The Ring and the Knife

By Benjamin Parsons

Berecombe - why does William remember the name of that little village? When was he there before? What happened to him that day in the churchyard, long ago? Why can't he remember? Why does he feel compelled to return? As the questions smother him, he searches to understand the dreadful, portentous meeting his memory has supressed - the terrible secret of his own past. Part of the collection The Green Lady and Other Stories.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Benjamin Parsons
• Release date: Mar 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215399606

Benjamin Parsons

I am a writer and artist from the Westcountry of England now living in London. I write and illustrate stories about love, hate, ambition, revenge, beauty, and the supernatural.

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The Ring and the Knife

by Benjamin Parsons

Copyright 2023 Benjamin Parsons. First published in 2012.

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Springtime is surely the season of love, and at least one pair of lovers (who liked each other well enough to have gotten married over it) certainly intended to make the most of their May Day holiday. William Mortimore suggested to his wife that they take advantage of the fine weather and drive into the country, stopping wherever their whims should take them; she in turn pronounced him a genius, so they packed a bag, set off on the road west and were soon surrounded by brilliant green fields beneath a gleaming sky— and stuck in traffic.

‘It seems we weren’t the only ones to think of escaping the city, Will. Make the most of the scenery, I’ve a feeling we’ll be looking at this same swatch of it all weekend.’

‘Not if we take a detour,’ he replied, and negotiated into a random side-lane. ‘Let’s see how far we get off the main road.’

As it transpired, however, this inspiration was no more unique than the first, and they found themselves trailing along single-track byways for hours, congested all along. Nevertheless, they did manage to immerse themselves more and more thoroughly in the countryside, and if it weren’t for the train of fellow holidaymakers before and behind, would have considered themselves pleasantly lost.

Suddenly William gave an enthusiastic yelp. ‘Berecombe— that sign said Berecombe!’ He took an abrupt turning. ‘What a chance! I never knew it was in this neck of the woods. We must see it.’

‘It looks like we shall, and sooner than we expect, if you don’t slow down a little,’ she returned. ‘What’s so urgent about Berecombe?’

‘Well, nothing,’ he said, amending the pace. ‘When I saw the name I suddenly remembered I’ve been there before— years and years ago. It was a family holiday, I think—