Shades of the Soul

By Tinuviel Greenwood

"What is the true nature of man? And what if we have forgotten something

fundamental to develop our abilities and potential?

The story arises from the writer's desire to bring to light an almost forgotten

concept about humanity, addressing the introductory theme of this first

book in a light and understandable way, and th

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ukiyoto Publishing
• Release date: Jul 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9789361723841

Book preview

Shades of the Soul

FROM THE ASHES OF TIME

Translated from the Italian version of

Le Sfumature Dell'Anima

Tinuviel Greenwood

Ukiyoto Publishing

All global publishing rights are held by

Ukiyoto Publishing

Published in 2023

Content Copyright © Tinuviel Greenwood

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in a retrieval system, in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated, without the publisher’s prior consent, in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published.

www.ukiyoto.com

To those who like to ask questions and seek answers even where it is not easy to enter ...

to my life partner for always supporting me.

Contents

Introduction

The Mystery of the Boy with Green Eyes

Lose Never To Forget

Chapter One: On the Road to Kinsale

Encounters from the Past

An Unexpected Gift

Magical Christmas

London Days

New Year's Eve Gala

Meanwhile, In Canary Wharf …

The Longest Night

Chapter Two: Dawn Of A New Day

Good News

Thoughts

A Romantic Parenthesis

St. Patrick Day

An indelible Promise

Chapter Three: Moving Back

The New Adventure

All Knots Come to the Comb

Preparations

Monica and James' Big Day

Chapter Four: Unexpected Encounters

Towards Truth

In Hospital

What Remains in Suspense

Chapter Five: The House in the Middle of the Lake

Ogham Grove

The meeting

The Final Call

The Veil Between Worlds

From Volume Two: The Colour of Fire

About the Author

Introduction

S

ometimes there are no words that can describe the emotions of a soul, its colours, its nuances... and yet that feeling envelops us until it warms our hearts, until it makes us feel its presence, until it reawakens what we thought we had long since lost... For the last brave romantic souls who, despite living in a purely materialistic world, do not want to let go of concepts so dear to our hearts. For those who believe that loving goes beyond the purely physical act but can also go far beyond the reason that so characterises us. The concept of a soul mate has been dealt with throughout the ages, a central theme of many philosophers and writers, which has been able to make the most romantic and imaginative among us daydream. In these times of ours, meaning tends to be a rather outdated concept, because as a consequence of our inability to listen to and recognise the purest sensations, step by step we are moving away from what is the truest nature of the human being, forgetting not only our intrinsic value but also the value that interaction with the people closest to us may have or has had... and not only that!

Time, space, the ageing of physical matter, hatred and jealousy...nothing and no one will ever be able to have stronger and deeper roots than love, understood in all its forms. Love does not grow old, it does not change, it does not hide, love never dies, because it remains always and in any case linked to the energies of our soul...to the energies of our Earth!  Because at the end of the day, when we are old, everything we will remember will be carried on the wings of our emotions, the real ones, the strong ones, the ones that have contributed to giving colour to our entire life, making it that special painting that it will have become. There are those who will admire a black and white canvas, those who will find nuances in it, but there will be few who, looking at the product of the intricate developments of their lives, will be able to admire a picturesque painting full of colours and nuances. It will mostly be the brave ones, those who fearlessly let their lives change, transform, break down only to be reshaped even better, using every single piece as a rare and priceless object, infusing every single moment of their lives with that value and meaning they deserved and would otherwise not have been able to find, they will be the ones who will come out satisfied and happy. Too many lives are spent in the shadow of fear of change, too many existences are swallowed up by the monotony of a world that tends to become more and more standardised and terribly homologated, where those who are different are excluded, where everything is sadly similar, without any particular differences, without any relevant ripples, where we thrive in the tranquillity of shallow, murky but calm and reassuring waters, where everything is pre-established, where every colour has its own name and nuances are only described in the farthest fairy tales. Where the light of our soul is extinguished as early as our childhood when, trying to interact with the world around us, we are forced to decide whether to follow our deepest instincts or to trust what the society we are born into and are growing up in teaches us. This is the world in which Aisling, at least at the beginning of her extraordinary story, found herself living, terrified by the idea that she might be different, that she might be judged, misunderstood, excluded from the society she so yearned to be a part of. She didn't care whether the mountains were green or blue, whether the sky was light or whether the water might even get you wet, she didn't care that her instincts were somehow pushing her to overcome the boundaries that society had imposed on her, for her the world was as it had always been described to her and she was happy to be part of it. The fact is that it often only takes a small spark to turn the world you live in completely upside down, and then, when you stand there.... And then, when you are standing there with your head down, looking perplexed at everything that does not make sense to you... it is at that precise moment that something comes along that creates a sense... and suddenly colours seem more colourful, smells become more intense, and those emotions that before were just bland sensations from that moment on, burn your heart, even warming the deepest part of that soul that you had forgotten you had. Some people need a shock, others only get it when life is about to come to an end because tragically, these are precisely the moments when we no longer think about the trifles of everyday life, but the little things magically become fundamental... it is only then that we will truly realise how important the moments were. The magnificent smile of a loved one who filled our hearts with joy, the firm hand of someone who had supported us for so long, that loving look that made us feel loved, a grimace on the face that only we understood, a perfume, a sound...each gesture will be given its due importance, each moment its own value. We humans are complicated beings, we love to create problems for ourselves, the point is that in most cases, we are too lazy to even look for solutions...but the most important question is the one that Aisling asked herself more or less halfway through her existence on this magnificent earth of ours...what would happen if we just tried to really live this life without following the banks of a totally programmed existence?

