The Journey - Exiled

 Saturday 2oth January 2024

This moment had been building for weeks and now that it had arrived it felt as though I was consumed by just about every emotion there was. As I waved goodbye to dad standing on the platform as my train pulled out of the station I couldn't help but wonder when, or even if I would ever see him again. I hope to one day when maybe memories have faded but there was no definite date set for my return so who knows. I fought back the tears of both sadness and disappointment the best I could. Then there is the gut wrenching uncertainty, not only of the journey but of the future. Little is known of either except that which dad has written on the list for me. Whatever happens will have to be faced alone and sorted out by myself though. Worst of all though is the feeling of love and absolute hate for my mother. I made one mistake and now I am being banished for it by her. I've come clean and owned it from the start and made it clear that it won't be happening again, I even begged her forgiveness several times but she hasn't moved an inch. So for that I hate her with all my heart. It seems I am not worthy of a second chance in her eyes. Dad would forgive me but he is to cowardly where she is concerned to stand up for me.

I folded the list that dad had given me and made sure to I put it back into my coat pocket, it was a lifeline of instructions. I'd nothing to do until we got to Edinburgh station where upon I had to find train to Inverness.

At York a middle aged lady took up the seat next to me and we got to talking which made things better. Apparently she had been down south visiting her family who lived somewhere in Yorkshire, I'd never heard of the place. She herself lives in Edinburgh. This came in useful when the train arrived there because she was able to show me where I needed to be. Also she very kindly stayed with me until it was time for me to get on the train which really touched my heart. We went and got a drink and a cake while we waited. I want to go and visit her one day if I ever manage to get away from here.

The next leg of my journey was to Inverness where I had to leave the train, it didn't say if that was the end of the line or not. When I disembarked I needed to keep a look out for a Mr or Mrs Scott who were picking me up and taking me to stay the night at their guesthouse. All the way to Inverness I worried that they would forget me or that I would miss them or some other disaster would occur but in actual fact Mr Scott was right there on the platform waiting for me. He did have my name written on a piece of paper but it was only needed as a confirmation because I spotted him before I even got off the train, everyone was moving off whereas he was just standing there looking around as if looking for someone – which he was of course. Mr Scott, also know as Archie, was maybe around forty years old, very cheerful, of slight build with a short amount of facial hair. After introducing himself he took me to his van in the car park from where we drove to his house which didn't take long. The streets were dark so I couldn't really see much of Inverness. Also he never stopped chatting so I was mostly busy talking to him.

At the guesthouse I met his wife who is called Haldis, which to me is an unusual name but she too was a lovely person. I was made to feel really welcome. They had made some dinner for me which I had after being shown to my room and taking a shower. It was only a small room with a single bed but it was nice enough, I was just glad to be there and be safe and sound with no worried for a few hours.I did sleep well in spite of feeling very strange and unsettled.