The Glyndwr Connection is an adventure storey full of perils and risks set in and around Porthcawl on the South Wales coast.

The beginning of Adam’s day was not going well as he slowly ate his breakfast at his fashionable home in Chelsea in the summer of 1942. He had just been informed of his mother’s disappearance in war-torn France and that he was to go and live with relatives he did not know he had in the back of beyond of South Wales in a place called Porthcawl ... How boring he thought ... How little did he realise ... How wrong his assumption would be!

South Wales was beyond what ever he thought it could be; most definitely, boring, was not the word for it. A country filled with castles to explore and mountains itching to be climbed, families brought together in a war-torn land. It had wild beaches filled with so many areas of exploration. Family secrets and relatives he never knew he had. Places of history filled with adventure. An historical secret left to present day adventurers to put right with results beyond his imagination. Why had his mother disappeared in France, was it because of her involvement with the war office or had her job as an archaeologist taken her into danger, would he find the answers he needed with his family in South Wales?

Mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, where would all these family secrets end, would danger and death bring it all together in their fight to bring a torn family back together again?

All names of people in the story are fictional and are totally coincidental with anyone of the same name.

Names of places are true to the area of South Wales set in the story.

There are 52,230 words in the book, and 35 chapters.

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Sample Chapters

Chapter One

Adam was beginning to be lulled to sleep with the rocking of the train, three times he had been jolted awake and just as he thought this is it now, a good sleep before he reached his destination in the back of beyond of south Wales when he was jolted awake again.

He remembered the Pullman he had travelled on a few years earlier, the luxury of soft leather seats with a good breakfast bar served by willing attendants, how he wished the government had not removed them from service during this war.

The date was the tenth of June nineteen forty two, two days off his fifteenth birthday, a week ago he was looking forward to the fact that his mother had promised him a special day out but all that had drastically changed yesterday.

Morgan their butler had woken him with his favourite chocolate drink and said;” Master Adam when you are ready there is a gentleman to see you downstairs from the ministry”. Adam grabbed his dressing gown and raced down the stairs, his mother had on times worked for the ministry and for a week now nothing had been heard from her.

A cold stiff upper lip who’s name sounded foreign talked for about an hour explaining that his mother had gone to France on a recovery job of some kind and had disappeared, every thing seemed a jumble of words making no sense at all, the final statement sent his mind reeling, it was his mothers wishes that if she disappeared that he was to go and stay with family in South Wales. “We don’t have any relatives at all, never mind in South Wales Adam said” with that the pompous man left with the words your butler will inform you of all the details.

Morgan looked so uncomfortable that Adam nearly laughed out loud, “I am so sorry master Adam about your mum missing, we did discuss this situation before she went off to France, and she told me of her sister Mrs Julia West who lives in a small village on the south Wales coast”. Adam interrupted him by saying, “what rot, why have I not heard about this family connection before”. Morgan cleared his throat. “As I was saying when if you don’t mind me saying that I was so rudely interrupted, your mother said that she and her family had parted on bad terms just after you were born. They had not agreed to your mother’s choice of husband and when she left Wales with you to come to London she had stormed out of the family home and has not been in touch since”.

“I just can’t understand why she never told me about this and why did she not go back after my father was killed when I was two years old in a drowning accident”. Adam looked at Morgan, as he shifted in his seat and said,” just how is it you know about things that I don’t know about”. Standing up with fists clenched “and just what is your real connection to my family”. “Oh my God, you’re Welsh, how could you not be, with a name like Morgan”. ” Right lets have it, all that you know about my mother’s life that I don’t know about including what you know about this trip to France because I believe you know more then you are letting me know”.

The next couple of hours were filled with information on his relatives in South Wales. He had a aunt and uncle by the name of West who lived in a village off Nottage which was very near the coast, they had a farm with no cattle , only pigs and horses and grew crops to sell at the local market town of Bridgend. The surprise that he had not expected was that he had a cousin called Thomas who was the same age as himself; they were born a day apart. Morgan went on to say that he had been in love with his mother years ago, she had written to him when his father was killed to say that she could do with a general handy man come butler if he wanted to escape South Wales.

If he accepted the job he would be most welcome but one condition he was not to tell her family where he was going and that she had been in touch.

“Over the years I supported your mother in many ways, one was to be here looking after you while she went ahead with her hearts desire, she got a job in the Albert and Victoria and over the past twelve years she managed to get her decree in archaeology through some damn hard work.” Adam interrupted him by saying, “ Yes she went to lots of digs I remembered , but she could never have done that if you had not been here to look after me,“ he stretched out his hand to Morgan “ you know you are the nearest thing to a father I could have had” . Adam laughed, “You remember when you were teaching me to defend myself and I tripped and fell and broke my leg, you carried me to the hospital. When the doctor asked you how old your son was you did not correct him, I believe it was from that day that I felt safe and it did not matter how much I learnt in self defence nothing would make me feel safer as I did that day.”

