Dear Diary,Such attention I received at breakfast. I was greeted with cheerful smiles by all about me and I even received a warm huglet from little Willy Tert. Mrs Crutchlow provided a magnificent breakfast repast and it was plain to see whose plate was the most generously laden as Ned placed it before me.
“I feel like the Prodigal Son,” I quipped.
Ned shook his head.
“Never heard of the Prodigals. Are they local?”
I smiled warmly at him. It was so good to be home.
“I suppose there is no need to ask how you shall occupy yourself today,” spoke Fanny.
“Indeed,” I mumbled, with a mouthful of sausage, “It’s the Knob for me!”
It was a cold day but the sun was lurking in the pale blue sky. It was so nice to feel the warmth of my Python between my legs as I wound my way up that familiar path through the trees.
I never tire of the view for it is constantly changing in subtle ways. I sat and gazed upon it and tried not to slip into melancholy and yet there was much to be melancholy about. Despite my greatest efforts I had lost that, that I most sought and I had hoped to end my diary on a happy and joyous note.
A sigh escaped me and I tried to change my thoughts and pondered upon the events that had occurred upon this very spot; here I tempted Father’s Todger into service, here I startled a murderous nun and here I met………I was startled from my reminiscence by the snapping of a twig and turned to find Willow standing there, a short distance away.
I gasped in fear and surprise.
“Hello,” he said, “I have been looking for you.”
“I don’t understand,” I muttered. “Are you alive?”
“I believe so,” he smiled, “for my heart is beating thunderously in my chest.”
“But, the ship….” I began. “It sank and….”
He stepped forward and took my hand and placed a finger upon my lips to quieten me.
“I am come,” he whispered, “for you, if you will have me.”
There were so many questions to ask him and so much I had to tell him and yet, it could wait.
“I think I love you,” I breathed.
“I know I love you,” he said.
And then he kissed me……………on the Knob.
It was the perfect place.
Oh Diary, I have my happy ending.
It is finished......for now.
Dear Diary,Quite a crowd had gathered upon the Quayside this morning awaiting news and just before lunch it was confirmed that the ship had indeed gone down. A fishing boat sailed into the harbour with wreckage and a handful of bodies found adrift at sea. As the corpses were hoisted ashore, suddenly all went black and I awoke to find myself in Heaven. An angel was bending over me, gently repeating my name with a tender smile upon his rosy lips. He bore a striking resemblance to the Reverend Peacock and then I realised it was the Reverend Peacock. "Mr Austen, fear not! You have simply swooned. We must get you some attention," he whispered.I was seen by a doctor and he pronounced me fit for the short journey to Far Corfe.Mrs Norris fussed about me on my arrival and ordered a room to be readied. "Is my Mother not here?" I enquired.I was told that they had returned to Thrushcock some three days earlier as all repairs to my family home had been completed. "Then I shall return there myself, to the bosom of my family, forthwith," I declared. Mrs Norris looked crestfallen."That is not to say that your bosom is not welcome," I added awkwardly, "indeed, your bosom is quite magnificent and most welcoming and.......er.....well, I'll be off then." I thanked Mrs Norris and the Reverend Peacock for their kindness and climbed into the waiting coach.I arrived at Thrushcock as the light was fading. I was home at last.The greeting from my family was as warm as I could have hoped for and they were eager to hear news of my adventures abroad but I sought the solitude of my room and once I had escaped the eager attentions of Father's Todger, mounted the stairs to the sanctuary of my chamber.I had no sooner closed the door and sank upon the bed than I began to sob, uncontrollably, at the loss I felt within. How unfair is this life of mine? How cruel are the fates? Do I not deserve better than this?There was a gentle knock upon the door and I tried to contain myself and regain my composure but the door swung open and I looked up to find Ned standing in the doorway. I was fighting back my emotions as I stood to greet my friend. He stepped forward and simply, and lovingly enfolded me in his manly arms and held me tight. It was the kind of embrace I have longed for, for so long and I began to weep again."I will never embrace Willow like this," I sobbed. Ned's grip tightened and he held me until my sobs eventually subsided.Finally we were standing in silence and I felt so safe and warm in his arms that I could almost have drifted off to sleep."Mr Austen," he said, finally "I know you are very upset and in a delicate state at the moment, but what is that I can feel poking me in my groin?"I snuggled further into his shoulder and pulled him tighter as I felt his embrace slacken."Oh, just a pink oboe," I sighed.He leapt back suddenly and stared at me in shock.I could not help but laugh and when I pulled it out of my breeches, he laughed too, in happy relief.
Dear Diary,I can barely write. The joy of finally reaching England has been shattered by the news that Willow's ship has not arrived before us and is feared missing at sea. I have no Will and therefore have no will to live!
Dear Diary,Oh Diary! I have rarely ventured upon deck this voyage and have confined myself to my cabin. I was hoping to be ashore today but there is still no sight of land. I fear I am neglecting you terribly but I am reserving your final pages for events that matter. I cannot wait to be upon solid ground. I am all at sea....literally! I want to say that I am not feeling myself....but that is not strictly true when confined to a cabin for a fortnight...but I trust you know what I mean.
Dear Diary,
I have had my fill of seamen! I feel quite dirty and expect I reek of fish!
I was up on deck today and saw a solitary seabird gliding across the sky. How wonderful it would be to fly like the birds over the ocean rather than endure its endless troughs and peaks.
The journey home has been quite dull and I have avoided all conversation with the Captain for fear of being misunderstood further. How I miss the company of Miss Dixon but soon I shall enter Cobbler's Bottom once more! I am almost bursting with excitement at the prospect.
I dreamt last night that I discovered Willow seated upon my Knob and awoke with a shudder to find my bed covered with seamen!
I chased them out of course and back into the rigging.
Only a few more days! Please God!
Dear Diary,Today we have been together for one year! Such trials and tribulations we have endured and shared! Such a distance we have come!I sense better times ahead and have been glad of your company. The time has not yet come to part but it fast approaches. Let us hope that your pages shall tell of a joy to come and, though I say it myself, a love I so richly deserve.
