Darlene Foster's Blog

Welcome to the Advent Calendar Story Train, where you can read through 24 stories under this year’s theme, Lost.

Here is my contribution:

Lost on the Moors, by Darlene Foster

Photo of the Yorkshire Moors by Jo Tracey

“We’re lost.” Stella stared out of the car window at the long, narrow road leading to nowhere.
Brian gripped the steering wheel with determination. “No, we’re not.”
“I think we are. We should have turned left at the last intersection.” Stella pinched her lips together.
Brian furrowed his brow. “We’ll be fine. I grew up here, you know.”
“Ya, right.” Stella shrugged. “You said it didn’t snow here.”
“It doesn’t very often. Don’t the moors look pretty in the snow?” His eyes twinkled.
She shivered. “We’ll die out here, and no one will find us for months.”
“Don’t be silly. No one dies out here.”
“I read a book once about people disappearing on the Yorkshire moors. There was a serial murderer on the loose.” She shuddered at the thought. “Why didn’t you ask that guy at the petrol station for directions?”
“I don’t need directions. I know my way around here.” He patted her knee. “When did you start saying petrol station anyway?”
Stella ignored his question. “I’m scared.”
“What are you afraid of?”
“I think we made a bad decision.”
He sighed. “If it’d make you feel better, we can turn around and try the other road, but I can assure you they all lead to the same place in the end.”
“It’s not that.” She twisted the end of her scarf around her hand.
He looked at her sideways. “Well, what is it then?”

“I—I don’t think your parents like me. I think they aren’t happy that you’re marrying a Canadian girl.”
“Now you’re talking silly. Of course, they like you.”
“They don’t understand me and don’t know what to say to me. I haven’t had one conversation with them that was about anything other than the weather, and we’ve been here for two weeks.”
“Never mind. They take a while to warm up, that’s all. Give them time.”
Her mind was in a turmoil. “What are we doing?” She looked straight at him.
“We’re taking a drive on the moors so I can show you the countryside.”
“I mean, what are we doing together?”
“What are you on about? You sure can be daft at times.” He gave his head a slight shake.
“I don’t think we should get married. I’m afraid it’ll be a big mistake.” She brushed away tears running down her cheeks.
Brian sighed and pulled into a cosy country inn.

***

Photo of the Yorkshire Moors by Jo Tracey

Stella stared out of the car window at the long, narrow road ahead. “Have we been this way before?”
“Perhaps.” Brian shrugged.
“It looks somewhat familiar. I think there was snow on the ground when we were here last time.”
“The moors all look the same, how can you be sure?”
“It’s just a feeling.”
“Déjà vu, perhaps?” He winked.

“Something important happened here.” She knitted her brows. “I’m sure of it.”
“You and your feelings.” Brian patted her knee. “You’re not always right, you know.”
“I was right about marrying you thirty-five years ago,” she said with a smirk.
“You almost didn’t, remember?”
“I know. I got cold feet. I’m glad you convinced me to go ahead anyway!”
He looked around the empty countryside. “Maybe that cosy little inn is still here. I’d like to convince you to spend another thirty-five years with me.”
She laughed and patted his knee.“There’s never been a dull moment with you.”

Photo of the Yorkshire Moors by Jo Tracey

Thank you for reading today’s story. The next story will be available to read sometime on the 6th December, titled “Whispers From The Sea“. This link will be active tomorrow when the post goes live.

If you missed yesterday’s, you can go and read it here.

Here is the list of all the entries:

https://arimeghlen.co.uk/2025/11/28/2025-advent-calendar-story-train/

Thank you, Ari Meghlen, for organizing this fun event every year!