Adam was jolted back to the present with a Porter shouting next stop Bridgend, he pulled his bags off the shelf above his head, while doing so he felt a shiver go down his spine as if someone had walked over his grave, looking sideways he was sure he saw a man who had bumped into him on the Paddington station.

“Now young man”, the porter said to him as he climbed down off the train, would you be Master Adam, he was shocked that someone would know his name,” Yes I am, how you know my name.” “Its that young master Thomas has come to pick you up but the pony is playing up and he has gone back outside to be with it, here let me take one of those bags and I will show you where he is, also there’s no mistaking that you are both related.” They turned the corner to see a young man holding on the reigns of the pony talking to it by saying there there now Cariad, and what is this all about. He turned as the porter called his name. Adam felt like he had been kicked in the stomach, It was like looking in a mirror, Thomas was the image of himself, the only difference was in the height ,Thomas was about an inch taller then himself and looking at him the hair was slightly lighter.

Thomas was just as shocked as Adam on looking at his cousin, a grin crept over his face, he said, “What fun we would have had as youngsters getting up to mischief making out we were the other, especially at school.” Adam decided on the spot that he was going to like this cousin of his, there was something one could not put ones finger on, but it was like a part of himself that had been missing all his life.

The pony reared as if to say lets go, but Thomas shushed her,” there now lovely girl what’s wrong with you today.” Adam held the mouthpiece, “It seems like its when you pull on this that she is hurting.” Thomas looked and cursed under his breadth. “Dam you Rhodri Evens; I will kill you for this”. When both lads looked into the pony’s mouth they could see blood in it,” Adam said “it seems like there is a nail of some kind embedded in the strap and who is Rhodri.”

An hour later on route home Thomas explained that Rhodri Evens was a lad of the same age who had been a thorn in his side since entering junior school, whenever he had the chance he would belittle him or punch him. When they were learning to swim for instance he put itching powder in his trunks, it had gone on for all their school life and even the parents had not been able to stop it. “We finished school two weeks ago and even then he said to me that he would be waiting to get me at any opportunity he could, I don’t know why he has been like this I have never given him just cause for it. I am sure he heard that I was coming into Bridgend to pick you up and he put the nail in the strap, it would have been easy for him to do as the stock shed at the farm is never locked.” ”Sounds like you need to take him aside one night and show him that he can’t go on getting at you like this, and to hurt an animal in this way shows the cowardly person that he is.” Adam said as he reached forward to tap the rump of the pony, her names Daisy said Thomas. “I Thought her name was Cariad, I heard you call her that when I came out of the train station.” “Oh no that’s an endearment word we Welsh use when we want to calm someone down, its also a word for lovely, darling and so on, you will hear it a lot when the men at the markets are trying to get the women to spend their cash, Bloody cheek I have often heard my mum say when they try it on with her.” As they turned off the main road into the lane Thomas said, “Talking of mum, we will go via the dipping bridge in Mythyr Mawr, just to stop and pick up some fresh water cress from under the bridge over the river, she swears by it being the best in the county”. “What’s the dipping bridge?” Adam asked “It’s where the sheep are thrown in after shearing before going to market, its great fun to watch and a good excuse to get in with them to cool off when the weather is hot”.

The rest of the journey was spent in sharing the sandwiches that his aunt had packed for them and the most delicious milk Adam had ever tasted,, Thomas explaining the names of the places as they trotted past, the welsh words were hard to get his tongue around and Thomas had great delight in trying to get him to pronounce them correctly. They were coming nearer to home in Nottage, Thomas had already told Adam a bit about the place, and how it was close to Porthcawl a local seaside town. Thomas loved to visit the beaches after a good storm to see if there had been any treasure found in the pools from the wrecks that were scattered around the local coastline. Adam had shown an interest in this and had explained about his love of history and archaeology, Thomas felt that maybe having this Posh cousin as he had called him staying a while might just be alright, they had got on so well on the journey home that he felt he was the friend he had missed out on in growing up over the last fifteen years, what had impressed him most was the way he helped calm Daisy down and had used his smart handkerchief to blot up Daisy’s blood. Yes he thought, Rhodri; a reckoning is coming for you.

Adam felt shy as he met his Aunt and uncle, they fussed over him, how shocked they were on the resemblance to Thomas, the tea table was bountiful considering there was a war on, cooked ham, cheeses and homemade pickles, pudding was bread and jam, so good Adam thought. Julia his aunt, said, “Well I never, anyone would think you was starving” Adam grinned and burped so load that everyone was in hysterics. “Oh I am so sorry, where are my manners”. “Never mind that lad, showed you enjoyed it,” uncle William said as he got up from the table to check the livestock, He turned to go out of the door when he paused to sniff the air, “Storms coming in Thomas, best get the pony in and lock down the barn and shed, maybe after on what you said about Daisy’s mouth its best we lock up at night from now on, who’s to say it wasn’t the Germans”!!.

Adam got up to follow Thomas when, his aunt called after him, “No not tonight in those posh clothes, you can help around the farm tomorrow if you have some different clothes and if not, then Thomas has plenty he has recently outgrown which will fit you. I can’t believe you are so alike only Thomas is about an inch taller then you.”