No one can say that life is easy, what is certain is that the vision of the world can change according to the way we decide to look at it. Rather than memorising the things written in books, we should instead learn the art of valuing each moment, perceiving rather than feeling, merging with what surrounds us and learning from it, letting our intuition run free and trusting in the possibilities that the world offers us day after day. Aisling was just another girl... or at least that was what she had always thought. She loved romantic films, those that make you dream, those that despite being predictable and at times a little too banal enter your heart with the tacit hope they create in your mind knowing that whichever way the story unfolds there will always be a happy ending waiting for the protagonists, leaving open the possibility of being able to fight and struggle for a purpose that will prove to be valuable. Even as a young girl, many particular themes had stirred her curiosity and soul, but given the affluence through which she was fortunately able to grow up, she never asked too many questions about life. For her, the days flowed smoothly and happily, serene and calm, without major difficulties or challenges, stifling the voice of her own instincts that managed to emerge from time to time.  Probably by taking for granted too many times even what in the eyes of someone less fortunate might not have appeared so, without putting the right amount of attention into what would have deserved it, despite knowing that she was lucky, that she had what she needed most without really having to earn it, this ease did not allow her for a long time to give the right weight and value to her surroundings.  Aisling had always thought that things were the way they should be...why force them? Why try to change something that has already taken a well-defined path? Are we small, insignificant beings really allowed to take control? To pull the reins to direct our own carriage at will? No! This she never believed and although the days often took on a somewhat too monotonous and repetitive character, she preferred to go with the flow, cautiously avoiding getting in the way of the already written plans of her own destiny. With time, however, something began to awaken in a deep, forgotten corner of her dusty rational mind. A few annoying ideas began to make their way through the junk of perfect monotony, instilling in the darkness of his mind, those that slowly began to light up like small flames, illuminating and warming up every single space left abandoned, beginning to reveal its hidden and dormant contents, giving them the meaning they deserved, allowing questions to arise spontaneously and with increasing frequency disrupting his 'perfect' life. One fine day, no longer able to stop or ignore them, Aisling was forced to surrender herself to them, allowing herself to be pushed deeper and deeper, day after day, to dispel the thick blanket of ignorance and disinterest that for too long had concealed from her that world so profound and real, which she could then really begin to know by allowing herself to be amazed and bewitched.  The fairy tales she had always taken refuge in as a child she discovered were nothing compared to the magic she could actually find in the world out there, the films she took refuge in to escape the monotony of her days were only a part of what she could find when she began to live in earnest. Although the first questions he asked himself were basic and almost taken for granted, it wasn't long before deeper and more introspective questions came up, but he was well aware that only by truly living his life would he be able to give an answer to all those that at that moment were only questions. And so she decided... on one of those windy days at the end of winter, to let the arrival of fine weather bring with it not only a better climate but also new and good opportunities for her life... relying more on her instincts, confident and slightly naive, not knowing that the path she would have to face would prove to be much harder and more difficult than she could have ever imagined at that moment. In fact, a strange twist of fate seemed to turn in her favour from the start. A chance meeting, with someone she did not know, involved her so intensely that something clicked in her heart, instantly triggering a devious and incisive succession of events that would inevitably lead her not only towards the arduous task of getting to know herself deeply, but also in getting to know the world, the people around her, learning to appreciate every moment, giving the right value to life, to every single and most subtle nuance.

