Writing for Fun
July 2022
A Piece Of Luck - Diane Silverston
Susannah couldn’t believe it, but there it was, just in front of her. Was it within her reach? If she held on tightly and stretched carefully as far as she could, her fingers should be able to hook it up. Then she could pull it nearer. Although amongst the plants, it was catching the sunlight, making the leaves glow.
Susannah couldn’t tell what it actually was, but the flickering light fascinated her. Was it valuable? Was it old or new? Why was it there? Who did it belong to? Had they lost it or thrown it away?
Gripping the hand rail she leant forward slowly, carefully. She knew she should not rush it. Too dangerous. One slip and she would fall. Gripping tightly with one hand she stretched her other arm as far as she could, fingers spread out, inch by inch nearer, but still not close enough. She pulled herself back.
Then she noticed a twig near her, that might help, could it be the answer? She picked it up. It was a good length and had a fork shape at one end. Taking a deep breath, Susannah once again grabbed the rail and cautiously stretched her arm, the twig held tightly in her strong arm. Nearer and nearer . . . yes, the fork end could reach the shining object. Slowly using the fork, she tried to move it closer to her.
Just as she thought she was defeated, the fork flicked and the shining article was within reach. Once again Susannah stretched to her limit, clinging onto the rail, she had it. As she straightened up, she realised it was a gold and green pendant and chain. Very pretty. The pendant was in the shape of a four-leafed clover. A lucky charm!
Susannah took it to the local police station and explained where she had found it. They took it and gave her a receipt.
Some months later she was informed by the police that the jewellery was part of some stolen from a nearby house. It consisted of gold and small emeralds and had some value. The owners had stated that they would like to meet Susannah to personally thank her.
A week later Susannah and her mother were invited to Westgate Manor House where they met Maria and Jonathan Bellingham. Maria told them the story about the pendant. They had bought the four-leafed clover for their only daughter Julia, when she was sixteen, to wish her good luck and hopes for her future. Sadly, Julia had died aged 22, after a car accident.
Susannah immediately had a feeling of a connection. She was 24. She had been in a car accident 2 years ago. It had changed her life completely. She could no longer do the things she used to.
Maria told Susannah that she and Jonathan would like to pass on the pendant for her to wear, and hoped it would bring her luck. Susannah felt tears come to her eyes.
Her hands gripped the rails on her wheelchair as she moved herself nearer to Maria. They clasped hands and looked at each other.