Adam was so happy to get into the soft bed made up for him in the back bedroom, he opened the window and could just make out the sea in the twilight, it was so amazing that one could smell the sea beside hear it, as he snuggled down to sleep a thought accrued to him, no one had asked him about Angharad his mother.

Chapter Two

Adam stretched; the smell of bacon had reached his nostrils, his stomach churned with hunger even after the wonderful meal he had eaten last night. There was a bowl of lukewarm water on the dresser, someone had brought it in while he had slept, what a plonker he thought, I so want to make a good impression and here he was sleeping while everyone was up and working, he walked into the kitchen as aunt Julia was serving Thomas and uncle William bacon and eggs with what seemed like green grass!!. “I am so sorry for sleeping on and being late for breakfast. Everyone looked at each other, Julia said kindly to him, “Adam this is not breakfast its lunch.”

After continually saying he was sorry, he said to Thomas, “Please until I get used to times here wake me up to help on the farm and especially for breakfast”. To which they all agreed to do. Adam learnt that Thomas was expected to help out on the farm in the mornings with the feeding of the pigs, horses and hens, then mucking out. Adam would be expected to do the same then after lunch their time was their own to explore the coast or go for a swim, this would be their daily routine except for market day when everyone mucked in getting livestock to market, some times aunt Julia would have a stall at the market to sell her jams, chutneys, scones and welsh cakes, she was so well known that every thing sold out within the hour of setting up. Also if they slaughtered a pig some of it would be given to other farmers in some form of bartering.

Adam was too shattered to go off wondering with Thomas the first week he was at the farm, what with the physical work each day which he was not used to added to the sea air which gave him such an appetite that he was beginning to feel did he ever want to leave this heavenly place instead of going home when mum turned up.

After lunch the next day William said, “Come on boys Aunty has said she will do the dishes, there’s a surprise for you in the barn”. Both boys nearly fell over each other as they raced to the barn. Adam got there first and yanked the door open; there in the middle supported by bales of hay were two ancient but sturdy bikes. “Oh great Dad” said Thomas, “Where did you get them.” William slightly coloured as he mumbled under his breath. “Sorry dad I did not catch that, what did you say,” said Thomas, “Well son your mum reminded me of the two bikes we had when we were courting, I must admit it took me a while to remember where I had stored them away I found them at the back of the barn under some old tarpaulin. It did not take long to bring them back to life”. “Both your mum and I thought it would also be an extra birthday present for you both as you did not get anything too special on the day”. Thomas kept saying “They’re tidy”. Adam smiled to himself here he was in a strange land with strange sayings but a great sense of belonging crept over him which made him think of something that Morgan used to say on occasions, “Someone’s walked over my grave.”

William broke the silence, “Well boys off you go. Go and explore, mum has packed you some snacks and drinks to keep you going.”

Thomas said to Adam as they cycled out of the farm, “Right I want to show you so much in this place where I grew up, loads of places you will love, there is so much history here, there was a good high tide last night lets go to Rest bay which sometimes brings in some good stuff off the sea in the pools there.” With the wind in their faces they laughed and enjoyed each others company as they raced against each other. They parked up their bikes near the tea rooms, Thomas shouted to Mrs Richards who ran the tearooms, “Ok to leave the bikes here.” She waved to him and said ok, “Don’t you be forgetting the time Thomas West; I shut in a couple of hours.” “Ok” Thomas called back. “What you grinning at Adam” he said to his cousin. “The way people say both your Christian and surname together when they talk to you here.” Thomas brushed it off with “It must be a Welsh thing” as they raced down to the beach with their knapsacks blowing in the wind behind them.

An hour later with sand filled toes as they had removed their shoes when they reached the sand; they found a good size rock to sit on as they opened the bag of lush ham sandwiches that Aunt Julia has packed for them, Thomas burst out laughing when the ginger beer squirted everywhere as he opened the bottle. “What you smiling again for?” Thomas asked Adam. “I was thinking what an idiot I am.” “Would you like to explain what you mean by that” said his cousin. “I was thinking that weeks ago I was rebelling about coming to this dead end of a place to live on a farm”. He turned and said to Thomas, “This place is amazing, hard work but amazing, do you realise how wonderful it is”. Both boys looked with a new respect and friendship towards each other, Laughing Adam said “Its TIDY,” Both boys were in hysteric’s tears rolling down their cheeks. “Well not much in the way of finding anything today” said Thomas, “not even any good driftwood”. “What do you do with the driftwood,” asked Adam. “Dad usually looks at it first to see if he can make something out of it as he loves to make items out of wood. He always says it’s a living breathing piece of Gods creation and sometimes he just loves to hold and breath it” said Thomas, “There are lots of pieces in the barn if you want to look at them, I usually bring some back off the beach after a storm. Then if dad can’t use them we put them in the wood pile for burning.”

