Page 111 of Hope and Happiness in Bluebell Wood
‘Because I think it’s a quote from the Bible.’
I stare at Callum, so he continues: ‘Twelve: twenty-one is a line from the book of Romans, would you believe? And it says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”’
I still stare at him, and then I glance out at the bird table through the window.
‘Are you sure?’ I ask.
‘Has Evelyn got a Bible on her bookshelves?’ Callum says, getting up and walking over to them. ‘Yes, here.’ He pulls the Bible from the shelf and begins to flick through the pages. ‘It’s sometimes translated slightly differently, but the meaning is the same. Here you go,’ he says, passing me the book and pointing to the page.
I read what it says aloud: ‘“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” They knew what I was thinking,’ I say to Callum in amazement as he stands next to me. ‘They were trying to give me some comfort.’
‘And some guidance, too,’ Callum says, sitting down next to me. ‘I think that all the gifts the birds have left for you are trying to guide you in some way.’ He looks up at the mantelpiece, where the birds’ gifts still remain, except for the Roman coin, which Lonan has taken to present to the local coroner as part of our treasure finds.
‘Just because you might have had a setback with stopping the development completely, it doesn’t mean you should giveup. Good will always win out eventually, Ava. And that’s not me quoting from the Bible this time, that’s me telling you what I believe. And if you won’t take my word for it, listen to your bird friends. They seem to know exactly what’s going on, even if we don’t.’
Thirty-five
Lonan returns from his visit to the local coroner a few days later with good news.
Although they couldn’t say for certain without further official examination, off the record they were pretty sure that the things we had discovered were indeed Roman and treasure. If their suspicions prove to be correct, then the building site and the area around it will have to be thoroughly examined by archaeologists before any further disturbance of the ground can take place.
According to Lonan, the building site will likely be closed down within the next few days.
‘They didn’t even seem that surprised when I walked in with our things,’ Lonan says as he sits with me in the cottage drinking coffee one morning and telling me everything that had happened. ‘Apparently, there have been quite a few finds in this area. It was only a matter of time before someone came up with something of real value like Robin’s coins. They were particularly excited about those.’
‘But unless the archaeologists find something of significantinterest when they start looking in the area, then the building work will eventually begin again?’
Lonan nods. ‘I’m afraid so.’
I sigh.
‘There was one other bit of news, though,’ he says, pulling something from his pocket. ‘The strange bit of metal that Merlin helped you find. They don’t think that’s old enough to be of interest. Apparently, the Portable Antiquities Scheme only record things dated before 1700. They photographed it, though, in case they should want to record it and look at it further, and I said that was fine. So it’s all yours again.’
He hands me back the small piece of engraved metal.
‘Thanks,’ I say, sounding less than grateful.
‘What’s wrong, Ava?’ Lonan asks. ‘What you’ve done in discovering all this lost history is amazing. I know we’ve probably only stopped the building work for a short while, but it’s better than nothing.’
‘I know, but I just wanted to do something more,’ I tell him. ‘We’re new to Bluebell Wood, aren’t we, you and I? I don’t know about you, Lonan, but this village has done more for me than I could ever possibly try to explain. I just wanted to give them something in return for everything they’ve done for me.’
Lonan nods in agreement. ‘I know what you mean. I only came here to get some intense writing time. Usually when I rent properties, all I see is the inside of them, and on occasion the inside of the local hostelry. But Bluebell Wood has been so much more than just a base for me this time. I’ve been lucky enough to meet some wonderful people – you included – who’ve made me feel welcome and a part of the community. But most importantly, I’ve met and fallen in love with a delightful and amazing woman, and she and her remarkable son havetaken me in and made me feel wanted again, and I haven’t felt wanted for anything but my stories for a very long time.’
I’m surprised to hear Lonan say this. He always came across as such a strong, confident character, so to hear him sound vulnerable, even lonely, comes as quite a shock.
‘It seems like we’re both in debt to Bluebell Wood, doesn’t it?’ I tell him. ‘If only we could find a way of repaying the village for what it’s given to us.’
I look at Lonan, but he’s staring out of the window.
‘Lonan? What’s wrong?’ I ask, seeing his troubled face.
‘If I said what I’m going to say now to anyone else, Ava, they’d think me mad. But I think I just witnessed a jackdaw leave a gift for you on your bird table . . . ’
Lonan and I rush outside to the table and discover that a jackdaw has indeed left something, and this time it’s immediately clear what it is: a gold locket on a chain.
I carefully lift the locket from the table and blow the few pieces of bird seed that have already attached themselves to it down on to the grass.
‘I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes,’ Lonan says, staring at the locket. ‘But the bird flew down with it in its mouth and then purposefully dropped it on the table.’
