Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure

by Rhys Bowen

“You need time to become a person in your own right, just like I do. We need to find out who we are.”

“But we’re all strays, don’t you see? I’m a stray. You’re a stray. We’ve nowhere to go, and everywhere to go.”

And now life was a mystery. She had no idea what tomorrow might bring, but she didn’t care.

“I shrank,” Dora said. “I should have dreamed bigger. I accepted what society wanted me to be.” “I’ve done the same,” Ellie said. “I’ve been the dutiful wife and mother, and look where that has got me. Cast aside like an old shoe.”

She, too, had led a small life. Nothing to be remembered by. No deserts crossed. No mountains climbed. And nobody to weep for her when she died.

Then she understood, with utter clarity, that Dora had chosen her moment to die when Ellie did not have to witness it. She had slipped away without causing a fuss. So typical of her.

“We can’t let evil swallow the world.” “No. We can’t.”

“Oh yes, Lionel,” she replied. “You’d be amazed at the things I can do now. So hold on tight.” She steered the boat away from its mooring into open sea, then she pulled back to full throttle. The boat surged forwards with a roar, flinging Lionel against his seat. Ellie allowed herself a big smile.

We dared to take the first step, Mavis, and that’s why it worked out for us.