We shared an umbrella when we first met
When
caught in an April shower
We
shared our first kiss
One
night in the wee small hours
We
shared a passionate embrace
And
made love in culmination
Then
we shared a secret
After
we caught an unpleasant infection
In Coopers Hill Cottage on a cold, damp and foggy December afternoon Angelika Schmeltz and Megan Thomas lay naked beneath the duvet of the formers King-size bed.
And in its cosiness they were both silently
contemplating their situation and reflecting that it was not how they had
envisaged the day panning out.
Angelika was holding Megan, who had her head on her
new lover’s chest.
It was Megan who finally broke the silence when she
said
“That was quite a surprise”
“Which part?” Angelika asked
“All of it” she replied “but it was a very nice surprise”
“Which part?” Angelika asked
“All of it” she replied and giggled
“I’d never done it before” She confessed, in fact Megan had never
done anything before, with anyone, she was a virgin in every conceivable sense
of the word.
She hadn’t even touched herself very much.
“I know sweetie” Angelika said
“Do you mind?” the novice asked
“No of course not” she replied “You do know that
I’ve done it before?”
“God yes” she replied and giggled again
“But I didn’t know you were a ….”
Angelika chuckled and kissed her forehead and said
“A lesbian”
“That’s right,
because I automatically assumed Charlie was a man”
Megan explained.
Charlie was Angelika’s
partner of 25 years until she died.
“Are you
disappointed?” she asked
“What with?” Megan
replied with another question
“The fact that I’m
a Lesbian” answered Angelika
“Are you kidding? After
what we just did?”
They both giggled and then Meg kissed Angel with
warmth and passion.
“You realise that this means you are a Lesbian too
now?”
“Really?” she
asked “How exotic”
And she cuddled up closer still to her lover.
“What would my mother say?”
“Do you care?” Angelika asked
“Not for a second”
They lay quiet again for a few minutes before Megan
said sheepishly
“I do have one question though”
“What’s that sweetie?” Angel asked
“I was just wondering when we might um…” she began
“You were wondering what?” she asked suspiciously
“Well when we could do it again?” she asked and
buried her face in Angel’s chest to hide her embarrassment
“You little hussy” she said
“I know” Megan said without lifting her head
“Well as it’s a foggy afternoon and we’re all cosy
warm in bed already I suppose we could do it again right now”
“Oooh smashing” Megan purred “I like the sound of
that”
In the six months since her mother’s death, Megan Thomas
had changed beyond all recognition.
She had moved to Teardrop Lake to fulfil a lifelong
dream to live in the country, and she had fulfilled several other dreams along
the way.
She was now the proud owner of a dog called
Skipper, a car which she named Harrison, because it was a Ford, and a TV.
All things that her mother heartily disapproved of.
However at the age of 47 and with no life
experience, the one thing she had dared not dream of was falling in love.
And quite frankly if she had thought of it at all
or even if she had dreamt about falling in love, she doubted that that dream
would have been to fall in love with a woman, and yet it happened anyway.
And was something else Mother would have
disapproved of.
Angelika Schmeltz on the other hand hadn’t dreamt of falling in love for
a very different reason.
She had closed her heart to it, and drawn a line under such emotions.
For the five years since the death of her long term lover Charlie she never
thought of love for a second.
It wasn’t just that she was reluctant to fall in
love, she merely accepted that that chapter of her life was over and done with
because she felt when Charlie died, part of her died too, and that she would
never find another mate who would measure up to her.
And then she met a funny little red head wandering
the woods with an American Cocker Spaniel and she felt alive again.
When Charlie
passed, Angelika had pledged never to love again to protect herself against
another broken heart.
But that was like living
a half-life, yes there might be pain but the joy far outweighed the risk.
Since Megan had
moved to Teardrop Lake she had discovered that life was actually rather
wonderful.
She also
discovered that there were things worth watching on Television and that there
were some things in life that were even more enjoyable than “It’s a Wonderful
Life”
One of them was
Christmas and one of them very definitely wasn’t.
A couple of days
after they kissed beneath the mistletoe and ended up making love.
Angelika managed
to get Megan out of bed long enough to take her into Abbottsford to do some Christmas
shopping.
