Gypsy Trail

by West, Nicole Leigh

Afterwards, time held no meaning as Claudia melted into a world she’d never known existed. She felt like a balloon, too full and ready to burst with the excitement of being with the gypsies. Dane smiled and laughed at her answers to his onslaught of questions. Oriana constantly fussed over her — gentle, thoughtful, playful — filling her with a warmth even the sun couldn’t match, and Brishan…the way his eyes sought hers through the crowd, the way they sparked in time with his teasing banter; Brishan’s attention filled her body with an uncomfortable, mysterious heat.

  After an impromptu, solo performance of something he called an Irish jig, dedicated to his father, Brishan placed a violin in her hands. “Here, I’ll teach you.”

  “Okay.” She held it against her chest, as she’d seen him do, and placed the bow over the strings.

  Brishan shifted behind her, wrapping his arms around hers and placing her hand correctly on the violin’s neck. She inhaled the scent of sandalwood and rain. He leant forward, over her shoulder, his cheek grazing hers and his warm breath on her neck. Tingles raced the length of her spine.

  She flinched as the orange glow of afternoon sun disappeared in the shadow of the woman standing in front of her.

  “Time to look at the wound again, child.”

  Not only does she look like a witch, she sounds like one would too. I should just talk to her, try and be a bit friendly at least.

  Claudia smiled, forming random words in her head. But the witch did not smile back; she simply crooked a finger and turned away. Reluctantly, Claudia put the violin down to follow, taking comfort in the soothing pressure of Brishan’s hand as he squeezed hers.

  Cosima led her towards a wagon, its interior drenched in purple. A potent, chemical-like smell curled among stacked, glass jars. A snake twisted inside one, floating dead in yellow liquid. Mushrooms forced the lids from other jars and dried herbs dangled from the roof. The witch handed Claudia her freshly washed riding suit and turned her back as she changed.

  “Sit, sit, your two friends will sit by you.” Cosima pointed towards a low bench covered in a paisley patterned cloth.

  Claudia glanced at Snow-White and Rose-Red, giggling as usual and looking at her with cheerful goodwill. “How…why can you see my imaginary friends?” Her words rasped through a dry throat and she held her breath for the answer.

  “They are not imaginary, child. You have been gifted with them; probably at birth.”

  “So, they are real?” Claudia gasped, unable to hide her astonishment.

  “In a spiritual sense, yes. They are Companion spirits, given to those ordained to follow a life path cursed with much loneliness. The alignment of the stars in your birth chart would have foretold this.”

  Loneliness was certainly nothing new, so this much made sense, but her confusion still grew at an alarming rate. “Margaret and Mr Campbell, my carers, can’t see them, I’m sure of it.”

  “Why, of course not, child. Our blood does not course through their veins, as it does yours.”

  Cosima dabbed some foul smelling, green ointment on Claudia’s head and a rush of heat flooded the area. She crinkled her nose, wanting to tell the witch that only boring old English blood ran in her veins, despite her wishes for different parentage.

  “You would do well to remember that Companions are only play things, child. They can keep you company and make you laugh and, if your own will is very strong, you may send them to those with our blood as spiritual messengers. But they cannot interfere in your life nor help you in moments of danger. Companions can be a curse as you grow old and no longer cherish their constant giggles.”

  Claudia couldn’t respond. Her eyes fluttered and her head grew light as the warm goo infiltrated her wound.

  “That’s enough information for now, Cosima, thank you.” Dane appeared at the entrance and came to sit beside her. Snow-White and Rose-Red flew off the seat in a fit of tinkling laughter. Cosima bowed her head and left the wagon.

  “How do you feel, sweet one?” His voice came to her as if from a long, droughty tunnel.

  “Funny. Strange funny, but better.”

  “Don’t concern yourself too much with Cosima’s truths, soon you will come to understand our mysteries.”

  “I thought I made them up. Snow-White and Rose-Red, I mean. I thought they were in my head and I don’t really believe in magic anymore.”

  “Magic is not always about wands and tricks and wizards. It’s many things, like how we use our spiritual eye, your third eye, when it opens. But, you’re tired, sweetheart, we can talk about this another time. Sleep now, Lenny will come to take you home soon. All will be well, I promise.”

