The Mountain

Blencathra - just waking up.
I was behind a white van that was getting slower and slower and spewing out more and more noxious fumes so I pulled over to get some fresh air and looked across to Blencathra gradually emerging into the barely perceptible dawning day.

I disappeared for the day and didn’t emerge until it was dark again, headed home and launched straight into a dinner party at a nearby neighbours. I’ve just walked D back to his house down the road and made sure he was in safe and sound and he pointed to the stairlift and said, ‘I’ve never wanted to have it taken out’. His wife, C, died four years ago. I know you’ll understand, he said. The loneliness and emptiness flooded out of him and the house.