On a bright autumn day, a boy and a girl sat on the high wall that surrounded a very old woodland. The leaves were gold and the sun reflected silver from the estuary far down the hill.
High above, a jet drew a line of white across a clear sky and the girl stared at it as it arched above them, eyes wide and full of wonder.
Jack Flint had put the heartstone into its niche and watched the sun and moon flick eastwards across the sky as the key to worlds turned the clock back and back until he knew he had arrived at the beginning of his journeys.
As they sat on the wall, he took the great horn in his hands, raised it to his lips and sent out a deep booming note that echoed across the valleys on the peninsula where he had grown up.
"Might as well let the Major know we're coming," he said. "And with luck, he'll get the kettle on."
They clambered down and began to cross the field to the big house.
"You'll love it here. A soft bed, good food. Great books. And the Major, well, he's special. He was my father's best friend."
When thought of his father, Jack's voice almost dried up, but he swallowed hard, then flashed Corriwen a warm smile. It would take him a while to come to terms; and to let his heart heal. But he would get there.
Jack took Corriwen's arm, and together they walked in sunshine towards home.
THE END