“Oh Blast” said Thomas as he ducked down behind a rock, “What on earth is the matter you have gone as white as a sheet,” said Adam. “Its Rhodri Evens, he’s coming down the path to the beach with his friend Di Jones”. Adam grinned, “What you grinning at, it’s not Damn funny” Thomas said. “Well I was thinking as we are so alike and as he cant see you hiding there behind that rock and as I still have your old clothes on why don’t we have some fun and pretend I am you”. Thomas looked at him and hissed “How did you say all that without coming up for breath”. Before Thomas could stop him Adam leapt out in front of Rhodri, “What are you playing at now you are so stupid Thomas West,” Rhodri yelled at him, .There it was again thought Adam the two names what’s wrong with this race of people isn’t one name enough. He grinned, oh Boy, was he going to have some fun, he thought of Daisy’s mouth as he looked this churlish creature up and down. Rhodri slyly looked at Di and said \”How’s Daisy” Smash. Before he could stop himself Adam had smacked his fist into Rhodri face. He went down like a sack of spuds and stayed there. Di took one look at Adam, thought that Thomas was going to hit him next and ran. Rhodri got up, looked at Adam, “Where did you learn to do that?” “Why do you want some more?” “No” he screamed as he ran after his friend Di .

The cousins collected the bikes, rode in silence for a while when Thomas pulled over; He looked at Adam and said, “We need to talk”. ”Rhodri’s dad will be round later, its ok for him to hit his son but for us to do it he will be so cross, we will be surely asking for some trouble coming from that family”. Adam looked at his cousin, “I think we had better get back to explain to your parents what happened, I was so mad about Daisy that I just hit him. I think they will understand that a very unpleasant young man got a hiding he deserved”.

Over supper both boys kept interrupting each other in telling the tale of what had happened on the beach. William put his hand up and said, “Why don’t we all enjoy this lovely meal we are blest with and then Julia and I will discuss it while you lads wash up”. An hour later the boys crept into the front parlour which was always kept for Sunday tea or visitors, but tonight Adams uncle and aunt had gone in after dinner and had shut the door, showing that they both wanted to chat about this on their own.

“Can we come in dad?” asked Thomas as both boys slunk in to sit on the huge comfy sofa.

William looked sternly at them both trying to hide a smile to the corners of his mouth. “Well both Julia and i were shocked to hear about what had happened, we both understand why you did what you did Adam and to care for a dumb animal is good but it’s not the way to do things”. William cleared his throat and said “Damn never ever expected to hear myself say that”... “I understand that over the years that Morgan has been watching over you, you have learnt the skill of self defence from him.” Adam sat with his mouth open “How on earth do you know of Morgans?” He exclaimed.

“Morgan is my friend, we grew up together and when your mum asked him to go to London to help out he came and talked to me about it first and has unbeknown to your mum has been in contact ever since. Don’t look at me as if we have betrayed your mum but someone had to take the reigns to keep a family connection with her. It was done entirely for your protection in case ever anything happened which proves a point don’t you think. Anyway going back to your training in self defence your aunt and I thought perhaps it would be a good thing for you to teach Thomas how to protect himself, you could use the barn where no one would see you and also the hay would help to stop you falling on the ground to often Thomas”.

Both boys were in the barn sitting looking at each other in amazement, “Well I never.” they kept saying to each other, “Well I never.”

Chapter Three

Six weeks later, the bodies of both boys had filled out with the training and with the help they had done on the wheat and barley fields in neighbouring farms had given them healthy glows about the cheeks, there had never been any come back from Rhodri, the only thing they could put it down to was the fact that he had been too ashamed to tell anyone that Thomas had decked him. They had gone to Bridgend to see the film Robin Hood with the much acclaimed star of the day Errol Flynn; it had been the subject of many late night conversations as they drifted off to sleep. Adam had grown to the height of Thomas and the only way to tell them apart was the hair. Thomas had fair hair which had got a lot lighter throughout the summer months, while Adams hair was dark brown with an auburn colour going through it. They had become such good friends so much so Thomas had called Adam his buddy one day to which Adam had said “Why did you introduce me as your buddy and not your cousin?” Thomas looked and thought for a moment before he answered “In Wales when we have a good friend we call them Buddies or But, so as that’s what I feel about you”, What seemed like a moment in the passing of time a bond was cemented in friendship as Thomas wiped his nose with his sleeve and looked at Adam.

They were both coming in from putting Daisy in the barn after a market day when Julia shouted to them both, “The nights are drawing in and getting chilly, bring some wood in from the barn and we will light a fire tonight.”

“Bring the log basket Adam” said Thomas, “I’ll go and make a start on getting some logs from the wood pile.” By time Adam reached him with the basket Thomas had got a pile of wood down from the heap of wood and was busy tidying the rows into neater piles, both boys reached to pick up some logs when Adam exclaimed. “That’s interesting, where on earth did you find this?” He was holding a piece of wood about two feet in length, with a polished burnish effect over it. Thomas looked a bit sheepish, “I think we had better hide that for now, mums getting impatient as supper is on the table, we’ll chat later when we go up to bed”. All through supper Adam just felt so impatient with how slow every thing went. William wanted to chat for ages, it was only when Adam yawned for the umpteenth time that he finally said to him, “I think you should go to bed boy the fresh air is certainly getting to you.”