And I couldn't begin my story in any other way than by explaining, to you readers, that it was only on meeting her mysterious green eyes that something really began to change in her, starting with a new emotion that overwhelmingly invaded the heart of our beautiful protagonist.

The Mystery of the Boy with Green Eyes

D

ublin had woken up under a blue sky clear of clouds that morning when Aisling smiled as she looked through the thick glass window. In the distance, behind the homogeneous houses of the long neighbourhood, the first rays of the sun began to tinge the shy passing clouds pink, her mood so often mirrored the weather that sometimes she couldn't help but fantasize wondering if it was the weather that was influencing her mood or if she wasn't influencing the weather herself! she thought this while smiling but that depth of genuine curiosity still couldn't completely go away. The alarm clock had just gone off and although after a night of partying she would have liked to stay in bed for a while longer, Monday was waiting with the daily workday and she knew that when she stayed over at Grace's, one of her two best friends, she always had to leave much earlier to get to work on time. Aisling's speed in getting ready made up for the minutes lost in trying to wake up fully. A glance at her friend who was fast asleep and hadn't even remotely heard the sound of her alarm clock, she couldn't help thinking how much she wished she was in her place. One last glance at the mirror before going out. Clothes in order, make-up light but perfect, hair, however unruly, in a side ponytail in place, I have to go and buy a new eye shadow...this one doesn't bring out my light eyes much, she thought, winking at the mirror and moving her short hair slightly to the side over her shoulder. Turning around she picked up her bag and shoes, walking barefoot towards the door to try to make as little noise as possible, even though she was sure Grace wouldn't have woken up even if lightning had struck beside her as she stood there, wrapped in blankets with that happy, serene air of hers. She gently closed the door behind her and without wasting any time, slipping on her shoes, she called the lift of the building, which was fortunately always free at that hour. Good morning! Paul, the teenage son of the family who lived on the same floor as Grace and his father, greeted her. Good morning! How are you? Aisling asked in reply, smiling as the lift doors closed behind her. His sporty outfit suggested that he had gone jogging, which reminded her that she definitely should have done more exercise herself. Without remaining too long on the subject, she pushed open the coloured wooden door to find herself outside, along that large street not yet crowded with people, where the light of the street lamps was now fading, giving way to the morning glow. Her eyes fell on the small, light-coloured, funny-shaped spot on the inside of her wrist, one of those cravings that are imprinted on the skin from before a child is born and that will remain with you for the rest of your life. Sitting silently on the cold plastic seat of the tram, a sudden tingling made her shiver, attracting her attention. A grimace appeared on her annoyed face as she gently massaged her wrist in an attempt to make it stop. Her thoughts began to wander chaotically, letting her gaze wander as she looked at the view along the road that ran through the suburbs and would soon take her to the city centre. The trees moved their foliage only slightly, giving her a hint that the usual wind was not blowing that day. Reaching the designated stop, however, she wrapped the soft red wool scarf tightly around her neck before disembarking, slipping her hands into a pair of gloves, also made of wool, which matched, though slightly more frayed. His eyes lingered for a moment on a small stain near the hollow between his thumb and forefinger, probably the fault of the cup of coffee from the day before, then he smiled as he lifted his face to join the passengers on the way down, remembering why those clothes were his favourite as they were a gift from his best friend. Kenneth's smile made her heart flutter as she regretted the decline their bond had suffered since their last argument a few years earlier. The fresh air filled her lungs as she strolled along her usual route. But that particular day there was something unusual in the air, she didn't know why but her instincts had spontaneously kicked in leaving her slightly astonished. She closed her eyes, approaching a shop window to try to make sense of what she perceived. Nothing relevant until a tingling in her stomach caught her attention, only a moment later, her ears straining to listen, managed for a moment to pick up a faint singing, words indistinguishable but clearly capable of stirring her heart. Recovering from the experience, she continued with her brisk walk, trying as hard as she could to chase away those strange sensations, zigzagging deftly to avoid the slower pedestrians in her path. O'Connell street, teeming with people, tended as always to maintain that air of intricate tranquillity, among which Aisling, made her way to her favourite shop only to emerge shortly afterwards with a hot takeaway coffee in her left hand and a cinnamon roll that she had already almost eaten in its entirety. Refreshed by breakfast, she walked absent-mindedly about the day's engagements when suddenly her mind was taken over again. Without even realising it, she lost herself observing the faces of the people around her, which took the form of the echo of a distant memory. For a moment she thought of when, as a child, she used to walk down that street with her parents, remembering the endless crowds of people. She remembered how, at certain times, that central street of the city was so packed with passers-by that it almost resembled a market. She saw herself so small again, as she observed everything around her from below, feeling for a moment like an ant. A warm energy enveloped her heart as