Arrival at the Island (8) – Afternoon – Island tour (1)

Jim was deeply engrossed in what he was doing and did not notice that Anastasia had come into the room until she was standing in front of his desk and casting a shadow.

AL: “Would you like to take a break from what you are doing?” She asked with a smile”.

Jim gave himself a shake, like a dog after a swim, and after he had gathered his thoughts answered:

JG: “Yes, I can break now. I’m not actually doing very much” He put emphasis on the word ‘doing’ “I’m familiarising myself with what you have here.” He continued: “Your systems have been very professionally organised and maintained”.

AL: “I’m glad things meet with your approval. We can talk about it over lunch, but first I’ll take you on a brief tour of the island. I didn’t want to do that last night. I will show you where you are going to be staying too.”

Jim picked up his jacket as they went out and Anastasia reminded him that he would need the code for the door to get back in when they returned. In the stable yard, they climbed into the Landrover and Anastasia left along the drive, past dense rhododendron bushes.

They turned northward along the road. As they drove along at a leisurely pace, Anastasia pointed out landmarks as they passed the village, the hotel-cum-pub, the road down to the ferry slip and the island shop “It’s the only one!” she said with a grin.

Further north they passed several small farms and then the island narrowed and the sea was clearly visible on both sides. At the same time the road narrowed to a single track, “with passing places” said a road sign, punctuated by cattle grids clattered as they drove over them. The road rose steeply and the hills became noticeably more rugged.

Quite suddenly, the road came to an end. The road itself seemed to terminate suddenly at  a rocky outcrop above the sea, and just before that was a with a fork to a rough turning area. Anastasia parked and indicated to Jim that he should get out.

“This is the called the North End.” She said. “It’s obvious why!”

 (Part of the “Tyson” project: 9th February 2017 – 367 words)