Both boys dived into the bedroom they shared, Adam playfully punched Thomas in the arm and said “Give, I want all the details where did you find it and when”.

Thomas in a husked voice went into great detail of being out exploring one day last summer. He had ridden over to the sand hills at Merthyr Mawr Thomas went on to say, “It’s an eleventh centaury village with a Manor House ruin which is known as Candlestine Castle but in the history books its known as a fortified manor house . The reason I did not want to say anything is that my mum would give me hell if she had known I had been over there. It’s got a reputation of being very unsafe and haunted.”

Thomas sat on Adams bed brought his knees up under his chin, looked stead fully at his cousin, “Why did you want to know about that piece of wood, its only an old piece of wood, the only reason I kept it was because it was different and it would give me a memory of something that happened that day”. Now Adam was in his face, “What happened?”

“Well I parked my bike up, sat to eat my lunch when I noticed a rabbit going down a gap under the wall off to the right of the entry to the lower part of the building. I got down on all fours and felt a draft smelling of the sea water, excitement stopped thoughts of possible danger, I was on a roll buried treasure came to mind. I started to pull at the turf around the wall when the ground gave way and I fell into a passage way full of spiders and slugs. It was gross; I felt sick and could not get out of there quick enough”. “UG Hate Spiders,”

Adam stretched down under the bed and pulled out the piece of wood he had managed to hide before they had supper, he kept turning it and touching it. Watching him Thomas thought he almost felt the wood was alive, “What is it that you are thinking Adam, what is it about that piece of wood that’s getting to you?”

Adam looked at his cousin, “You did not say how you found this”. “Oh sorry, it was when I fell in the hole, I reached out to grab something and it was wedged into the wall, it came away as I fell”

Adam looked at Thomas, “THINK Thomas when have you ever seen something like this before?” Laughing he said “Ha. Most probably in that Robin Hood film we saw as part of the treasure boxes on the wagons”. The silence was deafening as Thomas realised what he had said, maybe- just may be true.

Adam whispered I have seen a box made of this type of wood in a museum some where, it was very similar to this, and we have to go back to that castle at the first opportunity we have to explore the place where you fell into that hole.

Chapter Four

“They were eager to get off today” said William to Julia as he watched the boys peddle away toward the main road that led to the lanes off to Ogmore by Sea. Its almost as if they were planning some mischief, “Just hope what ever they are planning they will not do anything stupid”.

The boys were peddling like mad as if the devil himself was chasing them; they cycled over the dipping bridge that led down into the turning towards Merthyr Mawr village. Adam was enthralled at passing the thatched roof cottages and wanted Thomas to pull over so they could walk a while to take in everything he could see. Thomas who had lived here all his life said they could do that again when they had more time. Adam thought how privileged his cousin was to live in such a glorious place. Thomas slowed down as the passed the Norman church as in respect for the the people that were buried in the grave yard. The scenery had been open fields with live stock most of the way but as they drew nearer to where the castle was there were trees along the left side of the road, Adam looked up as he felt the area getting colder and noticed that the trees were now on both sides of the road and through them he could see the castle ruin. They put their bikes along the side of the wall and as in unison with the same mind pulled their bags off the back of the bikes to get their lunch and drinks. “Ha” said Tom “Seems we are both starving,”

Adam wiped his mouth, “Wow your mum can sure cook, great sandwiches and that fruit cake was awesome”, its called a Bara Brith “ said Thomas, “ you soak the fruit over night in tea then strain it in the morning before you add all the other ingredients”. “Well anyway it tasted scummy”.

“Wow this place is awesome” Adam commented as they walked through the opening in the wall. He admired the architects work and masonry in the place, the floors had disappeared and they could see up the three floors to the sky as the roof had disappeared years previously. On what would have been the first floor there was an enormous fireplace built into the wall, and the remains of window ledges and door frames could easily bee seen. Adam was enthralled, all thoughts of treasure hunting had gone out of his mind, he clearly was his mother’s son in the fact they both loved the world of archaeology, it’s the thought of people who had lived here so long ago...

“Right cuz where’s this spot that you found that piece of wood?” and before Thomas could answer him there was a loud bark from the biggest dog he had ever seen as it dashed through the gap in the wall. “Max, Max stop this instant,” a man followed the dog pulling on a lead trying to rope the dog back to him. “So sorry young men” he said to them, “Max thought the sound you were making was probably a rabbit and before I could stop him he was off”. Thomas was a bit cagy around the dog, “What breed is he I have never seen one like it before,” Before the man could answer Adam said “He is a German shepherd dog commonly known as an Alsatian, and with a German name as well.” He looked the man straight in the face and said “I would not want to be going around yelling Max too often you might get a nasty look off people”. If looks could kill both Adam and the man would have had their hands around each others throats. The man backed down first “Yes I can see your point young man especially as we are at war with Germany”.

