Don't know what to say about this one, except I enjoy writing about the muse. Again, no points for spotting previous stories, but feel free to be smug.
So, there I was at the beach. Why was I there? Well, it was a combination of things. A girl I had thought I was getting along with had dumped me, and I had nowhere to go to take photographs. All that said, I needed a break from work too. A five day break on the coast was what I decided on to cheer me up. Unfortunately on this second day there was too much sand blowing about for me to risk getting any into my camera so I was sat at a beachfront café, watching life go by in front of me. That was when I saw her. She was minding her own business strolling along the seafront. An unashamed brunette in a red bikini that left just enough to the imagination. Surely it was worth getting my camera out for her? I decided it was and quickly took a few pictures before she got close enough to notice, or so I thought. I was putting the camera away so I didn’t notice her coming up to me until she was really close.
“Were you photographing me just then?” She asked. I went red and nodded numbly.
“Yes, yes I was. I hope you don’t mind.”
“No, not really. But I’d rather you asked first.”
“I’m deeply sorry. I’ll delete them if you want?” I said reaching for the camera again.
“Maybe, let me see them first.” Silently I turned it on and passed it over. She spent a good few minutes looking at the view screen before returning it to me. “No, its okay, you can keep them, as long as you get me a drink.”
“Coffee?” I asked, standing to go and fetch it and tripping over the chair.
“Milk, no sugar.” She laughed. “I did mean this evening though.”
“Oh.” I gathered myself back together. “We can do that too if you like? I’ll get the coffee.” She smiled and nodded. I hurried into the cool interior of the café and emerged moments later with two cups. We sipped the drinks. “I’m Dave by the way.” I said, extending my hand across the table. She took it and shook.
“Jane.”
“Nice name.” I sipped at my coffee again. There was a slightly puzzled look on her face. “What’s the matter? Am I spilling it somewhere?”
“No.” She smiled, lighting up her brown eyes. “It’s just that when I tell a guy my name he usually comes out…”
“…With some lame line about Tarzan?” I asked. “It crossed my mind for a nano-second, but the setting wasn’t right.” Jane raised an eyebrow. “No trees.” I explained.
Stuck again. Sarah is busy, the problem with her being a human muse, she’s not on call for me all the time. I wonder if I can get Anerbert to help me? There is a shimmer and I hear her voice. “This is very naughty of you. Sarah is supposed to be your muse now.”
“Sorry Annie, but I need to get inside my mind, and she can’t do that anymore.”
“Neither can I.” She says. I sigh. “I’ll have a word upstairs and see what can be done.”
“Thanks Annie.” Just have to struggle on I suppose.
Jane and I drank our coffee. She asked about my photography. I told her it’s just a hobby, but I do sometimes get pictures I’m proud of. “Like those?” She asked, pointing at the camera.
“Good subject, but a little shaky.” I said. “Could do better.”
She laughed. “Is that some sneaky way of asking me out?”
“You know, it could be.” I smiled. “About this drink tonight, shall I meet you here? Or pick you up from somewhere else?”
“And that sounds suspiciously like you fishing for where I’m staying.” She laughed. I joined in.
“I’m that obvious am I?”
There is the sound of Hundreds and Thousands on a cymbal and a quiet ‘Zing!’ Sarakuk appears next to me. “Hi Dave, I’m back!”
“Sara!! I’m really glad to see to back to your old self.”
“Really?”
“Yes. The human you was nice, but not the same.” I kissed her on the cheek. “How come you’re back though?”
“Apparently Anerbert has been keeping an eye on us and put in a good report about my progress. They reinstated my powers, but I’m only allowed to be your muse.”
“Do you mind that?”
“No. You were always my favourite. What can I do for you?”
“I’m stuck. I need you to take me into my mind.”
“Let’s go then.”
We appeared in the café. At least, Sara did. I appeared into my character.
“Sara?”
“I thought it might help you to become the person you’re writing about.”
“Reasonable idea.” I said considering it. I looked about. No-one was moving. It was like a picture, a 3-d picture. “Why is nothing happening Sara?”
“Well, you’re stuck aren’t you? There is no action to move forward.” I nodded. “Why are you trying to write a summer story in the middle of winter anyway?”
“It seemed like a good idea at the time.” I stood and paced around, my mind beginning to have a few notions about what could happen next.
“She’s not wearing much, is she?”
“Who?” I replied distractedly.
“This ‘Jane’ person. Is it for reasons of comfort, or are we straying into your murky side?”
“It’s just what girls wear at the beach.” I shrugged.
