Compass of Dreams

Compass of Dreams — page 7 — Then again Reverend Prospero wasn't completely aware of his own strength At almost six feet six inches tall he was the kind of man you wouldn't argue with His wild eyes and loud voice didn't encourage dissent either Come on Patches I told my dog He immediately bounded after us The person we were going to see Jules was the real mailman in Applecross the one I'd been covering for We delivered letters to all the farms on the mainland and sometimes even on the islands Often the addresses were wrong which meant I'd have to bike all the way to the other side of the bay to deliver them Except for the locals the world didn't seem to have the slightest idea where Applecross was I can't blame them though Applecross is a small village in the northern part of Scotland There is just one road that leads to us and on that road there's a sign that reads Watch out danger ahead Do not drive on this road if

Compass of Dreams — page 8 — you aren't familiar with it No it's not a joke that sign actually exists But that summer the real danger didn't come from driving on our roads though that could be fatal near the rocks of Small Peak And it wasn't even because of all nineteen sharp turns along the way nor because of the rabbits crossing the road whenever they heard cars coming no one knows why our rabbits seem to love engines but they do It's not even because of the fog that can come so thick so quickly that it blocks your entire view of the road So what was the real danger you ask Jules the mailman I'd taken over Jules's mail route that summer because he twisted his ankle while riding his bicycle He didn't get a lot of sympathy for his injury because well he's a cranky guy And lazy Case in point in the four weeks I covered for him I delivered more mail than he had in the previous six months

Compass of Dreams — page 9 — Upon hearing this fact Jules was predictably angry What do you think you're doing boy he cried You're ruining my big plan And what's your big plan I asked Jules didn't answer my question Instead he got even crankier and swore that he'd make me pay for what I'd done whatever that was Then Jules limped out of the post office he only limped when he was angry and went to complain to Reverend Prospero just like everyone else in Applecross did when they had a problem And as usual Reverend Prospero found a way to solve the problem which was why the two of us were talking that day So what do you think asked the reverend He pointed at a red van just outside the post office It had the Royal Mail's insignia on its side Modern technology has finally come to our village You’re kidding right I asked The reverend continued speaking as if he hadn't

Compass of Dreams — page 10 — heard me The central office just sent the van to us he continued Isn't it a beauty I laughed Who's supposed to drive it I asked sarcastically Jules The reverend raised an eyebrow And why not he asked He's the mailman after all The red van looked like a cross between a toaster oven and a death trap I shivered at the thought of that thing speeding down the roads in Applecross or Belanch Ba the oxen road with Jules at the wheel Jules can't drive I mumbled Neither can you the reverend pointed out Which wasn't true at all I was sure I could drive it's just that it was illegal since I was only fourteen years old Which I'm afraid means you're out of a job boy I grumbled and handed over the mailbag As you wish I said But don't say I didn't warn you I paused Can I at least keep the bike The reverend didn't even look at me seemingly

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