Maria Thesos sits in the back of her taxi trying, as best she can,
not to fidget. Not for the first time since her journey began, she's
doubting her sanity. “Just don't think about it,” she tells
herself, “I'll be there shortly, and then I'll know.”
She twists the magazine in her lap, forces herself to look out at the
beautiful English countryside speeding past. What on earth is she
doing, a hidden voice keeps asking, it's almost tourist season, her
family needs her, the business needs her. But instead she's
abandoned everything, jumped on a flight to London, a train to the
middle of nowhere, and now this taxi, all without pause or rest. She
worries that is she stops moving the doubts (“Reason” her father
called them) will take hold.
The taxi slows as it pulls in to a picturesque little village, all
quaint cottages circling a village green. The taxi cuts through the
main gathering, turning off the main road just before it reaches the
farthest edge, following a narrow lane to a dead end.
“There you go, luv,” the driver says as the car draws to a halt,
going on to name the price. She pays him with the last notes in her
purse, gathers her bags and steps out. The clean air assaults her,
fresh and floral, causing her to feel dizzy and unbalanced.
“Maria, is it?” A young man's voice inquires as she struggles to
get her bearings. She turns, still disorientated, to see a smiling
gentleman walking towards her, arm outstretched to offer his hand.
“Don't worry,” he continues as they shake, “You're in the right
place.”
Behind her, the taxi pulls away, abandoning her to whatever mysteries
have brought her here.
“It's a brave thing that you've done,” the man says, “Coming
here because a dream told you to. You can call me Robert, by the
way.” He takes her bag from her hand, gently cupping his hand in
the small of her back to guide her up the path. “Come on, we'll
get you introduced to the others. Then some answers to all those
questions in your head, how does that sound?”
