The Secrets of the Forest – The Time zone.
By Neville Kent.
In the 1930s, many parts of England were covered by forests.
None more so than in the midlands, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.
It is within this area, and of this time, that we open the pages of our book.
At a time when the pace of life was very much slower than it is today….
Chapter One
Tommy meets a friend.
On the edge of a huge forest within the shadows of the lower woodland, an old lady by the name of Esmeralda lived alone in her somewhat run-down cottage.
The thatched roof was in need of repair, with weeds growing on it in places where nature decided to take a hand. Much of the fencing had collapsed over the years; the white paint had peeled with age and was now covered in a green moss. A small open gate to a footpath leading to the front door, hung on by a single rusted top hinge. Most days smoke could be seen rising from the chimney, a sign of the warmth to be found inside.
Her only companion was a large, black cat called Saber. The old lady differed from ordinary people when it came to her appearance. She had long grey hair tied back by a piece of white string, and a black cloth hat adorned her head.
A shawl covered her rounded shoulders down to her waist and a buttoned-up dark skirt hung just above a pair of old worn-out boots. Her face was tanned like leather from the sunshine and harsh winters of many years, concealing a wealth of memory and untold ability. Her bright green eyes, failing to dim with the passing years, could pierce the darkest night.
Anyone out and about early enough would have seen her on many occasions, gathering fuel for her fire, a usual sight, stooped and bent over by the weight of wood on her shoulders, appearing out of the morning mist would startle the bravest of souls. But not many did see her, as local gossip over the years had put a stop to any visitors in that particular area of the woods.
Many people thought she was a little strange. Others thought it possible that she could be a witch because of the way she lived. Sensing this, she never attempted to speak to anyone, but would peer out of the window on occasions to look at the odd passerby, who always seemed to move faster by her cottage.
One day she noticed a young boy come up to her house. He couldn’t walk very fast. Esmeralda could see that he wore steel-and-leather strap supports on each of his legs, short trousers held up with a belt, and an ill-fitting jumper that had seen better days. He had black curly hair, a rather pleasant face and stood about five-foot or thereabout, slightly taller than her, she thought. He stopped – leaning backwards to recover his balance… spending some time gazing at the property, as if trying to make up his mind what to do.
She felt sorry for him, and at the same time wondered what he was up to. Visitors were something she wasn’t used to. She went to her front door and called to him in a kindly way.
“Hello there, young man, can I help?”
A wrinkled hand shielded her squinting green eyes as the weak sunlight framed her body in the open doorway.
To her surprise, he made his way slowly towards her, somewhat awkwardly, like a controlled marionette, along the crooked pathway that ran through the overgrown garden. He stopped to get his breath now and again, his leg irons getting tangled up with the large ferns that grew everywhere around the cottage.
“Hello! Sorry to bother you. Don’t know where I am at the moment. I feel a bit stupid really,” he said, sheepishly. “I’ve been out for some time now. I don’t usually come this far, so I don’t know this area. Is it too much to ask if you could spare a glass of water, missus?” he enquired in a croaky voice.
"Of course not. It’s not any trouble at all,” she replied. “And what’s your name, young man, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“I’m Tommy – Tommy Wilkes.”
“Well, come on in, Tommy Wilkes,” she said, her broad smile revealing many missing teeth.
Esmeralda took him inside. He sat down as instructed in a chair by the fire while she poured water from a jug nearby into what looked like a golden goblet. She studied him as he held the goblet with both hands, drinking the water eagerly to quench his thirst, some of it dripping down onto his jumper.
“Tell me, young man, how come you’re not so frightened of me like other folk seem to be?”
She noticed the frown on his face and his look of surprise.
“Oh, don’t worry, I’ve known for a long time now that people avoid me if they can. But that’s their choosing. It doesn’t bother me.”
After wiping his mouth on his sleeve, he hesitated, putting the goblet down on the table before trying his best to answer her.
