NIGHT owls

There was a comforting presence out there, and it was calling to her

Eleanor flung open her skylight and gulped in the cool air, trying to focus on the sensation of breathing, rather than the thoughts that came creeping across her mind when she tried to sleep.

It had been a hard year. During the days, she kept busy, but after dark her sadness was waiting.

A noise rang through the night… too-wit, too-woo! It sounded like an owl, but she’d never seen or heard one before. Comforted by the thought of the elusive creature, she returned to bed.

The next morning, she pulled out her bird guide and found the page about owls.

The ‘too-wit, too-woo’ sound is a male tawny owl calling out, and a female replying, she read.

She imagined the beautiful creatures sleeping high in the oaks all day, as she walked her mischievous puppy, Nutkin, below.

That night, she opened the window before the lonely thoughts had a chance to enter her mind. The night surrounded her and she listened.

After five peaceful minutes, the call came again. Once she’d heard it, she went to bed and slept better than she had in weeks.

After that, before turning in for the night, Eleanor opened her window to hear the owls. Then one night… nothing.

Eventually, she cupped her hands and blew on her thumb knuckles, the way she’d been taught at Brownies. It made a haunting ‘too-wit’ call.

A couple of seconds passed. Then, clearly through the night, she heard ‘too-woo’.