Moonlight Magic

Sarah and Julie had just set off in the car from outside number 1 Victor Street when the sound of ACDC’s Whole lotta Rosie could be heard blaring out from under the passenger’s car seat.

“Sorry…that’s me.” Said Julie leaning forward to grab her bag from under the seat and somewhat embarrassed that Sarah had to hear her ringtone. “Sorry…my ringtone…sorry.”

Sarah just smiled and continued driving.

“Hello…Who?” Said Julie obviously unsure as to who was on the other end.

“It’s David Underwood.”

“Who?”

“David Underwood…Dave…PC178.”

“Ohhh…hi…sorry I didn’t recognize your voice.”

“That’s Ok Julie. We only met for a couple of minutes and…anyway…I rang the hospital and they very kindly gave me your number…it’s amazing what people will do when you tell them you’re a police officer…the lady on the other end wasn’t going to tell me your number…anyway sorry Julie. We’ve found your escaped old man…Eric Barraclough.”

Julie shrieked with excitement and nearly hit Sandra on the nose with her flailing arms, but then…suddenly… reality kicked in.

“Oh…is he…?”

“He’s fine Julie…don’t worry… but the reason for calling is he won’t leave and insists on staying here…all night….he keeps going on about the moon for some reason…but we can’t leave him here.”

“Why…where are you?”

“We are on a narrow cobbled lane that runs down the side of an old churchyard at Bishophill.”

“Hang on a second Dave.” Said Julie taking the phone from her ear to talk to Sarah. “The police have found Eric and he’s at a churchyard at Bishophill.”

“Julie…that’s the churchyard I showed you earlier…it’s only round the corner.”

“Dave…PC…whatever…don’t move…we’ll be with you in one minute.”

“Ok…” He replied and before he had time to say anymore, Julie rang off.

“Quick Sarah.” Said Julie bouncing up and down on the car seat, “Quick…they’re on a lane that goes down the side of the churchyard…quick.”

“Ok…Ok. I’m going as fast as I can.”

Within less than a minute Sarah had turned a couple of corners and they were at the end of the street where they could see on the left, the entrance to the churchyard with the cobbled lane running down the side.

“I’ll park here…” Sarah began to say but before she had was able to finish her sentence, Julie was opening the car door and leaping out, barely waiting for it to come to a stop.

“JULIE.” Cried Sarah worried that she was going to hurt herself, but all she could do was watch as Julie ran across the road and disappeared down the narrow lane next to the churchyard.

The two policemen and Eric, who was sat on the rather cold ground against the churchyard wall, were only about ten yards from the top off the lane so Julie was with them in seconds.

“Eric…Eric.” Said Julie falling to her knees and reaching for his hand.

“I’m Ok.” He replied trying to stand and being helped to his feet by the two policemen. “I just need to get inside…that’s all.”

“Inside?” Replied Julie standing up and brushing the dirt from her knees.

“Inside the churchyard.” He said waving his arm in the general direction of the wall behind him.

“But Eric…” Said Julie unable to finish her sentence before he replied.

“Julie…look.” He said pointing up into the dark evening sky, which was almost completely covered with clouds apart from the odd opening showing a mere glimpse of sparkling stars. Eric gently took hold of Julie’s hands and leant forward to whisper in her ear.

A beaming smile spread across her face with just a hint of a tear in her eye.

“Guys.” She said turning to the policemen. “I know it’s a bit late but it’ll be Ok if we let him into the churchyard won’t it?”

“Well…” Said Dave, or PC178, pausing for a second or two to look at his colleague, “I’m sure it’ll be Ok…after all you are a nurse.”

Eric and Julie smiled at each other as they turned to make their way towards the churchyard entrance which was blocked by…Sarah…standing like a frustrated school teacher. She was leant more on one leg then the other with her arms folded across her chest.

“Don’t wait for me will you.” She said indignantly.

“Sorry Sarah.” Said Julie steadying Eric with her arm.

“Hello Sarah. Nice to see you again.” Said Eric quietly, smiling at her and giving her a little wink.

The two policemen who were following behind quickened their step and reached the iron gates before Eric and Julie.

“It’s dark so it could be a bit tricky walking in there without any lights so we’ll lead the way using our torches…Ok.” Said Dave to the two ladies and Eric.

“What a good idea.” Said Sarah somewhat taken by the young policemen, “If I fall over will you catch me?” She joked.

“Sarah.” Exclaimed Julie.

“What?”

“I like a man in a uniform as much as any other girl but let’s get Eric safely inside.” Replied Julie a little vexed.

“Yes…you’re right. Sorry.”

Once inside the now dark churchyard, Eric seemed to come to life and pulled himself up to his full height. His strength seemed to come back slightly, enough so that he was able to push his way to the front.

“Excuse me gents.” He said almost barging his way past the policemen with their torchlights.

“Eric…Eric…slow down.” Called Julie but very quickly he was lost in the leaves and branches of the overgrown vegetation.

“Eric.” She called again but he was gone.

“Don’t worry Julie.” Said Sarah reassuringly. “I’ve been here before. If we keep following the path, eventually we’ll come to a clearing.”… Which they did after pushing aside, this way and that, too many leaf covered branches to count.

“Wow.” They all said in unison as they stepped out of the bushes into the, what appeared to be, newly mown glade, lit only by the light from the torches and just a hint of moonlight through the clouds.

Eric was stood by the edge of clearing, arms by his side, looking up into the overcast sky. Julie and Sarah took the few steps over to where he was and stood next to him, one either side. They both turned their gaze skyward.

“It’s a full moon.” Whispered Eric.

The two ladies turned to look at him as Julie spoke.

“Is this what those numbers on the pieces of paper are about? The full moon.”

