The Muse Trilogy

The three stories about the muse all together


Muse

I was stuck. Writers block. Nothing was occurring to me, no theme, no idea, nothing. Even a succession of large drinks couldn’t loosen the synapses enough to let something out. I just sat and stared at the screen of the monitor, hoping that something would come. Another drink was too much and I slumped unconscious before the computer. It was dark when I awoke. The computer had gone into sleep mode, but the radio was still playing gently in the background. I heard another sound, the sound of someone breathing quietly. I raised my head painfully and looked around the room. There was no-one to see, but I could still hear the noise. “Hello?” I called out softly. “Who’s there?” There was no answer. As I turned around further I nudged the mouse and the computer woke up noisily, the few lines I had written appearing to mock me. “Why the hell can’t I think of anything?” I swore at the taunting screen.
“That’s why I’m here, maybe I can help you?” A sweet voice came out of the ether.
“Who… Who said that?”
“That was me, your muse.”
“Why can’t I see you?” There was a sigh.
“How come no-one will accept me unless they can see me? All right here I am.” There was a sound like Hundreds-and-Thousands rolling around a cymbal, a dull glow and then silence again, except for the radio still playing. Beside me was a young-looking, alabaster-skinned redhead wearing a simple floral dress. Her fingers were interlaced in front of her.
“Where did you come from?” Another sigh.
“I just appeared here dummy, weren’t you watching? No wonder you can’t write anything.”
“Sorry.” I mumbled, too astonished to say anything else. “Wasn’t very spectacular was it?” She snorted and crossed her arms. “To return to my original question then, who are you?”
“My name is Sarakuk, I’m your muse. A muse of computer short stories.”
“Seems pretty specific.”
“Modern times need modern solutions. And I’ll be more help than that help icon, I promise.” By now I was convinced I was still asleep, that this was some alcohol-induced lateral thinking. “It’s nothing of the sort!” The girl said. “Sheesh! I come here to help and all I get is doubts.”
“How did you know what I was thinking?” I asked.
“I’m your muse. I wouldn’t be much help unless I could see into your mind would I?”
“Is there anything in there that could help me at the moment?”
“No. It’s all pretty disgusting. And you can stop thinking that too!” I went red.
“Sorry muse, but you are kinda cute.”
“Really?”
“Really cute, muse.”
“I suppose I should be used to it by now.”
“You get called on a lot then?”
“Not really. Most of you give up quickly, but you’re a special case. You usually manage to finish what you start.” She held out her hand. “Truce?” I shook it.
“Truce.”
“And can you call me Sara?”
“Sure Sara. What do we do now?”
“How about we decide what this story is about for starters?”
“Errrr…”
“I see. You have no idea. Well, you don’t repeat stories, so we can eliminate what it isn’t can’t we?”
“I suppose.”
“Come on; work with me a little here.”
“Well, it’s supposed to be a romance.”
“That’s a relief.” She rolled her emerald eyes.
“Maybe some fantasy subject?”
“Dream fulfilment?”
“All my stories are some sort of dream fulfilment.”
“They are aren’t they?” Sara stood with her hand resting on her chin. “How about this?” There was another dull glow and a strained tinkling sound.
Suddenly Sara and I were sat on a bus, a late night bus, with two other people.
“Sara, I hate to say this, but your effects need some work.”
“Picky, picky.”
“Anyway where are we?”
“This is a scene you wrote a long time ago, but never finished.” It came to me in a flash. I had written something like this, but couldn’t think where to take it.
“I remember.” I paused. “But I used the loss of memory idea in one story, and the bus became a train in one and a plane in another.” Sara looked ahead for a moment.
“Yes, I see the connections now. Let me think a minute.” She went quiet. The two other passengers talked without noticing us. I took the time to look Sara over. She was really attractive in a cutesy way, almost childlike, but with a great…
“Hey! I told you before about that.”
“Sorry again.” I blushed. “I can’t help it; you have that effect on me.” The special effects came in again.
Now we were on the banks of a lake. “No Sara, not this. I can never finish this.”
“Sorry.” Sara looked downcast. “It seems so strong though.”