“Well, I suppose it’s cos other boys don’t ask me to play with ‘em because I wear supports. They think I’m not as good as them. I hear ‘em talking behind my back. I’m not daft. Some are even scared of me because of the way I walk — you know, unsteady on my feet. That’s why I was glad when you spoke to me outside, missus.”
She smiled, listening to every word he said, sitting in an old rocking chair beside the fire, stroking a large black cat that had jumped up onto her lap.
“Well I can see that we’re two of kind, young man, do carry on.”
Tommy continued answering her question. “I’ve always been this way – having to wear these supports to be able to walk. I’m nearly eleven now. It gets me down a bit but I’m used to it after all this time,” he said, trying to sound cheerful. “I live with my gran on the far edge of the forest. I should say it’s about three mile away from here.” He indicated the direction in which he and his gran lived.
“We live close to the Bartholomew Grey farm estate if you know where that is, missus.”
Esmeralda reached out and picked up a long clay pipe.
“Yes, I do know where your cottage is and the farm you talk of. In fact, there’s not much I don’t know about around the forest, having spent all my life here.”
She lit her pipe and puffed on it. Tommy tried to hide his feelings as he continued to explain his plight and the problems it caused him from day to day.
“I’ve always wanted to play games the same as other kids, but I’ve come to accept I can’t. I’ve been told that I never will be able to, that there’s no cure for the problem I was born with. I tell you what, missus! I’ve seen more doctors than I can remember.”
Esmeralda listened with great interest to what he had to say, slowly rocking in the chair as the blue smoke from her pipe brushed her face and rose to the stained ceiling.
She leaned forward when Tommy stopped speaking and waved her pipe in the air to make a gesture. “That’s not quite true what you’ve been told. Doctors have a lot to learn yet, I’m afraid. The forest holds all the answers to every illness that ever was. It makes me so angry that people are ignorant of many things in life — even learned people.”
She got up from her chair, putting the cat down on the floor beside the log fire and her pipe down in the hearth.
“My name is Esmeralda, by the way. You can call me that instead of missus. I do like your manners, young man, and I for one am very pleased to meet you. I’d like to try to help you with your problem as you call it. Trust me – wait here.” She waved a hand towards her cat. “Saber will keep you company. I have to go into the woods to get a few things that I will need. I won’t be long.”
Off she went, adjusting her shawl as she did, muttering something Tommy didn’t quite catch as she made her way out.
While she was gone Tommy looked around the room. The cat’s eyes followed him, watching his every move as if it was guarding the house until she came back.
The place was full of old things. Jars on shelves, books everywhere, a table in the middle of the room with what looked like the remains of a hurried meal. A fire burned brightly in the grate, sending out a warm glow across the room and casting strange shadows upon the walls. Even though it was daytime, little light entered the room due to the closeness of the forest.
Above the fireplace was a long metal shelf. On it were three candles that had been partly used. Fat had run down and built up on each of the candle holders they stood in. An old tin box with the word “Matches” on it sat beside them.
Electricity was only just becoming available for use in the home and it was evident that it hadn’t reached Esmeralda’s cottage yet. Tommy’s own house was just the same, lit by candles and the odd oil lamp. All cooking was done on the open fire.
In what seemed like only a few minutes he heard the creaking of the door. Esmeralda had returned.
She was carrying quite a few leaves and berries in her arms. She put them down on the table after pushing some of the things out of the way with her elbow. Tommy watched as she carefully counted the berries and leaves, selecting some and discarding others. She placed them in a silver container that she took from another shelf nearby, blowing the dust off it as she did so.
Her eyes seemed to brighten up more as she concentrated on the task in hand.
“They have to be correct. If not, they won’t work,” she said, mixing them with a liquid from another of the jars off the shelf. “Nature’s recipes have no room for mistakes, I can tell you.”
Tommy watched her from where he sat by the fire, wondering what the outcome would be. Should I really be trusting a stranger? He thought.
