It had not been the best of days. In fact, ever since she had opened her eyes at the alarm clock’s persistent clamour, it had been just one frustration after another. Missing buses, late entry into work, lost files, crabby work colleagues and a rushed lunch, found her wishing she were somewhere far away.

When she finally emerged from her workplace, she looked up into a gray, indifferent sky, where the sun had resolutely refused to appear. With a sigh, she entered the city park, in a desperate attempt to raise her spirits. From the next field, she heard the raucous music, and saw the lurid colours and lights of the traveling fairground, openly defying the grim, gray day. She still had shopping to do, before she could go home, but not just yet.

Entering the colourful, brash world, her pace visibly relaxed, as she strolled past stalls, rides, and hot-dog stands. Buying herself a hot-dog, with plenty of ketchup, she stopped and looked around. She saw parents and excited children, with little ones carried on their father’s shoulders. Some timorous toddlers were being coaxed onto mini-rides, with Postman Pat and other childhood characters, by their reassuring mothers.

Groups of teenage girls giggled and shrieked their way around the hair-raising rides.

Especially, when there was an audience of teenage boys, or with wisecracking young males manning the rides. She smiled to herself, remembering years past. Fashions may change, but the giggling was just the same.

As she continued to explore the colourful fairground, she became aware of a feeling of fun, starting to bubble up inside her. Even more so, as she stopped by her most favourite ride of all time; the carousel of painted horses. A critical voice inside her whispered, “Act your age!” But the increasing sense of fun, soon overcame that.

Feeling rather self-conscious, amongst all the family groups, she climbed the steps, paid her fare and selected her mount. Her attention was caught by a beautiful, painted horse, resplendent in rich pink and silver, near the pipe organ supplying the ride’s musical accompaniment. The name ”Pegasus” was inscribed near its silver carved mane, and she climbed aboard, and took hold of the painted pole. She noticed the elderly man, who owned the ride, smiling at her, and she shyly returned his smile. As the ride started with a jerkily, mechanical motion, she became more relaxed and started to enjoy herself. Soon, it gathered speed, and the watching crowds started to blur, and disappear.

With a shock, she realized that the mechanical motion had changed, and the horse’s wooden flanks started to feel like flesh and muscle. The painted head lifted, and the whole animal started to ascend. She clutched onto the pole, and was astonished to see great silvery wings spread out from either side of the saddle. She gasped in fright, as her winged steed carried her up and over the fairground, over housetops, fields and over the sea. They breached the gray cloud cover, and to her increasing wonder, emerged into blue, sunlit skies. She felt herself warmed and exhilarated, by this magical flight, and the cares of the day, became increasingly distant.

At length, the wondrous winged creature began to descend, and signs of earthly habitation started to appear. She became aware of the sights and sounds of the fairground, and felt again the mechanical motion of the carousel. As the ride slowed down and stopped, she sat amazed and trembling, at her experience. People around her were coming and going, as if nothing unusual had occurred. She shakily dismounted Pegasus, and climbed down from the ride, wondering if it had all been just a dream.

Looking back at the carousel, she saw the old man smiling at her, as he stroked Pegasus’ carved, silver mane. She then realized she had encountered something very special, a memory that would stay with her, for the rest of her life