“It is, that’s why I’ll never finish it. It was trying to take some secret thoughts into a story, but it will never work. The thoughts, the feelings, are too private. Try something else.” The effects fizzed again. “Why are these effects so bad?” I asked.
“If you must know, it’s because I’m so low on the list. All the great muses have spectacular effects; I’m such a minor muse I have to take what I can get. Okay? Happy now you’ve humiliated me?”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel bad. I am new at this though.” She sighed.
“I’m not exactly a veteran either. We’ll have to learn together.” Another thought popped into my head. “I’m not going to keep telling you about that. If you’re not careful, I’ll go and find someone else.” She went really red this time. I wasn’t sure if she was angry or blushing.
We were in a totally bare landscape, like a blank piece of paper, but there were several songs playing in the background.
“What’s this?” I asked, trying to pick out the tunes.
“This is a concept you had. About writing a story with songs providing the chapters.” I remembered this as well. A good idea that needed the right songs and inspiration too. I told Sara this. “Can’t you think of anything that will go with it?” She asked.
“I keep looking at it, but I think I’m trying too hard with it. Maybe I need fewer songs. Help me muse.”
“I think we’d better leave it a while longer. What about this Saturday night thing?”
“Nope, not going there.”
“The daughter’s life?”
“Needs the right atmosphere. Anyway that’s not a romance, just a series of thoughts.”
“Then I’m stuck too.”
“Are you sure you can help me? All you’ve done so far is show me stuff I know I’m having problems with. Haven’t you got anything new?”
“Look, it’s not that easy for me either. I told you, I’m new at this.”
“How do you become a muse anyway?”
“I’m not sure.” She mumbled. “All I know is that there was a need for me and I became me.”
“Don’t you get any training or anything?”
“No. It’s supposed to just happen. That’s what the others do.” Sara looked really ashamed now. “I’m not really helping am I?” I put my arm around her and gave her a hug.
“I’m sure you’re doing your best.” There was a ZING! And suddenly we were alone on a cliff looking at a sunset over the sea. “Hey! That was a much better effect, how did you do it?”
“No idea, maybe it was you.”
“I doubt that.” I looked around, this setting seemed familiar too. “This is one of my poems isn’t it?”
“Is it? I told you, I didn’t bring us here.” She suddenly looked annoyed. “I bet that Anerbert did this. Sticking her nose into my business.”
“Who?” I asked.
“Anerbert. She’s another muse. Supposed to do computer poetry.”
“Never seen her. Mind you, my poems, although rare nowadays, always just flow.”
“She’s trying to push in, to make me look bad.”
“Just forget her for a while. Let’s enjoy the moment. Just sit with me and watch the sun go down.” I put my arm around her shoulder and took her hand. She tensed, presumably expecting some dark thoughts from me, but when none came, she relaxed. We were sat in a figment of my imagination, in a non-existent place, watching a very beautiful sunset over a sea crashing onto nowhere. It was sublime. I kissed Sara below the ear.
“What did you do that for?” She exclaimed, jumping up.
“It just seemed to be the right thing to do at that moment.” I shrugged. “I didn’t mean anything else by it, nothing to do with my dark side, honestly.” Sara stared at me. I could feel her reading my thoughts. For once they were pure and sincere. Mollified, she sat back down and put my arm over her shoulder once more.
“Sorry, I wasn’t expecting nice after seeing your deepest desires.” I kissed her again.
“It must be you, bringing out the nice in me. Let’s just watch the sun going down for now.” We sat for ages, watching nature’s paint box covering its majestic canvas. Finally Sara spoke again, after the sun had finally dipped below the horizon.
“I’ve had a couple of other ideas.”
“Okay, show me.” There was another ZING! And we were in a restaurant.
“Better effect muse.”
“I think I know how to do it now.” She smiled. It lit up her face. “Now, I know this is one of your completed stories, but you wrote three sequels. How about another?” I considered her suggestion, at the same time casting my eye over two of my favourite creations, eating dinner at an adjacent table.
