Strange Solace

Somebody told me the horse will speak your heart’s desire.

I waited until it was getting dark. I didn’t want anyone to think I didn’t know my own heart’s desire.

Even though I don’t.

So just after the sun disappeared below the hills, and the world has that blueish tinge that makes everything seem more real. I made my way up the hill.

It didn’t take that long but I was hot and sweaty when I got to the top. It was one of those hot nights when the air feels too thick to breathe. 

But I digress. I got up there and blow me, I didn’t know what to say! I’ve never introduced myself to a horse before.

Luckily she took pity on me and said hallo.

Well, at that I almost fell over! Most of me didn’t think she could actually talk. But I didn’t want to seem rude. So, I gathered myself together and said I was pleased to meet her. And then I commented what hot weather we’ve been having. Just as a conversation starter, like.

She said yes, but you didn’t come all the way up here to tell me about the weather, did you?

Aye, I said, true enough.

She asked did I want to know my heart’s desire? I was a bit taken aback at that because I thought maybe we would build up to it, but anyway, I twisted my fingers together a bit and then I squeaked out a yes.

So, she laughed and said that’s not what she did, and she was getting’ annoyed with someone telling everyone in the village that.

I said I was sorry to hear that and that I would put Jim right next time I saw him in the pub.

She said it was quite alright, she did like having company and that what she did do was tell people’s future and would I like to know mine instead?

I thought about it for a few moments and then I said no thank you, as I quite like to believe I am the mistress of my own destiny, even if I am not sure of what it is I want.

Very well, she said, but she does get a bit bored and lonely up here on the hill on her own, on account of not being able to go anywhere. So would I stay and share my flask of tea with her.

I said it would be my pleasure and was two sugars okay. We had a right old natter. She’s got lots of stories to tell. I don’t know if she makes ‘em up or just knows things on account of the way she just knows people’s futures. 

Anyway, I am going to go up and see her again next Tuesday. She said she’s got a really good story to tell me about a Vampyre and an Estate Agent.

Copyright: image by Photographer Unknown. Used here for creative, non-commercial purposes. Commercial postcard of Westbury White Horse. Copyright Valentine & Sons Ltd.