the image of herself walking along holding her father's hand materialised in her mind, reminding her how much she enjoyed listening to the footsteps echoing on the pavement, to the voices of the people, to the newsagents handing out free newspapers at every corner. Small as she was, it almost seemed like a magical place, lost in the colours of the clothes, the scents and smells that people brought with them. Although Dublin has remained a popular destination for students and tourists alike, many things change over time. The image of herself reflected in a shop window quickly brought her back to the present, a thousand thoughts crowded her mind, especially at that busy time in her life when she was particularly keen to get to work a little early, given the large amount of tasks and promotion in sight produced by her own endeavours. At this thought every memory faded into the sun, allowing her to quickly walk the remaining distance. She had almost reached the office when a sudden gust of wind brought a sweet apple scent to her nose, or perhaps it was simply her impression, as it could have been the scent of some object or someone in the crowd. The watch on his wrist showed the time as 8:23 a.m. He did not linger any longer, quickening his pace as he passed a couple of people in front of him, but that was the instant when his destiny entered the scene, a fleeting moment that, he did not yet know, would set in motion a mechanism so profound that it would be able to bring about a major change in his life. The back of his hand brushed against that of someone else in the crowd, a shiver ran down his spine, a tremor spread in an instant involving every part of his body, two uncertain steps and instinctively he turned and looked up. The hubbub of the people died away, everything stood still, frozen, as if time had annulled itself, creating a stalemate. A young face, not far from her was staring at her. Dark hair falling over his forehead framed his face, his expression mixed between astonishment and amusement highlighted two eyes of an intense emerald green that left her mesmerised and breathless. Her heart began to beat rather fast but she did not even realise it. For a moment, which seemed like an eternity to Aisling, their gazes remained locked, her breath held in suspense, she felt a caress on her cheek, a feeling of security, of warmth, and while her expression remained sculpted, a smile was drawn on his face, like a grimace on the side, which instinctively seemed the most natural thing in the world at that precise moment. A sudden push to the side startled her, she had stopped in the middle of the street, she had stood still but passers-by kept walking and a lady holding a huge shopping bag almost knocked her half a cup of coffee onto the ground. A chance encounter or perhaps a mere coincidence? Who was that boy? Because Aisling felt as if she knew him, as if she had seen those eyes and the spontaneity of his expression a thousand times before... From the look in his eyes it seemed to her that he also knew her... but on reflection she realised that he could be a tourist or a local, but in any case where could she go to find him? He had no name, no clue... nothing... Could he be just a figment of her imagination? Questions that probably ran through her head for the whole day. we are often convinced that love is reserved... we are taught that love is mainly between husband and wife, between parents and children, between siblings... but love, in reality, if we think about it, is such a great feeling that no boundaries can be imposed on it... we are not made to love only one person, we are not made to love a limited and reductive number of human beings like ourselves.... we are made to love in complete freedom, because the more we love the more we will be able to love, the more we train this feeling to be strong and powerful the more we will realise its immense greatness, the absence of limits and boundaries, its unconditional and disinterested nature... only then will we have the capacity to understand how deep our feelings are, the vast variety through which we can range, the power of the bonds we establish throughout our lives, the invisible thread that remains united across lives... across epochs, across eras, the thread that alone can provide an answer to our unresolved existential questions that all too often irreparably disturb our existences. And Aisling was no exception, so much so that, after the experience of that strange encounter, her slumbering heart aroused, she began to ask herself an infinite number of questions, she began to wonder what love really was, what role it could play in her life... questioning all her beliefs, all her security. On the other hand, she had always been rather shy with love, preferring to keep herself in a safe and distant position, precluding herself from any kind of opportunity, considering how many times she had closed the doors to this feeling. Probably out of fear or insecurity, she had even managed to ruin the bond with the boy she had grown up with on the streets of Cork, to whom, considering him her best friend, she had never openly confessed her true feelings. She was sure she was in love with Kenneth, but she was equally sure of what her heart had felt upon meeting those mysterious green eyes, and her mind fell into an ungrateful web of doubt through which she would not be able to extricate herself for long. Does this unique and unbreakable bond between two human beings really exist? Aisling knew that there was something she could not understand, but she had reached that point from which there is no turning back, she had known, however fleetingly, the strength of another kind of bond that, even in its speed, had managed to shake her soul to the core. She felt the presence of distant memories that could not surface, but that sensation only succeeded in arousing her curiosity even more, leading her in search of that something that she would later discover to be at the root of her every senseless question.