“I often think of adding to their story, adding in some of the blanks maybe, but…” I paused. “But I always dismiss the thought. I’ve always hated writers who reach the end of something and then go back and alter things by doing just that. Sorry.” Sara didn’t look put out by this rejection.
“I know that, but I would be remiss in my duties if I didn’t suggest it.” She looked at me. “Almost all your other stories seem to have some definite ending. So, no sequels there.” Another pause. “That sci-fi one you finished recently might have some possibilities in that direction though.” She looked at me expectantly. I sat back and considered it.
“I agree, it does have options.”
“There’s a ‘but’ coming isn’t there?”
“But I’d rather wait a while before adding to it.” I smiled. “Keep going, you’re getting close now.”
“Well, I have one last suggestion.” Sara said rather shyly. “You said you wanted to write some sort of fantasy story.”
“Yesss…”
“How about..?” She looked away.
“What?”
“How-about-a-story-about-meeting-your-muse-and-falling-in-love?” The words came out in a rush, as if she was embarrassed to say them. I sat still, stunned. I turned the new idea over in my head and decided it would work.
“Brilliant Sarakuk! Just brilliant. It could work so well, as long as I can think of an ending. Thank you so much.” I leant forward and kissed her. She just sat and beamed at me, slightly perplexed.
And then Sara and the restaurant faded away and I was sat before my computer screen once again. I began to type quickly, before I lost the gist of the thing. I could edit things in later as they came to me. Fairly soon I had the rough outline of the story, but there was one thing still missing; an ending. I suddenly realised I’d left Sara too quickly, that there were some things I’d wanted to say to her, to ask her. And I wanted her to be here, with me when I found an ending.
I worked on the story for a week. Teased it out, added bits, tweaked others, but still I couldn’t think of a way to end it. I needed inspiration from my muse. There was nothing for it; I was going to have to have a drink. I sat listlessly in front of the monitor, wondering how I’d managed to call her up before. There was a familiar ZING! I looked up. “You’re getting good at that Sarakuk.” But it wasn’t her, it was another girl.
“Sorry, but Sarakuk has been re-assigned, I’m covering for her. I’m Anerbert.” She was another pretty girl, but she wasn’t the muse I wanted to see. Then I recognised her name.
“Aren’t you the one who was trying to steal her thunder?”
“That’s what she thought.” Anerbert sighed. “But I was only trying to help her out. She is such a ditzy thing, no concentration.” She looked at me. “I was going to ask if I could help, but I can see that I can’t.”
“Sara has been re-assigned? To what?”
“The call centre. You’re going to ask why aren’t you?”
“Well, it did cross my mind.”
“The management weren’t too happy with her field work.”
“So it’s my fault?”
“Not directly, but…”
“Then I need to speak to this management.” I interrupted. “I need Sara.” Anerbert studied my face, as if considering something.
“All right, I’ll see what I can do. I want to help her too.” She seemed to go into a trance for a moment, presumably to ask permission. Then she spoke in a different voice. “Your appeal has been granted. Take Anerbert’s hand and we will speak with you.” I was a little overwhelmed by this sudden turn of events, but complied.
As I took Anerbert’s hand I had the feeling of movement and then we were in a featureless office. Everything was a pure white or glossy black apart from odd features. A potted plant, a calendar, peoples faces etc.
“Wait here a moment.” Anerbert said in her own voice. “I’ll check that they’re ready to see you.” She knocked on a door to an inner office.
“Bring him in Anerbert.” A mighty voice boomed. A little apprehensively I followed her into the office. It was huge! Away in the distance I could see people working at desks, but my attention was grabbed by the podium in the centre of the office. On it was a gigantic desk, piled high with papers. Behind it was a wizened old man. He beckoned me forward. Now almost terrified I stepped up to the podium, Anerbert beside me. “Why are you questioning my decision boy?” The voice boomed once more.
“Excuse me sir, but I’m not questioning your authority. I merely wish Sarakuk to remain my personal muse.”
“Why? Every time she suggested something, you shot it down. She is obviously inefficient.”
“Pardon me sir, but she and I were both new to this, we were learning together, and in the end, she did provide me with a superb idea. But I need her influence to finish it.”