“Maybe I should try it.” Before I could reply, Sara had waved her hand over her body and was suddenly wearing a similar bikini to Jane, but in pink. I stared at her. Before she had always seemed to be some little-girl-lost, but in a bikini it was obvious that was just the image she projected. “Dave? You’re staring. Why?”
“Sorry muse, it’s just that I’ve never seen you like this.”
“Should I change back?”
“No. It’s fine.”
“Any ideas yet? That you can use here I mean?” This time I went red. She knew me too well already.
“I think I can take it forward from here, a rough outline. Thanks Sara.”
“No problem.” She smiled sweetly. “Could we have a drink do you think?”
“Sure, no-ones going to miss it, this is the end of the scene anyway.”
I had met Jane at the Café and we had gone to a club just back from the seafront. After a couple of drinks and a dance we had both decided that it wasn’t a great place to talk so we had left and were walking along the promenade talking. Jane was walking on the top of the wall when she slipped. I just managed to grab her before she fell. “Thanks.” She said. “That could have been a nasty fall onto the concrete. You are my hero.” She smiled before kissing me softly on the cheek.
“Glad to help, but I’m no hero, I’m scared of everything.”
“Everything?”
“Well, nearly. Heights, enclosed spaces, talking to women. You name it, it probably worries me.”
“I don’t believe you. Heights and small spaces, those I can understand, but talking to women? You’re talking to me aren’t you?”
“It surprises me too, and it is taking some effort I assure you.” She laughed.
“Then that makes you more of a hero, doing something that scares you.”
“You’re teasing now.” I smiled. “But thank you for your kind words and understanding.”
“Well, you’re worth it I think. It makes a nice change for me too, not having to fend off crude suggestions.”
“I could try that if you like?”
“Idiot!” She kissed me again. “What about tomorrow morning for those photos?”
“Photos?”
“You know. ‘Could do better’ from this morning.”
“Oh, those photos. Okay, how about up on the cliffs at about ten.”
“The cliffs? I thought you didn’t like heights?”
“I didn’t say anything about going near the edge, but the sky and the gorse should make a nice background.”
“Should I wear something slinky?” She breathed mischievously. I blinked in surprise. “Only kidding Dave.”
“No, it’s all right. Wear what you’d like to be photographed in. I’m not promising professional standards though.”
“Then I’ll see you at the café at ten.” She giggled and then span around on one foot before starting to walk towards the town. I stood and watched her, wondering whether she was kidding or not. Just before she disappeared into the labyrinth of B and B’s she turned and blew me a kiss. Then with a wave she was gone.
I turned away from the screen as Sara appeared with a quiet ZING! She was still in the pink bikini.
“You don’t have to wear that all the time you know muse.”
“It helps me think like the character.” I sighed, whatever worked for her I suppose. “I’ve been looking at some of your stuff that I haven’t seen before. You know, the things I wasn’t muse for previously.”
“And?”
“Are you ever going to write more about the ghost train?”
“Don’t know. I might if I, or you, can think of a worthwhile addition.”
“I’ll work on it.” She came around in front of me and sat on my lap. “I was looking through your long story too.”
“I finished that. Well sort of. I started a sequel.”
“I know. The second one is a bit broken up isn’t it? A lot of it doesn’t follow on.”
“I just wrote some bits that occurred to me, I was intending to link them in later.”
“I must say I like the ‘House’ chapter and the ’Palace’ one from the finished part, but some of it seems a bit violent.”
“War is hell.” I shrugged. “By the way, you are not to read ‘The Dark Files’ in that case. There are some things even my muse mustn’t know about me.”
“Spoilsport.” She stuck her tongue out. “Anyway, how are we doing with this one?”
“Last stretch I think Sara, but feel free to chip in with any ideas.”
“How about this?”
The sun was shining and the wind had died down next morning. I had taken quite a few pictures of Jane, who was looking beautiful in a tied shirt and wrap-around skirt over another bikini. We were just chatting about nothing in particular, except I had got her to exchange mobile numbers and tell me where she was staying. We were sat on a bench well back from the crumbling edge of the cliff. The edge was guarded by a decrepit wire and wood fence full of gaps. Two children were playing with a Frisbee behind us. Suddenly the toy flew over our heads and clipped the fence, landing on the other side.
“You get it.” The girl cried out.
“No way. You threw it, you get it. Or are you scared?” The boy taunted. Jane and I just looked at each other and smirked, both remembering childhood teasing.
