A pleasant day for a wagon ride, is a writing prompt from my current work in progress, as yet untitled. The section it comes from is shown below. The story is a sequel to River Witch and a dual timeline.
The heat is subdued today as if, having squandered its hoard in the over-warm days of early summer, there now needs to be an assessment of what can be meted out for the duration of the season. High clouds haze the sun, the breeze on Hester’s cheeks refreshes rather than burns. A pleasant day for a wagon ride, if it wasn’t for the anxiety which continues to bubble like a cauldron in her chest.
‘Look, Mama, that building must have been beautiful once upon a time.’ Ellen points past Hester to where a massive ruin of ivy-and bramble-clad stone looms, isolated in a field of stubbled wheat dotted with golden stooks.
‘Haughmond Abbey,’ the farmer says from the other side of Ellen. He gives a lazy wave of his whip. ‘Been a ruin since that king, Henry, closed ’em all down, the monasteries.’ And with a wink at Ellen adds, ‘Best learn your history, young ’un, whatever walk you take in life.’
Hester smiles, agreeing out loud that history is important and, to herself, how much she herself is ignorant of. Ellen and Rose will have a better grasp by the time they leave the village school. A vision of her nearest brother in age, Reuben, comes to Hester’s mind, settled in his parish in Somerset with his young bride. The only one of them to have real schooling, and making their mother proud. Her two older brothers are fishermen on the river, also married, with children. Neither have need of history beyond their own, which is sufficient, Hester thinks.
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Your history sounds intriguing. Hope Hester finds it so.
She and her brothers have an interesting history, all in River Witch!
A PLEASANT DAY FOR A WAGON RIDE
Cynthia Holmes woke to sun shining through her bedroom window. She yawned and, opening the curtains, gazed out on the courtyard with its fountain continually bubbling water into a surrounding pond.
A pleasant day for a wagon ride, she thought, as after dressing, she wandered downstairs for breakfast.
The house was already buzzing with servants moving in all directions as they tended to their daily chores.
Cynthia bid good morning to Henry the butler before heading towards the dining room where her mother, father and little sister Olivia were already choosing their morning meal.
“Good morning, Father, Mother, Olivia,” she said brightly. “what a beautiful day. Think I’ll go for a ride in the buggy out into the country.”
Her father agreed that the day was indeed gorgeous.
“Not sure about you going by yourself, though,” he said. “Why don’t you take Jerome with you? I would feel more comfortable.”
Her mother agreed.
“Yes, dear, we don’t mind you going for a ride but please take Jerome with you.”
Jerome was the head groom and a valued member of the Holmes household. However, more importantly, he was skilled horseman and, with him accompanying their eldest daughter, no harm was likely to befall her.
Cynthia reluctantly agreed. She had really been looking forward to spending the day alone – under some shady tree reading a favourite book while she munched on the picnic goodies prepared for her by Cook.
Jerome wasn’t such a bad alternative though – a handsome young man with whom she could engage in flirtatious behaviour without fear of the consequences.
After breakfast, Cynthia headed to the stables to find the head groom brushing down one of her father’s horses. She snuck up from behind and threw her arms around his neck.
“Guess who?” she said mischievously, covering his eyes with her dainty fingers.
“Mis Cynthia, I know it’s you,” he responded with a laugh before spinning round and kissing her on the lips.
“Oh, Jerome, you naughty boy,” she breathed before opening her mouth and letting his tongue explore further.
Jerome’s embrace tightened and one hand moved to her waist and then fondled even lower.
“Stop it, Jerome. Not here,” Cynthia exclaimed. “It’s such a lovely day. Why don’t you hitch up the buggy so we can go for a ride in the country.”
Releasing her, Jerome did as he was bid and soon the young couple were on their way to their favourite shady spot a mile or so away from the house.
The groom held the reins in one hand while he threw an arm around Cynthia’s shoulders. She snuggled against him, feeling his warmth through her thin cotton blouse as they moved along the grassy trail to their destination.
Suddenly, the buggy hit an unforeseen rock and jolted momentarily before the left wheel parted from the main frame.
With a sickening crash, the vehicle overturned throwing both occupants to the ground and pinning Cynthia underneath the seat.
Jerome staggered to his feet and, turning around, saw the girl he absolutely adored struggling for breath and with a nasty gash to the head.
“Hang on, Miss Cynthia, I’ll get the buggy off you. Don’t panic.”
Jerome heaved with all his strength but the vehicle wouldn’t shift. Fortunately, the horse had remained calm during the entire mishap and was standing still.
There was no point calling for help. There was no one for miles around.
Jerome looked around for anything that might act as a lever. Meanwhile, he noted with alarm, Cynthia’s breath was becoming shallow and she had slipped into unconsciousness.
Fortunately, the picnic basket was near the buggy, having been thrown clear when it overturned. Picking it up, Jerome managed to jam it under the frame to take some of the weight off Cynthia’s chest. However, she had become extremely pale and he couldn’t tell whether or not she was breathing.
He spotted a large branch that had fallen from a nearby tree and dragging it to the buggy managed to slip it under one side and lift it even further. Then, gesturing to the horse, he convinced it to move forward a few paces, taking the buggy remains with it.
Dropping the branch, Jerome rushed to Cynthia’s side, relieved to see colour returning slowly to her cheeks.
Perhaps she was going to be alright after all. Now, all he had to do was somehow get her home.
As I said on the FB post, God did that LOL