EDENVILLE

If you go down to the woods today...

By @silenttomorrows

Edith was still sleeping when Japonica awoke. She took a shower and freshened up. 

Japonica had a hat full of things to do that day.  Her father needed her to take a case of Mrs Winkle's Extra Strong Pickled Beetroot to Mayor Maynot.  What he did with them was a secret that he kept close to his chest; and he kept his chest shaved just in case. 

She woke Edith who spruced herself up and they went off into village. Porter had spotted them and commented on Edith's finger.  Before they went on their way they had invited him to join them one night over at Edith's house, for one of their sleepovers, but at the moment he was all tied up with his antiquities.  It turned out that one of Bessies creamers was actually an artificial fourteenth century codpiece.   

Later that day Edith had removed the piece of rag and herb compound that Morag had tied Edith's finger with, and found the finger was healed except for a thin red scar.

'Amazing', said Japonica, 'good as new'.

'That's a relief, I was a little worried back there.  Look I gotta go dig a six footer'

'Oh, I didn't know someone in the village had died' Japonica looked concerned.

'Oh, no they haven't.  Tom Fiddler needs to store a few.... um, products, yes products until Christmas.  He and dad have had a little understanding for quite a few years.  Don't worry, I get well paid.'

They kissed and went their separate ways.  Japonica thought it was nice that Edith did people good turns.  And then her thoughts changed  to Morag again, isolated at the edge of the village.  'I know' she said to herself.  'I'll take her some flowers as a way to say thank you for Edith's finger. I'll go after I've been to the Edenville Grand and dropped off the organically grown mushrooms for Carlos.  Oh yes, and they wanted some of our new pistachio and bubblegum flavour ice cream.' You could chew self popping bubbles with that ice cream.

Things took longer than she thought they would, but nether the less she popped into Nettie Harris's Floral Emporium and bought a lovely bunch of lilies and dark roses to take to Morag. 

By the time she got to Morag's cottage it was near dusk.  The frog crossing was doing well and someone had put a sign up to tell the frogs where to cross, she remembered seeing a comment about needing a sign somewhere and was glad that someone had obliged.

Japonica entered Morag's garden via the the wooden gate.  She noticed that whereas most people's tomatoes and vegetables had come to the end of the season, many of Morag's veg were still going strong. 

She knocked at the door. 

Morag's voice came like a gust of wind on an autumn day, 'Come in Japonica'. Once again Japonica put her hand to open the door and it swung open.  There was an oil light giving a glow along with the fire. 

'Hah, flowers for me!' You should cut as you need and leave the plants growing till you have use for them.  Put them over there, I've just brought in water from the well.'

'Yes Morag, hello, I, we wanted to say thank you for mending Edith's finger.  It's healed up wonderfully'

'Well what did you think I would do with it. Still, it's good of you to come.  For every action there is consequence and there should be a closure, just as the seasons circle around us.  Come into the light, let me see you.'

Japonica moved forward slowly. 

'Hmmmm, you're pretty, your hair is absurd.  Let me see your hand. 

Japonica did as she were bade, she didn't feel she had much choice. 

Morag held it firmly and turned it to study Japonica's palm.  'You're tenacious, you'll live a long life, ha, you're going to have four children, some of them, two will have the same father.  You're a healer and you have the sight. Enough now, sit down.  Good that you helped the frogs.'

'Thank you, I didn't realise you read palms.

Morag looked her straight in the eyes, almost looking past her eyes.  Japonica shivered, blushed and for the first time truly saw Morag. Japonica felt a rush of different things , sensed nature, kindness, wisdom and someone who didn't take fools lightly. 

'Yes, you have the sight alright' Morag said slowly and deliberately.

'I don't know what you mean'. Japonica replied quizzically.  

'Come girl, yes you do.  You sense things, you know you do.  You think you see things from the corner of your eye.' Japonica went with Morag into the first hour of darkness outside of the cottage. 'Come with me.  Look into the trees at the edge of the forest, what do you see?'

'Well trees' Japonica said quietly,  confused.

'Look deep now girl, clear your mind. What do you see?

Japonica started feeling a little distress. She looked deep. A flick of something. She focused in. Another.  Like white shadows moving in and out of the trees.

'Aha, you see them don't you. It's getting near All Hallows', they are restless spirits, touching the earth while seeking release.  They will know you see them, they won't hurt you, they will know your kindness. 

'Why can I see them?'

'I said, you have the gift. That's enough for now, time for you to go girl.'

'Yes, thank you.'

Japonica quickly said goodbye and headed for home.  She was not really sure what she was saying thank you for.  Her mind was a whirl of thoughts and confusion.  Morag, who was she? What was she?  She knew she would go back to find out more.  She put her headphones in and turned on the radio on her phone.  She heard the reassuring sound of Corky Flute in her ears. 

'Hey folks, this is REVFm.  Cuthbert Smidge wants you to know that thanks giving is just around the corner so please bring your vegetables and flowers to the church for the celebration.  Or if you want to save yourself a load of hassle, cash donations are most welcome.

There is a Halloween party at the Tiki Club on the 31st of October.  Please come in fancy dress or fancy trousers if you prefer.  And remember, never throw a boomerang at a ghost, caus it will come back to haunt you. Also we know why Dracula doesn't have many friends don't we?  Because he's a pain in the neck and he's got a bat temper.

Anyway here's a song for all you spoooooooky witches, vampires and goblins out there, "You are my sunshine". Ha ha ha. Have a happy evening on your broomsticks.'