Shobha yawned and stretched at the edge of the car park. It was already very warm, despite being 8am that morning, considering it was still May. She was on the edge of the wilderness as far as she was concerned. She chuckled, reminding herself that it was only Wales, this was a hike, and they were only gentle hills. Her fiancé had planned this hike with her for a while.
"Map: yup. Compass: here," she muttered. "I can do this even without Mike…"
After five years together, and five months before their planned intimate wedding, in a beautiful, old castle, he had left her. While he had given no explanation, she had soon after discovered his many indiscretions. She just didn't understand how she hadn't noticed that coming. Had she subconsciously turned a blind eye, or had she been that obtuse? Fortunately after a very emotional phone call to the weddings team, they had given her deposit back, excepting a small amount, which they allowed her to use as a credit voucher for their luxury hotel. And after meeting Mike, for what Shobha thought would be the last time on Monday that week, to return her engagement ring, she decided to use that stay this weekend. And on her own. It was closure.
The hotel itself was opulent, and very romantic. Luckily it also had a Spa, great room service and was a short drive away from a gentle hiking trail. The weather was forecast as perfect this weekend. It seemed a no-brainier. After tiring herself out on this hike, Shobha planned to get back for a long afternoon nap, followed by a swim and dinner. Then she could finally drive home tomorrow after breakfast. And hoped to never think of Mike again.
Shobha had been hiking for a what felt like hours. The grass was lush and overgrown. She took her backpack off and plopped it on the ground. Next she peeled off her cargo jacket and sat down. She checked her watch, it was still only 10.30am!
"Ugh" she scowled at her watch and took it off. The beautiful Tag timepiece was another reminder of him. She took it off and was about to throw it away, when she stopped. "No. Why should I suffer, I am going to trade you in for some money… I wonder how many other stupid things I have left from him?"
From the top of this hill, the valley below was a carpet of verdant green, with a small silvery stream running through it. To the far left there were sheep dotted about grazing lazily, like tiny little clouds.
She smiled. For the first time on her own, she didn't feel like crying anymore. She was twenty-nine, maybe she wouldn't die alone after all. This could be the start of her 'new life'. She opened her map again, it hadn't been difficult to navigate. One more hour and she would turn back.
Standing up, Shobha tied her jacket around her waist and pulled her backpack back on. Then backing away, admiring the view, her foot caught and she fell back. The ground seemed to give way and she landed on her back slipping down the slope. She was desperately trying to grab hold of the grass, but on that side of the hill the grass was still damp with dew, and so continued to slide further.
When Shobha came to she was lying flat on the grassy hillside, having well and truly grazed both her hands and arms, and very likely caked in mud and grass. She felt like maybe she had hit her head. But on feeling around for cuts and bumps, there was nothing obvious. Slowly she got up and scanned her surroundings.
She was halfway down the hillside but she didn't recognise where she was. She must have bumped her head worse than she thought! There was no phone signal. But the time was still 10.40am. If she had been unconscious, at least it hadn't been for long.
She puzzled over the map a bit longer – she still couldn't recognise anything. Where was she?
The panic began to rise. This was only a gentle hike. Then Shobha reminded herself that she had taken it slow and couldn't have been more than a few miles away from the car park. She would eventually find her way. Otherwise, as she got further down the hillside, surely there would be other hikers coming her way… or at least some signage towards the car park.
