Writing for Fun
The Lure Of The Wild - Bob Wendelkin
June 2014
Mike and Ruth sat at the table in the pub studying the map of the moor with its bracken covered hills and sparkling streams.
'That's where we are going to tomorrow,' said Mike.
'That's an awful long way to walk when we don't know the ground and the weather isn't promising. I think we should be less ambitious,' replied Ruth.
Just then the bartender came to clear their table. Mike turning to him asked what he thought of their proposed trek.
'I think you should be careful because it's quite a long way over very rough ground, and the weather isn't good. I should go into town by bus and go shopping,' replied the Barman as he looked at Ruth who was nodding her agreement.
'Well I think we should go, we have waterproofs, and if it gets too bad we can pitch the tent and get out of the weather. We go!' said Mike.
Early next day and after breakfast they set off to cross the moor or the Lure of the Wild as Mike jokingly called it.
At first they made good progress but the path became steeper and the ground rougher. The weather was becoming more overcast and the northerly wind was increasing and there was a chill that was cutting through their waterproofs. Mike strode boldly ahead and Ruth followed on behind not really enjoying this walk as the wind and the rain wasn't all that thrilling.
'Come on keep up,' called Mike over his shoulder.
'Can't we stop we've been going for hours. I've got some coffee in the flask,' replied Ruth shouting into the wind.
'Alright but only for a coffee as we still have a few miles to go, we are only just over half way,' said Mike as he drank his coffee.
'I think we should go back,' said Ruth.
'No it's shorter to go on. But I agree with you we should get out of this wind and rain and into shelter. We only have a few more hours of daylight left we should pitch the tent and stay overnight,' said Mike.
'That's the first good idea you have had,' snapped Ruth.
The couple searched around for a sheltered place and despite the wind and rain they managed to pitch their tent and got out of the weather.
'I'll warm some soup and we can have some rolls,' said Ruth.
'That sounds great, this walk has given me quite an appetite,' replied Mike trying to cheer Ruth as he could see that she was far from happy.
'I'll just go outside and put some more rocks around the tent to make sure it is anchored down,' said Mike.
Serves you right thought Ruth under her breath as the wind and rain battered Mike as he left the tent. Ruth heated the soup and listened to the wind and rain beating against the canvas.
Mike seemed to be away for some time and Ruth was beginning feel uneasy. Time passed and still no sign of Mike. Ruth thought she should go outside and see what was happening. On leaving the tent she saw that Mike was lying on the ground and waving to her. Ruth rushed to him.
'Are you okay?' asked Ruth.
'I tripped over and I think I have broken my leg,' replied Mike.
Ruth run her hand over his leg and could feel that is was twisted.
'Can you stand? I have got to get you out of this wind and rain,' asked Ruth.
'With your help I think I can hop to the tent,' replied Mike.
'Does it hurt much?' asked Ruth.
'Not yet,' replied Mike.
They made their way into the tent and Ruth tried her best to get him comfortable. Getting her mobile Ruth tried to call the Emergency Services.
'I can't get a signal,' said Ruth.
'Give it here,' said Mike and he tried.
'Nothing we must be out of the signal area,' said Mike.
'I'll have to go and get help for you,' said Ruth.
'You can't go out in this, it could be dangerous!' said Mike.
'Do you have any better idea?' replied Ruth.
'It's about eight miles over rough country and this weather. It could be dangerous for you. I'm quite safe here and we are quite warm. Please don't go until the morning,' said Mike.
'I've got to go your leg needs attention and you can't walk can you?' replied Ruth.
'You must take this compass, map and torch and if the weather gets any worse you must seek shelter until the morning. My leg is a clean break it's not broken through the skin, so there is no risk of any infection. Ruth promise me you won't take any risks. Promise,' continued Mike.
Ruth left the tent and was immediately hit by the wind and rain. Maybe Mike was right, but she thought I can't let him see that as she stumbled along the path.
About an hour later she saw a light. It looked like it was coming from a small house about half a mile away. I'm surprised that a house could be out on the moor, I expect it's for some farm worker. They may have a telephone and I'll call the police. Ruth made her way along the path the wind and rain seemed to be getting worse, the clouds were rushing at breakneck speeds across the sky. The lamp was now becoming brighter it seemed to be coming from a first floor window.
Reaching the front door Ruth knocked.
'Is that you Michael?' called the voice.
The door opened and there stood an old man, with such a disappointed look on his face.
'Oh! You better come in out of this rain,' said the old man.
Ruth went into the dimly lit room it looked sort of old fashion. It was lit by oil lamps, the sort that her old grandmother had in the country; she remembered when she was a child. She thought that the house must be too far off the beaten track for electricity.
'Do you have a 'phone so I can call the police and tell them about Mike?' asked Ruth.
'We don't need any of those new fangled things. But now we have a wireless, I was just listening to PC 49, and later on I'll listen to Henry Hall's Guest Night. He's got Vic Oliver on to night. I like the Light Programme,' replied the old man.
Ruth had never heard of any of them, they must be old programmes being repeated on Radio 4 Extra.
'Can we go and see if we can rescue Mike?' asked Ruth.
'Do you mean Michael, my son?' asked the old man.
'No I mean Mike my partner,' answered Ruth.
'I can't go out I'm waiting for my son. You can stay here until the morning, the weather should be sunny tomorrow,' said the old man.
'I think Mike is safe, perhaps I will stay if you will let me,' replied Ruth.
'Let me show you to your room,' said the old man, picking up an oil lamp and showing the way to the upstairs bed room.
The room felt cold and was sparsely furnished with just a single bed.
'This is Michael's room; he's in the Navy but I expect him any moment,' said the old man.
'Thank you I'll be fine as I'm dead tired,' replied Ruth.
The old man went to the window and held the lamp to the glass.
'Good night. Oh, when is my Michael going to come home?' said the old man as he left the room.
Not bothering to undress Ruth flopped onto the bed and straight way went to sleep. She half woke and she thought she saw the old man standing at the window with a lamp. Being so tired she almost immediately fell back into a deep sleep only to be woken in the middle of the night by the sound of crying. She knew nothing more until she woke with the sun on to her face. The weather had changed just as the old man said.
Ruth went down stairs to look for the old man but he must have gone out. She could see that the room was dusty and some of the furniture was in need of repair. She went into the kitchen – everything was covered in dust and cold; how could he live in a place like this she thought.
Oh well I must call the police. Ruth wrote a Thank You note and left the house and because the weather had changed she was soon in the next village where she called the police. They told her they would send a helicopter to pick her up. About twenty minutes later the helicopter picked her up so she could guide them to Mike.
As they searched for Mike they flew over the old house.
'That's where I stayed last night with an old man; Mike isn't too far away,' said Ruth.
'I don't think so, that house has been empty for years. There used to be an old man who lived there but he died years ago. After the war he used to put a light in the window so that his son Michael would be able to find the house on the moor. He couldn't accept that his son had been killed in the war,' said the pilot. 'But how did you know his son was called Michael?'
'The Old man told me!' replied Ruth.