MARTHA'S SHOCK

Martha was halfway between London and Bath when her satnav suddenly offered to reroute her; an incident on the motorway ahead was causing delays of up to an hour. Soon, she was driving down tight country lanes in the depths of the Wiltshire countryside, the May sun dappling through the tall trees, thick clouds of cow parsley brushing the sides of her car as she passed. She couldn’t believe that this route would possibly ever get her back on to a proper road and was beginning to feel a little anxious when she saw it. A small turning. A blue wooden sign with the name Moss Cottage painted on it. A short, gravelled drive, then a pale stone, wisteria-covered cottage behind a small weeping willow. Martha’s heart stopped beating and she pressed hard on her brakes. She stared at the cottage and felt the shock of recognition flood through her. She had been here before, the years melted away, she sat on the step with her Grandmother podding peas in the warm sunshine. Why had the satnav steered her in this direction. She shook her head, reluctantly stepping out of the car to take a better look, had she got it wrong, was this the place or was it very similar. She had to find out.

“Hello, are you lost” came a voice between the trees, the tall stranger had piercing blue eyes, watching her intently. He came forward adjusting his straw hat, in his shorts and t-shirt he was a fine figure of a man. He was holding a pitchfork and smiling.

Martha jumped, she was in a state of shock and didn’t expect anyone to approach her “Oh, my goodness you startled me. My satnav directed me here; and now, yes, I am lost”

“I bet you could do with a cup of tea, and so could I, come along then” he walked to the front door and opened it seemingly expecting Martha to follow.

Martha looked round she didn’t know what she was looking for maybe some sort of divine intervention. What was she doing following this strange man into this house she knew she had been here before, even the front door was the same. Entering the small hallway, the smell of homemade bread and cakes infiltrated her nostrils. The smell of yesteryear, she remembered it so clearly. She expected her Gran to be there sitting in her usual chair as she entered the sitting room. The place looked the same, exactly the same, the chair the dresser with the blue china plates and cups, the small table covered with the red check tablecloth. What was happening?

“Sit, I will bring out the tea and cakes” ordered the man.

Martha sat, her chair very near the window overlooking the garden filled with spring flowers, the blossom beginning to bloom on the trees. She stood and looked out; the garden hadn’t changed at all.

“By the way, my name is Arthur, my wife is Helen, she has gone shopping, but she will be here any moment, I am sure you will stay until she arrives” Arthur smiled he put the tray on the table and began pouring the tea and serving the cake.

Martha nodded,  now she knew she was going mad, her granddad was called Arthur and her Grandmother was Helen. What was this all about?

“Thank you for this Arthur it is very kind of you, I must get on my way shortly though, I am on my way to Bath” Martha paused waiting for a response.

“Oh, you won’t need to go before the storm passes” Arthur nodded and sipped his tea.

“But” Martha looked out of the window, the sun was shining although the wind seemed to be blowing the trees about. “it doesn’t look like a storm is brewing”

Arthur smiled and touched his nose “I know these things, what’s your name then?”

Martha looked at this man, he seemed intent on keeping her here, why?

“Have you lived here long? Martha asked as she sipped her tea and took a bite out of the delicious home made cake.

“Oh, about ten years or so, Helen and I wanted to get out of the rat race so when the opportunity came, we moved here” Arthur nodded, filling Martha’s cup with more tea.

“My name is Martha, by the way” she sipped her tea her thoughts racing!

She had only met her grandparents towards the end of their lives, her father a mysterious figure in Martha’s young life had fallen out with them and refused to acknowledge that they existed. Then he died and Martha’s life completely changed aged nine, her mother pushed her from pillar to post. She stayed with Aunt’s, and friends, and then she was sent to boarding school, it was then she was presented to her grandparents, in this very house and had some glorious times during the summer holidays until she left boarding school .

 

Suddenly the door opened, bustling with shopping bags and paraphernalia Helen swept into the room. She stopped and hesitated and eyed Martha with curiosity. “Well, who have we here then” she said while still looking at Martha.

