Free The Dreamers by Tanwen Coyne Page A

would make me happy forever. If only I had the courage.
     
    My deepest affection, Arianwen
     
    Arianwen had been in love then. Jennifer felt a little comforted by that fact. Perhaps loving Blodwyn had given her some happiness.
    She got up, leaving the letters where they were. Somehow, reading that letter had given her the energy to do something.
    There wasn’t much she could do. She hadn’t put any energy into finding work recently. It didn’t seem important. Not knowing what else to do, she checked her emails.
    There was one from Seren Jones, the person she’d emailed about researching the village.
     
    Hi Jennifer,
     
    Thanks so much for replying! I ’m really excited by the woman you mentioned. I think she may be a relative of mine. I’ve been trying to find out about a branch of my family which died out in the 1800s. My ancestor Hywell Jones received an inheritance from an unknown relative in 1879. Could this perhaps be Arianwen Jones? What do you know about her?
     
    Seren Jones
     
    Jennifer read the email over three times before she replied.
     
    Hi Seren,
     
    I think Arianwen did die in 1879. I am living in the house where she used to live and I’ve found a diary of hers and some letters. The last letter is dated 1879. Do you know whether your ancestor inherited the house as well?
     
    Jennifer
     
    Hi!
     
    There was a property sold at around that time, to a Mr Marks. Hywell had moved away from Cilfachglas as a young man and couldn’t cope with the upkeep of two houses. I’m sure I’ve heard your name somewhere. Are you well known in London?
     
    Seren
     
    Hi Seren,
     
    That makes sense. I inherited the cottage from my uncle. The family never really did anything with it. It still has Arianwen’s piano in it.
    Not really well known, but I’ve had a few photos in a few galleries in London. Maybe you’ve seen my work?
     
    Jen
     
    Hey Jen,
     
    Wow, she played the piano? Awesome. I love music. Must be in the family! Yeah, I think I must have! I saw a photographic exhibition last year on the old houses for the poor in London. What that you?
    W hat are you up to today? I’ve got to deal with my new airhead cashier at work. She’s lovely but a bit dim. One of those who cares more about her nails than looking after customers!
     
    Seren
     

     
    Seren hummed along to the punk girl rock music which throbbed through the shop. That was one of the things she loved about her job. She could rock out whilst doing it. She knew a lot of the customers and she loved chatting with them and answering all their music related questions. She knew everything there was to know about rock music and a lot about every other type of music.
    Today, as she bopped about filling up the CD racks, she was thinking about Jennifer. They’d been emailing now for a week. She looked forward to seeing Jennifer’s name in her inbox and began to look for it whenever her phone pinged that she had an email.
    ‘You’re cheerful today,’ said Anita, the young shop assistant. She leaned on the counter, filing her nails and not paying much attention to the cash register.
    Seren grinned. ‘I’ve got good things on my mind.’
    ‘A girlfriend?’ Anita asked, sniggering a little. Being seventeen and a little empty-headed, she still thought it was hilarious that Seren was gay.
    ‘Just somebody I’ve been emailing. I don’t actually know her. Though I feel like I do, which is kinda weird.’
    Anita laughed. ‘Sounds like you’re in love.’
    Seren shrugged, smiling just a little. Maybe if I actually knew her. She carried on with her work. It had been a while since she’d had a girlfriend, or even gone on a date. She didn’t think she was particularly lonely. It wasn’t as if she had an unhappy life. But she would enjoy sharing her life with somebody.
     

     
    Jennifer sat in her chair with another letter. She’d been slowly reading through the letters, which covered many years. They had told the story of Arianwen falling in love