Page 6 of A Bridge Through Time
"Nonsense, dear. It's been a long while since I've had a young lady to spoil."
Ashley understood Edna was talking about her daughter, Arlena, and she was touched to have someone who wanted to mother her. She too, missed that mother-daughter connection and she had felt a bond with Edna immediately. She missed her own mother terribly. Her father had passed away when she was about ten years old, leaving a gaping hole in her life. Then, when her mother died in a car crash a few years ago, it had been more than she could bear. She’d lost the woman who dried her tears when she fell, hugged her when she was broken-hearted. The woman who was full of wisdom and had the solution to every problem. She missed her Mom more with each passing day and knew she always would. Ashley and Edna both had holes in their hearts, which needed to be filled. Ashley thought that perhapsthey could do that for each other, even if it was only for a few days.
Ashley was surprised to see a fire burning brightly in the fireplace, where a few moments ago there had been nothing but ashes. Edna had only been in the room a few minutes and Ashley was having a hard time figuring out how she could get the flames blazing so quickly. She looked at Edna, who was beaming, and then turned her attention to the fire and then back to Edna. Something weird was going on here, but she didn’t know what it was.
Ashley finished her breakfast after Edna left the room. She couldn't believe the amount of food she had managed to consume, thinking she definitely wouldn't need lunch today.
Ashley took her time as she dressed and noticed the wind had stopped and the rain had reduced to a fine drizzle. She walked downstairs when she was ready, to find an empty front desk. No one seemed to be around, but she noticed an umbrella propped by the entry, with a sticky note attached. It said:
Ashley, take this umbrella with you. I thought you might need it – E.
Ashley smiled.Edna's one step ahead of the game.She took the umbrella and headed out to see the sights of Glendaloch. There was a bookshop, which she happily explored. She particularly liked the section on local history and purchased a book about ‘Magical Glendaloch’. Next was the apothecary, where Ashley picked up some essentials to replenish her supply of toiletries. She hadn't packed much, not wanting to weigh her suitcase down with huge bottles of shampoo and conditioner. She picked out a postcard for Jenna, from a rack near the cash register.Shopping bag in tow, she walked back out onto the street and noticed creepy Teddy was watching her again. He gave her a very uncomfortable feeling. Was he following her?It's a small town, she told herself,where else is he going to go? There are only so many corners to stand on and buildings to lean up against.Even so, she would speak to Edna or Angus about him later.
The rest of her day exploring Glendaloch was uneventful, and Ashley fell in love with the place. It was almost like taking a step back in time. A time before cell phones, e-mails, and all the other technological advances meant to keep us all connected, but actually had the opposite effect. Here in Glendaloch, she felt more at ease and more in touch. She was very much in the present, not distracted by text messages and social networking. She was better able to appreciate the smiles of people passing by. Better yet, she smiled back. Best of all, the anxiety that was usually her constant companion, seemed to be taking a hiatus. There was a certain peace about this place. She didn't have to look for it; it was just there. It felt very much the way home should feel.
Edna cheerfully greeted Ashley at the door of The Thistle and Hive when she returned late in the afternoon.
"How was your day, dear? Did you enjoy our sleepy little clachan?"
"I’m sorry what did you say? I’m afraid I didn’t understand you," Ashley apologized.
"Clachan. It’s an old-fashioned Gaelic term for a small village."
Ashley nodded in understanding and repeated, "Clachan."
"I see you’ve done some shopping. Come tell me all about it. I’ve got our afternoon tea ready."
Ashley was amazed and couldn't help but smile at Edna's rapid fire chatting, which left little room for reply. She stifled agiggle as Edna led her into the dining room, to sit in her spot by the fire.
"Edna, I had a wonderful day. I love Glendaloch," Ashley gushed as she placed her bags down next to the chair and warmed her hands by the fire. "I really wasn't prepared for this weather though. I should have brought some gloves, my hands are freezing."
"I have a spare pair I'll let you have," Edna offered. Noticing Ashley's bags she said, "I see you found the bookshop and apothecary."
Ashley reached into the bag from the bookstore and pulled out her copy of ‘Magical Glendaloch’ to show to Edna. "A little bedtime reading."
"Oh, yes, that's a good one. You'll enjoy it."
Something caught Ashley's eye, a movement at the window. She looked more closely and was shocked to see Teddy was staring through the glass at her.
"Edna… I'm concerned."
"What's wrong, Ashley? You look as though you've seen a ghost."
"Not a ghost. Teddy. He seems to be following me everywhere. Last night he was standing in the trees, watching my window. Today he was hanging around outside the apothecary when I came out and just now, he was watching me through the window. He's creeping me out."
"Teddy is harmless. He's just very protective of all of us here in Glendaloch. Don't worry. I'll have a word with him. I'm sure he's just decided you need someone to watch over you."
"But why? This seems like the last place I'd need to worry about my personal safety."
"It is. It's just his nature to want to keep watch. Don't give it another thought. We'll take good care of you while you're here."
***
Up in her room, Ashley sorted through her purchases. She put the book on the bed and placed her toiletries in the bathroom. Her clothes were still a bit damp, so she laid them in front of the fire to dry. Someone was keeping the fire going, but she hadn't once seen anyone tending to it. They were like hotel ninjas, she laughed to herself, imagining them stealthily sneaking into the room and out again unnoticed.
Ashley took a quick shower before dinner and then wrote a brief note to Jenna on the postcard she’d purchased. The photo on the front was of the picturesque little town and some of the surrounding countryside.
Jenna, I know it sounds cliché, but I'm having a wonderful time and I really do wish you were here to enjoy it with me. Love, Ashley.
