And now for something completely different episode 2

In this episode of “And now for something completely different” I’m going to talk about my writing. No I haven’t lost the plot. I do realise that if you have known me for a while you have probably have realised by now that I am a writer through and through. In fact, I often say that if I were a stick of seaside rock there would be “writer” printed through my core. I now write “The Canbace Diaries”, I’ve written for “The Childless Not By Choice Magazine” for the last ten months. I’ve written and self-published books on how to write together with two anthologies of poetry. I’ve got over 50 more ideas in what  I call my “writing bucket list” which are books that I would like to write before I pop my clogs. Probably most excitingly, several years ago I was commissioned to write a series of articles for The Writing Magazine.

However, most of you will know for my writing about infertility or being childless not by choice, so ….

And Now For Something Completely Different ….

The battered brown suitcase sat squarely in the middle of the step. Lucy had kept her eye on it for the last five minutes. Ever since she had first spotted it in fact. Several people had walked passed it: however, as yet, no one had stopped to look at it let alone gone into the shop. Now was a good time to make her move she thought. She was about to stand up and walk across the street when a man stopped, looked at the suitcase and then bent down to pick it up. He had to bend down rather a long way because the suitcase was actually quite small. It’s far too small for you Lucy thought, willing him to change his mind. It obviously worked because the next moment the man put the suitcase down again, this time at the edge of the step, and walked into the shop. Phew. That was close. It must have been in his way. As soon as he’s gone I’ll see if I can get it for a decent price.

Lucy waited patiently for a quite a while. Finally, she was rewarded by the man leaving the shop clutching a brown paper package. He’d made his purchases and they hadn’t included the suitcase. Lucy stood up and stepped out into the road. As she did so she started to lean on her walking stick. At first, she didn’t put much pressure on the support: however, as she neared the shop front she became more bent over and shuffled her feet. By the time she’d reached the shop steps she’d aged nearly ten years. To add to the illusion of frailty she didn’t pick up the suitcase, she called to the man inside instead.

“You there, come and help an old lady will you?”  her voice, although weak and cracked with age, had a steely undertone to it. Lucy was not someone to be trifled with.

Mumbled sounds drifted through the door followed, eventually by a young man, probably in his mid-twenties. Excellent thought Lucy This always works better on the younger ones.

“Certainly, how can I help you mother?”

Lucy didn’t mind the slightly patronising term he’d used: it indicated a connection which would probably work in her favour during the negotiations what would follow.

“How much is this old thing?” prodding the suitcase gently with her walking stick. As she did so she wobbled unsteadily to emphasise her great age.

The young man placed a gentle hand under one elbow to ensure that Lucy didn’t fall over. Better and better she thought. However, he didn’t reply to her question immediately.

“Well come on. I haven’t got all day. What’s its price?”

“Ummm. I haven’t really given it much thought. It only came in this morning and I wasn’t expecting anyone to show an interest in it so quickly.”  In truth the suitcase was part of a much larger job lot and had been place to the step to go out with the rubbish that night. No thought had been given to a price at all, so the young man had to think on his feet. After a few minutes of deliberation, he mentioned a figure which was actually quite reasonable.

“Day light robbery! You can’t expect an old lady to pay a king’s ransom for such a battered old thing.” Lucy sucked in some air between her teeth, shook her head in disbelief and turned to walk away.

Realising he was about to lose the sale of an item that had been destined for the rubbish the young man was quick to take action.

“Wait a moment. I’m feeling very generous today and have had a good morning so far. I’m sure I can let it go for less”

Lucy stopped in her tracks and turned back to face the young man. Then she put her head to one side and peered at the suitcase as though deep in thought. Finally, she looked up at the young man and peered at him. Her stare unsettled him slightly and he decided a 50% discount would be more appropriate than the 25% he’d intended to give her. He had the distinct feeling that greater men than he had been subjected to her stare and failed to keep their resolve.

His final figure was much more acceptable, and she pulled out her purse immediately to drop the coins into his outstretched hand. She then picked up the suitcase and turned to walk down the road towards her next destination. The young man waited on the steps watching her progress just to ensure that she could manage to carry the suitcase without endangering herself. As she walked her bent back straightened, she started to pick up her feet more and eventually put her cane under her arm. The young man was about to run after her to give her a piece of his mind about her con: however, she had done it so charmingly that he decided to leave it. Besides he had just made an unexpected sale and got a few pennies where he had expected none.

