‘Damn’ I shouted, as my car screeched to a halt avoiding a branch across the road. Things couldn’t get worse after an altercation with my mistress; I needed to get home to avoid more questions. I fumbled for my mobile; I let out another expletive as I discovered no signal. Getting out of the car a cold draft of air hit me; I reached inside for my coat. I knew I could reach my village through the woods within thirty minutes. I locked the car and stepped off the road onto the sloping grass verge and entered the first clump of trees. I had been in the woods many times but never at dusk; my instinct was to walk straight but the trees don’t always allow this to happen, very soon I was completely disorientated. Looking around I could not recognise where I had entered the wood nor in which direction to continue. The trees had become denser and what light there was, battled through the high canopy. I sensed I was being watched; muttering to myself this was the stuff of horror movies, I forged on deeper into the wood.

I mused on what was the subtle distinction between a wood and a forest when I suddenly saw a light ahead. A flood of relief ran through my entire body; I must be closer to the village than I thought. My relief was short lived; the light source was a bonfire burning in a small glade. The trees stood tall and straight around the clearing like soldiers on parade. The fire reflected off their trunks producing some strange and hideous shapes making the area more grotesque.

‘Hello? Anyone there?’ I called, but no reply came. ‘Hello?’ I shouted a second time. Again I sensed eyes were watching my every move. I stepped out into the clearing and walked towards the fire; the heat was welcoming but before getting any benefit from it my senses reeled as I saw a pole several metres from the fire with a skull adorning its top. I shrunk back with horror; bile rising in my throat. Something darted behind one of the trees. ‘Hello? Who’s there?’ I screamed; my nerves on edge. And yet I did not want to meet whoever was out there. I moved from the fire and began running across the glade, my feet slipped on the leafy ground. My shoes had no grip; I fell to my knees and crawled, my whole being wracked with fear.

A figure stepped out in front of me robed and barefoot. I scurried away from the figure on all fours, whimpering like a wounded animal. My eyes travelled up the figure, the face was hidden by a hood. I knew it was human by its breath vaporising on the cold air. A movement to my left heralded the arrival of more hooded spectres.

‘We have been expecting you,’ said a voice both gentle and seductive. I was brought to my feet by two of them. I was presented before the red figure. My eyes widened and I struggled frantically when the blade of a knife glinted in the fire light. I was forced to my knees; the red figure pulled back the hood. 'Mary,' I gasped.The cold steel of my wife's blade pressed against my throat.

'You thought I didn't know about your mistress?'