The Sea Witches Sanctuary
The Lady
Tara remembered the first time, so long ago. She was about five years old, in the water sinking into the depths and the Lady was there, floating in the water beside her, smiling at her, reassuring her. She was so beautiful. Her skin was smooth and pale, and her long silver hair floated around her. Tara wasn’t afraid, nor did she need to be, and somehow, she knew that. She remembered the feeling of that strong arm clutching her around her waist and dragging her to the surface coughing and spluttering. She knew it was her father’s arm.
They had gone sailing, always wearing their life jackets, but for some reason she had taken hers off when her parents weren’t watching, and she just stepped off the side of the yacht. Her parents were so relieved that she was safe, but angry at what she had done. She could remember crying and her mother holding her tightly. Later, when everything had calmed down, they asked her why she had done it and she remembered saying, “I just wanted to see the Lady.”
Understandably her parents were confused and worried, but no matter how much they questioned her she wouldn’t speak of it. It was only after her parents had died and she had moved to this tiny island that she saw the Lady again.
She stood on the shore of her island. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t her island, but it was so remote that it could have been. Off season, she could go days, sometimes weeks, without seeing another soul and that suited her fine. She could stand on the shore and watch Dolphins playing, leaping out of the water, and splashing back into the sea. Seals often lay on the rocks resting from the never-ending task of catching fish, and there were plenty to catch. Far to the North she could see a hint of Westray, one of the Orkney Islands, but other than that, Tara could see nothing but the sea.
The folk who lived on neighbouring islands called her, Uisge Bhuidseach (Ooshca Banabucha) Gaelic for water witch, but never to her face. Even though these small islands were scarcely populated, it seemed to her that everyone knew what was happening, what was what, and who was who. Several small boat services carried a few passengers, delivered mail, or medicines, carried news, and sometimes they carried gossip as though it was of vital importance. Tara, outwardly friendly, valued her privacy, but she knew that this common ‘need to know’ was also something of a lifeline for many residents who would otherwise live quite a lonely life.
The rolling waves of the incoming tide gradually crept over the sand covering her feet and sending a feeling, a tingling through her body, making her feel alive. There was magick in the water, a powerful magic, and she couldn’t understand why no one else seemed to feel it. It coursed through her skin, her bones, and through her very soul. Tara stood there, looking for the Lady as she did every day. One day she would see her again she was sure of it.
She thought back to the day she saw the advert for the vacancy on Sanctuary Island. She wasn’t looking for a new job, she wasn’t even thinking about looking, but there it was staring up at her right next to the stain her coffee cup had made on the newspaper. Tara moved her cup to one side and picked the paper up for a closer look. The headline for the advert stated.
A RARE OPPORTUNITY
Will you be the one to take on the challenge to apply for this exciting role? The successful candidate will require a high degree of flexibility, excellent organisational skills, and be responsible for organising work programs for teams of volunteers in an ever-changing environment. The ability to adapt plans according to changing conditions is necessary. The candidate for the position of ranger for this small, secluded island must have a sound marine and natural history knowledge. A clean driving licence and the skills or ability to sail a small craft are essential.
The location is unique, occupied only by wildlife for most of the year with otters, dolphins, whales, and seals often seen from its coast. The island is home to thousands of sea birds including kittiwakes, guillemots, and razorbills. In addition to the use of a vehicle there is a generous salary, and a cottage on the mainland for off duty periods. On duty, the ranger has sole use of a log cabin whilst visiting students and volunteers have separate male and female facilities. Send applications in writing to Personnel, North Islands Trust.
She jumped, startled, dropped the newspaper, and almost knocked over her coffee when the announcement came over the tannoy system.
“Tara MacDonald to Mr Wilson’s office.”
‘What now?” Tara muttered as she made her way to his office. She didn’t like the man; nor could she put her finger on why. It was just a deep uncomfortable feeling. Tara made excuses to herself that it was just because he had recently joined the company but still, she didn’t like him. He called “Enter.”
