The Highwayman

Stables

There is some strange shit going on with the story the my laptop was glitching and weird things appeared ill try to fix it. Please ignore them. I'm sorry.

Bess POV

The morning brought nothing but misery. The sky was a dull grey and the rain did not stop falling til late afternoon. Like most days I had to clean the Inn and do other household jobs such as feeding the chickens, cows and sweeping the courtyard.

By midafternoon my feet ached and I longed for a soothing bath. However i had a six hour shift at the Inn waiting the tables. The other maids were taken ill so it was just me father and Lily,the kitchen maid.

The guards were no longer here as they were assigned to another town. So the day was much more peaceful and the night was less rowdy. I was greatful when father closed the doors at the earlier time of nine o'clock.

Making my way to the back of the Inn to check the horses had been watered I was greeted by Tim as i turned corner.

"Evenin'." He half whispered slowly coming out of the shadows. Half of his face was darker by the night adding to chilling features.

Hand on heart I replied "Lord almighty Tim you scared me to death. Bloody hell! It's getting late shouldn't you be in your room already?"

As I spoke I made my way to the stables to check the horses water and food supply.

"Yes but I....well....you know how much I like stables the horses seem to be the only ones who understand me..." he trailed off at the end. For some reason he always seemed to be hesitant around me like I intimidated him or acted strangely,well stranger than usual.

"Well you best be getting inside or else you'll catch your death out here." I turned to walk back to the warm indoors when Tim reached out and grabbed my wrist. I winced at the surprising force and he immediately let go when he saw my face contort.

"Sorry I don't know why I did that with such force. Forgive me." He bowed his head slightly as if to extend the apology.

"It's alright just please don't do it again or father will have your head." I laughed nervously to ease the growing discomfort.

"I um....wanted to ask if you had seen the strange man riding the stallion late last night? I noticed him looking up at your window so I assumed you were there because he looked taken aback by your beauty....I mean your amazing curtains. That is some quality fabric." His ramblings became more and more unclear.

I had locked eyes with the man mysterious man but I did not want to tell Tim about how I had dreamt of the horse man all night.

His glistening eyes still haunt my mind till now. Would I see him again or will his shadow forever be a reminder of that one encounter.

"So did you see him. The man I mean. Well his face I didn't like the way be looked. Be careful there are bad men out there." Tim gave me a fare warning but I was still deep on thought.

"Um did you hear me. " he coughed awkwardly.

"Uh yes bad...men everywhere. I should stay away from horses. Thank you for the advise Tim ill work on repelling the male species. Good night."

Heaving a sigh whilst shaking hus head, Tim bid me good night and went back to the shadows.

On the walk back to my room I could not help but smile at the memory of the strange man who now occupies my thoughts.