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.The walk starts in Grasmere village and soon takes me along the road out of the village for quite some time until a path connects the road to the lake, where I then continue along the lakeside path towards the foot of Loughrigg Fell.Grasmere’s lake is still and calm, so that the mountains’ images are reflected in it like a mirror.For the first time in weeks, I start to feel at peace as I block out all of my sad and angry feelings, and I truly feel that dad is with me – as if he’s standing next to me admiring the reflection of the mountains in the water.It’s like I know what he would be thinking and feeling at this very moment.I am not sure if you can understand or if it sounds silly that my dad is with me, but if you’ve ever experienced the loss of a loved one, maybe you’ll understand what I mean.As I reach the end of the lake, I decide to take in the view, which I photograph on my phone and text to Kate.A bleeping indicates a message that Kate has sent, worrying about me, so I text to say I’m okay.More bleeps show that I have several messages from James, causing me to switch off my phone again, so I’m not tempted to listen.At some point I’ll need to face the truth with James, but right now I don’t want to be taken away from this moment with Dad.This appears to be a popular mountain to climb because I pass many people coming the opposite way, cheerily encouraging me on.Knowing that Dad would have loved this camaraderie between walkers, I smile properly for the first time in weeks.The ascent is fairly steep, but quick, and I am at the top in little over an hour.The views are simply fabulous, overlooking the lake and numerous surrounding mountains, which remain reflected in its stillness.This is the perfect spot for lunch and I know this is where Dad would open his egg and cress sandwiches, which I also brought for my lunch – being his favourite.Standing up, I take in the view one last time imprinting it on my memory, before heading back down.Being so high up, I feel a gentle breeze causing a fluttering in my hair and a tingling in my cheeks.If I had a mirror now, no doubt they’d be rosy with the cold.What would Dad think if he were here now – I need to remember this moment and how he might have felt up here.He would have said something about always appreciating the simple pleasures in life.He would look at this view and be overwhelmed by the simplicity of the beauty of nature not feeling the cold against his skin, loving the fact that it costs absolutely nothing.As I head back towards the lake, having descended back down the mountain, the afternoon sun has reached its peak and in another two hours it will be dusk.It will take another hour to get back, so I will have time to have a look around the shops in Grasmere village – perhaps buy a few gifts as a thank you for people who have been so good to me recently.Continuing towards a small wooded area alongside the lake, I see a fellow walker heading towards me, which seems strange because most people have headed in the opposite direction towards Grasmere.Lost in my thoughts I don’t pay much more attention until the figure stops right in front of me – it’s James!Notes to SelfNote down Dad’s advice = Appreciate and get joy from natural beauty; it’s free and you have access to it no matter how much money you earn.Chapter 21Climbing mountains – finding peaceQuickly striding towards me as if on a mission, yet looking tired and worried, James says, “Lizzie! Thank god you’re okay – why haven’t you returned my messages? I’ve called you so many times and I’ve been worried about you!” James now looks as if he is torn between two emotions, one being anger and the other relief, as he circles me like a predator contemplating what to do with its prey, whilst running his hands through his thick, curly hair.“Well you didn’t look too worried the last time I saw you!” I shout, desperately trying to hold back my tears, which have suddenly appeared after feeling so calm.The emotions I’ve locked away somewhere inside me since last night, surface and I feel angry with him for hurting me [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]