Shadows of Tredonald: A Tale of Love and Coal

Chapter 1: March 1945

Megan always made him a cup of tea, and Harry Jones, her father, asked her about her day: what she had done at school and who had walked with her. The Welsh village of Tredonald, where they lived, was a coal mining village. All the men worked down the mine, including his older brother, Gareth. Life was not easy for the Thomas family. His father drank again; he opened the money box. Huw had to speak with Mina and Mr. Jenkins because they were hungry.

Chapter 2: The Friendship Continues

She lay on the grass by the river on a warm evening. She felt he was the best person in her life. He drew her, and Huw loved dancing with Megan. It was the one time he could put his arms around her in public. Winter made it difficult to go for walks; it was dark, and when he went to the shop, Mr. Jenkins was there. On Saturday, they were going to see an American film in Afon and borrowed a couple of bicycles. They stopped just around the corner from the flat. He gave her a small box with a second-hand silver necklace. Crash! It was the sound the village hoped they would never hear.

Chapter 3: Tragedy in the Mine

Part of the rock of a tunnel had fallen down, and some miners had fallen. The mine manager came over to Huw and his father. They brought out Gareth’s body. It seemed wrong to be safe and warm in bed while his brother lay cold downstairs. Richard’s death in the war in North Africa was also remembered. His father didn’t want him to go back down that mine. They went to the flat above the shop where Megan and her family lived. In the burning sitting room, they made love on the floor.

Chapter 5: A New Life in Canada

Huw went back to work, and his father started drinking again. His father went to the Red Lion pub and broke some tables and chairs, according to the policeman. Brian Morgan, the manager of the pub, wouldn't take the matter any further. Megan and Huw were on top of the hill. He had received a letter when Gareth died from Uncle Edward in Canada. He decided to go to Toronto so he wouldn't be working in the mine. In Toronto, there was well-paid work, a big city, and something related to art. On April 28th, 1946, David Thomas and his son left the village of Tredonald for a new life in Canada.

Chapter 6: Fifty Years Later

Tredonald

Megan and her daughter, Beth, were going through some old boxes full of cards, old newspapers, and letters. Beth lived with Philip. She took the last box and looked at the letters in envelopes from Canada. She was full of pain.

Toronto

Mike Thomas said, "Dad, a letter for you." Huw was surprised; that was the address where he and his father had lived in their early years in Toronto. He read, "With best wishes, Megan." The letter said that she had just found letters sent to her from Canada. She cried even after 50 years; she never knew that he would have written to her. She thought that her father told the truth when he said that Huw had forgotten her. Megan and their time together in Tredonald came back to him. He spoke with Mike about Megan and his ex-wife, Josie.