Page 2 of Suddenly Beck

‘Excuse me,’ I flag down the guard as he passes. ‘I didn’t quite catch that. Where are we?’

‘Just outside Truro,’ he replies. ‘Storms brought down a tree on the tracks the other side of the station.’

‘How long do you think we’ll be sitting here?’ I frown in concern.

‘Not too long.’ He shakes his head. ‘We’re just waiting for them to move the train ahead of us into a siding, then we can pull into the station. I’m afraid it’ll take longer to clear the line though. You’ll have to disembark at the next station where there’ll be a replacement bus service.’

I nod as I pack my book back in my bag waiting patiently. After a few minutes the train jolts and begins to move again.

‘Head out the main entrance.’ The guard motions to me as we slide slowly into the station. ‘The buses will be parked just outside. Follow the other passengers if you’re not sure.’

‘Thanks.’ I stand and inch out of the gap between the seat and the table.

Heading to the end of the carriage behind an elderly couple I step down as the wind whips forcefully along the length of the platform tugging at my hair and clothes. Hiking the backpack further onto my shoulder and ducking my head down, I follow behind the others, my ticket clutched in my hand, and I exit the station. There are several buses parked out front, and I head to the nearest one, climbing the steps and flashing my ticket. The driver barely looks up from his newspaper as I edge along to the back of the bus, settling into a seat, and once again staring out the window.

I wish I could shake this awful numb feeling, but I can’t. There’s a sly little voice inside me that keeps questioning if I’ve done the right thing, but I don’t have time to dwell on it, the buses engine gives a sudden growl, and a moment later we’re pulling away, leaving the train station far behind. I think about retrieving my book and picking up where I left off but I’m so exhausted. I’ve barely slept in days. I’ll just rest my eyes for a moment I think to myself as the rumble of the bus fades away.

I wake abruptly to utter stillness. It takes me a moment to realise I can no longer hear the engine, and glancing around, I realise I’m the only one left on the now parked bus. Looking up I find the driver standing watching me having obviously just shaken me awake.

‘We’re here, son,’ he rumbles with a thick Cornish accent.

‘I must’ve dozed off.’ I cover my mouth as I yawn so widely my jaw gives a loud creak of protest.

‘Ay, that you did,’ the driver agrees. ‘Out like a light.’

I reach out and wipe the fogged up window. Staring out I can see little picturesque houses and winding streets, but it’s the view beyond them that draws my attention. I can see the grey sea churning violently in the wind. The frothy white peaks of the turbulent waves are clearly visible, and there’s something about all that wild beauty and raw power that calls to me.

‘Is this Penzance then?’ I murmur curiously.

‘Penzance?’ the driver repeats in surprise. ‘Ah, no, lad, this is the Bay, one of the coastal towns a short distance from Newquay, you’re still quite a ways from Penzance.’

‘Oh.’ I frown. ‘But the guard on the train said the bus would take me to Penzance.’

‘Yeah, it probably would’ve, if that’s where we’d been heading.’ He scratches his chin thoughtfully. ‘Reckon you got on the wrong bus.’

I blow out a slow breath. ‘Yeah, that sounds like me.’ I sigh in resignation.

‘Well, you’re welcome to stay on the bus. I’ll be heading back to Truro in a bit, and you can pick up the right bus from there or wait to see if they’ve cleared the lines and are letting the trains through yet.’

I consider his offer but find my gaze once again drawn to the window, to the storm-tossed sea, and I feel a churning in my belly followed by an unfamiliar sense of longing.

‘No, it’s okay.’ I decide impulsively. ‘I think I’ll just take a look around.’

‘Well, I’ll be heading out in about an hour. You can find me at the cafe over the road if you change your mind.’

‘Thanks.’ I smile gratefully as I grab my backpack and climb off the bus.

The stinging rain hits me as soon as my feet touch the road, slapping at my cheeks and pulling at my dark hair. I try to pull the hood of my jacket up but give up as the wind just keeps knocking it back. Resigning myself to the fact I’m going to get soaked, I breathe in the heavy brine scented air and find, strangely enough, I don’t care.

Slinging my backpack over one shoulder, I set off down the narrow winding street, keeping my gaze firmly fixed on the sea peeking through gaps between the houses. Before long the streets open up into wide grassy dunes, and the road turns to the wet crunch of damp sand beneath my shoes as I clamber up and get my first proper look at the bay.

It’s glorious, I think in wonder. The waves are choppy and really high, the crash and boom keeping pace with the storm. I can taste the saltwater on my lips. Not realising I’m grinning widely, I scamper down the other side of the small sloping dunes and hit the beach. There’s not a single other person in sight. It’s just me and a wide sandy crescent that stretches for miles in each direction curving at the edges of the headland.

Dropping my backpack down onto the sand, I head closer to the water. The wind is buffering me harder now, slapping my wet hair against my forehead. I can feel the pounding of the surf in my chest as I reach the water’s edge, not caring that the briny foam is washing up and over my feet soaking them instantly.

The ocean sweeps out for miles, lost in the horizon, until I can’t tell where the sea ends, and the sky begins. It feels like I’m standing at the very edge of the world, and I find myself wondering if this is what the Vikings felt when they believed the ocean spilled over the edge into nothingness and starlight? It is a fanciful thought, and one so out of character I find myself laughing out loud. Christ, if anyone could see me now, they’d think I’d lost my mind standing on a lonely beach laughing like an hysterical idiot.

Back home in London, I’d felt like I was slowly suffocating, but now, the numbness that had plagued me the entire journey suddenly evaporates, leaving me feeling like I can finally breathe for the first time in... well... forever. I tilt my head back, closing my eyes as the rain bathes my face, listening to the roar of the ocean.