“I’ve never been
Christmas shopping before” Megan said
“Well there were
several other things you had never done before and you seem to have mastered
those quite nicely sweetie” Angelika said and Megan went Santa Red and giggled.
It was only a week
from the big day and Angelika was unaccustomed to leaving it so late.
She liked to get
things done early but she had got out of the habit.
It had been a long,
long time since she had had to buy presents for anyone special.
But now she did
have someone special to buy for so she took Megan into to Abbottsford to the
Phoenix Shopping Centre.
The centre had
been dressed for Christmas in tinsel and foil and twinkling lights almost since
the beginning of October.
“My Goodness” Meg
said “It’s huge”
“It is rather”
Angelika agreed
“Have you never
been here before?”
Megan began to speak
but Angelika interrupted her
“That was a silly
question wasn’t it?”
Megan nodded
“So look around
and remember where you are and we will meet back here in an hour and a half”
Angelika said
“Can’t we go
around together?” Meg asked sounding very small
“Well not really
Hun” Angel said “as we’re buying for each other, they are supposed to be
surprises”
“Oh yes I see what
you mean” she said she was going to add sorry but I’m new to this but Angelika
took hold of her hand and kissed her which gave her strength.
“Ok then back here
at 11.30” she said and they went their separate ways.
Angelika knew
where she was going first, she knew exactly what main present to get for her.
So that wasn’t a
problem, it was the little extras, the stocking fillers that took the time, those
little things that made Christmas morning extra special.
For Megan it was yet another new thing she had to experience.
Because her mother Edith, didn’t believe in the commercial side of the
holiday there were never any presents, no frivolity or festivities.
So no need for Christmas shopping, wrapping paper or gift tags.
They celebrated Christmas to the extent that they ate Christmas dinner
and went to the Church services but only the religious side of the season was ever
observed.
Church, faith and her love of books were the only thing she retained
from her old life.
Everything else was new and fresh and rather wonderful.
So having never done Christmas before, buying presents and treats was
totally alien to her and she didn’t know where to start.
Until she passed a dazzling shop window that held her entranced.
“That’s absolutely perfect” she said and her eyes fixed on the prize.
They were to meet back where they had started at 11.30, Angelika was
there first and Megan trotted up about five minutes later.
“I thought I’d lost you” Angelika said
“Sorry, I lost track of time” she said “It’s very exciting isn’t it?”
“Yes it is” Angelika replied and smiled at the little redhead loaded
with bags.
“Once I got started I didn’t know how to stop” Megan said and giggled
“You’re really lovely” Angel said and kissed her
They went and had Coffee and a cake in the food court and assessed their
progress.
It transpired they only had to get paper and bows and a few etcetera’s
so they went off together to complete the shopping before they went home.
When they got back
to Shallowfield they dropped off their respective purchases at their respective
homes and took their respective excited dogs for a good long walk.
Then they went
back to Megs to watch the Matinee “The Shop around the Corner”
And at the end of
the film both women were in tears again
“That was another
brilliant one” Megan said and then started laughing
“What are you
laughing at?” Angelika asked
“Well the last
time we watched a James Stewart film together I discovered I was a Lesbian” she
said “And I just wondered what I was going to discover this time”
And then they were
both laughing hysterically.
The week between
the exciting Christmas shopping trip and Christmas itself was spent in the way
that had become their accustomed manner.
Watching more
classic films, and taking more long walks in the woods with the dogs and of
course being cosy beneath Angelika’s duvet.
But in addition to
the customary activities there were also presents to wrap, another first for
Megan.
She had neither given
nor received a gift in her entire life.
On Christmas Eve,
Megan drove “Harrison” down to St Mary’s Church, she hadn’t been a regular at
the Church since she’d moved there but she had attended three Sunday services,
the Christingle and the Carol service.
She had asked
Angelika to join her a couple of times but she hadn’t been to Church since
Charlie passed, and she was still angry with God for taking her and she was quite
unforgiving on the subject, and was totally unmovable on the matter, for now.
Megan thought she
would probably wear her down eventually but she didn’t want to push it.
Although Angelika
had decline for Megan Midnight Mass was an un-missable event, so she went
alone.
Megan said a few
hello’s and thought to herself that there was a good sized congregation for the
service.
She always found the
Midnight Mass very moving and quite atmospheric it was possible that as it was
conducted in the semi darkness it added to the magic.
