Holi had first noticed that he was not the same long ago: days had become weeks and weeks had started to feel like years and somehow, she had learned to live with it. At first, she thought it was just in her mind but it hadn’t been too long before the almost undetectable changes became too much to dismiss: the mood shifts, the irritations and the constant worry.

Frequently, she would find him staring out of a window or into a dark corner for endless hours, his slight frame bent as if prematurely aged. At other times he would mutter to himself and then go quiet when she questioned him. Then there were the numerous occasions when he would jump right out of his skin as the phone or doorbell rang or when the door slammed shut.

No, it was too much to bear, it was like a heavy stone weighing down on her and suffocating her spirit. So they had decided to get away,

“That’s a start,” she had said, “a break will do us some good,” and so they went.saw

The Yorkshire Moors had always been a favourite place of hers. She had many fond memories as a child walking endlessly across the barren grasslands and climbing to the limestone pavements. This time they would rediscover some of the old magic, that ‘missing spark’. They were still young; they'd have some fun again. As Holi looked out of the window she mused, “It’s really coming down now, it’s so windy. Look at those trees. I hope it clears up for tomorrow.” But again, that familiar response as he withdrew into the corner.

“Yes, I know.”

“Who would have thought it would turn so quickly. I feel a bit scared now, what if something happens? No-one will find us here!” Holi exclaimed. In truth, she would have felt a lot better if Elmo had given her a little bit of reassurance. “It’s dark too; this cottage is in the middle of nowhere and miles from the main road,” she said. Again, no response.

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A huge gust of wind slammed against the wooden door and Holi jumped up, startled, “What was that?” Elmo was already on his feet, his face unusually drawn. He almost tripped over the small wooden table, hitting his elbow on the wall as he rushed to put on his black rain mac and snatch up a holdall. Holi, overwhelmed by the situation, screamed out to him, “Where are you going? What’s wrong?”

“I feel trapped, like I can't move.” He ran his hand through the wave of his fringe. “I've got to get out; I have to go. Now. Lock the door behind me. Don’t let anybody in. I’ll be back in... time.” Holi, scared more than angry, followed staring helplessly at his back.

“It's raining and dark!” But Elmo slammed the door and she retreated to the window. She looked frail, calling out to him from behind the misted glass overlooking the moors. But he was gone, hurried off into the night.

An hour passed by and she was still looking out of the window, but her hope for his safe return was steadily waning. She was clutching in her shaking right hand a note that Elmo must have scribbled and left on the small table that he knocked over in his hasty retreat. There were just the words - ‘rim gum baldy’ written on it. She had no idea what it meant.

Eventually, Holi unlocked the door and nervously ventured outside. She knew that she had been told to stay inside, but what was she to do? It had been ages since he had gone and he hadn’t answered his mobile when she rang him. It was still raining and she was unable to see very far beyond their little holiday cottage that had previously seemed so appealingly remote. She walked towards a wooded area about fifty yards from the cottage shouting anxiously,

"Elmo... Where are you?" But there was no response.

She approached the edge of the woods. The trees swayed uneasily, waving their branches around as if they were desperate to make their presence known. The woods were dark and wet and she stood there uncertain as to whether she should enter or not. She stopped and waited. He had gone this way, hadn’t he? She kept wondering again and again why Elmo had asked her to lock the door. She waited and wondered and then waited some more. Where had he gone? Why had he asked her to stay inside? It was at that moment, lost in thought and rain, frantic inside, she suddenly knew why!