns in swinging out as far as we could over the stream.

Leaving the rope in place, in case we wanted to swing again, we explored further in the forest. We were nervous, but each one of us didn't want to appear chicken in front of the others. Eventually we came to a 10 ft high wall which appeared to go on for miles.

Being kids, we naturally wanted to know what was on the other side of the wall. We dragged an old tree trunk to the wall. When it had been precariously propped against the wall, the others "volunteered'' me, since I was the tallest, to be the first to climb over.

The dead tree trunk ended three feet below the top of the wall. Somehow I managed to find small hand-holds and pull myself to the top. I sat astride the wall looking down at my friends, whose mouths were agape. They had not expected me to make it, and were ready to run if the tree trunk had started to fall.

"Come on!'' I shouted. "I'll grab hold of you when you get to the top.''

My brother Roy started to climb the tree trunk while the other two lads held on to it to stop it rolling. Firmly gripping the wall with my right hand I reached down my other hand towards him. He took hold of the hand, then I was supporting his full weight. Great care was needed or we both would have gone plummeting to the ground. I think it was fear which gave him the strength to scramble up and sit beside me on the wall.

We called down to David to climb up and join us. He was about to do so when we heard a shout. A man was hurrying towards us.

David and John ran for it. Roy and me were left high on the wall, looking at each other then at the man who was fast approaching.

We looked over the other side of the wall into unknown territory. We had climbed up 10 feet, but the ground sloped away on the other side and there was a 15 foot drop.

Nearby there was a huge tree. Roy hurled himself forwards in a giant leap and managed to grab hold of a branch, then let himself down to the ground.

Not possessing the same acrobatic skills as my brother, I was still clinging to the wall. My fingers slipped. I began to fall. One moment I was clinging on for dear life. The next I was in mid-air....

I came to a sudden stop. The wind was knocked out of me. I wasn't on the ground. My jumper had caught on a tree branch. I was dangling in space.

Even in my predicament I was able to see Roy high-tailing it. He was not waiting around for me. I was all alone, dangling from a branch. If I was not very careful I might end up hanging myself. My jumper was inching upwards.

Now I was really scared, I began to panic.

I yelled, asking for help. Was I going to be hanged just for climbing a wall?

Suddenly there was a loud cracking sound behind me. Was it the branch that was holding me up? Was I about to plummet into oblivion? Would I be impaled on the spikes on the metal railings which surrounded the base of the tree to fend of animals?

Then I felt myself being lifted. A strong pair of hands had taken hold of me and I was being pulled to safety.

'Are you all right lad?' asked the man who had rescued me. 'What are you doing here anyway?'

I muttered my thanks and explained that I was with some friends, having an adventure.

He helped me down from the tree. Only then did I begin to notice that we were in a huge garden. I had never before seen so many flowers.

The worker who had rescued me escorted me now to a large house. There was the sound of barking. Two red Irish setters were racing towards us.

In seconds, the dogs were upon us. I am not sure why this should have been, but I was not afraid of them. "Hello boys,'' I said "have you come to see me?''

The dogs halted, unsure what to do next. It was as though they couldn't make up their minds about me.

I reached out a hand, allowing them to smell it, then I knelt to pat and stroke them, as though they had known me for years. Suddenly they ran off. The worker had been looking on in astonishment, obviously fearful of the dogs.

Another man appeared. He wore a suit which was smart, though not modern. From the way he carried himself I guessed he owned the house and estate. The Irish setters were now at his side.

As he walked towards me I backed away, more afraid of him than of his dogs.

He inspected what must have appeared to be a scruffy, dirty-faced urchin. I thought he was trying to decide on a suitable punishment. Then a huge grin appeared on his face, and he stuck out his hand towards me.

That smile relieved my worries. I shook his hand which was surprisingly cool on a hot day.

'It's obvious that my dogs have taken a liking to you boy,' he said as he escorted me the rest of the way to the house. 'If they like you, then you can't be bad.'

Feeling more relaxed, I told the man I liked animals. I also told him that I always carried some aniseed balls with me, and for some reason the dogs appeared to like them.

He laughed loudly.

"So that's how you did it,'' he said. "My dogs love aniseed.''

Now we were at the front of the house. There were other people there. Some were sitting at tables, drinking and eating. Others were playing a game on the lawn, trying to get a ball through hoops. There were children, playing, laughing, enjoying themselves.

I was told to help myself to some of the food set out on a table. I needed no second asking. I was hungry. People watched me eat. They were smiling, and I smiled back, though it was embarrassing to be watched so closely.

A young girl approached me, asking if I would like to play with her and the other children.

I was shown a magnificent coach. There were some fine black horses in the stables. I had never seen animals which looked so splendid.

When we returned to the grown-ups the man in the suit asked me "Would you like to stay with us? You seem to fit in very well.''

I smiled at the man, pleased that I had made a good impression. I told the man that it was time for me to be heading for home.

"There will always be a welcome here,'' he said.

I said my farewells and was shown towards the main gate by the worker who had helped me down from the tree. I turned and noticed them all waving to me. I waved back and in doing so, failed to notice the steps. I fell headlong down the steps and darkness overwhelmed me to be suddenly replaced with a bright light shining in my face....

'Are you all right Mike?' a voice asked from somewhere just above me.

'He's going to be fine,' said another voice to my right side.

At first, I could not comprehend what was happening. I was informed that I was in hospital. Apparently, I had fallen off a wall when someone had shouted at us.

I told the doctor about the Irish setters, the man in the suit, the big house...

My father told me there had been a house in that place, but it had burnt down some 70 years previously and people had lost their lives in the fire.

Some weeks later I went back to where the house had been. I was filled with sadness when I saw what was left of the house.

As I turned to walk back down the driveway I seemed to hear a voice, the sound of children laughing.

'When you are ready, we will be waiting here for you,' the voice seemed to say.

I smiled. There was no reason to be afraid.

There would be a special place for me when the time came.

***

My novels

“Peter and Sarah a single rose”ISBN:9780595441969
Excellent tales of romance and adventure that will keep you wanting to read more
http://www.btinternet.com/~mikeco158/petersarah1.htm

“Homespun Yorkshire tales” ISBN: 9781847533371
A collection of interesting tales by a Bradford lad, born and bred
http://www.btinternet.com/~mikeco158/homespun1.htm

"One tear is not enough" ISBN: 1413716865
An epic family saga spanning eight decades from England to India
http://www.btinternet.com/~mikeco158/onetear1.htm
"Registered with the IP Rights Office Copyright Registration Service Ref: 215486093"

"Time for a Cuppa!" ISBN: 0595224954
My tales will bring a tear to your eye,
a smile to your lips, and a warm glow to your heart
http://www.btinternet.com/~mikeco158/cuppa1.htm
"Registered with the IP Rights Office Copyright Registration Service Ref: 215486963"

Meet Mike and read some great stories
http://www.btinternet.com/~mikeco158/mike.htm