He even doubted her sanity at this stage. After all, he knew nothing about her, except for her kindness in allowing him into her home. At the same time, he was willing to hear what she had to say. She had a certain confidence about her.
She noticed his concern. “Don’t worry, I’ll not cause you any harm. After hearing your story, my only intention is to help you.” When she had finished mixing the contents together she turned to him. “Now then, my lad, remove your supports and put the mixture onto each leg and rub it well in”.
The cat looked on as he obeyed.
After a short time he could feel his legs getting warmer and warmer.
“Something’s happening. They never felt like this before. In fact, I can’t usually feel sensation in them at all,” he said. “They’re starting to get pins and needles. Is that okay?”
Esmeralda was quick to assure him. “Don’t worry, the pins and needles are the nerves coming into use — something they haven’t done since the day you were born. Now then, take your time and stand up. Don’t be afraid,” she said.
Tommy got cautiously to his feet, steadying himself on the wooden table as he did so. He was full of joy, his face beginning to beam with excitement. Any doubts he had earlier about her were quickly put behind him as he took his first steps without his supports on.
“As I said, take your time now,” she repeated.
His face lit up as he walked unaided for the first time. He even tried to jump up and down to test them out.
“Wow! I can actually feel my legs now, and the tingling is going, it’s – it’s unbelievable. I don’t know what to say,” he stammered.
Esmeralda couldn’t conceal a tear that ran down her wrinkly old face and fell to the floor. The cat looked on. She managed to calm Tommy down by taking his arm and sitting him down again in the old chair by the open fire. She sat herself down at the same time opposite him with the cat on her lap again picking up a small piece of wood off the fire that hadn’t fully burned through. She blew on it and it burst into flame, reflecting in her bright green eyes as she proceeded to relight her pipe, which she puffed on a few times to get it well lit.
“Now then, Tommy, your legs will get stronger every day from now on,” she said in a low voice as she stroked the cat and drew on her pipe. “But there is a price to pay, I’m afraid, and some rather important things that I have to tell you. You must listen to me very carefully.” She continued to stroke the cat as Tommy leaned forward to hear what she had to say, finishing the drink that she had given to him earlier. “The forest has many secrets and what has happened to you today is a secret belonging to the forest and must remain so forever. If you were to speak of how you were cured to anyone other than your gran who is the closest to you, then I’m afraid you will return to how you were before and have to wear supports again.
“Don’t take this to be a bad thing. As time goes by you will understand why this has to be.”
She went on to tell him that many years ago she had been found by an old lady like herself, after having been left abandoned in the forest. “For what reason, I never knew – or wanted to know. The lady’s name was Damatrisa. She brought me up from that day as her own child — in this same cottage that we’re in now,” she said.
Tommy was amazed to learn that Esmeralda had lived in the cottage for over 150 years.
She puffed again on her pipe as she told him of the wonderful things that Damatrisa had taught her as a child, and of the secrets of the forest which were ‘not known to everyday folk,’ as she put it.
Tommy assured her that he would not be telling anyone except his gran of what had happened that day, or of anything that Esmeralda told him. He was so happy he had met her and for what she had done for him.
The time was now getting on to evening. “I suggest you come back again tomorrow. Your gran will be worrying about you if you’re late home. It will be all right to tell her what‘s happened. I’m sure that she will keep the secret to herself. Tomorrow, providing it’s okay with her, I will take you into the forest and show you the secret and many wonderful things that are there that you would never believe.”
Esmeralda waved Tommy goodbye from the doorway of her cottage after she had explained to him how to find his way home.
As he walked off, she sighed deeply. She had never considered what it would be to grow old without children. After all, she had had Damatrisa at the time and was quite content with their way of living. It was only in later life that she occasionally felt pangs of regret.
The past can’t be altered, she thought. But the future can.
She watched as Tommy made his way down the crooked path full of confidence, his supports under his arm, something he could not have done earlier that day.
Giving a last wave, he quickly disappeared into the forest which, all being well tomorrow would reveal its secrets to him.
