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A charm bracelet and a strange shop
A Christmas charm
Ripping paper off gifts is the highlight of my Christmas. Hearing Betsy squeal in delight as she opened her new Barbie doll my heart filled. I’m happy and I can see that Paul’s happy too. Just the three of us this year, no hassle from family and friends, we can spend the day relaxing.
Watching Paul unwrap his new sweatshirt and art books, he nodded and proceeded to check the pictures. Passing me a small square box I was prepared to hear the words I had wanted to hear for so long, but this didn’t happen. He stared at me smiling as I opened the box, looking at the charm, a silver cat with diamonds for eyes, looking back at me, my stomach sank and I held back my tears.
“Em, it’s for your bracelet, it’s a charm, I got it from that strange shop that you love.”
“From Mrs Zintalis?”
“Yes, her, what’s wrong.”
“I’m intrigued by it, but haven’t you heard the rumours? Putting the charm on the table, I picked up Betsy and held her close.
“Why what’s wrong?”
“Paul, people say she’s a witch, is that charm safe?”
“Em, don’t be daft. The charm might have a history as I thought her goods were usually second-hand so more character and possibly more valuable.”
“I’m sure its valuable but I’m scared of it turning me a funny colour or cursing me”.
Grabbing my tablet, I asked Google for Mrs Zintalis, whilst Paul watched me anxiously. Just a normal little back street shop.
“Maybe Em, you shouldn’t be worrying over daft chatter”.
Two weeks later
The day that the Christmas tree comes down I always feel a little sad. Removing the tinsel and baubles and placing them with the tree back up in the loft, it really is the end of the festive season. I was in the loft when a jolting pain when through my wrist. Yelping I dropped the tree, and looked at my wrist. What did this mean? The silver on the charm bracelet was warm and the cat had turned a strange tinge of green.
It was then that the loft disappeared from around me and I saw a busy street. Paul was walking towards his office, I guess walking back from the cafe where he often has his dinner. As I watched I heard a screech of brakes as Paul stepped into the road. As if playing in slow motion, I saw his body hurled into the air and then crash down on the bonnet of a blue Land Rover. Pulling my phone from my trouser pocket I dialled Paul’s number, as he answered my heart lurched
“Hi, where are you?”
“Bucks Cafe, why? “
“Stay where you are, Betsy is with my mum, I’ll be fifteen minutes, please go nowhere.”
“I need to get back to the office.”
“Not today you don’t. Order more tea, I’ll be there soon”.
Hanging up on him, the bracelet remained warm. Surely, I wasn’t going mad here. Climbing down from the loft, I questioned what I’d seen. I’m just a normal person with romance in my heart wanting to be with the man I love. Why would I have seen this message? For a long time, I have been wary of Mrs Zintalis and her curious shop.
A rescue
Running out of the house, I climb into my old battered Citroen, all the way looking out for a blue Land-Rover. Approaching North Street where I saw the incident I slowed down. Seeing the family on the pavement I observed the girl with a pink shining ribbon in her blonde hair.
Thinking again about the cat charm I finally reached the cafe and parked the car. As I walked in, Paul looked up at me and waved. Relief washed over me, there he was safe and well. I ordered myself a mug of tea before sitting down opposite him.
Reaching out for my hand he asked,
“What’s happened? Why can’t I leave?
“It’s the cat charm, I think I had a premonition. You were hit by someone in a blue Land Rover. I think you died”.
“Don’t be ridiculous, “ he grabbed my hand and smiled.
“I’m not, the bracelet was warm and the cat turned a green tinge.”
Bad news
I jumped as my mobile rang loudly. Reaching for it I saw mum flash across the screen. Answering it I was not prepared for what she had to say and I could hear her crying.
“Em, there’s been an accident.“ I could feel myself going cold, this was my fault. “It’s Libby Reynolds, Em, Joan phoned, she was run over today and killed.”
“Mum, do you happen to know what the vehicle was?”
“Land Rover, why?”
I then had a thought, feeling sick I asked,
“Did she have her family with her?” I thought of her daughter Tess and the girl I had seen this morning with the hair ribbon.
“Yes, she did, they were all at the scene. Oh Em, little Tess is so distressed, Joan was with them, she says that she’s winding her pink ribbon round and around her arm.”
“Mum I’m just with Paul, I’ll be back soon”.
A blessing or a curse?
So, what was this charm? Was it a blessing or a curse? Thanks to me Paul was alive but a woman was dead and a child had lost her mum.
“I think we need to talk to Mrs Zintalis. We need to know more about this charm and the premonitions. I can’t keep saving people and killing others.”
“Okay, work can wait, we need to check out that shop.”
“What about mum and Betsy?”
“They are okay, upset but okay, come on we need to know more about what we are involved in here. I’m glad to be alive but we need to know why this is happening to you”.
Finishing my tea, I put down my mug.
“Come on then, let’s go.”
Written for Blog Battle – Charm
For more see, Miniature dancing men and a mystery
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My new old bike a murder and gratitude
A new bike
What does an eighteen year old want for her birthday?