“Why couldn’t he just say come in? Oh, she didn’t like him.” She thought to herself,and then answered, “You wanted to see me Mr Wilson?”
“Yes, yes, sit down Miss MacDonald.”
Tara would have preferred to remain standing and be out of there as quickly as possible, but she yielded to his request and sat opposite him. He was a round man, everything about him was round. His face was round and puffy. He sat there with his elbows on the arms of the swivel chair, his hands together pointed upwards towards his mouth in the shape of a pyramid. Even his fingers were round. He looked across the desk at her and said, “I’m afraid I have some bad news. You won’t be aware of my reasons for being here, but the truth is, head office sent me here to clean up and clear out. The pandemic and various other issues make these changes necessary and much of the business can be streamlined and operated efficiently online. There will be several redundancies and it’s my job to make you an offer.”
Her stomach flipped as she waited for him to say something, but he remained quiet. ‘What’s he waiting for, does he think I’m going to burst into tears. Oh, I don’t like this man,’ she thought again.
“I expect this has come as a bit of a shock to you.”
“No not really. I’m aware of the difficulties that many companies are facing in this changing world.”
“Oh well, that’s refreshing, though not the reaction I expected.”
Still, she didn’t say anything, and she knew that her unexpected reaction, or lack of one, made him uncomfortable. Tara almost smiled as he squirmed uncomfortably in his seat.
He stared at her, taking in her starling good looks, fiery red hair, and sea green eyes before saying, “So, to get to the point, I’m authorised to offer you a very substantial severance redundancy package.”
Tara remained silent.
“So, what do you think?”
“You haven’t told me what the offer is yet.”
“Yes, yes, of course. Well to get down to business, I am pleased to tell you that you will receive, should you accept this generous offer, the sum of five thousand seven hundred and fifty pounds. In addition to one month’s holiday pay. We require one months’ notice but since you haven’t taken any holidays this last year you can finish today.”
She sat quietly and the advert that she had just seen popped into her head. “Yes, I accept your offer, thank you.”
Tara could see that her response flummoxed him, so she just smiled at him and waited for him to make the next move.
“Well now, yes. It’s just a matter of signing some papers and I will inform accounts to transfer funds to your bank today.”
He pulled out a manila folder, withdrew some paperwork, made some entries with his fancy gold pen, and then passed the paperwork over the desk to her. With a flick of his wrist to the penholder on his desk, he indicated that she could use one of the ballpoint pens on the right side of his desk.
‘He’s such a smarmy snob,’ she thought.
Tara took her own pen from her jacket pocket, signed the paperwork, and passed it back to him. They both stood at the same time. Reaching over, extending his hand to shake hers he said, “I’ll leave you to clear out your desk.”
Tara pretended she didn’t notice the gesture and turning to leave she smiled brightly and replied “Thank you. I’m excited to have a fresh start.” Closing the door quietly behind her she stopped, did a quick two step dance, and jiggled her behind then punched the air for good measure. In the short time that it took her to get back to her desk a security guard was standing by. “Hi there Jim, What’s up?”
“I’m sorry Miss Tara; I’ve just got a message over the radio to escort you out.”
Tara could see that he was mortified. “Don’t worry about it. It’s all good news for me today.”
You could hear a pin drop in the office as everyone stopped what they were doing and gaped. One by one some of her colleagues came across to find out what was going on.
“Seriously girls, don’t worry about me.” Thinking about seeing the newspaper advert she continued, “I’ve just had the most amazing experience.”
There was no point in telling them of the changes Wilson planned. There was time enough for them to worry about what was going on, though she was sure some had already started to put two and two together. Tara quickly packed up, said her goodbyes and Jim helped her to carry her things to her Suzuki Vitara. The first thing she did when she got home was switch on her PC, and while it was powering up, she made some coffee and retrieved the newspaper advert from her briefcase.
