Chapter 15. Inversion

Finn changed trains at St.Erth for the short trip to St.Ives.

He'd lost count of how many times he'd taken this trip, to and

from Oxford, with his family. He idly rolled a crystal marble in

his hand that the fortune teller had given him after she'd read

his cards.

There was a dove etched on one side of it.

He could hear his Fathers' voice:

"What sort of idiot thinks that a bauble can protect them from

harm. It's superstitious nonsense."

Finn held it to his eye and watched the inverted countryside

go by. He opened the window to throw it out, and as he did,

it caught a ray of sunlight and cast a rainbow crescent in

his hand - you are a pretty thing though.

He put it back in his pocket as the train started to slow for its

arrival in St. Ives.

*

That morning, Finn started out early to catch the first train

to St.Ives. When he got to Oxford station the ticketing office

and platforms were already crowded with soldiers.

Every seat on the train was taken and some passengers were

already standing in the carriage aisles. The idea of being

jostled by people he didn't know and standing up for the

entire trip held no appeal. Finn decided to try his luck

with the next train.

There was a bakery a short walk from the station, so he

decided to get something to eat and sit down by the river.

*

He passed a pleasant hour sitting near the Osney bridge,

watching the boats on the river and sketching in his notepad.

Walking back to the train station Finn passed a terrace house

that had a display set up in its' front window selling second

hand books.

The common theme of all the books appeared to be the

mystical and fortune telling. One book in particular appealed

to him. On its cream and sepia cover, was a sword wielding

Angel swathed in three sets of wings.

He had no intention of ever reading it. It was going to be a

present for Nain Joan.

Finn knocked on the door - there was no answer.

He waited and was about to knock again when a short wiry

woman opened the door. She looked at him without saying

a word, then looked up and down the street.

"Can I help you?" she said.

"I was walking past and saw the books in your window."

The woman smiled. '' Of course, come in dear boy."

*