Writing for Fun
August 2017
The Music Box - Diane Silverston
She was poised on one foot, frozen in time, waiting patiently for someone to open the lid. This was her only position, always on tiptoe on one foot, her other leg flexed out behind her, her arms outstretched, fingers pointing, her head held high. A vision in silvery white, a long taffeta skirt, a tiara in her dark hair, which was secured in a tight neat bun. But at the moment she was stationary, frozen, alone in the dark, just waiting and hoping.
That morning the church was very busy, everyone was covering tables, hanging bunting, ready for the annual village fete. Luckily the day was fine so many of the attractions and stalls were being set up outside.
Cakes were being delivered to the tea area and cake stall, of various colours and sizes were being priced up. Boxes of Bric a Brac were by the tables waiting to be priced and placed.
Everything was ready and people started arriving, all ages, some on their own, some with families. Soon the garden and hall were filling up. People were milling around, having a go on the side shows, buying goods from the stalls.
Two little girls, one with blonde hair, one with dark hair were walking around together, visiting all the tables and stalls. Soon they were at the Bric a Brac stall, covered with a red tablecloth and with pretty bunting around the edge. All the pieces had been placed carefully and there it was, right in the middle, pride of place.
'Oh, it's a small grand piano. Look Olivia. It would be lovely in the Doll's house, do you think it would fit?' cried Poppy when she saw it. 'Look the front is open and you can see the tiny black and white keys. Isn't it super?' said her cousin Olivia. 'Let's go and find Gaga and Nanny. I'm sure they would like it.'
'How much is it?' asked Poppy, a little worried, 'I've spent most of my money already.'
'We can join our money together and I'm sure we'll be able to buy it.' Olivia replied.
Just then their Grandparents joined them. The girls pointed out the little piano. Nanny picked it up and looked at it.
'It's lovely, a beautiful coloured wood. I think it would fit just right.'
'But can we afford it?' asked Olivia.
'I think so, Gaga will help I'm sure.' She turned the piano over, £7.50, that's fine. We'll have it please.'
The lady at the stall carefully wrapped it up and gave it to Nanny who put it into her bag. Then the four of them went around the other stalls.
The afternoon passed quickly and soon it was time to go home to Nanny's.
After they had finished their tea, Nanny carefully unwrapped the little piano. They placed it in the lounge of the Doll's house. It fitted just right.
'Look,' said Gaga as he picked it up again, 'there's a groove there, I think the lid will open.'
He ran his thumbnail round the groove and suddenly the lid flew up.
There was a burst of glistening light from the mirrored interior and there she was, frozen, on tiptoe on one foot, her other foot flexed out behind her, arms outstretched, fingers pointing, head held high, a shimmering silvery white, reflected all around.
'Oh my goodness!' exclaimed Nanny.
'There's a little key,' shouted Olivia.
Gaga took it and wound up the box. Immediately a melody could be heard . . . and she started to turn in her dance.
The two little girls were transfixed, their eyes wide, watching with wonder. Each turn was reflected and seen from all angles.
Slowly the melody faded and her dance stopped. Once again she was still, frozen in her position.
'How beautiful,' Poppy whispered.
'Like magic,' Olivia muttered.
Gaga pushed down the lid carefully and replaced the little piano back in the Doll's house.
'A music box, how clever,' Nanny said as she looked at her two grand-daughters. 'Well done. What a find.'
She was alone again in the dark but she wasn't worried, she was happy. She knew that the lid would be opened again soon, and she could fulfil her purpose and dance.