“What do you say to this, Anerbert?”
“Sir, I will always do as you instruct, but if you are asking for my personal opinion, I think Sarakuk and this man are a perfect match. She may not concentrate like the rest of us, but the two of them seem to work well together.”
“Hmmm. You leave me with a dilemma. I do not wish to seem heedless to your needs, young man, but I have to be seen to be in charge here.”
“Could we not find some compromise sir? I don’t believe Sara should be taken from a job she obviously loves.”
“Possibly. Let me cogitate for a moment.” As he thought, I stepped beside Anerbert and whispered to her.
“Thank you for that. Do you think it will help?”
“I’m not sure, to the best of my knowledge no decision has ever been overturned, but no-one has ever offered a compromise before either, so keep your finger crossed.”
“Sara was wrong about you Annie.” I smiled at her. “You are a good friend.”
“I try to be.” She looked down, blushing. “I wish you’d had problems with your poems so I could have met you first.”
“Sorry Annie.”
The management cleared his throat. “If you two have finished?” We both shuffled our feet. “You sir, must ask Sarakuk if she would be prepared to become human. That is the only way I can be seen to be in control of my muses. She will become an unofficial muse, a human muse. Would that satisfy you?”
“I must admit that isn’t exactly what I had in mind sir. But if it means Sara is still a muse, then I will accept it in the spirit of compromise, even if it means I will not see her again.”
“Well said young man. However, you must still put it to her yourself. Do you understand?”
“Yes I do sir. Will I be allowed to say goodbye to her?”
“If you so desire. Anerbert, please conduct our guest to the call centre rest room where I believe Sarakuk is currently off-duty.”
“You… you are sure you want me to go sir?”
“Indulge me Anerbert.” She nodded and led me away.
Sara was on her own in the rest room. Annie led me in; Sara wasn’t pleased to see her. “You cow! Not content with having me re-assigned, you steal my favourite subject.” She leapt up and was about to strike Annie until I stepped between them.
“Stop it Sara. She’s been trying to help me help you.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Read my mind then, you can still do that can’t you?” Sara stopped and then slumped back down onto her seat. “She’s always just being helpful to you, you just misunderstood.” Annie gave a wan smile.
“It’s true. I’ve always felt sorry for you. You try so hard, but mess it up somehow. Please listen to what he has to say. It took a lot for him to get this deal for you.”
“You’ve made a deal to help me?” I nodded.
“I’ve tried. They won’t re-assign you, but…” I stopped. I wasn’t sure how to put this to Sara, who had become so important to me in such a short time. “If you agree, they will make you an unofficial human muse.”
“For you?”
“He didn’t say. But you will still be a muse, and I know how much you loved that.” I stopped again. “It was the best I could do Sara. If you don’t accept, I’ll understand, but I’ll give up writing.”
“You would do that?”
“If I had no chance of seeing you again, yes. Sorry Annie, you understand.” The other muse nodded. Sarakuk was silent for a long moment.
“If you’re prepared to give up so much for me, it would be churlish to refuse. So, I accept the terms.” There were tears in both her and Annie’s eyes. I could feel my eyes watering too.
“Then all I can say now is thank you, muse, and goodbye.” I leant down and kissed her.
I awoke in front of the monitor once again. I had an ending now, one I didn’t particularly like, but an ending nonetheless. I started to type once more. It was difficult because I had tears in my eyes still. The doorbell rang. Wiping my eyes, I went to answer it.
“Hello! I’ve just moved in next door, but my water hasn’t been connected yet, I was hoping you could fill my kettle so I could give the removal guys some tea.” I stood open mouthed. It was Sara!
“Sure.” I managed to say. “Come in and fill up.” She followed me into the kitchen. As she filled the kettle she turned partially round. “I’m Sarah, by the way. Sarah Cooke.”
“Of course you are. Pleased to meet you.” There was no ZING! But I felt the presence of Anerbert whispering to me.
“Best I could do.” I murmured my thanks.
“What was that?” Sarah asked.
“Oh nothing.” I replied. “Are you interested in stories by any chance..?”