By Neville Kent.
In the 1930s, many parts of England were covered by forests.
None more so than in the midlands, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.
It is within this area, and of this time, that we open the pages of our book.
At a time when the pace of life was very much slower than it is today….
Chapter One
Tommy meets a friend.
On the edge of a huge forest within the shadows of the lower woodland, an old lady by the name of Esmeralda lived alone in her somewhat run-down cottage.
The thatched roof was in need of repair, with weeds growing on it in places where nature decided to take a hand. Much of the fencing had collapsed over the years; the white paint had peeled with age and was now covered in a green moss. A small open gate to a footpath leading to the front door, hung on by a single rusted top hinge. Most days smoke could be seen rising from the chimney, a sign of the warmth to be found inside.
Her only companion was a large, black cat called Saber. The old lady differed from ordinary people when it came to her appearance. She had long grey hair tied back by a piece of white string, and a black cloth hat adorned her head.
A shawl covered her rounded shoulders down to her waist and a buttoned-up dark skirt hung just above a pair of old worn-out boots. Her face was tanned like leather from the sunshine and harsh winters of many years, concealing a wealth of memory and untold ability. Her bright green eyes, failing to dim with the passing years, could pierce the darkest night.
Anyone out and about early enough would have seen her on many occasions, gathering fuel for her fire, a usual sight, stooped and bent over by the weight of wood on her shoulders, appearing out of the morning mist would startle the bravest of souls. But not many did see her, as local gossip over the years had put a stop to any visitors in that particular area of the woods.
Many people thought she was a little strange. Others thought it possible that she could be a witch because of the way she lived. Sensing this, she never attempted to speak to anyone, but would peer out of the window on occasions to look at the odd passerby, who always seemed to move faster by her cottage.
One day she noticed a young boy come up to her house. He couldn’t walk very fast. Esmeralda could see that he wore steel-and-leather strap supports on each of his legs, short trousers held up with a belt, and an ill-fitting jumper that had seen better days. He had black curly hair, a rather pleasant face and stood about five-foot or thereabout, slightly taller than her, she thought. He stopped – leaning backwards to recover his balance… spending some time gazing at the property, as if trying to make up his mind what to do.
She felt sorry for him, and at the same time wondered what he was up to. Visitors were something she wasn’t used to. She went to her front door and called to him in a kindly way.
“Hello there, young man, can I help?”
A wrinkled hand shielded her squinting green eyes as the weak sunlight framed her body in the open doorway.
To her surprise, he made his way slowly towards her, somewhat awkwardly, like a controlled marionette, along the crooked pathway that ran through the overgrown garden. He stopped to get his breath now and again, his leg irons getting tangled up with the large ferns that grew everywhere around the cottage.
“Hello! Sorry to bother you. Don’t know where I am at the moment. I feel a bit stupid really,” he said, sheepishly. “I’ve been out for some time now. I don’t usually come this far, so I don’t know this area. Is it too much to ask if you could spare a glass of water, missus?” he enquired in a croaky voice.
"Of course not. It’s not any trouble at all,” she replied. “And what’s your name, young man, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“I’m Tommy – Tommy Wilkes.”
“Well, come on in, Tommy Wilkes,” she said, her broad smile revealing many missing teeth.
Esmeralda took him inside. He sat down as instructed in a chair by the fire while she poured water from a jug nearby into what looked like a golden goblet. She studied him as he held the goblet with both hands, drinking the water eagerly to quench his thirst, some of it dripping down onto his jumper.
“Tell me, young man, how come you’re not so frightened of me like other folk seem to be?”
She noticed the frown on his face and his look of surprise.
“Oh, don’t worry, I’ve known for a long time now that people avoid me if they can. But that’s their choosing. It doesn’t bother me.”
After wiping his mouth on his sleeve, he hesitated, putting the goblet down on the table before trying his best to answer her.
