Writing for Fun
April 2017
Heaven Sent - Diane Silverston
James was very upset. He was only four. He had lost Arthur, his best friend. Why had he gone? James wondered if it was his fault. Had he done something wrong?
James was very upset. He really missed Arthur. They had been such pals, doing so much together. Arthur had been there for him at all times, now he had gone. Why?
Arthur was his Grandfather, he always looked after James while Sylvie, James' Mummy was at work. They had lived together the three of them since Grandma Betty had gone and Jonathan, James' dad had left. Now Arthur had gone. Why?
James was very upset. His Mummy had told him that Grandfather had gone to be with Grandma, but James felt he needed him more. There was a void in his life. How would they cope?
It was Easter so Sylvie had some time off from work which meant she was able to be at home with James. She talked to him and tried to explain things but she could see that James was struggling to understand. He was only four and in his short life had lost quite a lot. Sylvie was also worried about who could look after James when she had to return to work.
James was very upset. He was curled up in Arthur's favourite chair looking at photos of times they had spent together. Tears were in his eyes at the memories.
Suddenly he felt something hard at the edge of the chair, he put his hand down and found a penny. His grandfather was always giving him pennies to put in his money box, perhaps he could have this one.
His Mummy said of course he could have it and so he put it with the other ones in the box his Grandfather had made him. That made him feel a little better.
After a week he had found seven pennies in various places, where he and Arthur used to sit or explore. Each time he put them in his box.
James was very upset. Mummy had to go back to work tomorrow. She wouldn't be able to stay at home with him anymore. He was worried. Who was going to look after him now?
Sylvie had been pondering this problem for some time. She was worried. James needed someone to look after him but who? She had been talking about it to her next door neighbour that morning. She had known Joy for many years, and felt she could trust her to give good advice.
Joy had mentioned that her niece had come to stay with her for some time, she had just lost her husband and had a small son to care for. Perhaps this could work well for both Mothers. Sylvie asked Joy to get her niece to call in that afternoon.
3pm there was a knock at the door, and when Sylvie answered it she saw a young lady with a small boy holding her hand. She welcomed them both in to the lounge. Just then James rushed in, his face alight with a smile and a box in his hands. 'Look,' he shouted, 'I found this in the garden. It is the same as my box. And it is quite heavy.'
With that he put it down and started to open it.
It was full of pennies and a note saying FOR JAMES, MY BEST PAL.
'It must be from Grandfather,' James whispered.
'Yes I think it is,' said his Mother, with a smile on her face. 'He has sent you pennies from heaven.'
The young lady gave a slight grin 'That's my name, Penny,' she said, 'and this is my son Arthur, he was four this week.'
There was a moment of silence. James looked at his Mother, then at the young lady and her son.
'Did he send you from heaven as well?' he asked.
Sylvie and Penny laughed. 'No, but she certainly is heaven sent, replied Sylvie. 'I think we have our answer. Will you look after James for me?'
'I'd love to. It was meant.'
'Come on Arthur,' shouted James, 'I'll show you all our favourite places in the garden.'