Return of the Muse

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.


More from The Muse
ZING!
“Hello Muse. You haven’t appeared for a while.”
“Hi Dave, well you haven’t needed direct assistance for a while, although I have nudged you a little from time to time.”
“Yes” I smiled. “I have felt you trying to get in on a least one story.”
“Sorry about that.” She looked a little shamefaced. “It’s a good job you resisted. It became a wonderful trilogy.” She perked up. “So, how can I help you this time? Its obvious you’re having difficulties with something or I wouldn’t be here.”
“Well, I’ve got two stories started that I’m a bit stuck with, but I wanted to write some more about Jane and Dave, you remember them? And as you seem to have some affinity with Jane I thought you could help.”
“Should I put the bikini on?” She grinned. I paused before answering.
“Well, if it helps you Sara, but I have to say it is a bit distracting when you wear it. You look so pretty in it.” She blushed and laughed at the same time.
“All right. No distractions, and thank you for the compliment.” This time I blushed. “Come on then, fill me in on the basics.”
“I was thinking of doing a ‘two-hander’ about the different ways they’re handling being attracted but apart.”
“Sounds interesting. You start with him and I’ll come up with something for her.”

Dave was on a train. He and Jane had arranged to meet in Bristol this weekend for the wedding of some mutual friends. He could have driven, but that would have given him an easy escape if things went wrong. Besides, the train journey gave him time to think and plan. There were so many things he wanted to say, to tell her, but he didn’t know how. You couldn’t just drop these things into the conversation could you? ‘Would you like a coffee, and by the way, I think I love you.’ It felt like a phoney way to do it, and one thing he was determined never to be with Jane was phoney.
It had been eight months since they had first met, and since then they had managed to meet only four times. They kept in touch by phone and e-mail, but it wasn’t the same. Their last meeting had been two months ago at Christmas. That had been a wonderful time, marred only by his constant worrying that she was much too good for him. She was so pretty she could surely attract someone much better, and closer to home too. If only he could find the courage to tell her his feelings and share his worries. He made a decision. This weekend would be make or break, for Jane’s sake and the sake of his sanity. He would make himself say something and hope it was the right thing.

“Wow!” Said Sara. “You’ve filled him with all your own anxieties.” She smiled at me. “Even if he had a different name he’d be you.” I reddened again.
“Thank you.” I said sarcastically. “I prefer to think of him as me ramped up by five.”
“Whatever you say Dave.” She said, with a hint of disbelief. “Okay, my turn with Jane now. Ready to write?”
“Want to write it yourself?” I asked.
“Can I? That would be something different.” I moved away from the keyboard and let Sara sit down.
“Take it away Muse.”

Jane was on a train too, for pretty much the same reasons. She was thinking about their Christmas meeting. It had been great to meet up again, but it was obvious to her that Dave had something on his mind. She had thought about it a lot since and was hoping that he hadn’t found another girl closer to home. She didn’t want to lose her modest gentle hero. Another possibility was that perhaps he thought their long-distance relationship wasn’t working. She had tried to do something about this by seeking employment closer to where he was, but nothing had come of it so far. Maybe she should tell him of her feelings? But he kept so much to himself she wasn’t sure if that was the right thing to do, force it like that. No! She thought, this time something has to be said. They couldn’t just let it drift like this any longer, even if it meant she lost him. Hopefully though it wouldn’t come to that. Another thought struck her. Maybe nothing was wrong with Dave and she was projecting her own insecurities onto him? Whatever it was, they needed to talk. If it was all in her own mind Dave would understand and not think any the worse of her, kind and gentle man that he was. She wondered if a wedding was the right place to be thinking like this but realised that it was bound to make her think of her own relationship with Dave.

“Thank you Sara. That’s just the confused mood I wanted to catch. The job reference was a nice touch too.”
“I’m not sure it’s that good.” She replied dubiously. “I wasn’t certain exactly what you wanted.”
“No, it’s just the right tone. They’re two worried individuals, uncertain about how the other feels.”
“A case of art imitating life.” Sara murmured.
“What do you mean by that?” I asked her.
“Nothing. Nothing at all.” She replied quickly. “Come on, it’s your turn. How am I going to know where to go until I see what you write?”
“I thought you could see into my mind?”
“Well I can. But there’s so much going on in there at the moment I don’t know what relates to what.”
“Sorry.” I sighed. “Sometimes I have ideas with no story in mind. They sort of float about in my subconscious until they attach themselves to something.”
“Huh!” Sara sounded unconvinced as if she thought I was covering something up. “Anyway, I’ve been thinking too. I’m not sure I should actually be writing stuff for you. You’re supposed to be the writer, not me. I think I should go and see Anerbert and check.”
“Surely it’s the same as you telling me what to write?”
“I don’t ‘tell’. I suggest.”
“Same thing.”
“No it isn’t, and you know it. You always put your own spin on my suggestions.” Sara crossed her arms and puffed out her cheeks. It made her look childlike again, harking back to our first meeting. “So I’m going to check with Annie that I’m merely bending the rules and not actually breaking them. I won’t be long; get writing.” With a muffled Zing! She was gone. I shrugged to myself. She was cute when she tried to talk tough. I looked down at the keyboard and began to type.

The train pulled into the station only a little late. Dave hated to be late, so he got off as quickly as he could. He was to meet Jane outside the S.S. Great Britain. Not knowing exactly how to get there he decided to take a taxi. Jane was nowhere to be seen yet. He sighed with relief and sat down to wait for her. He hoped she wouldn’t be too long. He didn’t mind the wait, but he so wanted to see her pretty smile again. And when he was with her she made him feel so important although he knew he wasn’t. It always made the short time they spent together more precious. If he was going to lose her he would miss that feeling. Jane thought of him in a rose-tinted way, believing him to be something he felt he wasn’t. He wasn’t brave, his temper could be a lot worse than she knew, and he could be stubborn, moody and argumentative. I better tell her all this, he thought. She deserves the full picture of my faults.