She sat with her coffee and read the advert again. The job was hers. She knew it in her soul. She had grown up sailing around the Scottish Islands with her parents. Knowledge of the wildlife that visited and inhabited the islands was something that she had learned as a child listening to them as they sailed the Orkney Archipelagos off the northeastern coast of Scotland. Sometimes they sailed in their own boats heading for regattas or just cruising in company and at other times Uncle Charlie would join them on their boat, and they would spend two or three weeks together. Those were happy days filled with happy memories and the sound of laughter always filled the air.
Tara was already familiar with the Trust and the good work they did. She knew her Uncle Charlie worked with them and thinking of him brought back a memory that she didn’t want to have, but before applying for the job she wanted to do some fresh research about them on the internet. If she got an interview, she wanted to be fully prepared. She clicked on the link for the Trust’s ‘Home Page’, read the ‘Headings’, and clicked on, ‘Meet the Team’. Seeing his familiar face brought a lump top her throat and made her feel sad and a little guilty because she hadn’t kept in touch with him. Uncle Charlie was listed on the board of trustees. Before she could think twice, she picked up her phone and dialled his number. Her heart was pounding as the line rang out. She hoped she wasn’t setting herself up for a fall. Despite that, Tara felt as though a path was being cleared for her. Her reverie was interrupted when her call was answered.
“North Islands Trust, Wendy speaking. How may I help you?”
“Charles Bennet, please.”
“Who shall I say is calling?”
“Tara MacDonald.”
After a few moments of pre-recorded music, she heard the familiar voice. “As I live and breathe is that really you Tara?”
Hearing his voice after so long, she felt a lump in her throat, and her eyes filled with tears. Hardly able to speak she replied, falling into the title she had always used when speaking to him, “Yes, It’s me, Uncle Charlie.”
“Good Lord Tara, I haven’t seen you since, well you know, your Mum and Dad. How are you? Where are you? What’s wrong? is something wrong?”
She was emotionally laughing and crying now, and she wiped the tears from her face as she replied, “Honestly Uncle Charlie, I’m fine. I feel so guilty that I haven’t stayed in touch, but it was just too difficult, and the longer you leave it the harder it gets to reach out.”
“What have you been doing with yourself, Tara?”
“Still working in the same boring office and just trying to get on with my life.”
“I can’t believe the time that has passed. It must be five years.”
“Nearer six now. I’m sorry that I didn’t answer your letters or calls. I just wanted isolation.”
“I understand Tara, and I have been worried about you. You have been in my thoughts daily, and I would give anything for things to have worked out in a different way. It’s so good to hear your voice. Now tell me, what made you call me today?”
“The thing is Uncle Charlie something happened today. Nothing bad,” she interjected before he could worry, “I was having my coffee break this morning, and I saw the Islands Trust advert in the paper. It made me realise how much I missed the islands, and how much I disliked what I was doing, and even while I was looking at the advert, I was called to the office. Well, the long and short of it is I’ve been offered and accepted a redundancy package. I just felt that it was all predestined.”
His loud rumbling laugh down the phone eased some of her anxiety and he said, “You truly are your mother’s daughter. She was always one for following signs that no one else understood. God help me I miss them both so much. So, you’re interested in being the Ranger on Sanctuary Island?”
“I am Uncle Charlie, but I wanted to run it past you first. I don’t want to apply if there was no chance of getting it, but if you think I stand a chance. I mean I have no formal qualifications for the job.”
“There are some things that require a formal qualification, and then there’s life experience, and that kind of experience goes a long way. In my mind you would be an excellent candidate. Send in your resume and use my name for a reference. As your mother would say, ‘Destiny will decide’, though it looks as though destiny is already playing a part.”
“Thanks Uncle Charlie, I’ll see to it right away.”
“I miss seeing you, Tara. I hope we can get together soon.”
“We will Uncle Charlie, I promise.”
Tara felt embarrassed and guilty when she closed the phone. She had always been close to Charlie, and with her parents had spent a lot of time with him.
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