Glen Staples
Lost in a book
The rain clattered against her window, hurled hard against the glass by the howling winds of a Lincolnshire Autumn night. The sound of yet another strong gust outside distracted her for a moment, but all she did next was to pull the covers further up her shoulders and smugly cuddle into them.
The very finest luxuries in life can’t be bought in Selfridges or any shop, as far as Sally Johansson was concerned, they were right here at home. The safety and heavenly opulence of being warm in your bed and lost in a book was everything she needed. All her worries and fears were far behind her as she dipped in and out of the fantasy world before her. The double glazing would hold the rain back as much as the heating would keep off the cold, but the Kindle in her hand gave her so much more than just warmth and shelter, it gave her hope.
Hope is possibly the biggest luxury of them all.
So, snuggled deep into her duvet, Sally pressed the button and turned the page. It was late, very late. She should have been asleep an hour ago, but no matter how hard she tried Sally just could not switch the Kindle off. Every page sucked her into the next, never once providing closure. “One more page” Sally told herself earnestly, before once again being dragged callously back into the story.
Each line demanded that she read the next, the paragraphs wrapping themselves around her brain like a mother’s cuddle. Sally had to keep reading, had to know whatever the next page would tell her.
A crash rang loudly in her ears, followed by a car alarm squawking like a deranged parrot on helium. The Kindle was thrown aside as Sally jumped out of bed and threw open the curtains. Already people were running around in dressing gowns assessing the situation. A tree in her neighbour’s front garden had fallen and landed on their car. Everyone was safe, if somewhat vexed. Sally watched as her neighbour reached out and gave his wife a bear hug, which worked well, even if only to soak up her sobs.
The cries of frustration and anger died quickly into the laughter of relief, as the realization of how truly lucky they were not to have been hurt kicked in. The car can be replaced, their lives clearly couldn’t. In Sally’s mind she suddenly felt a warmth towards her neighbours that she had never felt before. They had everything they would ever need, right there in each other’s arms and Sally understood that completely.
As she closed the curtains the bed moved and a sleepy voice asked for details. “Go back to sleep love, I’ll tell you in the morning” was all she could say before giving him a gentle kiss to aid him on his way. Her hand hovered over the light switch before the Kindle caught her attention.
Hmm, well maybe one more chapter wouldn’t hurt. So Sally picked up the best Christmas present she had ever been given, and flipped it back on.
In seconds she was back where she had been a moment ago, reading Matrimonial Dyslexia, by Glen Staples.
Smiling once more, she snuggled backwards into her sleeping husband, and lost herself deep into the book.
2 comments:
Mmmmm :) I like that! Certainly has a simple feel-good factor. Some lovely word-imagery, here Glen!
Best yet, Glen! Well I think so.
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