Make up? Manicure? New boyfriend? Old boyfriend? Me I desperately wanted a Mountain bike. I’ve been dreaming of a smart purple one that is in the local bike shop. Problem is it has a high price tag. My dad works hard at the local corner shop, but listening to my parents arguing I know they are only just keeping the roof over our heads. The landlord is demanding the rent is paid and the bedroom has a wet patch on the ceiling.
The morning of my birthday my mum shook me awake. I was ready to act pleased for their gift. I must be grateful for what I’m given because whatever it is, my dad has worked hard for it.
Walking slowly down the stairs I could hear my parents talking over their breakfast. They sounded happy which didn’t happen often. Meeting me at the bottom was a familiar shape with newspaper over it. I could feel my heart leap, they had bought it. Grinning like Alice’s Cheshire cat, I proceeded to rip of the paper. As my smile turned to holding back tears, my mum appeared. Lying was something I’m good at and convincing my parents that I loved the old black bike was easier than it should have been. They had remembered the new pink bike lock though.
Three days later
It was a three days later that I took the bike for a ride. Mum waved me goodbye, excited to see me using it. Assuring her that I was safe, despite lack of a bike helmet, I waved at her, then pedalled furiously along the road. It was as I approached the corner a tall man came running towards me. I had to swerve the bike to avoid him, he dodged out of my way.
The body
Thinking nothing of the incident I regained control. Continuing pedalling my mind turned to thinking of my family and my new, old, black bike. Seeing the crowd gathered ahead, something was happening. As I heard the whir of police sirens the people dispersed and I could see a body in the road. Pulling the bike on to the pavement I could hear sobbing, I realised it was young Wendy. Her long blonde hair plastered across her face. Next to her sat her familiar pink pushchair with little Rachel kicking her legs oblivious to what had happened. With one hand on my bike, I nudged Wendy’s arm and then stood quietly, waiting for her to talk to me. She sniffed loudly,
“Oh Lily, he didn’t deserve this.”
“What happened?”
She started crying again. “It’s my brother Lance, haven’t seen him in months and now he’s been shot dead.”
I didn’t know she had a brother, so I wasn’t expecting this response.
“Any ideas who would do this?”
“No, but I know he didn’t keep good company, he worked away”.
I was curious at the police taping off the area and wondered who had killed him.
“Where’d he work?”
“Don’t know, he was all over. He wore a suit, that’s all I know.”
“Hmmm” films started playing through my head, maybe Lance had been a gangster.
A week later
Approaching the city centre, I could see the bike shop window, the purple Mountain bike still on display. I stopped to gaze at it, looking at the £500.00 price tag, something we could not afford. I’m just completing my A levels with dreams of being a nurse one day.
Continuing on I saw the police station., I stopped to read the message board outside and a poster caught my eye.
‘£5000 reward for information leading to the arrest for the killer of Lance Jenkins’.
Hesitating I thought of the man that nearly ran into me. pushing the heavy door to the police station, I pulled my bike in with me.
“Hi, I need to talk to someone about Lance Jenkins.”
“I will get the Chief Inspector for you, please sit down, you can leave your bike against the wall.”
Questions
He walked off as I left the bike and sat down patiently. I picked up ‘Hello’ magazine and flicked through it. The Windsor’s happily smiling back at me, I couldn’t help but feel jealous but then would I really want my life all over ‘Hello.’
Seeing the handsome Policeman walking over to me, butterflies started flying around my stomach.
“Hello, I’m Chief Inspector Chambers, please come with me.”
Following him into a small room, this was not like television. As he put our conversation on record, he started to question me. Looking at the jug of water and plastic cups, I told him about the man and the time I saw him. How he nearly ran into my bike and gave his full description.
The Chief Inspector then took down my phone number, he already had my name. Thanking me he promised to be in touch if my statement led to the arrest of a killer. The man I saw might have been innocent but they would now investigate.
Two weeks later
Woken from sleep I could hear the phone ringing downstairs, then footsteps.
“Lily, it’s the Police station for you.” She looked confused. Taking the phone from her I spoke.
“Hello”.
“Hello Miss Green, this is Chief Inspector Chambers. We have found Mr Jenkins killer from your accurate description. We would like you to come and collect your cheque”.
Feeling dizzy, I stammered “Thank-you” I was in shock, I thought of the bike. I could give my parents the £4500, that would please them.
A week later
Standing on the pedals of my new Mountain bike, my mum sat laughing on my new, old, black bike. I’m proud of my parents and I know they’re proud of me. They were relieved for the extra money as they could now pay a few months rent. My mum cried when I told her what had happened. This Christmas was going to be easier for them than ever before. However, I know, in life it is important to be thankful. I have my family with me, my new Mountain bike is a bonus but a man sadly lost his life. Our future is not promised, we have to live the life we can and try and be happy and grateful for what we have.
This Christmas look after your families and those closest to you. We don’t know what the future has in store.
