‘Souls,William. Yes, our souls. The immortal essence of who we are, who we were, who we are to be in the future.’
‘The priests at church say we’ve got but one soul, an’ its eternal fate depends on what we dae in this one short lifetime we’re allotted. But, you know, that doesnae make much sense tae me. D’ye really think tha’ our souls merely occupy these temporary bodies for but one mortal lifespan, an’ then are consigned tae heaven, or hell, for all the rest ay eternity? Eternity is a frightful long time.’
‘There are many other beliefs,’ Aurora said, ‘about the souls and the afterlife besides that of what Christianity teaches. And some of those teachings say that our soul lives through countless mortal lives, occupying a new body in a different time again and again.’
‘So after we die, we’re reborn intae a new body, tae live a new life again? And tha’ keeps happening o’er an’ o’er again, then?’
‘That is what some religions say, yes.’
‘Well I dunnae about tha’, as much as I dunnae about what the church teaches about just having one single lifetime. But … there is one thing that I dae know, with sheer an’ utter certainty.’
Aurora smiled and planted a quick peck on William’s lips, causing a broad grin, infused with both shyness and affection, to spread across his face.
‘And what might that be, my poet?’
‘Tha’ my soul and yours are now forever bound, far beyond the confines ay time and mortality. I’m sure ay it, Aurora, in the deepest heart ay my immortal soul. Whate’er happens tae me in this life or the next, I’ll be wi’ you. I know this as surely as the sun rises in the east an’ sets in the west. It is a truth, m’lady, the one truth ay which I can be utterly certain.’
Aurora, aglow with affection, leaned in and kissed William with slow and languid pleasure. When she pulled away from their embrace, she smiled and brushed his cheek, and nuzzled his neck.
‘I know this too,’ she said softly. ‘We are forever bound, you and I. Forever bound.’
They lay for a while on the grass in one another’s arms, listening in silence to the shouts and cries of joy that echoed across the landscape as Andrew, Paul and Mike raced around the field. With their fingers intertwined, Aurora laid her head on William’s chest, listening to the gentle beating of his heart as he ran his fingers through her hair and caressed her face and neck. Together, in serene, wordless bliss, they watched the sun sinking behind the distant hills as the dusk settled in, breathing in the beauty of the first stars lighting their tentative fires against the deepening blue.
Paul, Andrew and Michael came jogging back as the embryonic night began to swell. They were all panting and sweating from racing around like madmen, but all three wore great, beaming smiles on their faces. As the men congregated around the lovers, Aurora gave William one last kiss before she got up and dusted herself off.
‘Gentlemen, darkness is beginning to fall,’ she said. ‘My parents will be back from their trip shortly, so I must take my leave of you and hurry back home. Michael, Paul and Andrew, I do sincerely hope that I may have the pleasure of your company again soon.’
‘The pleasure is all ours, m’lady,’ Michael said with a gentlemanly smile and a bow.
‘Aye,’ Paul added. ‘We rarely have the pleasure ay such wonderful company.’
‘Thank you again fir the sketching tips, Aurora,’ Andrew added with a shy smile. ‘They are most appreciated, an’ I’m very eager tae try them out.’
Aurora beamed a genial smile at all of them.
‘You are such wonderful people!’ she exclaimed. ‘My William does have such exquisite taste in friends!’
‘No’ friends,’ William interrupted as he too stood up. ‘Brothers, my dear. Tha’s what these fine lads are tae me: brothers.’
‘Will speaks the truth ay the matter,’ Paul added, brimming with quiet affection for his friends. ‘Aside frae my real brother by blood, I’ve no family in this world but these lads, an’ by Jove I’m thankful fir them.’
‘It is plain for all to see how strong your bonds are,’ Aurora remarked. ‘Truly, you four are brothers, and your closeness is quite admirable. Still, as much as I would love to continue enjoying your company, I must be off now. I will see you all again soon though, I trust?’
‘Aye, we hope tae see your lovely self again soon as well!’ Michael exclaimed. ‘Come on now Will, untether the horses, you need tae escort your fine lass home, post-haste!’
‘I’ll see you lads down at the pub later!’ William said cheerfully as he headed over to where the horses were grazing.
Aurora waved a last goodbye to the men as she followed behind him, and after they had mounted their horses both she and William trotted off into the falling night.
***
‘Ye’ve truly got yoursel’ a proper fine lass there Will,’ Paul commented as the four of them trudged along the cobbled country lane, walking home from a late evening at the pub.
Above the four men, in the moonless sky an abundant scattering of stars twinkled and glimmered, ten thousand pinholes punched through the cloak of night. Around them a soft breeze whistled, hissing its susurrus through the trees and leaves, and carrying on it a sweet smorgasbord of late summer scents; flowers, orchard blossoms and energised life. It was almost too dark to see, but they had all walked this road often enough over the years that they knew every bump and bend and could have done it with their eyes closed.
‘She’s a true gem, brother,’ Will said, the corners of his mouth curved up into a glowing smile that seemed to stick with stubborn persistence to his face. ‘The Father above was smilin’ down on me the day I met her. My life’s ne’er been the same.’
‘An’ none ay our lives ha’ been the same since we came tae Sir MacTaggart’s
