Mystical One

While in the Cotswolds we stopped in at the West Kennet Long Barrow, a 5,400-year-old, 100-metre-long mound of earth housing a series of stone chambers.

Shelley entered first, and did so with a carefree attitude that was perhaps asking for it. In the half-darkness, she happened upon something unexpected: a largish, black-cloaked woman wielding a dragon-headed staff. Shelley signalled a retreat and I, having vowed on our wedding day to support her, followed.

We called a family meeting, and decided upon waiting respectfully for the woman to exit (at which point I took a picture of her).

On the walk back to the car we again happened upon the Mystical One, but her pagan terror was this time diluted by a backpack and an embarrassed-looking companion.