“Oh Annie! I don’t know what to do!” Sara cried.
“I really don’t think it matters that much: it is only bending the rules a little, not actually breaking them. Not like taking him into a poem that you both know is finished.” Sara looked guilty.
“You know about that? Does anybody else?”
“Don’t worry, only I know. I am the muse for computer poetry after all.” Anerbert smiled at the worried Sara. “And I’m not telling, I promise.”
“Thank you. In any case, that’s not what I meant. I meant he thought that I was making up the stuff for Jane, but I was using my feelings for him.”
“Really?” Annie was surprised. Sarakuk had never mentioned her feelings before.
“Yes.” The reply was emphatic.
“You think that you might be…” She couldn’t think of any other way to put it. “…in love?”
“Oh I don’t know.” Sara wailed. “I could be utterly wrong. All I know is that when I’m with him I feel complete. Help me Annie, what should I do? Should I quit?”
“I think you should find out he feels before you do anything that drastic.”
“I’ve just remembered something. He said earlier I looked pretty in a bikini. And distracting.”
“Distracting eh? That sounds promising.” Annie hummed.
“Will you come back with me? As a friend not as a muse.”
“As a chaperone perhaps?” Anerbert smiled. Sara blushed.
“Sort of, I suppose.” She looked so crestfallen and worried that Annie gave in.
“All right, I’ll come. But I’ll stay invisible and quiet so he won’t know I’m there. Come on.”

I sat and read through what we had put down so far. Sara’s piece seemed so much better than mine, more emotional for one thing. I sighed. Perhaps she had a point. And if she was breaking rules by helping me in this way maybe I’d better write it all myself. I didn’t want her punished or taken away from me. I knew I’d miss her visits, infrequent though they were. Keeping her as my muse would be more than worth having this story not as good as it might be. With that thought I started to write the next section about Jane.

Jane’s train was arriving. She collected her bags and wandered out of the station, looking for a taxi to take her to the meeting place, some old ship that Dave obviously wanted a look at. She didn’t mind that, he was bound to get there first and have to wait, so he could probably take some pictures until she arrived. She felt in her coat pocket for the compact camera she’d bought, initially for the wedding they were supposed to be going to, but she could also get some pictures of him for a change.
She spotted him before she got out of the taxi. She had been right; he had got his camera out and was shooting pictures of the ship, what was it? The ‘Great Britain’? Jane paid off the cab and went to the bench where Dave’s bag was, sitting down and pulling out her own camera. She got in a couple of shots before he turned around and saw her. He smiled and came and sat next to her. “Been waiting long?” She asked.
“Not really, but I couldn’t resist taking a few pictures.”
“So I saw. I got one or two as well.”
“Of the ship?” He looked puzzled.
“No, of you, you muppet.” She laughed, kissing him on the cheek. He could be so dense sometimes. “Come on, we’ve a hotel to book in to, then we can catch up properly.” A momentary look of worry hurried across his face. She wondered why but said nothing. It did set her thinking though; maybe her own worries were not so far-fetched. They picked up their bags and went to the taxi rank.

There was a different sort of ‘ZING!’ with an echo to it. Sarakuk was beside me and looking at the screen. “You carried on without me.” She said with an accusing tone.
“Well, I was thinking that you were right, and I shouldn’t get you to write stuff directly for me if it’s going to get you into trouble. I couldn’t bear that.”
“Oh!” She seemed surprised.
“You’re my muse; I don’t want to lose you.”
“Your muse. That’s all is it?”
“Can it be anything else?” I was bemused. Sara seemed put out by my attitude, but I couldn’t think why. She was my muse and I was very fond of her, but she wasn’t real was she? The only relationship we could have was writer and muse as far as I could tell.
“Apparently not! Finish this yourself; I’m going to find someone else to help.” With that she was gone. I sighed and turned back to the screen. ‘Perhaps I can put this in.’ I thought. ‘It seems to fit.’