  Claudia’s eyes were closing against her will as thousands of questions tumbled about her mind: unanswered and strange beyond all reasoning. The low voice of the gypsy soothed her as he spoke calm words of affection to quiet her thoughts. She sank, deeper and deeper, into sleep.

  With a start, she woke to find herself in her own room — and Margaret at the door, staring at her like she was the mess left over from last night’s dinner.

  “Miss Claudia, you were asleep in your clothes yesterday afternoon when I came to give you dinner, and now I find you still here!”

  Claudia sat up and rubbed her eyes, feeling deliciously rested and full of anticipation. Until panic set in.

  “Are you listening? Just because we’ve not been able to supervise you constantly, does not mean you can lapse into laziness.” Margaret shook her head with so much force that Claudia tensed, waiting for the woman’s hair curlers to fly right off her head like mini torpedos.

  “I’m…I’m sorry, Margaret, I was tired yesterday.” How is it possible she hasn’t discovered what we did? And how on earth did Lenny get me into bed?

  ‘You must bathe immediately and come down to breakfast.”

  “Yes, Margaret.”

  “I’m expecting Mr Campbell to be home within the week, so your lessons will surely resume in a few days. Then perhaps your boredom will be relieved and you’ll be able to remain awake at the appropriate times!” Margaret huffed and puffed as she strode away up the hall.

  Claudia felt her heart constrict just thinking of the loss of her new found freedom. She couldn’t go back to empty, joyless days with Mr Campbell. For the first time in her life, she felt she belonged somewhere. Really belonged. She absolutely would not allow herself to wake from the gypsy dream that had taken over her life in two, magical days.

  But, how could she continue to see them? Sneak out a night? Surely Lenny would help her; the old gardener clearly had a few tricks up his sleeve. But what could they do about the gatekeeper, roaming the halls at night? She cringed at the thought of him and pushed his image to the dark recesses of her mind.

  She’d neglected poor Spotty over the past two days. This morning, she would take him some treats after breakfast; Margaret would no doubt have Lenny bring the cat in again to ease her guilt at leaving her alone. If only the old housekeeper knew what was happening under her very nose, she’d surely explode. Claudia giggled at the thought.

  She padded downstairs in pretty brown ankle boots and a white dress with a matching jacket, one of many in her overflowing cupboard. It swirled around her legs and she liked the feel of the lining underneath, rustling as she walked. Claudia caught a glimpse of her reflection in the long, oval mirror in the hall and stopped for a second, in awe of her own transformation.

  Her hair floated softly over her shoulders in thick, black waves, her cheeks were rosy within the glow of her pale skin and her lips looked dewy in the morning light. Brishan’s face flashed through her mind, with his cheeky grin and smiling eyes, teasing as they searched her own. She touched her bottom lip, then bit down gently on it to watch it colour red.

  Heavy footsteps approached, then stopped abruptly behind her. “My, my, aren’t we prettied up today then? Hoping to see me were you? Missing me over the last few nights?” The gatekeeper’s eyes scanned her body as he licked his fleshy lips. One fat hand clenched and unclenched, s
tretching towards her face and the smell of grease and metal made her want to gag.

  She froze. Running would only enrage him and provoke further scrutiny. But staying in his presence was so disturbing she felt bile actually rise in her throat.

  “Been having to keep an eye on those vagabonds outside each night, haven’t I? Keeping me busy making sure they don’t come anywhere near the front of the house. But don’t worry, girly, I’ll be back.”

  “Claudia!” Margaret hollered from the kitchen.

  She ran towards the housekeeper, cowering under the sound of her tormentor’s sniggering laughter.

  “My goodness! Well I never!” Margaret, both hands flying to her cheeks, stared at Claudia’s dress. “At last you’ve come to your senses and might I say you look quite the young lady. Mr Campbell will be pleased.”

  “Thank you, Margaret.” Claudia blushed with pleasure, happy now with her decision to appear more grown up for her gypsy friends and overawed at the compliment.

  “You do look pale though. Are you feeling ill?”

  “I’m…just hungry, Margaret.” Although her hands still trembled.

