Cock & Bull - Laura Barnard Page 0,2

I was going on a licensing course, at our solicitors request, quitting my job, and packing up our entire lives.

This road doesn’t seem to ever end, it’s just never-ending lush greenery. If I wasn’t so stressed I’d probably find it beautiful.

Oh wait, I slow down to see a small turning. I indicate in and see a tiny sign, stating Ock La, barely visible from an overgrown bush.

Good enough for me. I turn in and finally catch sight the pub at the end of the road. Wow.

And not wow as in, wow its fabulous. Wow as in, “What the fuck have we gotten ourselves into?” It’s an old building with ivy covering most of the sign and door. The grass to the left is so over-grown it must go up to our waists, and the tarmac car park is crumpled and cracked with age.

‘This is it?’ Ella asks, her eyes as wide as saucers; her lips turned down as if she just smelt fish.

‘I... guess so.’ I swallow, forcing down sheer panic. Ever the brave big sister.

‘Well no wonder it’s not selling. It’s a shit tip!’

I frown at her, but know she’s right. We just have to hope it’s better on the inside. I mean nature has to take its course outside. Of course it does. The grass and ivy can’t just stop growing, and it obviously hasn’t been maintained. Poor Great Aunt Breda; she died in this place, all alone. My heart aches for her.

‘Let’s just hope the inside is better.’ I park us up and get out. The fresh air hits me. It’s strange not smelling distant pollution. My lungs already feel refreshed. ‘Come on, let’s get our stuff.’

I turn and take in our view. We’re right across from a small children’s playground, and beyond that Is a stunning lake, its crystal clear water shining against the sunshine. Wow. So there’s one good thing about this place. It’s too far to hear the water lapping, but I already feel more at peace just by being close to it.

We get our suitcases out of the boot. Well, I get my suitcase. Ella somehow managed to pack three which I leave her to get out herself.

With the sun setting behind us, the place seems to have an eerie air about it. It’s so quiet, no other people for what I assume is miles. A bird tweets from a nearby tree. I shrug the eerie sensation off, knowing I’m just being silly. It’s just because it’s the unknown, I’m not used to this much quiet. I’m better when I know what I’m doing. When I have a plan.

I wrestle with the ivy over the red door, managing somehow to get myself tangled in it.

‘Ella! Help!’ I cry, terrified it’s one of those plants that only get tighter the more you fight it. I’m sure they exist. Or did I see that in a film?

She rolls her eyes and laughs. ‘Honestly, Pheebs, you can’t do anything on your own.’

She’s using the line I normally say to her; sarcastically. Sometimes I wish I wasn’t such a know it all.

She calmly takes out a manicure set from her giant yellow handbag.

‘I hardly think this is the time for a manicure,’ I snap. God, this girl.

She glares back at me, unzipping it and taking out some tiny scissors. Ah, I see. Although I hardly think they’re going to do it. But within seconds of her snipping, I’m free.

‘Thanks.’

I take the long ancient looking key out from my pocket and turn it in the lock. It doesn’t budge. Great. It’s going to be one of those weird doors you have to do a secret bloody handshake to get into. I start wiggling it, then jump up and down while turning it different ways.

‘Stupid fucking key!’ I shout, quickly losing my patience. I blow the hair out of my sweaty face. After a whole day travelling I just want to face plant a bed.

Ella sighs and pushes me out of the way. ‘Let me try.’ She turns it and as if by magic it instantly opens.

What the hell? Apparently it only works for fairies.

‘Just needed some patience.’ She smiles smugly.

I snort and push past her. The smell of wet, old socks and urine invades my nostrils. Ugh.

‘Oh my god,’ Ella gasps, covering her nose with her hand.

I start to breathe just using my mouth, but I can still sense the stench trying to sneak its way up the back of my throat and into my nostrils. It’s so