Making my way to the docks I came across another vendor on the quayside – completely separated from the main markets of the town. She did not raise her head nor utter a sound yet I felt undeniably drawn to her. I trusted my sensing and approached her stall.

There was a very definite aura to this woman and her stall – almost tangible. As I drew closer I could feel myself surrounded by it – a truly divine sensation. She looked up and held me with her gaze for what felt like an age yet was, in fact, a matter of moments. On her stall was a display of stones – some of the earth, some of the sea, some rough, some smooth, some plain, some run through with colour or quartz. How I knew I do not understand for she said nothing, but I was aware that she wanted the stone in my pocket – the one I had brought from home. I had no hesitation whatever in giving it to her, so I held it out in the palm of my hand. She gently reached out and took it from me barely brushing my skin as she did so, yet as she did I experienced myself filled with the most exquisite sense of joy and peace. She placed the stone in a pouch which hung at her neck. Spreading her hands out over the stones on her stall she invited me to choose one in return.

Looking at them, I had no idea which one to pick. I closed my eyes. In my mind’s eye I could quite clearly see one of the sea stones glowing – this most definitely was the stone meant for me.

I thanked her with a bow of my head and a smile – not a word had passed between us. I felt the aura lift as I turned to proceed to the docks. As I approached the boats the vendor’s eyes appeared in my mind.

“How strange,” I thought to myself, “her eyes have the same intensity and feel of those of the young boy I met on the beach path”. I let the thought pass through my mind and go – I wanted to press on.

Ahead I could see a group of boats all colours, shapes and sizes……how would I know which one was ‘mine’?