“This young lady is called Martha” Arthur winked at Helen “She is lost on her way to Bath it seems”

Helen smiled and nodded knowingly at Arthur. “Well, we must make Martha comfortable while we wait out the storm”

Martha looked at Helen, her resemblance to her grandmother was strong, her hair was blond and her beautiful features so much younger, her brown eyes and her rose shaped lips still prominent, her pale unlined skin gave her a beauty that she still had as an older person. Helen busied herself in the kitchen, she hadn’t spoken to Martha.

“Right” Helen suddenly came and sat in grandma’s chair, “I am so glad you came at last Martha; we must wait until the storm has passed to tell you why”

“But the satnav brought me here and I can’t see any evidence of a storm” Martha began looking from Arthur to Helen, she was now getting anxious, what was happening she had not intended to be here at all.

“Oh, tosh” Helen waved her arm to dismiss this theory.

Martha stood, then she felt very dizzy and fell back into the chair, what was in that tea and cake? “I need to go” Martha seemed to shout but the words were not coming out.

“There, there stop worrying about getting to Bath, Arthur and I will take care of you now”

Martha closed her eyes she could not stop the feeling of sleep overwhelming her. Her last thoughts were she needed to get out of this place!

Hours later Martha found herself lying on top of an old fashion faded patchwork quilt in a bedroom she recognized as the one she stayed in as a child.  It was dark with only the intermittent light from the lightening as it crashed across the sky outside, the thunder clapped again, the rain was lashing down on the window. Martha sat up, this was the predicted storm, she needed to get out of this house. She tried the bedside lamp with no response, still working with the light of the storm she walked to the door ready to make her escape. As she approached the door opened and In walked Helen with a cup of tea for her.

“Martha, we will tell you why you are here when the storm subsides, for now you must rest, drink your tea, then all will be revealed” Helen was speaking as she sat Martha down on the bed once again.

“Are you my grandparents” Martha declared now beginning to worry about her predicament

Helen smiled and patted Martha’s arm and lifted her head up by her chin. “All will be revealed” she said as she walked out of the door. Martha heard the key being turned she was going nowhere it seemed.

Martha decided not to drink the tea, but somehow, she still felt very sleepy. Martha went to the washbasin in the corner of the room, swilled her face, poured away the tea and just had some water. She needed to think, she went to the window and tried to open it, but it was stuck or locked she couldn’t think straight, she must pull herself together and find a way of getting out of this house. Her handbag with her mobile phone was downstairs. Why was she here?

She shook her head what was happening, she looked around in the semi darkness, the patchwork quilt had faded but she remembered the little squares of material she helped sew many years ago. Here was that pretty flowered dress she grew out of, her Mum’s polka dot lemon blouse, the old kitchen curtains, her Dad’s plaid shirt so many memories. Her eyes began to close again, maybe she could just sleep again then she could feel better and make her escape then.

Martha stirred as the door opened again, her eyes just wouldn’t open. Everything seemed so far away.

“You gave her too much of the drug” she heard a voice say

“She will come round soon; she won’t be going anywhere for a while so why not come downstairs and wait” The two people left the room, Martha tried to bring herself back into the reality of the moment, she found it extremely hard, who was this other person, what did they want of her?

Martha woke again daylight peeping through the curtains, a blanket had been put over her during the night, she felt groggy but was more able to focus on things around her.

She tried the door again, this time it opened, she found the bathroom and decided she would make her escape, all she had to do was get her car keys and her handbag then she could get on her intended journey to Bath.

She crept downstairs, hoping the creaks would not wake anyone up, the sitting room door was closed, and she gingerly opened it hoping that no-one was in there to prevent her leaving.

“Ah, you are awake at last” Helen whispered, “Come on in, I will get us some tea”

Martha was adamant now she was not staying any longer. “No thank you, I will collect my belongings and go, my family will wonder where I am”

“Now, Martha I know your daughters don’t live at home with you, you husband is away in Hong Kong on business so what have you got to rush home to?”

Martha was flabbergasted, how did this woman know about her life?

