Her phone lost signal at the same time as Helena came across a ‘Road Closed’ sign. As water was pouring down the road in question this didn’t seem unreasonable. She pulled into the side and got out the map again. She set off when she had found herself an alternative route, hoping her phone would pick up another signal.

When she had a second to glance at the scenery, she saw that it was very beautiful but the road was getting narrow, steep and winding. Cow parsley lined both sides and the verges seemed full of wild flowers. At another time she would have either stopped and walked a little to identify the flowers or driven slowly and just admired the beauty but today she was on a mission. Her optimism with regard to the success of that mission was waning, being washed away by the rain.

She thought she was nearly at her destination when she came across another sign. This one said ‘Road Ahead Closed’. It did not specify how far ahead and this was important because nearly at the end of the road there was a little turn-off which was the one she wanted. There was no water running down this road – or at least not an unreasonable amount. Should she risk having to turn back? Or search for another way now?

The map was not encouraging. She’d have to turn round and start again, more or less, and who knew how many more roads would be closed now? She decided to risk it and take the road that might close before she reached her turn-off.

The rain started to ease and eventually Helena realised it had stopped and that the sun was appearing through the clouds. Mist gathered about her, touched with gold.

Her hope that the road wouldn’t close before her turning increased as a car came towards her. But then it got narrower, becoming single track with passing places. She reckoned she had about half a mile to go before her turn-off when she went around a corner and found that the road was blocked.

She pulled her car off the road and got out. She stretched. Undid her plait, shook out her hair and considered her surroundings. It was blissfully quiet. The only things she could hear were birds singing and somewhere out of sight the sound of running water.

Just for a bit she allowed herself to rest and then she considered. She could turn round and go back – there was room – or she could abandon the car and walk.

She looked at her phone. No signal. So she got out the map and tried to work out roughly where she was in relation to her destination.