Thomas cleared his throat “Well sir do you live locally or are you just out for a walk with your dog?” even he was suspicious of the man. “Yes I have rented a cottage on the river near the stepping stones to spend some time with Max, I had an accident many years ago and my memory is not good, I am trying to see if any new areas will help in returning it to me, Adam asked what were the stepping stones, Thomas quickly explained they were stones put there to cross the river by Ogmore Castle when the tide from the sea was low and it was not too far away from where they were and could cycle over the swing bridge to see it on their way home. Adam thought there was so much to see and learn each day in this area, would he have enough time to explore it all before his mum returned and took him back to London,.

Thomas was on a roll, Adam had noticed over the last few months that if Thomas wanted to know something he would ask endless questions, “Are you Welsh then sir and where do you come from?” nothing like getting to the point, “I have recently learnt my name is Owain”, He did not mention his surname Thomas said, “Oh a Glyndwr connection then”. Owain seemed not to hear him but said “Well must get on perhaps we will meet again when ever you are out exploring”.

Thomas was quiet as they watched the man cut through the tree with the dog, jumped over the brook that had trickled down from the river and climbed up the nearest sand hill making his way towards the river leading to Ogmore Castle. Both boys were lost in thought as they turned back into the Manor House. “Nasty piece of work,” said Adam “would not like to meet him or that dog on a dark lonely night”. Thomas was still deep in thought as Adam shoved him, “What’s wrong with you, have you gone off the thought of treasure hunting Thomas” “Now don’t think I’m daft but its strange that the dogs got a German name ok he’s a German shepherd, but there was no reaction to the name Glyndwr any decent Welsh man would have reacted to being proud of a Welsh princes name”. Adam laughed, “So you think he’s a spy.” Thomas slowly turned to face Adam and said “Yes”,

“Now your imagination is running away with you, mind you I did not like him and the way he called the dog and said his name there was just a hint of a German accent , come on show me where you found that wood”.

They spent the next hour digging up the area where Thomas had fallen into, there were other bits of fragments of wood from the same hole that convinced Adam that they had come from a box that had been put there to hide something many years ago. They were just about to give up when Adam nearly fell into a bigger hole, so much so Thomas had to grab him quickly before he fell into what looked liked a dungeon.

“Wow” said Thomas as he shone his torch he had in his pocket into the hole. “It does not look too deep; in fact it looks more like a cage in the ground then a hidden room”. Adam stood up and stepped back to look at the wall beside the hole. “I think you could be on to something talking about a cage, look above you about ten feet , it looks like there used to be something like a wheel and pulley thing hanging off the wall. It would have been there to pull something up and if you are right about this being a cage I suspect it might have held a prisoner”.

Time was getting on and the boys would be expected home soon, they would have to wait another four days to be able to come back on Saturday. They found an old piece of corrugated sheeting to cover the hole which they then covered with clumps of grass hoping that no one else would discover their treasure as they called it.

Thomas was racing ahead of Adam down the road leading away from the Manor House; he turned and shouted to Adam, “Follow me we will go back via the Swing Bridge, stepping stones and Ogmore Castle”. Thomas turned right not long after the church which led down a ruff road towards the river and swing bridge, how they never had a puncture as it was so ruff in places. Tom as he was beginning to be called by Adam cycled over the bridge laughing out loud shaking and rolling from left to right so much so that Adam could see why it was called the swing bridge, when both boys stopped the other side Adam commented , “ Don’t ever bring me this way again, I feel so sick.” Tom just laughed and started to cycle off again, within seconds they were by the river near Ogmore castle, it was an impressive sight and in its hay day must have been magnificent. “Oh good the tides out”, said Tom, which made Adam look at the river and the sight in front of him was impressive, about a foot or two feet apart crossing the river were some very big stones. Tom had not waited to ask Adam if he was ok but was already on his way across with his bike over his shoulders. A little while later as both boys on crossing the river had stripped down to their shorts and had enjoyed a swim, they had only got out as they could feel the tide coming in as the river got deeper around the stones. They were just about to leave for home when Tom shouted across the river, “Hi Owain”. Max the dog was in the water swimming across the river towards an impressive white cottage, Owain was climbing into a small boat moored at the other side of the river when he heard Tom and turned and waved.

“What’s wrong with you Adam you’ve gone a deathly shade of grey come white”, “I had a bad feeling about that man, just could not put my finger on it, but it’s just hit me I have seen him before. He was on Paddington station and also on my train the day I arrived, it’s like he’s following me for some reason”.

The Boys did not chat much on route back to the farm, it had been a long exhausting day, they did agree not to mention their treasure seeking adventure and also not to mention Adams concerns over Owain, They would have an early night after dinner then discuss it the next day between themselves while working on their own in the Barn.

William greeted them with “Hi just in time boys, your mum is dishing up a Rabbit stew and you both must be starving”. Tom’s parents looked on in awe as both boys devoured the stew, so much so Adam was dribbling down his chin as he rammed it into his mouth. “Wow I did not realise I was so hungry, any left Auntie Julia”. “No it’s all gone but we do have a nice apple pie and custard”. Adam thought he had died and gone to heaven would he ever get used to the good home cooking that his Aunt always dished up.