So she took her
seat and settled herself and then she bowed her head, closed her eyes and took
a few moments to pray.
When she opened them
again she was not alone.
“You came” Megan said
and took Angels hand and cried
“Don’t cry honey”
Angel said
“But I’m so happy
that you’re here” Meg said wiping her eyes
“I’m still angry
with him for taking her” she said defiantly looking to the heavens
“But now I know he
only took her so he could give me you”
Angel said and
Megan was crying again
“I love you Angelika
Schmeltz” she said
“I love you too” she replied “and I really want to kiss you”
“Well you’ll have to wait until later” Megan said and smiled before adding
“Have a little self-control”
“I don’t believe it” she said “I’m being chastised by a hussy”
Since that first day long ago
When
first I saw my angel
We
have laboured hard at love
And
we have both built well
We
have forged this love
Which
we will forever know
It
will never melt away
Like
the thawing of the snow
But
how is it measured?
How
do we quantify?
We
feel it and that is proof enough
The love shared by you and I
You must know I love you
I hope I show you that I do
For the sweetest moments in my life
Are the ones I spend with you
You
are my first thought
When
I awake to the new day
And
the last thing on my mind
At
night when I drift away
I
wish I could tell you
Of
the love that’s in my heart
I
want you to feel the depth of love
I’ve
felt for you from the start
I
would use sweet phrases
And
sugary words of love
The
sweetest ever known
Speaking
of columbine and dove
No the words that I must choose
Are the simplest that I can use
What
I'm feeling deep inside
Is
the deepest love for you
Will my plea above
To
gladden and cheer
My
ardent call for love
Fall
on deafened ear
Is
there not but one
Who
will hear my plea
And
fill me with joy
Please,
please hear me
Don’t
leave me all alone
Let
me share my love
Please
have mercy
Oh
hear my plea above
Take
heed of my plea
Just
another soul to love
Gentle
and replete
And as precious as a dove
It
was in the middle of the 7th Century when 17 year old Olwen, the
youngest daughter of King Osric, was pledged in marriage to young King Ryce of
West Untenena.
King
Osric’s tribe was in the east bordering Cantwarena and the marriage was designed
to affect a treaty between the two tribes and preserve the peace by forming a
mutually beneficial alliance against West Sexena.
Osric’s
tribe in East Untenena were Christina converts and because of her faith, Olwen only
agreed to the union if she could be married at St Augustine’s Church in the place
of her birth.
The
citizens of East Untenena were very pleased with the union as they hoped it would
lead to a lasting peace.
Olwen
was very popular among her people and the wedding was the cause of much
celebration with seven days of feasting.
It
was a joyous occasion and when it ended Olwen and her new husband then travelled
under heavy escort to her new home.
Soldiers
of both East and West Untenena made up the escort as an act of solidarity.
Olwen
was also accompanied by her maids Esme and Elwin, and by her priest Father
Audley.
Her
new home was the great hall of King Ryce which stood in a settlement at the
head of the Lake Tåre Drape on the edge of the great
forest.
Although
the marriage was forced upon her she was not disappointed with the union, Olwen
liked Ryce and in time she grew to love him very deeply.
And
she also grew to love her new home very much.
But
she came from a Christian realm and she had married into a pagan one.
Though
Ryce was prepared to adopt the new faith his subjects and more importantly, his
chieftains, were not.
Although
most of his subjects took to the new Queen and loved her almost as much as her
own people did.
Though
not all of them, in fact two of them were openly hostile to her and a third,
Holt had threatened to kill any Christians who dared practice in his lands.
For
the first year Olwen was content to have Father Audley attend to hers and her maid’s
spiritual needs in her private chambers but she was not prepared to deny
herself a place of worship forever.
So
at the beginning of her 19th year she broached the subject with Ryce
when he asked her if she was happy in his kingdom she replied rather unconvincingly
“Yes”
“You
are unhappy?” Ryce asked
“No
I’m not unhappy” she replied “but...”
“You
still miss your home” he said
“A
little yes” she admitted
“But
really I miss my Church”
“I
see” he responded “the one thing you miss is the one thing I cannot give you”
“Not
even a small Chapel for us?” she asked in her most feminine voice.