Lose Never To Forget

A

ray of sunlight filtered stealthily through the clouds, illuminating with a beautiful clear light the moored boats swaying quietly in the small harbour, constantly recreating that typical tinny music that can only be heard in coastal areas. Aisling's clear eyes shifted for a moment from the road she was on, as she calmly drove her father's car across the Archdeacon Duggan Bridge. She liked to observe how nature, through a simple touch, had the power to make any place simply magnificent. Her thoughts, usually quite clear and serene, were strangely chaotic that morning, as if to give her the idea that something different and important might have happened soon. I'm simply going to say goodbye to Grandma Aisling ... on any given Sunday in early spring ... what could possibly be strange about that? the girl wondered aloud, downplaying the intensity of the feeling she was still trying to process. Since she had begun to rely more on her own sensations, her ability to perceive things that she would normally miss had also increased. She had never understood so thoroughly the magic on which the pillars holding up the world were apparently placed, but she would soon begin to suspect its existence Aisling the seer! she joked to herself as she remained focused on driving, never taking her eyes off the winding road.  Humming, she drove a few kilometres, skirting the dense vegetation along the main road and then turning into a side street, taking a shortcut that would buy her a few minutes on her destination. Although the sky was not completely overcast, a few raindrops wet the windscreen from time to time, forcing her to activate the windscreen wiper as she was often unable to see anything beyond the spots that were visibly spreading on the front window of the car. The cold wind blew lightly through the foliage of the tallest trees and bushes, which in gusts she even seemed to try to uproot. It was one of those early spring days when it seemed as if the nostalgia of the winter that had just passed did not want to give way to the warm sunshine and the birth of new life. By habit, on those particular days, Aisling knew that the best thing to do was to stay indoors, in front of an inviting fire with a nice cup of hot tea, but as she had to board the bus back to Dublin in the evening, she was aware that she had to take care of the last remaining errands in the morning. The road, not very wide, allowed for a rather cautious and safe drive but at that hour of Sunday morning the almost non-existent traffic gave the girl a chance to run faster, pressing slightly harder on the car's accelerator. At her side, the water of that short arm of the river looked like a dark board, as despite the wind, very few ripples managed to animate its surface, which mostly seemed to be painted. The houses on the opposite side still managed to remain blissfully wrapped in the deep sleep of the night. The girl took a quick glance at the watch she wore on her wrist 9 o'clock! Grandma must be having breakfast! she reassured herself, smiling to herself, knowing perfectly well the woman's habits. The small raised birthmark on the side of the inner wrist of her right arm pinched her for a moment, attracting her full attention, again, the girl thought to herself, lowering her blue eyes that briefly lost sight of the road. Out of the corner of her eye, she thought she saw someone sitting in the passenger seat, alarmed she looked up, and was soon heartened to realise that she had simply been mistaken, in all likelihood it must have been the reflected shadow of some tree at the edge of the road that attracted her attention. With a sigh she concentrated at least partially on the road ahead, completely unable to stop her thoughts from wandering in other directions. The car quickly reached the small bay with its narrow, mostly rocky beach. Aisling, still distracted by her thoughts, gently put her foot on the brake and in response the car began to slow down, allowing her to admire the view beyond Sandycove Beach that the two strips of land formed on the horizon, as if to indicate a passage to who knows where else. The water of the ocean, rippling at times, reflected the few rays of the sun that managed to caress its surface, allowing her eyes to lose themselves dreamily and distantly towards the horizon, in a moment that could have lasted forever, except that, once again, that strange sensation suddenly invaded her mind. A deep breath followed by a quick sigh as she manoeuvred deftly into one of the parking spaces along the shore. Few other cars were parked there. Peace and calm reigned supreme, as if to underline the mood of the uncertain pre-spring weather, at least, in that quiet valley! The girl slowly got out of the car, her face turned to the sky, her eyes half-closed, pondering who knows what surprise was waiting for her, who knows who she might have met since, the last time she had felt that same sensation, it had preceded her meeting the mysterious green-eyed boy. One more deep breath to calm her agitated mind. She closed the still-open car door with a firm gesture of her hand and immediately took a long stride towards the small uphill road that led right in front of the front door of the small house facing the cliff. Kitty, the old lady's spotted cat was peacefully snuggling on the doormat, when hearing Aisling's footsteps coming up the driveway, she meowed at her in search of some affection. The girl smiled and stopped, ducking down, waiting for him to join her, then began to stroke the animal's