Heaven and earth

A countryside reverie leads to a supernatural encounter with the past

- A short story by Audrey Parkinson

It was a gorgeous spot, shaded by small trees, and smelling of leaves and grass. Phillip sat down on the soft grass, thankful to rest in the shade away from the heat. He had brought a picnic and a welcome drink.

He had a wonderful view of the valley before him, but the sultry heat had made him feel drowsy, and he soon felt his eyelids drooping.

His eyes opened slowly, and he was amazed to see an old stone farmhouse in the valley. He wondered why he had not noticed it when he first came to the spot.

Not only did he see the farmhouse, but he saw a young woman a few yards away. She was wearing a coarse cotton shift, the likes of which Phillip had never seen before. She was wandering about the hillside; she came closer and smiled at him.

Phillip was about to speak, but something held him back - she seemed almost ethereal and seemed to vanish as quickly as she appeared.