Her anxiety level reached it’s peak, and now it was time for some straight talking.

“How do you know what is going on in my life? I just want to go home, you cannot kidnap me like this, I will collect my things and go” Martha was almost shouting, she felt so helpless.

Just then the door opened, Martha couldn’t believe her eyes, in walked her Dad, he was alive!

“Hello Martha” He came and took her hands “It is so lovely to see you after all this time”

“But you are dead” Martha shook her head and let go of his hands “You are dead, what’s is this all about” Big tears began to flow unheeded; she sat down with a bump. “I don’t understand, I really don’t understand”

Her Dad nodded at Helen, “Let’s have that tea, and we can all sit and talk about how this has happened”

Martha looked at her Dad, he had aged so much, and his skin looked like parchment and was almost yellow, and his eyes told of the sorrow he felt, Martha wanted to hug him, but she was too angry.

“How did the Satnav bring me here? Martha faltered, her tears still flowing.

“I have watched and waited for the right time, my computer skills directed your satnav, Helen is your cousin and inherited your Gran’s house” Martha’s Dad watched the reaction on her face “I was a witness in a criminal case involving some very bad people, so I had to invent my death and start anew under a different guise. I never stopped thinking about you, and indeed plotted this so I could see you. I have not got that long to live but I wanted you to know how much I loved you before I departed”

Martha eventually gave her Dad a hug, they talked for hours catching up with old times. Her Dad told her that her Mum had tried to protect her by sending her to different places when she was a child to make sure she was kept safe. Helen hugged her and now told her all about her Gran, and how she had helped her in her later years.   

“I thought I was going mad” Martha smiled  “It now makes sense; Helen I will keep in touch, and I won’t rely on the satnav to divert me this time. And Dad let us meet up again, surely it will be safe now!”

They all nodded and smiled; things can happen when you least expect them! 

Lunch on the Girder

“I didna know it would be this high, Joe,” Gino put a cigarette in his mouth ready for Joe to light it. “I need a smoke, give us light, quick I aint doing this no more whatever Papa says.” He bent to get the light and took a long breath in savouring the moment.

“You aint got used to it yet, Gino Papa will be mad if youse give it up now. He’ll say you’re a baby making a noise – you aint got to give in, anyway, look whats Mama done for us, one of her specials just for me and you, so stop ya gripe and tuck in.” Joe handed Gino his grub, a delicious homemade pasty.

“Gee, this is good, Joe, Mama knows her cooking.” Gino sighed.

“Hey. Guys, listen up,” Tom reading from the local newspaper, everyone’s attention focused “New York building is on schedule thanks to the commitments of the building force of dedicated men risking life and limb to give us the buildings we can be proud of for our future.” They’re talking about us lot; we should be proud why don’t we get the money if the boss thinks so much of us?” Everyone murmured, Tom was right but, they were earning, which was more than some were at this time. There were so many men in the district standing on street corners unable to work because of the slum, kiddies starving, women scratching to feed them.

“Yeah, but we got Jobs, aint we.” Jack reflected.

“Pat, are you drinking tonight?” shouted Sean. “My Mrs is letting me off the leash only for tonight, so how about it?” The men laughed; they all knew Sean’s wife was a bit of a tartar, so it was a rare moment of freedom for him. This was a Friday night, pay night, so it was a time to enjoy the fruits of their labour.

“Okie dokie, you call for me when you’re ready, do you wanna come Gino and Joe, let us stags show these boys how to rave!” Pat grinned and as he was saying this he gave his neighbour Tom a gentle push on the arm.

Pat’s exploits were legend, he had established himself well and truly in this new country, his Irish charm seemed to capture the ladies and his drinking escapades often got him into a bit of trouble, nothing to alarm, but enough for the mothers and fathers to warn their girls and lads to steer clear.