  “See you at tea time then,” Margaret said, glancing twice over her shoulder at Claudia as she made her way to the attic.

  It wasn’t long before Lenny came with Spotty curled happily into his chest. She now noticed the muscles in his skinny arms and the sturdiness of his bowed legs. There were many elders at the gypsy camp and, by comparison, she realised Lenny must only be sixty or so.

  “I hope you didn’t wake up too uncomfortable this morning, Miss, I did the best I could.”

  “Oh, Lenny! I’m surprised you could carry me,” Claudia said without thinking, and immediately wished the words back.

  Lenny chuckled. “There’s still some strength left in these old bones yet.”

  She smiled at him and resisted the urge to throw her arms around him. Instead, she stood to take Spotty, cuddling the purring creature on her chest. Trails of black fur covered her white dress, wrecking her unusually spotless appearance.

  But it doesn’t matter. Every moment I get to spend with the gypsies is what matters. And every moment might be my last.

  No. She almost dropped the cat with the onset of emotion. Indirectly, the gypsies kept the gatekeeper away…for now. She looked into Lenny’s eyes, desperate to tell him of her predicament, knowing he’d help her any way he could. But, as she opened her mouth to speak, Spotty rubbed his head against her cheek, dribbling as he purred and looked at her with half closed, sleepy eyes.

  Gorgeous Spotty. Won’t risk you. Can’t. You’re all I have.

  Just stop the thoughts.

  She breathed in and stood tall, smiling at Lenny as he led her down to the gypsy camp, to people greeting her with smiles and warmth and the promise of another exciting day. One last shake of the head completed her familiar thought-ridding ritual.

  Today, as always, the sounds of the camp reached her ears before she could see it properly, loud and vibrant as families worked at morning chores: singing, laughing and yelling out to each other from the open wagon doors. Lenny spotted Dane with a small group by the lake’s edge, so they continued to stroll down the valley. Claudia’s spirits rose higher and higher as they approached.

  Dane stood to greet them, smiling but holding a finger to his lips. “Good morning, friends. Brishan is in the middle of a lesson. Claudia, you might find it interesting,” he whispered, motioning for her to sit beside him on the fringes of the group. Lenny patted her arm and gave them a silent wave as he headed back to the chateau.

  Brishan sat cross-legged, his palms resting upwards on his knees, middle fingers and thumbs touching. His eyes were closed and Claudia stared at the beauty of his face, structured so finely with an angular jaw, straight, elegant nose and prominent cheekbones. His skin glowed in the morning light and he sat unnaturally still, like a tanned Roman marble sculpture. She turned to look at Dane, questions filling her mind.

  Dane smiled and bent to whisper in her ear. “Brishan is learning to be a master healer, like Cosima. He has the natural ability, but now he must harness that and turn it into something real, something he can use for the rest of his life, to heal people.”

  Claudia recalled the feeling of calm that had come with Brishan’s touch, when he’d wiped a tear from her face after the horse riding accident.

  What kind of magic is this?

  She gazed at the group. Cosima meditated opposite Brishan and two elderly men filled the gaps. They all chanted words she didn’t recognise and touched their foreheads, just above their noses.

  “This”—Dane put two fingers on her forehead—“is your third eye. When you need help to focus, spiritually, concentrating on your third eye will help.”

  She gasped as heat from his fingers penetrated her skin. Dane grinned and turned back to watch the strange lesson, catching one of her hands in his own and squeezing it tight.

  It was a struggle to remain still as her body fought to squirm and run and jump with the freedom and new information her mind received. She hugged herself with her free arm to keep the feelings safe.

  A moment later, Brishan opened his eyes and stared right at her, as if he’d known she was there, the bright green of his irises glowing like emerald jewels in the sun’s rays. She drew a deep breath and held it.

  “Good morning, fairy.” His voice seemed to speak to her ears alone and the stillness of his face shattered under the onslaught of his smile. Suddenly, he was on his feet, a moving, nimble creature with flowing hair and boundless energy. He ran behind her and lifted her up, twirling her in a mad spin, laughing as the skirt of her white dress flared about her legs. The laughter of those around them floated by her ears and she found herself giggling uncontrollably as her head grew dizzier and dizzier.

