Links to “THE BOMB IN THE SHED…” - CHAPTER 1 - CHAPTER 2 - CHAPTER 3 - CHAPTER 4…
Hi Everyone
I started out writing short stories, they’re a great way to practice and learn. I wanted to share one called THE LEAP with you today. I wrote it in the first few months of my writing lessons and it was one of my favourites. It’s about a retired couple so I think it’s interesting in the context of Arthur and Camilla as protagonists of “The bomb in the shed…”
Anyway, I hope you enjoy it. Here you go…
The Leap
Annie peered over the edge of the cliff. Should she jump? What would it feel like? A shiver of fear ran through her tired body, aching knees and down to the soles of her feet. It was a little scary to be up so high with no safety rail, but it was a bit thrilling too. Over a hundred and twenty feet from where she was down to the sea below according to the guidebook, more than four times the height of an Olympic high diving board! She took a step back, thankful for the sturdy grip of her walking boots. As she retreated she dislodged a stone that tumbled over the edge and plunged into the water below with a small splash barely a second or so later.
Only a moment to fall so far.
“Henry,” She called over her shoulder.
“I can’t find the custard creams,” He was rummaging in his backpack.
“You should come and take a look, it’s beautiful.”
The rummaging stopped. “Do get away from the edge, Annie dear, it’s dangerous.”
She wanted him to come over and join her, but he wasn’t looking her way anymore. Still hunting through his backpack, he leant over in a way that could easily put his back out, sun gleaming off his bald head. Out came a large Tupperware box and a couple of rounds of sandwiches wrapped in cellophane which he threw onto the blanket alongside the rest of their picnic. He straightened up slowly and stiffly, placed his hands on his hips.
“Must have forgotten them. Bugger!”
“I think I’m going to jump,” declared Annie.
“Very funny.” He was wrestling with his camping chair now, trying to unfold it.
“I’m not joking, I’m boiling, and I bet it’s lovely and cool in the water.”
“Come on, let’s eat. I’m hungry.”
A sit-down and spot of lunch would be nice. Annie was ravenous after the long walk. Away from the cliff the ground was rough and her legs were aching so she was careful not to do something stupid like fall or twist her ankle now they were both safely at the top. But Henry had managed to pick out a lovely spot for the picnic.
“You know this place is called The Leap for a reason, Henry. People jump off it all the time.”
“Not old people like us.”
“We’re not dead yet, you know.”
The chair was up at last and Henry gazed at his handiwork in admiration. How sweet! Annie unzipped the side pocket of her day pack and pulled out a packet of custard creams with a flourish. “Here, I hid them so you wouldn’t eat them all on the way up.”
He lowered himself down on his chair with sigh of relief. “You’re an angel.”
Annie hunted for a comfortable rock or patch of ground to sit on.
Henry smiled, “I don’t know why you didn’t bring your chair too; it’s so comfy.”
“It’s not a picnic if you have a chair, it’s cheating.” Perhaps he was right though, she’d likely pay for it in the morning.
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, Henry handing out the sandwiches, Annie dishing out the pasta salad into small plastic bowls. And then a bottle of wine to share as they enjoyed the food. Because, well, why not? It was the middle of the week on a hot and sunny afternoon and they had nowhere else to be.
Henry said, “I forgot to say, Pete called this morning.”
Annie paused mid bite. “Did he?” Odd, Pete usually called her, not Henry.
“Everyone’s well and sends their love.”
Annie wrapped her remaining half of sandwich in its cellophane, she wasn’t hungry anymore. She poured herself another glass of wine. “They’re not coming over, are they.”
“Pete’s been offered a job on the West Coast. Needs to find a place to live, and a new school for Stella, you know, that sort of thing. They need time to settle in.”
She sipped her wine.
He said, “Maybe next year, eh?”
Three years. It had been three years since she’d last seen them. And now she had to wait another year. That was all she seemed to do these days wait. Wait for what?
Henry added, “Pete says Jack is going to have a gap year travelling before he starts college. He’s got a round the world ticket. Sydney, Bali, Singapore, Hanoi, Mumbai. Imagine that.”
Yes, imagine that indeed. Sandy beaches, bustling cities, exotic jungles, ancient ruins, magnificent waterfalls, delicious food and romantic sunsets. The tastes, the smells, the sights and the sounds, and the people from every walk of life.
Annie placed put her wine down, “All right Henry, let’s do it.”
“Do what?”
“Let’s go. Buy our own round the world tickets and go.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I’m not.”
“But what about the cats? The decoupage classes I’ve already paid for? And there’s Barbara’s 70th in a couple of months, we can’t miss that. Anyway, who would look after the house?”
Annie could answer every objection easily enough of course, but why bother? Henry just didn’t want to go. He would never want to go. He was perfectly comfortable and happy as he was.
She stood up and unlaced her boots.
“What are you doing?” asked Henry.
“I’m going to jump.”
“Are you mad?”
Boots off, she pulled off her socks and held out her hand, “Come with me?”
“If this is about Pete and the kids then sit down and we can talk about it.”
For once it wasn’t about Pete and the kids. Or Henry. It was about Annie. She turned and started walking back towards the edge of the cliff, stones rough against the bare skin of her feet, somehow making her more sure-footed than when she’d had her boots on.
“Annie?”
She neared the cliff edge. Her heart beat picked up a pace.
“Annie darling?”
A few steps out from the cliff the twinge of fear returned, so she quickened her stride. Not a run as such, more a spring in her step before she launched herself over the edge, without giving it too much thought. She hung in the air for a moment, or at least it felt as if she did, looking out across the sea to the horizon. The sun was high in the sky and its light glistened as it reflected off the calm surface of the water. She could see small boats dotted here and there and what looked like a cruise ship in the distance.
And then she fell. Like a stone. For just a second or two. The air rushed past her body and filled her ears. Her arms flailed as she tried to keep upright. Fear boiled into a rush of adrenalin, then exploded into a wave of cold shock that engulfed her as she crashed into the water. She tasted the sharp saltiness in her mouth as the sting of water rushing up her nose. Her descent continued for a few moments before being slowed by the pressure of the water. She hung weightless for a moment, holding her breath, as if floating safely in a womb.
Then she kicked for the surface, her heart pounding at the thrill of the jump. She broke through into the air with a deep breath and a cry of pure joy. Then she lay on her back, floating, eyes closed, laughing, the warm of the sun on the skin of her face.
“Annie, are you all right?” Henry’s voice floated down to her.
She opened her eyes and could see him peering over the edge of the cliff where she’d been just a few moments ago. But he looked so far away to her now.
Jump, Henry, jump!
That’s it, hope that was interesting. Any comments or questions let me know.
Jonathan
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