“You stop leading my boy, into a wicked ways” Papa Acardi said with a big grin on his face. “Gino is righteous like his Papa, eh Gino, and Joe will be pious like his Mama”. Papa Acardi let out a guffaw of mirth. The laughter crept along the line like a wave. All the men called Gino’s and Joe’s dad Papa, he was the oldest there, and the Foreman of the team. They had great respect for him, he was fair and expected his men to be the same with him. However, if a man crossed a line, he would be out. Papa would not stand for any nonsense, but his men knew where they were with him and would pull out all the stops because he was so well liked.

“Gee whiz, Rick, it is cheese again, what’s in your sarnies, shall we swap? I’m sick of cheese man but I suppose it was better than meat paste.” Rick sat deep in thought, his fiancé  had given him an ultimatum, she wanted him to find other work, she said it was too dangerous, but he loved working where he did, he felt he belonged to this small family from different nations all working hard beside each other, laughing, taking the mick with each other, looking out for each other, it felt home to him.  His Dad was a violent drunk using his fists and belt on his wife and kids so many times for Rick to count until one day Rick, aged 15 a strong tall boy, stood his ground in front of his mother to protect her and warned his dad there would be no more from him or he would beat him to the ground. Rick remembered that day so well, since then his dad had died, and he now provided for his mum and his siblings. He had them to think about as well, so it wasn’t easy.

“Are you hearing me Rick?” Ben nudged Rick and looked over at Jack at the same time. Jack was the quiet one, very deep, you just didn’t know what he was thinking but, he worked hard, and he kept his head down. Jack’s wife was in hospital suffering from TB so every penny he earned went on medical costs. He didn’t resent it, but it made things really hard. Thank goodness his parents were able to take the two kids and look after them, but they were such a long way away in Virginia. Jack’s parents really didn’t need any money sent, they had a small farm and shop and did reasonably well, so the children were well fed and comfortable. When Jack’s wife got better, they had decided to go and be with the children in Virginia for a better life.

“If you’re going on the razzle with Pat, Joe, count me in as well”, Dave called as he winked at Sid sitting beside him. Sid smiled, he was too old for the razzle dazzle, he liked a cold beer, tea on the table when he got home, a cuddle with his wife and sometimes a listen to the radio, he was quite happy with his lot.

“New York girl’s wonta be safe tonight with youse lot”. Papa stated with a sense of amusement.

Once again, the ripple of laughter filled the air. Dave was new to this team, he had worked for the company some time but couldn’t hack it with his new foreman, who seemed to want to belittle the men at every opportunity. He had fitted right in here, he loved working with Papa, and indeed, had discovered that Papa’s wife Maria worked with his sister in the laundry of the hotel in the city. Joe and he had become really good mates, they seem to gel with each other.

“Well, youse lot, time to get back to the job.” Papa called out. Lunch was over. The men oblivious to the surrounding, they had sat with the cold of the steel girder pressing on their backside. This was an everyday occurrence, no-one cared what went on many miles below them, their lives had intermingled with each other, through their work and families. They came from different continents but, together they were friends.

Today they were just having lunch.

 

The Gate to another World opens

“Sit still Mary” Mary’s mum Betty was talking with her sister, Lily. Mary fidgeted, she was seeing her Grandmother who was smiling and waving at her. Mary had seen her before and had told her mum, but she was smacked and decided she wouldn’t tell anymore. Mary had also seen her Uncle George, who was Auntie Lily’s husband, who Mary had loved very much. Mary was 5 years old; she wasn’t sure why she was seeing these people when her mum and auntie could not see them.  She had been told they were far away in heaven, a place you didn’t come back from apparently. So, Mary pondered and fidgeted, and tried her best not to notice these people from heaven.

Mary told her best friend, Rosie, at school and asked her if she saw people from heaven, but Rosie had said she hadn’t seen them, but it didn’t mean they didn’t exist. And, during this conversation Rosie had said she had a friend nobody could see called Tara, who would come to her quite often and play with her. Mary and Rosie decided to keep their secrets and only tell each other about their sightings because they realised the adults didn’t understand and would get quite cross.