“Okay. I’ll get it, if you’re scared.” The girl stomped past us, slipped through the fence and cautiously approached the Frisbee. I stood up and began to walk towards her, telling Jane I’d get it for them as it wasn’t really safe. I got to the fence just as the little girl slipped. She slid down towards the edge of the cliff. I vaulted the fence and dived after her, catching her wrist just as her feet dangled over the brink. Unfortunately I was still travelling forwards. I dug my feet in and managed to stop just before the edge. The girl was dangling with most of her body over the cliff. I looked into her terrified face and tried to calm her down.
“I’ve got you. Just hold on, help will be here soon.” She kept looking behind her, something I was avoiding doing. It was a long way down. “Just look at me. Concentrate on me. What’s your name?”
“Ellen.” She replied nervously, but doing as I told her.
“Well Ellen, the others will help us, so just hold on to me as hard as you can. Don’t worry about hurting me, just hold tight, okay?” She nodded.
“DAVE! Dave, what can I do to help?” Jane called out.
“Just get some help.”
“The little boy is doing that. I sent him down the hill to find someone, and he’s got my phone. Can you hold on?”
“I’ll hold on as long as I have too.” I said this to reassure both Ellen and Jane, although I wasn’t too sure myself. Already my arms were feeling a bit numb. I heard Jane pulling the fence aside and carefully making her way towards us. “What are you up to Jane?”
“I think I can help, don’t worry.” I felt her tie something around my ankle and then tension as she anchored it to something, probably the fence post. “If you can pull her up, I should be able to get her.”
“Her names Ellen and I don’t think I can pull up, I can’t get any grip on the ground.” I had an idea. “Ellen, Can you inch your hands up my arms, one at a time, just a bit at a time?” She still looked scared but nodded her head. Millimetre by millimetre she and I pulled her up until only her legs were below the cliff edge and I could get an arm around her. Jane had crawled down level with my stomach. She reached down.
“Ellen is it? Can you reach my hand now?” The little girl reached past me. “Okay Dave, I‘ve got her. When I pull, let her go. Are you ready Ellen?” She nodded. “NOW!” Suddenly she was past me and I could hear Jane soothing her as she began to cry. I relaxed, taking in great lungfuls of air. Now I had to get up the slope myself. I pushed backwards until my feet hit the fence. I crawled around and through it, then lay panting on my back. People started to appear from down the hill. Jane was still comforting Ellen. I could see now that she had used her shirt to secure me to the fence, but it had become ruined in the process. A crying woman took Ellen from Jane and they both came over to where I was lying.
“Thanks Sara. That was a great idea.”
“Well, you suggested it earlier in the story, and they’re all your words.” The muse shrugged. “But you still haven’t finished it.”
“I know. One last scene I think.”
“A happy ending?” She asked hopefully.
“Maybe an open ending. We’ll see shall we?”
It was evening now. Jane and I were sat on the rocks, watching the waves roll into the shoreline.
“You still don’t think you’re a hero?” She asked me.
“Nope. I just did what had to be done. It was you who pulled her clear anyway.”
“I could only do that because you held onto her.” She put her arm around me. “Anyway, there are three of us who think you’re a hero now. Looking down over the cliff edge must have been scary for you.”
“I’ve had nicer feelings, like this one.” I said, kissing her. “Three?” I asked slightly puzzled.
“Me, Ellen and her mom. Probably more if that reporter has anything to do with it.”
“That was so embarrassing.”
“Don’t be so modest.”
“Its not modesty, its genuine fear.”
“Dave, shut up! Just be admired for a while.”
“I’ll try.” We both fell silent for a while. “Now I’m worried.”
“About what now?”
“Us. Will be able to see each other again? I mean…” She shushed me.
“You don’t think I want to lose my own hero do you? Just kiss me again.” I did. The waves rolled in still, but no-one was watching anymore.
“Oh! That’s sweet.” Sara said. “But it’s not exactly a resolution is it?”
“Maybe I want to write a sequel in the future?”
“I hope so. I like them.”
“Me too. Have you got time to visit somewhere with me?”
“You know you’re my only client Dave, where do you want to go?” I tapped the screen which was showing one of my poems.
Sarakuk and I just stood and watched the Spitfire display. It was as beautiful as I remembered it. The sights, sounds and smells assaulting my senses. Sara was transfixed too.
“She is so…So stunning. So this is a love poem too?”
“Yes, yes it is.” I kissed my muse gently. “Thank you for your help, and thank you for bringing us back here so I can enjoy it again.”
“It’s all right. I might be abusing my powers a bit to do it, but I’m glad to help.”
“It’s what you do best Sara.” I kissed her again.