“I
can’t grant you that” Ryce said
“It’s
doesn’t have to be grand or ornate”
She
pleaded
“If
I was to openly build a Church in this settlement it would give Holt the excuse
he needs to move against me” He said and Olwen was crestfallen.
“I’m
sorry” he said
“What
if we built one in secret?” she asked
“Where?”
he asked
“In
the forest” she said
The
King was very thoughtful for a few minutes and then he said
“I
will give it some further thought”
Then
he took his leave.
Olwen
took that to mean no, but she left it at that for now, she didn’t want to back
him into a corner.
But
that didn’t mean she would give up.
After
several days Ryce gave Olwen his decision as they lay in his bed.
“You
may have your secret Chapel” he said
“Thank
you my King” she said excitedly
“But
it must remain secret” he reiterated
“If
Holt or his kinsmen find out, there will be open revolt”
“Yes
my Lord”
“No
materials or craftsman from my realm can be used”
“I
understand” Olwen said
There
was a regular caravan that travelled between East and West Untenena so over the
following 18 months Stone was brought in secret from Thanet Island in small quantities
and an Alta stone was transported from Lindisfarne via a circuitous route.
Firstly
a large area of forest was cleared and building began on a small timber Chapel
to Olwen’s specific design.
The
Thanet stones were placed around the outline of the building in the traditional
cruciform shape and some locally acquired flag stones formed the floor and the Lindisfarne
Alta stone was given pride of place.
The
Chapel walls and roof were made of Dancingdean timber and only a small number
of trusted woodsman knew what was being built in the woods.
There
was also a large baptismal bowl set into the floor of one side of the transept
where Olwen’s husband Ryce and their children were baptized.
Its
Water was drawn from a natural spring besides the Chapel clearing which the
faithful claimed only sprang forth when the church was completed.
The
first service was held on Olwen’s 22nd birthday and monthly
thereafter so as not to draw attention.
This
went on regularly for four years without incident until one spring when her
brother Hugh and his wife Henrietta were visiting with her for Olwen’s
confinement.
She
was six months pregnant with her third child and she was praying this one was a
boy.
So
she made more regular visits to the Chapel so she could pray to God to grant
her wish.
It
was on a bright spring day when Father Audley led Olwen, Ryce and their
daughters, Lucetta and Annis, and her brother and his wife along the hidden
path to the Chapel.
But
as the priest stepped into the sunlight Ryce was struck on the side of the head
with a sword hilt and fell to the ground.
“You
will die for this Holt”
Olwen
screamed as she saw the face of her husband’s assailant.
“I
think not” Holt said as he brandished his sword “You will all die here today at
your holy place”
And
his kinsman Irwin drew his sword at the same moment.
Thankfully
Godwin
the woodsman who had been instrumental in the Chapel’s construction was already
inside when the attack began and without thinking he took up his axe and
charged out and cleaved Irwin’s head in two.
As Irwin fell down dead it distracted Holt long
enough for Hugh to burst out of the trees and thrust his sword through Holt’s
throat, and he turned to look at Hugh with a look of surprise and then dropped his
sword.
“God has spoken” Olwen said and he fell dead to the
ground.
It was all over in a trice, fortunately Henrietta
had taken the young girls away at the first sign of trouble, so were spared the
bloodshed.
Ryce was helped to his feet as Father Audley gave
the dead men the last rites and Hugh and Godwin went in search of the chieftain’s
horses.
The bodies of Holt and Irwin were draped across
their horses and then Godwin led them into the deep wood and the bodies were
never seen again.
With the resistance to the new faith gone the following
year work began on a new Church adjacent to the great hall.
There were mutterings from those close to Holt
about what had become of him and his kinsman but they were silenced when rumours
spread that the one true God must have smite them down.
The Chapel fell into disuse after the new Church was
built though Olwen would visit it from time to time but no one went there after
she and Ryce had died.
And ten years into her son Hugh’s reign a war began
with West Sexena and Hugh had to abandon the Great Hall and the Church which
were then destroyed.
By the time West Sexena were defeated and driven
out 20 years later by Olwen’s grandson Edric all memory of her Chapel had faded
and was all but forgotten until early in Queen Victoria’s reign.
You are the oasis in my desert
You are the sun in my sky
You are the cherry on my cake
You are the cream on my pie
You make us into we
Instead of you and I
