The short journey from Finchale Abbey to Seaham was under way and there was little conversation in the car until they reached the outskirts of the town. “It looks a bit of a dump” said Clara “there can’t be anything here”
“There is history here” said Alec as they were driving down a narrow lane towards the sea and as they reached a junction in the road they could see the sea. “I remember now you see that hotel on the right that is where the poet Byron lived and the lane we have just travelled down is called Lord Byron’s Walk the church is not far”said Alec.
They parked the car and continued on foot through the grounds of the hotel and saw the church. “It’s really small” said Clara “try to remember that this was built in the time of the Saxons” Alec smiled as he said it trying to remember his history lessons and hoped he wouldn’t be questioned further for there was little more that he knew about it. They walked around the church looking at it in great detail wondering what their next step should be. The church door was open and it was Claire that ushered them all in where they were met by the church warden.
Alec asked if it okay for them to have a look around and that was fine with the church warden “if you have any questions just come and find me” he said. They wandered around aimlessly until they reached the altar when both Alec and Claire asked their daughters if there was anything there that meant anything to them any feeling of what they should do next. They both shook their heads. “Alec are you sure about this place or is this some wild goose chase?” said Claire. “This is the place there has to be something here” he said as he turned around looking back down the aisle it was there he was stopped in his tracks for there on top of the font was a blackbird. “All of you come with me quietly and slowly” he said. They all looked at him but did as he said when they also noticed the bird which turned and looked at them but didn’t fly away but hopped into the font itself looking at Clara and Alecia in turn. You must put your hands into the water of the font Alec said to them. “Alec you know more than you think Aleciamora and Clarona said together and we thank you for your care and those of your daughters we must be on our way. With that both Alecia and Clara cupped their hands and took water from the font and splashed it onto their faces.
It was then that Alecia and Clara fell into their parents arms and the forms of Aleciamora and Clarona were released and visible to Alec and Claire. They were spirit figures to them and they in turn blessed the family and spoke to Alec and Claire before disappearing into the water of the font and a great beam of white light shot from it in a split second through the roof of the church. Alecia and Clara woke just in time to see the light disappear and hugged their parents with tears streaming down their cheeks.
It was then the church warden reappeared “they are on their way now let us hope that it not too late” Alec and Claire looked at the warden who had appeared to them as Godric “my part in this is now over and I will now return to peace” and he disappeared before their eyes. The family then made their way back to the car where they sat in silence for a while before Claire said “I think it’s time for us to return home” “It’s not safe for us there at least not yet” said Alec Claire looked at Alec “What is it?” “I don’t know it doesn’t feel right but let’s get away from here and find a hotel for the night while we consider what to next” What about that hotel we passed on the way here asked Alecia “no way said Alec it’s really expensive there we will find somewhere cheaper and away from here as I will feel a little safer when we are out of town.”
They found a hotel and took advantage of taking a family room as Alec felt that they should remain together. They ate and retired back to their room it was getting late and they were all feeling exhausted after the events of the day. The two girls immediately settled and fell asleep but Alec and Claire remained awake. Claire was curious why they had not returned to their home as their part in this had finished and had to ask Alec why. Alec explained that he just knew that there was more for them to do in all of this. Claire was surprised by this as she was always the one who had been connected to the gatherers and had no premonition that anything was wrong. Alec told Claire that he didn’t know why but there will still be a major part for them to play but couldn’t explain he just felt it.