For more see A bad day and the fates of a closed road written for Writers Unite photo prompt
Written for photo prompt with Writers Unite
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A party and the lives of Ruby and Freda
Ruby
The party was going fine until Mark started to act strange. Over the last few months our lives have been taken over by my music. Freda keeps humming our tunes and often wears a smile. Less time in the New Forest, as our musical career is keeping us busy.
With demands from my manager, Jerry at Harper music, we are now travelling from town to town, we will soon be appearing on British television on ‘This Morning’ with Philip and Holly. When I was at school, Philip was my secret crush and now I am going to meet him, I’m giggly with excitement every time I think about it. We have always dreamed for success with our musical duo. Freda’s writing and piano playing, and my singing seems to be a winning combination and there is talk of our music being available on Amazon.
These are exciting times and I need Mark to be as excited as we are, but he often wears a frown. He appears jealous of my success and I don’t want to be pushed to make a choice between them.
The party
Rosie has grown stronger and is concentrating on being a mum. Life is continuing at the pub and Freddie is now just a memory. As far as I’m aware the police caught his captor. Marcus Ling and hopefully, he is behind bars.
Our growing success has brought new love for Freda. We hadn’t noticed him following us around different venues so it was a surprise when he approached and asked if she would join him at the bar.
Here we are at Mr Harper’s Christmas party, the champagne is flowing, and Mark is handsome in his navy-blue suit, so why is he annoyed? Freda is happily laughing with Geoff, and I’m stood at the grand fireplace wobbly on too much alcohol. Making the decision to talk to Mark I stumble clumsily on my high heels.
Mark
Watching Ruby approaching him, he couldn’t help wondering what she saw in him. Not one for parties, he didn’t feel comfortable amongst the upper classes surrounding him. Just a working man from the New Forest he had no business around the extremely wealthy. He loved Ruby but uneasy around her new friends, how was he going to handle this? Flinching as she grabbed his arm, maybe he should just be honest.
“Mark, what’s wrong? You not enjoying the party?”
“You look like you are.”
“Yes, but I’ve also drunk too much. Kylie is over there, doesn’t that make you smile?” She pointed to the slim pretty blonde over the room.
“Kylie Minogue has never interested me,” he said grumpily, “Sorry Ruby but this is a different world to my bar at home. I can’t talk to these people, they’re not my people.”
Ruby looked around the room, listening to the excited chatter, she could see why Mark wasn’t comfortable. She glanced at Freda, Geoff was more of this world. They were talking happily to Rick Astley.
Ruby
How do I do this? I love Mark but I love singing. This would be something we would need to work at. Looking at my watch I can see its already 11pm. Putting my arm around him, I said,
“It’s okay, wait here.”
Walking over to Freda, I whispered,
“Mark and I are leaving, its late anyway.”
“It’s not that late,” Geoff interrupted.
“Sorry but we’re leaving. Freda I will phone you tomorrow.”
Grabbing Mark, I waved goodbye to Mr Harper who was talking to Jerry.
“Come on let’s get leave this party,” sensing Mark relax, I took his hand.
Snow
Stepping out, into the December night, I wrapped my coat around me tightly. Slipping on the snow I cursed my heels.
“Shame you can’t wear trainers to these events.”
“Maybe you could wear sparkly trainers, high heels are so impractical.”
“Trainers don’t match the dress though, but I do agree Mark, heels are so uncomfortable”.
“Ruby, where do you see yourself five years from now?”
I was surprised by his question, but it is something I’ve thought about. As the snow started falling, I could feel tears start running down my cheeks. Could I answer this as Mark isn’t happy?
“In five years, I still want to be singing but I also want to be a mum”. I pulled Mark towards me, I needed to feel his warmth.
“Ruby, I love you and I want you to be happy. We will have to work together at this life, but I want to be a dad. Imagine Christmas with small children.”
Looking up at him, all I wanted was him, can we make this work? We’ve been through so much and other singers keep their partners out of the limelight. I’m never going to be as famous as Kylie, or am I? I need to think of today.
A proposal
“Ruby,” now aware that he is kneeling in the snow in front of me, was he really doing this?” seeing the ring my world started to spin.
“Ruby, I love you will you marry me?”
I didn’t have to think, accepting the ring on my finger, I pulled him off the floor laughing and hugged him close.
“Of course, I will yes yes.”
“But Ruby we are not appearing in ‘Hello” magazine.”
“We will keep it quiet, and I’m not a star enough for “Hello.”
“You will be one day. Ruby we can keep the two worlds separate; we’ll have to work at it.”
“We will, who knows where Ruby and Freda will be in five years’ time, but I’d like to think that Ruby and Mark are at home with their two or three children.”
“Two or three? Let’s start with one and go from there.”
“You want a baby now?” I asked playfully.
“Let’s get married first.” Hugging me tight the snow started to fall heavier. “Come on, let’s get back to the hotel, its late and I want to lie quietly with you.”
Taking Marks hand, we are happy. The future has not been written yet, it’s up to us to write it and I know it’s going to be quite an adventure.
Written for Grammys Grid sentence prompt
For more see, Future musical prospects and friends – Ruby and Freda part 17, this is the final part of the story.
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