The Ring

Part 5

Low clouds had started to roll in from the sea when Dominique finally returned from her reverie. She felt that she was building a story here on this little beach; a story that was taking her away from her own disrupted life. In fact Dominique considered this all as part of the healing process or some strange spiritual journey that the infirm were bound to take.

A storm had started to form out at sea, and the clouds grew darker and more menacing, infusing the sky with on ominous green glow. There was a power and vitality in the storm. The air became charged and freshened, which made her shiver. As she looked out towards the horizon, the sky and sea had merged into a dark churning mass, heralded by huge black clouds and what looked to be a solid curtain of water, behind which she imagined ancient gods were doing battle as the clouds flickered with electrical energy. Out there was no place for the living, like a barrier to a hidden realm and only those who had the key could enter. She shook it off those thoughts as she realized the storm was rapidly approaching and started to hurry up the beach and up the narrow track. The storm was fast, catching her quite by surprise, just as she was nearing the top of the hill. The rain hit her like a wall of water and she was almost instantly soaked all through. She screamed in delight as she succumbed to the torrent of water falling from the skies.

Bowed and lashed by the rain, she fought her way along the path towards the cottage. Amongst the tremendous drumming of the driving rain she heard the noise of a car's horn blasting. She looked up and saw two headlights ahead. As she approached the car a door opened and a voice shouted for her to get in. She supposed that it was he mother trying to find her, but was surprised to see a young man in the driver's seat. He was casually dressed and looked as if he wasn't really interested in appearances in any case. He introduced himself as Samuel and asked what she was doing out in the rain. Dominique told him that the storm caught her by surprise and she was trying to get home to the little cottage. Samuel told her that he knew Gwendolyn and often did minor errands for her. Dominique apologized for wetting his car, but Samuel didn't seem to mind, or even notice. He appeared to have a perpetual smile on his face, even when he spoke.

Samuel worked as caretaker of the old manor and the estate, although he lived in the nearby town. He only worked part time, which suited him, as he also liked to surf and was also an artist and combined the two pursuits by making and painting custom surfboards. Dominique thought that if he were any more laid back he'd be dead, and smiled at the thought. Dominique didn't say much, just that she was Gwendolyn's daughter and was staying with her mother for a while, but didn't know how long. Besides Samuel seemed quite happy to talk, almost embarrassingly so. There was that awkward question, when Samuel asked her if she was dying. Dominique evaded the question by telling him that everyone was dying. Samuel more tactfully replied that nothing really dies in this place anyway, they just find new pathways. Dominique changed the subject and asked about the old manor house. Samuel professed that he didn't know much about it. He was just paid to make sure that it was secure and that he had never even met the owner. He did however offer to give Dominique a tour through the old house whenever she wanted. Samuel dropped her off at the cottage and drove off.

Dominique's mother was happy to see her safely home out of the storm and had prepared her a nice hot bath in a softly lit room filled with candles that emitted a soothing scent of jasmine and orange blossom. After the bath and dinner, Dominique relaxed in the old couch covered in brightly colored blankets and pillows, with a hot cup of fresh mint tea. The lounge room was a comfortable, if not crowded place with virtually every surface coved in a fine layer of cat hair. It was almost pointless to try and keep it clean with all the cats freely coming and going. Old Clarence the dog kept Dominique and her mother company, curled up in his own comfortable place in the corner of the room. Gwendolyn had not broached the subject of Dominique's health since she had come to stay. She preferred to just envelope Dominique in her simple but comfortable life and to try and look after her physical and perhaps even spiritual needs. Dominique just accepted this way of being with her mother, although she had spent many years living in a city and was quite accustomed with the fast pace of such a life, and had very much enjoyed it, although what she probably enjoyed more was her feeling of independence and being able to do things her way. But now, the simplicity removed a great weight from her life. As they relaxed, Dominique mentioned the strange dream of the past and asked if there was any connection with the cottage or the estate. Gwendolyn couldn't give her any details, but said that Dominique may have made a connection with a spirit of the past. She suggested they conduct a séance, as she had recently read a book on the subject and felt sure that she could help her identify the connection. Dominique got a little annoyed with her mother for suggesting this and steadfastly refused to participate. In fact she now felt that she should have kept the dreams to herself; that they were private and by telling her mother, she felt she had betrayed a secret. So she just finished her tea and bade her mother good night.

Dominique became somewhat absorbed by the story unfolding within her head. As soon as she set foot on the soft sand of the little beach, images started to form in her head. She would stroll along the beach, with her feet skimming over the water as it washed over the sand and the world would seem different, older somehow and richer, full of depth and there she would regain her journey into the past.