“We have reservations.” Dave said to the receptionist. “Two single rooms for one night.”
“Ah, I can see the mistake. We have it down as one double room for two nights.”
“Well change it.” He was annoyed now. Jane had not seen him so wound up before.
“I’m sorry. All our single rooms are taken for the night sir. The double is the only one available.” Jane tugged Dave out of the way.
“We’ll take it.” She said.
“We will?” Dave was surprised.
“Yes.” Jane took the key and led him to the stairs, remembering his fear of small spaces.
Once they were in the room Jane sat the still agitated Dave down and poured him a drink. “Now calm down. It’s a silly mistake, not the end of the world.” He took the alcohol and knocked it back. “Good. Now what is on your mind? You’ve looked worried since we met up by the ship.”
“Well…” He started to tell her but stopped, unsure how to say what he wanted to despite all his planning on the train. “I don’t know how to say it.” He looked down and then up at Jane. To his utter shock she was crying.
“I knew it.” She wept. “You’ve found someone else haven’t you? All the distance apart beat me.” Dave was completely thrown by this sudden turn.
“Jane, darling dearest Jane. You’re so wrong.” He pulled her to him and kissed her full on the lips. “See?”
“Then what can’t you say?” She said, tears still running down her face.
“I can’t …” He shrugged and then sighed. “I don’t know how to tell you I love you.”
“That sounded like a good attempt.” She grinned, her tears drying. He looked surprised.
“It came out easier than I thought.” He smiled. “Now how are we going to resolve this accommodation issue?”
“I think we can come up with something.”

“You can’t say it but you can write it.” A voice from nowhere came. It wasn’t Sara though. “It’s me, Anerbert.” She appeared beside me.
“How long have you been here? And what do you mean?”
“I arrived with Sara. And what I meant, you thick-headed numbskull, is that you can write down that you love her, but you can’t tell her.”
“Who are we talking about here? Jane?”
“SARA you idiot.” Anerbert shook her head. “I’m the poetry muse, but I can tell it’s obvious you’re Dave and Sara is Jane. She picked up on it as soon as she read the first paragraph, that’s why she wrote that second paragraph from her heart. Then you try to help her out and instead tread all over her affections.” I paled.
“I did? I didn’t mean too. I just didn’t want to lose her as my muse.”
“No, that’s just your rationalisation. You don’t want to lose her at all, and you know that.” I sat back and thought. Annie was right, I did love Sara. I always had. That was why I’d made a deal to keep her as my muse. And now it seemed like I’d messed it all up.
“Annie, what do I do?” I asked quietly.
“I honestly don’t know.” She calmed down. “As far as I know, no-one has fallen for their muse before. I really don’t know what might happen. What would be allowed to happen.” She sighed. “But I know who does. We have to go see HIM again.” I gulped.

Sara had run off to hide in the story where she had started as a muse. She noticed for the first time that the title was just ‘Muse’. She also read through the whole thing for once, instead of bits that she had helped with. She was a bit surprised to find out about the visit to the management. It seemed that the feelings she had were not all one way, back here he was the one in love. How had it turned around? When had she started to love him more than he loved her? She felt a momentary tremor, wondering if this was all her fault and then gave in to the tears, curling up and crying to herself, feeling lost and unloved and totally alone.

Anerbert and I arrived in the outer office of the management. It was still as white and stark as before: Except for one desk, out on the edge of my sight. There were splashes of colour all over it, knick-knacks, little toys, strange mementos. Instinctively I knew that was Sara’s desk. I began to move quickly toward it.
“Hey! Where are you going?” Annie called out, running after me.
“This is her desk isn’t it? Maybe she left a clue as to where she went.” I began to search the desk, ignoring the stares of other muses. “Help me Annie; I have to find her before she does something as stupid as me.” She put her hand on my arm.
“I said I didn’t know where she went to, but if you concentrate, I’m sure you will. You go and find her and I’ll see the boss and arrange a meeting. Now go!” I thought hard and suddenly knew where she would go.
“How do I do it?” I asked, before realising I was already on my way.

It was the restaurant where Eddie and Kitty were dining again. I had been right; Sarakuk was hiding as one of the other customers. She was sat way at the back, (like her office desk, I thought) watching my two favourite characters with a dark look in her eyes. Carefully, so as not to scare her, I made my way around behind her and then slipped into the spare seat at the table when she had her back turned.
“Hello Sara.” I said simply. Her head snapped back around, a venomous look in her green eyes, now reddened with tears.
“YOU!”
“Yes Muse, me. I want you to come back with me.”
“Why should I?” She pouted. She was reverting to the little girl lost I’d first met. The one I’d first started to fall for.
“Because we have to go and see the management.”
“They want to sack me again I suppose.”
“No, it’s me who wants to ask questions and I think you need to hear the answers.”
“I still don’t see why I should come with you.”
“Because there are things I need to tell you. We can’t just let it drift like this any longer.” I deliberately chose the wording she had used in her paragraph, hoping she caught my inference. She did, reaching across the table and putting her arms around my neck, hugging me closer than ever.
“All right, if it’s with you, I’m ready.” We stood and Sara took us back to the office.