Many months went by when one day an agitated Rosie came to school telling Mary, Tara had said she couldn’t come anymore, but Rosie was to remember her when she grew up and began working within the church, then she would come back to her.  Rosie was so upset and told Mary that although she went to Church and Sunday school, she had never seen Tara there and she didn’t want to work in a church. Mary gave her a hug and said we can be anything we want when we are grown up ladies, and maybe someone else would come to Rosie instead of Tara.

Mary and Rosie remained the best of friends for many years. Mary kept on seeing the people from heaven even when she attended University. She was never afraid of these people but knew not everyone could see them. She had realised growing up it was something she just had to get used to and keep to herself, otherwise others would think she was weird in some way. She went on to work with children with learning difficulties and had a wonderful rapport with them. Mary would often sense feelings around the children and see the people from heaven connected with them, she would often get a message come to her suddenly about a certain child and the person from heaven would give reassurance through her for the child.

Rosie had similar experiences, she would be talking to someone and suddenly feel compelled to tell them something important to help them. Rosie was sometimes overwhelmed with the information coming seemingly out of the blue, but she found that she had the quality of being able to listen and understand a person and often hold their hand in the process. The person was always grateful and felt healed by the experience. Rosie didn’t go to University but went on to work as a PA in a charitable organisation organising events for fundraising.  

With life being so busy for Mary and Rosie they would make sure to meet and have a meal to catch up each month. It was hard to keep this arrangement but, it was a date set in gold for each of them. Today was one of those days, they hugged each other and caught up with each other’s daily life. Then began to discuss what was happening with the voices and the people from heaven. Mary had heard a new spiritualist church was opening in the next town. The launch was the following Wednesday evening in a Village Hall.

“Shall we go, Rosie, we may get some answers” Mary smiled but was a bit apprehensive about Rosie’s reaction.

“Wow, I was going to suggest this to you, I had one of those ‘messages’ to tell me to go along to the new church” Rosie smiled, her eyes had lit up, “Mary I know this is meant to be, we have talked for many years about how we both can ‘see’ , ‘feel’, and ‘hear’ things others can’t.”

“I mentioned the spiritualist church to my mother, she almost had a heart attack she got so mad, she said I would be dealing with the devil and not to go near” Mary shook her head in disbelief “I just didn’t respond and knew I would go anyway, thankfully, I don’t live with my parents any more so I can go without making any waves”

“So, let’s make it a date then, go along, if it isn’t for us then we don’t go again” Rosie said in quite a matter of fact way. “We both need this; we are not abnormal and maybe this will give us an insight to why we get these feelings”

Wednesday arrived Mary and Rosie sat in the church expectant, not knowing what was going to happen. They were greeted warmly and given song books. They looked around at the people attending, they looked quite ‘normal’, Rosie had giggled when she had said this to Mary. Suddenly the service began, there was a welcome from the rostrum for the Medium and all the people who attended. There was at least 30 people gathered in the Village Hall. It was a wonderful atmosphere, the singing of the modern songs uplifted everyone, including Mary and Rosie who were astounded at the number of people attending. The absent healing part of the service was so profound, and Rosie found herself tingling with anticipation to ask questions after the service whether there were training courses for the healing. Then it came to the part where the Medium stood and gave ‘messages’ from the spirit world. Mary turned to Rosie and nodded, so ‘hearing and seeing’ people from heaven wasn’t odd, some people were able to do this, Mary knew she had come ‘home’. As time went on Rosie’s healing went from strength to strength and one day Tara arrived to help her with the healing of a young girl suffering with cancer. She became a guide to Rosie.

Mary and Rosie are not unique, there are many people out there ‘seeing and hearing’ people from spirit, they have a knowing more than others do. We all have the ability, but some people are afraid, this could come from the childhood download from parental or religious prejudices.

Mary became a good Medium, Rosie and Mary were born to follow this path. Lots of people come to it much later in life. There are no rules for when this might happen, but following the path can bring so much happiness, not only to those who apply their gift but to those that receive the messages and healing.

If you are one of those who have a ‘knowledge’ don’t deny your gift. Follow the signs and let spirit open the pathway for you. Then joy will be yours.