As they were washing up after their meal they heard the drone of aircraft, both boys went outside to see what looked like fireworks over Swansea bay, poor sods said William who had followed them out they are getting a hammering tonight. Adam felt a shiver go up and down his spine and felt him self saying a silent prayer for his mother’s safety wherever she was.

Adam fell on his bed, he was asleep in seconds, whether it was seeing Owain and remembering seeing him in London and on the Train, he tossed and turned most of the night and dreamt of Owain with his massive dog Max chasing him up and down the sand hills. He woke up exhausted so much so his aunt sent him back to bed, “I think you are coming down with something my lad, no arguments you have dark circles under your eyes, off you go I will pop in on you later and if you are still asleep that’s where you will stay.” Adam thought thank God for that as he was shattered and certainly had no energy to do chores around the farm today. Tom said to him on passing each other in the passage way, “We will catch up tomorrow, gosh Adam you look terrible.”

Adam slept till the late afternoon, woke up to a hot cup of tea and lovely hot buttered toast, his Aunt turned as she went out of the door, “Well my lad you look a lot better, have a good wash and come down and help with peeling the vegetables for dinner”.

Chapter Five

The following day Adam felt more humane with the extra sleep he had got over the last twenty four hours, both he and Tom had helped in the fields bringing the harvest of potatoes, after breakfast that morning and over lunch aunt Julia had said they both could do with some quality time together so why not go for a bike ride. The weather was cooler after the storm of the night before and Tom suggested they ride over to Rest Bay to see if the storm had brought any treasures up on to the beach. They had parked their bikes and were making their way over the rocks when an ear piercing sound stopped them in their tracks. “My Lord said Adam sounds like an animal in pain,” “I think it came from over by that big rock” Tom said as he moved towards it, as they got closer they could here the sound of hysterical sobbing, they both new it was not coming from an animal but a human being.

Tom reached the area first and exclaimed, “Rhodri Evans what on earth is the matter,” Rhodri looked up at Thomas and said “Oh it had to be you, now everyone will know.” Tom and Adam looked on in shock as Rhodri had risen from sitting down behind the rock, he had an amazing black eye, and cut lip, his right wrist seem to be at an awkward angle. Tom said “No arguments you are coming home with us and my ma will sort you out, she used to be a nurse many years ago.” Tom helped Rhodri over the rocks and said he could ride on the bar of his bike to get him back to the farm.

Both William and Julia were shocked to see the state Rhodri was in, they all went into action, William got a bowl of warm water, Julia got her medicine box out from under the sink and Tom made Rhodri a cup of sweet tea. You could cut the silence with a knife as every one did something to help.

Rhodri started to wail again, “How can you all be so nice to me when I have been such an awful thug to you Thomas?” “You know Rhodri I have never understood why from the first day we met in junior school you have had a go at me”. Rhodri took a gulp of tea, looked at Tom and said, “You had it all, you had food to eat each day, clean clothes to wear, a father who never hit you, I had none of that and I was jealous of you”. Tom’s parent looked at each other in understanding the fact that Rhodri’s father was well known to be the local drunkard and handy with his fists on Rhodri and his mum, Julia had often left a bag of groceries at their back door when his father had gone to the pub on route home from work on pay day.

Adam looked at Rhodrie’s injuries as he asked him “How did you come to be in this state?” He took a deep breath then related how his Dad had caught him going through the small change in his Dad’s jacket pocket, “It was because its mum’s birthday tomorrow and I only wanted to get something for her.”

Julia spoke up “Why don’t you bring your ma over for some lunch tomorrow for a birthday treat while your Dad is in work, I will do her a small cake and get some flowers cut from the front garden as well”. Tear welled up in Rhodri eye as he just could not understand the kindness shown to him. Tom said “Why don’t you come out for a bike ride with Adam and me next time we go off exploring”. Rhodri replied “That will never happen as my Dad sold the bike Gramps left me to spend on his beer, anyway I had best get home as mum will be worrying as to where I am, what time shall I bring mum over tomorrow Mrs West?” They arranged for midday the next day and as they watched Rhodri climb over the gate to walk across the fields Adam said “I never really understood how privileged I was till this moment”.

The next day, Tom and Adam watched Rhodri and his mum walking over the fields toward the farm, they walked out to the farm gate to open it so Mrs Evans would not have to climb it, everyone greeted each other with such friendliness and chatter as to how they were all keeping well, Mrs Evans had said that she had been under the doctor last week which made Adam burst out with laughter. “There now young man that doesn’t mean like it sounds, it simply means to us local folk that I had to go and see the doctor about something”. After a wonderful lunch of sausages and mash followed by a birthday cake everyone sat down to a cup of tea while the lads did the washing up. Rhodri continued to apologise for his behaviour to Tom when Tom put his hand up and said “Enough. From today we start afresh”, held out his hand and said, “Friends”.

William called Tom into the lounge, “Why don’t you show Rhodri that project we are working on in the barn.” “Good idea Dad come on lads this way” as he opened the kitchen door.