“Well, I suppose it’s cos other boys don’t ask me to play with ‘em because I wear supports. They think I’m not as good as them. I hear ‘em talking behind my back. I’m not daft. Some are even scared of me because of the way I walk — you know, unsteady on my feet. That’s why I was glad when you spoke to me outside, missus.”
She smiled, listening to every word he said, sitting in an old rocking chair beside the fire, stroking a large black cat that had jumped up onto her lap.
“Well I can see that we’re two of kind, young man, do carry on.”
Tommy continued answering her question. “I’ve always been this way – having to wear these supports to be able to walk. I’m nearly eleven now. It gets me down a bit but I’m used to it after all this time,” he said, trying to sound cheerful. “I live with my gran on the far edge of the forest. I should say it’s about three mile away from here.” He indicated the direction in which he and his gran lived.
“We live close to the Bartholomew Grey farm estate if you know where that is, missus.”
Esmeralda reached out and picked up a long clay pipe.
“Yes, I do know where your cottage is and the farm you talk of. In fact, there’s not much I don’t know about around the forest, having spent all my life here.”
She lit her pipe and puffed on it. Tommy tried to hide his feelings as he continued to explain his plight and the problems it caused him from day to day.
“I’ve always wanted to play games the same as other kids, but I’ve come to accept I can’t. I’ve been told that I never will be able to, that there’s no cure for the problem I was born with. I tell you what, missus! I’ve seen more doctors than I can remember.”
Esmeralda listened with great interest to what he had to say, slowly rocking in the chair as the blue smoke from her pipe brushed her face and rose to the stained ceiling.
She leaned forward when Tommy stopped speaking and waved her pipe in the air to make a gesture. “That’s not quite true what you’ve been told. Doctors have a lot to learn yet, I’m afraid. The forest holds all the answers to every illness that ever was. It makes me so angry that people are ignorant of many things in life — even learned people.”
She got up from her chair, putting the cat down on the floor beside the log fire and her pipe down in the hearth.
“My name is Esmeralda, by the way. You can call me that instead of missus. I do like your manners, young man, and I for one am very pleased to meet you. I’d like to try to help you with your problem as you call it. Trust me – wait here.” She waved a hand towards her cat. “Saber will keep you company. I have to go into the woods to get a few things that I will need. I won’t be long.”
Off she went, adjusting her shawl as she did, muttering something Tommy didn’t quite catch as she made her way out.
While she was gone Tommy looked around the room. The cat’s eyes followed him, watching his every move as if it was guarding the house until she came back.
The place was full of old things. Jars on shelves, books everywhere, a table in the middle of the room with what looked like the remains of a hurried meal. A fire burned brightly in the grate, sending out a warm glow across the room and casting strange shadows upon the walls. Even though it was daytime, little light entered the room due to the closeness of the forest.
Above the fireplace was a long metal shelf. On it were three candles that had been partly used. Fat had run down and built up on each of the candle holders they stood in. An old tin box with the word “Matches” on it sat beside them.
Electricity was only just becoming available for use in the home and it was evident that it hadn’t reached Esmeralda’s cottage yet. Tommy’s own house was just the same, lit by candles and the odd oil lamp. All cooking was done on the open fire.
In what seemed like only a few minutes he heard the creaking of the door. Esmeralda had returned.
She was carrying quite a few leaves and berries in her arms. She put them down on the table after pushing some of the things out of the way with her elbow. Tommy watched as she carefully counted the berries and leaves, selecting some and discarding others. She placed them in a silver container that she took from another shelf nearby, blowing the dust off it as she did so.
Her eyes seemed to brighten up more as she concentrated on the task in hand.
“They have to be correct. If not, they won’t work,” she said, mixing them with a liquid from another of the jars off the shelf. “Nature’s recipes have no room for mistakes, I can tell you.”
Tommy watched her from where he sat by the fire, wondering what the outcome would be. Should I really be trusting a stranger? He thought.