“Yes.” He replied without averting his gaze from the sky.

“So once we’ve seen the full moon is that it?” Asked Sarah.

Eric swivelled his head from side to side looking at each of them in turn.

“It’s a lot more than that. You must promise me that whatever you see tonight you will never tell a soul…promise me.” He said, sounding desperate.

The two ladies looked at each other and then at Eric with a look that was dismissive…a look that said…Ok whatever…a look that said…this guy’s mad…humour him.

“I mean it ladies. You must promise me. I’ve been coming here for far too long for everything to be lost now.”

Then, simultaneously, a thought sprung to the front of the ladies minds. Something they had seen earlier.

“How long have you been coming here Eric?” Asked Sarah unsure that what they had seen earlier in his house was true…in fact, she knew, hand on heart it was impossible but she just wanted to hear it from Eric.

“Since I was a young boy…it was before the war, the first one. I was just 16. A long time ago.”

Sarah and Julie looked at each other both completely confused.

“But…that…that’s not possible Eric.” Said Julie with a look of bewilderment on her face as Eric took a couple of steps towards the wooden bench that Sarah had sat in when she visited the place previously.

Quietly and calmly he spoke as he turned to look at them.

“I know what you’re trying to do ladies. The year that I began to visit this place when I was 17 was 1914. The year of the Great War.” He then turned away and looked into the sky.

“But…but…” Stuttered Sarah.

“You’re sounding like an old single cylinder engine Sarah.” Said Eric.

“But…that means you’re 124 years old.” Said Sarah pausing for a second. “That’s not possible.”

“Come on Eric.” Said Julie walking up to him and taking his hand. “What’s going on?”

Eric turned to face her and took hold of her other hand with his. He gestured upwards with his eyes.

“The full moon Julie. The magical moon.” He gently let go of her hands and walked round the wooden bench where he slowly lowered himself to sit down. The roughness of the wood could just be seen in the dull, silvery hue of the moon through the clouds, but the seat had been worn shiny by many years of people, or Eric, sitting in the same place.

Julie was now stood behind Eric as he sat on the bench and was joined by Sarah and the two policemen wondering what, if anything was going to happen. Eric looked up into the overcast sky and then back at the open patch of mown grass in front of him.

“Here we go.” He whispered resting his hands on his thighs. The ladies moved so close together they couldn’t be much closer if they were hugging each other and they both clasped each other’s hands in anticipation. The two policemen didn’t know what to do so…well…did nothing but watched.

Then…without a sound, a breeze gently blew across the sky, pushing the clouds to one side revealing a huge silvery moon illuminating the clear night sky with a bright white light and turning everything black and white. Eric began to raise his arms out in front of him and for a second the grass seemed to shimmer as if lit by millions of twinkling stars. Slowly the glistening stars merged together, forming a brightly lit mist. A slightly raised circle of earth appeared around the edge of the open grass clearing in front of them, as if to mark a boundary…a limit.

Eric stood up and walked into the centre.

“Er…” Sarah was about to call out but Julie put her hand over Sarah’s mouth.

“Sh.” She whispered. “He’ll be fine.”

As Eric stood in the circle of mist bathed in shimmering white light, a small bump could be seen in the ground at his feet. The green bump grew in size from a grape, to a tennis ball, to a rugby ball.

Then something truly magical happened.

The surface of the shape began undulate and squirm…until after only a few seconds it took the form of…of a…dog.

It was Charlie.

Eric knelt down to stroke Charlie who rolled over with his legs in the air letting Eric rub…and rub…and rub his little hairless belly.

They both played and played with each other all night until the sun could just be seen poking its little shiny head above the horizon and the silvery moonlight rapidly began to fail. Charlie was sat on his hind legs looking obediently up at Eric as he knelt down before him. He took Charlie’s little head in his hands and gazed lovingly into the eyes of his beloved friend. Slowly the sunlight took over from the silvery moonlight and Charlie melted away into nothing. Eric stood up and sighed the deepest sigh.

“Goodnight dear friend. See you soon.”

Julie and Sarah who had been fixated all night by the miracle in front of them flew across to Eric embracing him tightly…so tightly in their arms that he felt he was in a bear hug.

“Whoa.” He whispered. “What’s this for?”

Julie had tears streaming down her reddened cheeks as she peered into his squinting icy blue eyes almost hidden behind his life-worn face

“Don’t cry Julie.”

“But…it was beautiful Eric…and now he’s gone. Charlie’s gone.”

“Julie…I’ve been doing this for over one hundred years. Trust me I’ll see him again. All I have to do is…wait…wait for the next full moon.”

“Eric what on earth just happened?” Asked Sarah wiping the tears from her face as she took a small step back. “I…I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“Do you mind if we sit down…I feel a little tired…and I’m not as young as I used to be?” Said Eric to the two ladies with a cheeky grin on his face as he guided them towards the wooden bench.

“Very funny.” Said Julie siting down first, followed immediately by Eric to her side and then Sarah on the outside making a sort of Eric sandwich.

“Where are the two policemen?” Asked Eric straining to look behind him.

“Oh…they had an important call over their radio to attend to about an hour or so after you started playing with your dog Charlie…and I can tell you…they did not want to leave.”

Eric smiled but said nothing.

“I have so many questions to ask you.” Said Julie taking his hand in hers.

“Yes…me too.” Said Sarah taking his other hand.

“Well, tell you what ladies…I don’t know about you but I’m beginning to feel a bit chilly so why don’t we walk to my house. It’s not far away.”

“Good idea.” They both said in almost perfect unison. “And we have something to tell you as well…and I hope you won’t be angry.” Said Julie mumbling the last few words under her breath.

“I’m sure I won’t…come on let’s go.”