Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist)

Thanks Geoff for prompting Charli to prompt us to visit multiverses. I have read a few books where other worlds exist in the same time as that in which the protagonist lives their normal life. As a child C.S. Lewis’s tales of Narnia had me enthralled and when I found my husband had not been subjected to this classic in his childhood I immediately bought a second-hand version so he too could have the pleasure. I don’t know that he has yet read it but I certainly enjoyed revisiting the world beyond the wardrobe. A later book The Good Mayor by Andrew Nicoll also has a parallel world. Possibly the first fantasy book I have taken to as an adult – a modern-day fairy tale. I tend to be grounded in the real and for me this prompt has been very difficult and put me way outside my comfort zone. However, dog walks are beneficial to idea formation and as I leaned over the bridge rail scanning the river for sting rays an idea finally came….

John jumped from the bridge without giving a second glance back. The swirling river below engulfed him, taking him into the dark depths. A crack of light appeared along with a voice whispering “Stay away from the light, ” but the current propelled him toward it.

Caught in an eddy he hurtled through the void and suddenly aware of the sun warming his now naked flesh he saw he lay in a verdant field. Rising he headed towards the sun uncertain where he should be headed. Thundering past  the unicorns beckoned.

“Blast. Last time I landed in Paris with Hemingway.”