soft fur. The little feline rubbed close to her legs and began to purr until she decided to take him in her arms, at which point the purr almost became a kind of song, so happy was the sweet little beast. Getting up with a nimble move they headed together towards the house, approaching the front door which, as the girl could see, they found open. Aisling entered slowly, letting down the cat, who without wasting any time made her way into the kitchen towards the colourful bowl of food resting on the floor near the sink. She walked past the room to the back, where she knew she would surely find the landlady intent on her breakfast. Hello Granny! How are you this morning? asked Aisling as she entered the small su room consisting mostly of stained glass windows. The greenery of the indoor plants and flowers still seemed full of life, although the cold weather had started early that year. The large panes of glass in the room, allowed daylight to illuminate every single corner, while some heavy clouds, laden with rain, would soon finish totally covering the sun.  Good morning dear! All well, thank you! was the reply from the old lady who was still sitting at the table calmly finishing her breakfast. A smile spread across her deeply wrinkled cheeks sit down, keep us company! she proposed, pulling the heavy chair off the side of the table keep us? the girl asked to herself as she had assumed, not having seen Betty's car (the carer they had hired to keep her grandmother company, who usually left her car parked in the driveway), that the woman was alone I didn't see Betty's car when I came in! I thought it wasn't there! the girl replied, glancing at the table again as she approached, resting her hands on the smooth wooden back of the chair in front of her. To the right of the old lady, indeed, her eyes noticed the presence of another now half-empty plate and at her side a teacup only half-full; a green woollen cap had been abandoned not far away while hanging from the back of the wooden chair, which she could clearly see from her new position, was a dark coat, definitely a man's coat, rather elegant. It didn't take her long to realise who those clothes belonged to. No honey, Betty has gone out, she should be back soon! her smiling grandmother informed her, confirming what was no longer just doubt for her. There were days when the old lady had difficulty remembering even that this was her house; therefore, Aisling knew that the caregiver would never leave her alone, unless there was someone she knew she could trust... Not more than a few seconds passed, from the next room the sound of a door closing quickly and rather heavy footsteps directed and hurried in the direction of the veranda could be clearly heard. Aisling standing in front of the small table, still hesitant and undecided to sit down, felt a chill run quickly down her spine, turned to realise in an instant that someone was entering the room, someone she really didn't want to meet. Her eyes lingered for a long moment in the direction from which she had just come. A young man, with carefully combed copper-coloured hair, peeped into the room, suddenly stopping to see her standing in front of the table. His light-hearted and light-hearted expression became in a flash mixed with astonishment and discomfort, and it was exactly, the same expression that Aisling had, in the meantime, assumed. The slightly bewildered girl remained completely still, the imperceptible movements of her body, however, could not hide the confusion of those chaotic thoughts that were drawing such an expression on her face. The grandmother, in front of them, remained silent, looking doubtful and uncertain, wondering which of the two grandsons would take the first step to escape. good morning, said the boy in a cordial tone, recovering quickly from the astonishment that had just assailed him, his voice was clear and limpid, with no particular trace of any emotion, as if he had greeted out of politeness a simple acquaintance he had met by chance on the road he was walking along. Good morning, the girl replied dryly, following him with her gaze as he slowly made his way around the table and sat down quietly in the chair he had been occupying until a short while before. Aisling couldn't believe it, the carelessness and cheekiness of that boy was just too much for her and she knew she couldn't contain herself any longer. She had no intention of thinking at all about that ugly story, and apparently the boy was not particularly willing either. A thousand thoughts passed through the girl's frantic mind, while he, with his usual calm and lightness, resumed his breakfast from the point where he had left her a short while before. She was still standing staring at him, unable to look away from the figure she hardly felt she recognised. Kenneth, in his neat and precise appearance, succeeded in arousing in her feelings of disdain and irritation that she could not easily try to conceal. Aisling's heart was beating wildly, she could clearly feel every pulse as her cheeks gradually took on more and more colour. Covered by the thin layer of skin, her nerves quivered under the impulse of her raging mind. She wanted to shout every word at him, to tell him how distressed and angry she had been because of him over the last few years, but she knew her grandmother would disapprove and of course that would only serve to make them quarrel further. He, on the contrary, after that first moment of profound dismay, seemed, at least in appearance, to have quickly regained a calm and serene