Annie was waiting as we appeared outside the door to the inner office. She didn’t look worried, so I relaxed a little. Sara and Annie hugged. “I’m sorry for rushing off like that.” Sara said. “I was confused and upset and angry all at once.”
“It’s okay. I stayed a while and watched him for you. It turns out he does care more than you know.”
“Yes, I’m sorry Sara. I thought that it wasn’t allowed for me to fall for you. So I didn’t say anything, and stupidly didn’t notice your feelings until …. Well just now.” The three of us hugged now and didn’t notice the office door open.
“AHEM!” The manager’s voice boomed. We all jumped apart. “You requested an interview Anerbert.”
“Yes sir. For Sara and her writer. They have something to ask you.”
“Well, you better come in then.” He grumbled.
The office seemed smaller, a lot smaller. It now looked like a study for a professor. The old man noticed my interest. “I downsized it a bit since your last visit. Now, what can I do for you this time? Sarakuk not helping you enough?”
“Nothing like that sir.” I replied, not as scared of him this time around. “I need some information about the rules for your muses, what they are allowed to do.”
“Really? Sit down the three of you.” We complied. “I don’t know as there are that many rules, lots of guidelines of course. So if you are worried that Sarakuk did some actual writing for you or that you asked her to take you into a poem that was already finished, then don’t” All three of us gasped.
“How…How did you know sir?” Sara asked meekly. He leant forward.
“Because that’s my job Sarakuk, and it has been for millennia.” He winked at her.
“Actually sir, it’s more serious than that.” I said. “I’ve fallen in love with Sara, and more to the point, she appears to have fallen in love with me. Is this going to cause problems, especially for you?”
“Well, seeing as Sarakuk is exclusively your muse, it’s not going to bother me too much. The biggest problem is going to be for you two.”
“How come sir? We’ll be together won’t we?”
“Yes, but you see Sarakuk won’t age and you will. Can the both of you handle that?”
“Well it won’t be too bad for me.” I said. “But will you be alright Sara, watching me get old?” Her lip trembled a little.
“I’d like to find out.” She said a touch quaveringly.
“Then in that case, sir, I would like your permission to ask for Sara to marry me.”
“You carry on my boy.” I looked into the glowing faces of Annie and Sara and slipped onto one knee in front of my muse.
“Yes.” She said before I asked anything.
“And I know where the wedding is.” Said Annie.

Jane hung onto Dave’s arm, holding him close, determined not to lose him. He kissed her gently, vowing the same thing. They stood as the bride, Sarah, started to walk down the aisle. Anne, the bridesmaid, gave them a wink as she passed them. Down at the front Dave, the other Dave, was waiting, smiling as Sarah approached.

At the reception I met them, Dave and Jane, and told them to believe in each other and it would be all right, I promised. I was looking at the sunset nursing a drink when the management came over to me.
“I’d like to ask you a favour young man.”
“Sir, I’m not that young.”
“You are compared to me, everyone is.” I smiled.
“Go on then what is it? The favour?”
“When your time comes and you leave this mortal world, would you come and work for me?”
“As a muse? I don’t think I could.”
“No, I have plenty of muses, and new ones keep popping up all the time. I need a hand in the office. An assistant. Even a replacement. I think it would be about time for a holiday by then.”
“Would I still be married to Sara?” He smiled a huge smile.
“If you want, yes. You might be tired of her by then though.” I looked around at where Sara was dancing, realising she was dancing with someone else from my stories, another me in fact. All the wedding guests were my story characters and they were all here to wish me luck.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be tired or bored with her sir, eternity will not seem long at all with her at my side.”

It was late into the night before I carried Sara to our room. “What were you talking to the old man about?” she asked.
“Is that any way to talk about your father?”
“He’s not!”
“Of course he is. The father of all the muses, and the boss too.”
“Even if he is, what were you talking about?”
“He offered me a job.”
“You’re making this up! You make it sound like a wedding from a soap opera.”
“I am telling you the truth, and you know you can read it in my mind.” She concentrated for a while and then a huge smile split her face.
“He gave you eternity with me.” She flung her arms around me. “What a marvellous wedding gift!!”

.