  Gently, he lowered her to the ground and she collapsed sideways, her stomach cramping with laughter. Brishan flopped down beside her, pushing her hair out of her face and grinning so that his eyes were barely visible within the black lashes framing them. Claudia caught her breath, eyeing the brown hand that brushed tendrils of hair from her cheeks.

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t finished in time to greet you.” The smile left his face as he spoke.

  “Why would you be sorry? If my lessons were that interesting, I’d never want to stop.”

  Brishan’s lips pressed together and he inhaled, quickly and deeply. “Interesting yes, but not when they take over your life, sometimes I just want to—”

  “Come, you two, let’s eat.” Dane stood above, offering both hands to help them up. Claudia dragged her eyes from Brishan’s and jumped up to join everyone at a makeshift wooden table set under an old oak tree. The usual fare of freshly baked bread and jam sat among cured meats, gourmet cheeses and peeled fruits shining with droplets of juice. Brishan’s smile had returned and she decided to forget his strange comments — for now.

  “Word has finally spread in town…we did so well last night. The little community theatre was a full house!” Oriana said in greeting as Claudia squeezed in beside her. “We can’t think of anything better to spend our hard earned cash on than a delicious feast, and today, we feast all day!”

  Claudia laughed, infected by the happiness surrounding her. Brishan and Dane sat opposite, tucking into the steaming bread. She looked down the table at twenty or so laughing, singing, feasting people and pinched herself, hard, on the arm.

  Dane raised an inquisitive brow. “You’re not dreaming, precious one.”

  Her mouth dropped open. Surely he’s reading my mind. “I hope not.”

  Brishan grinned, still chewing on a piece of prosciutto. “Don’t worry, fairy, I think I’m dreaming every time I look at you. And I never want to wake up.”

  Oriana laughed and pulled her in tight for a hug as Claudia’s cheeks flamed redder than the strawberry jam on her bread.

  “Miss, Miss!” The voice reached them above the noise of the feast. Claudia turned to see Lenny running towards them, his little
bowed legs moving so fast she feared he’d fall over.

  She stood to meet him halfway, but froze when the familiar, obese silhouette of the gatekeeper appeared at the top of the hill.

  ‘Claudia, quick, put this on.” Oriana wrenched a silky scarf from her own head and put it over Claudia’s. “Go now, sit by Dane and keep your face down.”

  Claudia slid the scarf over her eyes and rushed to Dane’s side. He pulled her down in between himself and Brishan, keeping a firm hold on her waist.

  “Oh, thank the Lord I reached you first. Miss Claudia…Dane…” Lenny doubled over, fighting to catch his breath. “The gatekeeper’s coming, with three men from town. They want to talk to you.”

  “It’s okay, Lenny. Thank you, we’ll take it from here. Go back to your work and come for Claudia when they’ve gone,” Dane said as Oriana helped the gardener to stand straight again.

  Dane squeezed Claudia’s hand before standing to greet the party of men, now almost upon them. “Good morning, gentlemen, what can we do for you?”

  “It’s not a good morning for us when we find criminals in our town,” the tallest of the group said, his bald head shining in the sun.

  “We camp on open land, and we break no laws in doing so.” Dane stood perfectly straight and his voice boomed; deep, low, controlled.

  “The law you speak of will be overturned as soon as it’s passed in parliament. We’re here simply to give you warning of that and to ensure you remove yourselves immediately.”

  “If it’s not yet passed, we have every right to be here,” Eamon said from the far end of the table, his green eyes, a mirror image of Brishan’s, flashing beneath his red hair.

  “Not for long you don’t. The owners have written to express their displeasure and a warrant will soon be issued for your arrest. This land is privately owned and it is their right to remove unwanted…trash.”

  Claudia drew a quick breath and felt Brishan’s hand clamp down hard on her own. She heard the gatekeeper’s vile laugh mix with those of the other men and her heart pounded loudly in her chest.

  “I see you have this under control, I’ll be on my way then.” The gatekeeper spoke to the men through his laughter and, glimpsing up from under her scarf, Claudia saw him waddle back up the hill.