spirit, taking care to keep his clear eyes away from those of the two women in the room with him. The elderly lady at the head of the table shook her head disconsolately You're not going to sit down, are you, darling? she asked her granddaughter, although she was well aware of the certain negative answer to that question. Aisling shifted her gaze to meet that of her grandmother. She was still visibly agitated, but observing the gentleness of those eyes that vaguely resembled her own, she immediately realised she had to calm down. She seemed to detect the same old pain in that reassuringly deep look, perhaps slightly more accentuated at that particular moment, but she could also easily understand a thinly veiled note of reproach, which she promptly decided to overlook. I just came by to see if you might need anything before I leave! her granddaughter quickly informed her in a firm, confident voice. let's go guys... when are you going to settle that question? the old woman scolded them, ignoring Aisling's question but shifting her gaze from her to the boy sitting blissfully at her side. They both lowered their eyes but neither said a word remember that time passes...he is not a friend...and often it is the things left unsaid...or in your case unresolved that hurt the most! think hard guys! the woman knew her grandchildren well and knew just as well that at that moment her words would be let fly away, but she hoped that one day both guys would be able to learn some lessons from it. I don't need anything thank you dear! If you don't want to sit down at all, have a good trip and come back to see me soon! she concluded, turning to Aisling who was still waiting standing with her hands clasped as if to choke the back of the wooden chair of course, granny! See you soon,' the girl replied, striving to keep her tone calm and as cheerful as possible, leaning forward to embrace her. The old woman hugged her granddaughter tightly, wrapping her arms around her neck as if to give her the strength and courage she seemed to lack at that moment. Aisling sniffed that good scent of flowers and grass that had been the first thing on her mind since she was little. She smiled as she gently moved away, placing her bag back on her shoulder.  Have a nice day Kenneth, she then said without looking directly at the boy but walking towards the exit. Aisling could easily perceive his eyes staring at her but the noisy murmur of a thousand thoughts going through her mind prevented her from hearing any response. Her legs were almost shaking as she closed the entrance door behind her. She tried to hide those new feelings but seeing Kenneth again had created very mixed feelings in her. Anger at that episode that had never been resolved certainly helped to blind her critical thinking but probably, thanks to that new change that was taking hold deep in her consciousness, a part of her, she had to admit, was glad to have seen him again. Her friend's now customary elegant style had awakened memories in her mind that she would have preferred to leave in the past but the serenity in his demeanour made her pleasantly think that life for him was proceeding as she had planned and that was enough to recreate a contrasting sense of tranquillity within her, if our paths had to part for him to get what he always wanted it was better that it went this way she reflected trying to ignore that annoying knot in her throat. Trying to banish any other thoughts from his mind, he crossed the driveway at a brisk pace and without even turning around he got into his car, driving backwards along the stretch of dirt road before turning directly onto the main road. On the way she did not even see the landscape this time, enraptured by the feeling to which she could now finally give meaning. Of all the people she thought she would meet in those days, her childhood best friend was certainly not among them. Since Kenneth had moved to the big city of London, in fact, he had been back less and less often so on an ordinary Sunday she wouldn't exactly have expected to run into him. 'I wonder why he's here' she thought curiously with a thread of concern 'yes he must have taken a few days off or maybe some of the McCarthy's are sick...' she began to surmise. Her mind was rather curious and quick but when it came to her best friend...or former best friend, she could really lose every single faculty she usually had. It had been years since they had last seen each other and at that juncture, it could hardly be said that the two had parted on a very gentle note. Since Kenneth was one of Grandmother Aisling's grandsons, she shouldn't have been so surprised that she could meet him by going to visit her, after all it was one of the things she had always enjoyed the most, as when as children they had all met together in that very house, it was in that very garden that, It was in that garden that, still as children, they made their pact of friendship, and it was in that garden that, only a few summers before, she heard the boy's voice from inside the house and ran away, climbing over the stone fence to leave her grandmother protesting alone beside a lush white rose bush. Actually, theirs was one of those friendships one would never think of ruining, but what happened in London a few years earlier probably made a deep and lasting dent in everything they had built over time. Aisling still quite shaken quickly parked the car in the driveway, returning to her parents much earlier than they had actually expected. are you back already? her astonished mother asked her as