They made their way to the barn, Daisy came forward and even after what had happened to she made a fuss of Rhodri. “What’s going on Tom?” asked Adam, “This way” said Tom as he led them to the back of the barn where something was hidden under the canvas, “We, Da and I were chatting this morning about something that had belonged to his brother which has been hidden away for so long and wondered if it could be any use to you Rhodri,” Rhodri gasped as Tom pulled the cover off an old bike which was in good condition. “For me, you really mean it’s for me”. Tom went on to say that his Dad thought considering how bad Rhodri’s dad was that they kept it in the barn and Rhodri could use it whenever the boys went exploring. Rhodri kept saying, “I’ve died oh God I’ve died and gone to heaven”.

They were called back into the house by Julia, “Come and have another piece of cake and tea before Rhodri and Mrs Evans go home”. An hour later as they were all saying their goodbyes Tom said “How about you joining Adam and I on a trip over to Ogmore on Sunday afternoon Rhodri”. Times and details were given and all was good in the land.

As they were getting ready for bed Adam asked Tom where his father’s brother was. Following a short silence Tom said “We don’t talk about it much it upsets Dad, they were twins but not identical, when they were twenty they went swimming off Newton beach and Dad’s brother got caught in a current and was swept out to sea, he was never seen again, funny I only thought of him the other day when Owain introduced himself to us, you see dads brothers name was Owen and his nickname at school was Glyndwr.”

Chapter Six

Rhodri arrived just as the boys were helping to put the dishes from lunch away, “Gosh it smell heavenly in here”, Julia pushed a small package into Rhodri’s hands , “Just a little something for you as I don’t expect you have had much lunch,” then she gave the boys a box of goodies as well as they were going out the door she turned and said “Is it the castle on the sand hills you are off exploring” without waiting for a reply she went on to say “Just be careful, don’t get carried away with your adventures, be aware there are dangers in that old building”.

By time they arrived at Candleston castle Rhodri had devoured his sandwiches. The boys just could not wait to show him what they had discovered as they pulled the covering off the area where they found what they thought had been some sort of cage. Rhodri jumped into the hole as Tom shouted “Be careful.” Too late, Rhodri did not make a soft landing instead he shouted “Ouch that hurt.” All three boys looked down at what seemed like a hole in the floor, but what had happened Rhodri had landed on some old wood and had cut his ankle as his foot had gone through the rotten wood. Tom said, “Hang on a minute I will just pop to the stream and wet my handkerchief to wash your ankle and then wrap it round it as the water will be cold which should help it not to swell”. A little while later all looked ship shape with Rhodri’s ankle, Adam looked at the wood on the floor of the area where they were sat in when he said, “I think this rotten wood looks like it might have been some sort of trap door”. The silence was deafening, all three boys looked on as they brushed away sand, earth and twigs that had gathered there over the years. Adam’s hand brushed against something that was cold yet hard, on looking at it he said, “I think it’s a handle pushed into the wood”. The tension was triggering through the three of them as Adam gripped the handle and tried to pull it up, “It’s well stuck, we might need a crow bar.” “Come on” Tom said, “Lets all three of us pull on it, it’s got to shift with three of us pulling on it”. The tension was electrifying, the trapdoor started to move when it broke in half where the rotten wood over the years had made it very unstable. With half the door broken off it left a gapping hole in the ground, Tom said “we have to be very careful; I know we want to rush in but remember this is centaury years old so let’s take it a step at a time, first thing I will get my torch off the bike”. While he was gone, Adam and Rhodri had widened the gap by removing the rest of the rotten wood and Tom got back with the torch he could see by their faces that some thing had happened, “What, What is it.” “Look!” Said Adam as he pointed down. Tom looked into the hole and all the hairs on his spine moved, there unseen for centauries was a flight of steps,

Tom could feel his mum on his shoulder saying Be Sensible. “Okay chaps I know we all want to get down there but come on what if it caves in on us, one of us should stay here” All three wanted to give way so the other could go down the steps but then Tom was the most practical and said, “Adam you should go with your history of archaeology and Rhodri you are the biggest and strongest so you should go with him in case of trouble”. “When did you get so sensible Tom” Said Rhodri. “Don’t get me wrong Rhodri I would love to get in that hole but we have to be sensible, what if it caved in on us all, I know mum knows where we are but I don’t intend to give her that fright”.

Using Tom's torch the boys gingerly climbed down the flight of stairs, Tom could not contain him self and kept firing questions at them, Rhodri shouted back, “Look mate I know we are friends now but please just shut up we will tell you as soon as we know something”. The silence was creepy, anxiously Tom waited for anything, and even a cough would have been reassuring.

Adam was the first to reappear, covered in cobwebs and dust and holding what looked like a large old key. “There’s a door down there, very old and this key was in the lock, we brought it up with us so we can leave it over night soaking in some goose grease and hopefully when we get back with some more suitable gear we will be able to open the door and find out what’s on the other side. Strange it was as if some one was waiting for us to find it, I am almost sure I heard a voice, a whisper creepy or what.