Lucy walked on feeling rather proud of herself and didn’t feel the slightest bit guilty. The suitcase was in a very poor state and really not worth any more than she had eventually paid for it. However, it was the perfect size for her Osito. He was going to need it for the few belongings that he could take on his journey and the money she’d saved meant that she could also buy him a coat as well.

Next stop the charity shop. She didn’t use her negotiating tactic here: the prices were reasonable, and the money went to a good cause. Although charity might begin at home it was also important to help support others in need too. By the time Lucy got home she’s bought a thick winter coat. It had a hood and large buttons that Osito would be able to manage on his own. She’d also bumped into her brother, Diego, who said he was going to give the boy his favourite hat. Osito’s life was going to be turned upside down tonight and she was so pleased they were giving him a present as well as providing him with the necessaries for survival.

“I’m home Osito and I’ve got you a suitcase, something that will keep all your things safe on the journey. It’s not large: however, it should be just about big enough. It’s even got a secret compartment for the very precious things. Come and get it so you can pack whilst I make you a picnic. You’re favourite?”

“Yes please. That would be wonderful.”  He took the suitcase, which was the perfect size for him, and walked dejectedly back to where his belongings were strewn about the floor.

Lucy was half way through making sandwiches when Diego arrived back from the docks. Whilst he looked sad Lucy could tell that he’d been successful.

“I’ve found Manuel. He’s happy to turn a blind eye and sneak some food into the boy until it’s safe for him to come out of hiding. He wasn’t sure at first until I reminded him how much of my money he had won at poker. Changed his mind then, he did. Think he felt a bit sorry for little Osito.”

Two hours later Lucy, Osito and Diego made their way down to the dock. It was a misty night which would help them go undetected. Diego carried the suitcase that now contained all Osito’s prized possessions. There wasn’t much and what there was rattled around the case as it moved in time with Diego’s footsteps. When they reached the bottom of the gangway they snuck behind a container, so they could say their goodbyes in private. Most things had already been said: advice had been passed on, tears had fallen, hugs and kisses exchanged so there was little more to add. Osito picked up his suitcase, adjusted his hat and was about walk up the gangway when Lucy stopped him.

“Your sandwiches. You can’t leave without your sandwiches. Now remember not to eat them all at once, even though they are your favourite. You don’t know when Manuel will be able to get you some more food.”

Osito took the sandwiches, not knowing quite how to carry them, and the suitcase, without squashing them. He’d struggle on for now: however, he knew he’d come up with a better solution sometime soon. He then trudged up the gangway and kept out of sight whilst making for the hiding place that Manuel had told them about. When he found the storeroom his squeezed in behind some packing boxes and tried to make himself comfortable. He knew he had to stay hidden until the boat had left the port and travelled too far to turn back.

As he sat and waited for the engines to start and the movement of the boat to change as they left the dock he thought about his life. Everything had changed and now he was heading out into the unknown. What his life had in store for him from now on he had no idea: all he could do was sit and wait for things to happen. All of the philosophising was making him feel hungry and, just to confirm that fact, his tummy gave a huge grumble. He thought about his sandwiches which contained his favourite filling. He knew he must follow Lucy’s advice and not eat them too soon, but they were so tempting sitting wrapped up on the floor in front of him. To remove the temptation, he hid them under his hat and then concentrated on the note Lucy had hung around his neck.

Even though the writing was strange he could tell that there was no mention of his name. so on top of all his other worries he now didn’t know how to tell everyone that he was called Osito. So many things to worry about not least that people in London would be able to understand the cryptic message in the note because he certainly didn’t. He also hoped that Lucy’s belief in human nature was well placed and they do as the note requested, and “Please look after this bear!”

 

In CANBACE friendship!

 

 

If anything I have written resonates I’d love to hear from you in the comments. I appreciate that this can be a difficult subject to speak openly about so if you don’t want me to publish your comment on the website please let me know and I will keep your words private.