she looked out of the hallway door to see who had entered the house she didn't need anything her daughter replied dryly. Mara watched her in silence, Aisling hung her coat on the coat rack with an over-emphatic gesture, and it swung dangerously, darling... her worried mother exclaimed, why has he come back... today of all days... the girl grumbled, walking towards the kitchen, passing by her side and completely ignoring her astonished expression. Kenneth the woman insisted, following her daughter into the room, Kenneth Aisling, who still had a strange grimace on her face, exclaimed in exasperation. Mara's attitude changed abruptly, as she stiffened and her face changed from an astonished expression to a grimace of displeasure. But she didn't even have time to finish her sentence when Aisling nervously interrupted her. Thank you, Mummy, she replied, annoyed, as she sat down on one of the turquoise stools on the peninsula. How can you stay angry all this time...I really don't understand you...you grew up together, you had a unique understanding and you went and threw it away for a... Mara stopped suddenly, noticing the sudden change of expression on her daughter's face, who looked up from the cup of coffee she had just finished pouring and was staring at her with an air of defiance almost as if she wanted to tell her to finish her sentence. The woman remained silent for a few moments, undecided on how to continue ...I'm sorry...it will pass! she wisely decided to conclude by approaching her daughter to caress her cheek your father is coming down too! Stay and have breakfast with us! he suggested as if to lighten the situation. Aisling did not reply and simply sat on her stool, warming her hands with the warmth of her coffee cup. That afternoon was a long one, and imitating Aisling's terrible mood, the weather outside also continued to deteriorate, large raindrops incessantly soaked the windows while the wind started to blow really hard, almost triggering a storm. Leaves and chunks of soil from the flowerbeds were swirling off the ground as large drips helped to create puddles all along the street, no one would leave the house if they didn't have to and Aisling hoped that at least the wind would die down by the time he had to go to the station. Inside the house, the crackling of wood burning in the fireplace gave a sense of calm and warmth. Mama Mara fiddled around in the kitchen baking some good biscuits that didn't take long to let their nutty, cinnamon scent waft through the air, John occasionally muttered to himself behind the TV set with unstable reception as he tried to watch a replay of an old hurling match on TV, while Aisling, who had already finished packing her luggage, sat comfortably in an armchair, perhaps too close to the crackling mouth of the fireplace, immersed in the arduous reading of a book, in which she could not fully concentrate her attention, silently racking her brains over who knows what images were going through her head. Suddenly Russell lifted his dark, wrinkled snout, stretching his small dangling ears, looked around for a few moments and then suddenly jumped out of his kennel, Aisling saw his curled tail quickly disappearing down the corridor as he barked noisily and rushed towards the front door. The sound of the doorbell was not long in coming. Mara prepared to welcome the unexpected guests, trying to calm the little pug, who had begun to breathe rather quickly in agitation. The door opened with a loud click, letting in a cold gust of wind and dust, 'hello darling! What a nice surprise! Come on in, they're all in the living room in front of the fireplace and the biscuits will be ready in no time! It's almost teatime! Mara's voice was as loud and ringing as ever and Aisling, at first, thought that some friend had come to pay her a visit but then felt a strong disappointment rise up from deep within when she heard the timbre of the voice of the person who answered from down the hall 'good afternoon! Thank you Mrs Olivieri! I hope I'm not disturbing! he said in an annoyingly polite tone disturbing you? No dear boy! You never will be! Come on in, it's cold out there! was the woman's reply. After letting the boy through, she rolled her eyes and vigorously closed the front door, hoping that her daughter would not behave brusquely or unkindly. In front of the fireplace, the girl's heart began to beat wildly, 'well...maybe he won't be a bother to her...wasn't that enough this morning? And now what will he have come to do? she wondered silently, grumbling to herself. Determined to ignore the boy, she continued in the pretense of reading the book she had in her hands, merely hinting at a quick hello as he entered the room but without even looking up from the page in front of her nose. It was John, who, knowing the situation well, graciously welcomed Kenneth, promptly offering him a seat on the sofa at his side. The boy accepted and although he was visibly upset, he followed the man in an engaging sports discussion. About ten minutes passed, albeit very slowly, Aisling had practically reread the same sentence dozens of times without ever paying the slightest attention to what her eyes were reading, when Mara entered the room with a large tray in her hand, enveloping the entire room with an intense scent of tea and butter biscuits. Come on, come on young men...forget that TV, everyone to the table! she began, inviting both her husband and the unexpected guest to join the snack and occupy the dining table the same goes for you" she said to her daughter, passing