He even doubted her sanity at this stage. After all, he knew nothing about her, except for her kindness in allowing him into her home. At the same time, he was willing to hear what she had to say. She had a certain confidence about her.
She noticed his concern. “Don’t worry, I’ll not cause you any harm. After hearing your story, my only intention is to help you.” When she had finished mixing the contents together she turned to him. “Now then, my lad, remove your supports and put the mixture onto each leg and rub it well in”.
The cat looked on as he obeyed.
After a short time he could feel his legs getting warmer and warmer.
“Something’s happening. They never felt like this before. In fact, I can’t usually feel sensation in them at all,” he said. “They’re starting to get pins and needles. Is that okay?”
Esmeralda was quick to assure him. “Don’t worry, the pins and needles are the nerves coming into use — something they haven’t done since the day you were born. Now then, take your time and stand up. Don’t be afraid,” she said.
Tommy got cautiously to his feet, steadying himself on the wooden table as he did so. He was full of joy, his face beginning to beam with excitement. Any doubts he had earlier about her were quickly put behind him as he took his first steps without his supports on.
“As I said, take your time now,” she repeated.
His face lit up as he walked unaided for the first time. He even tried to jump up and down to test them out.
“Wow! I can actually feel my legs now, and the tingling is going, it’s – it’s unbelievable. I don’t know what to say,” he stammered.
Esmeralda couldn’t conceal a tear that ran down her wrinkly old face and fell to the floor. The cat looked on. She managed to calm Tommy down by taking his arm and sitting him down again in the old chair by the open fire. She sat herself down at the same time opposite him with the cat on her lap again picking up a small piece of wood off the fire that hadn’t fully burned through. She blew on it and it burst into flame, reflecting in her bright green eyes as she proceeded to relight her pipe, which she puffed on a few times to get it well lit.
“Now then, Tommy, your legs will get stronger every day from now on,” she said in a low voice as she stroked the cat and drew on her pipe. “But there is a price to pay, I’m afraid, and some rather important things that I have to tell you. You must listen to me very carefully.” She continued to stroke the cat as Tommy leaned forward to hear what she had to say, finishing the drink that she had given to him earlier. “The forest has many secrets and what has happened to you today is a secret belonging to the forest and must remain so forever. If you were to speak of how you were cured to anyone other than your gran who is the closest to you, then I’m afraid you will return to how you were before and have to wear supports again.
“Don’t take this to be a bad thing. As time goes by you will understand why this has to be.”
She went on to tell him that many years ago she had been found by an old lady like herself, after having been left abandoned in the forest. “For what reason, I never knew – or wanted to know. The lady’s name was Damatrisa. She brought me up from that day as her own child — in this same cottage that we’re in now,” she said.
Tommy was amazed to learn that Esmeralda had lived in the cottage for over 150 years.
She puffed again on her pipe as she told him of the wonderful things that Damatrisa had taught her as a child, and of the secrets of the forest which were ‘not known to everyday folk,’ as she put it.
Tommy assured her that he would not be telling anyone except his gran of what had happened that day, or of anything that Esmeralda told him. He was so happy he had met her and for what she had done for him.
The time was now getting on to evening. “I suggest you come back again tomorrow. Your gran will be worrying about you if you’re late home. It will be all right to tell her what‘s happened. I’m sure that she will keep the secret to herself. Tomorrow, providing it’s okay with her, I will take you into the forest and show you the secret and many wonderful things that are there that you would never believe.”
Esmeralda waved Tommy goodbye from the doorway of her cottage after she had explained to him how to find his way home.
As he walked off, she sighed deeply. She had never considered what it would be to grow old without children. After all, she had had Damatrisa at the time and was quite content with their way of living. It was only in later life that she occasionally felt pangs of regret.
The past can’t be altered, she thought. But the future can.
She watched as Tommy made his way down the crooked path full of confidence, his supports under his arm, something he could not have done earlier that day.
Giving a last wave, he quickly disappeared into the forest which, all being well tomorrow would reveal its secrets to him.