Lily Lawson's Blog: Lily's log, page 8

Picture prompt - see image

We traverse the stairway.

Visits to the past

mingled with steps into the future.

History lies at the foot of the stairs.

We take the stairs at a run

jumping,

missing steps,

revisiting,

collecting things and people

lost along the way

We move slowly,

carefully

holding the wall,

the rail

or human stick.

Navigating gently.

The downhill journey

leaving depleted energy to climb.

We rest a while

take in the view.

The top seems out of reach,

the view obscured by twisting, turning flights

of countless treads.

Our feet slip and slide

despite the familiar terrain.

Elongated periods of little movement

end in stillness.

We recognise the top step

is different for each traveller.

Copyright © 2023 Lily Lawson

This was something new, something ...

This was something new, something or someone was rising from the waves. The water parted to let them through.

Ivan had spent the night on the island beach since he’d fell overboard.

‘This can’t be happening; I must be dreaming or hallucinating.’

‘Then I am too human.’ The crab looked at him.

‘Have you seen this before?’

‘Many times.’

‘What happened?’

‘They took human into the sea.’

‘Did they drown?’

‘Human’s bodies were not found. Legend said they were the chosen ones. What name do you have human?’

‘Ivan.’

‘Ah.’

‘What do you mean ah?’

‘You’re human nine.’

‘Nine?’

‘Adam, Benjamin, Charlie, Dennis, Edward, Fred, George, Harry ... Ivan.’

‘I don’t understand.’

‘The sea people need human to stop them dying.’

‘How can I help?’

‘Human mate with sea woman, sea woman bear seahumans.’

‘Are you saying?’

‘The sea Queen is only Queen when she is able to bear sea children. When she cannot, there is new sea Queen. Royal Sea people must mate with humans to bear sea children. Queen can lay with human but new Queen needs new human. You are new royal human for new sea Queen. She will come for you.’

‘I’ll say no.’

‘If you refuse you die. It is fate. You were sent to her.’

‘It wasn’t an accident me being here.’

‘The sea people waited till time was right. They brought you here to collect.’

A young woman with long dark hair came across the beach and took Ivan’s hand. A fierce wind cast the sand into a spiral round the pair. A rope snaked round them binding them together and they were carried into the sea.

A hole opened up and the pair were pushed down a chute landing in a cellar. Ivan looked up and all he could see was the roof and a staircase.

‘Who are you? Where am I? What’s happening?’

‘I am Talia queen of the sea people. Today we will be married. This is our sea palace.’

‘But we’ve just met… and …’

Talia handed him a goblet.

‘Drink Ivan and all will be well. I will bear you many children. One day our daughter will rise from the sea and find her King, her J. But you are my ‘I’ and we will live our lives together.’

‘What if …’

‘Do not stress. Sea people have no problems. If you wish it, it will be so.’

‘Can I go home?’

‘This is home. Fate cannot be changed. Wish for us to be happy. Wish for us to have long futures. Wish for us to have many children. I wished for you, and you were sent to me. Wish for me and I will give myself to you.’

Ivan drank from the Goblet.

***

A few minutes later he was dressed for his wedding.

‘Talia my love, I wish for many happy years with you, I have loved you since I was a boy, I wish you to bear me many children. All I have is yours.’

'The look she gave him could have curdled milk'

Tommy mustered up his courage, took a deep breath and opened the door of the shop.

‘What can I do for you young man? Mrs Blythe folded her arms behind the counter.

‘I was wondering…’ He fiddled with his tie ‘If there was any work going?’

The look she gave him could have curdled milk.

‘I heard you got young Melissa in the family way. I suppose at least you’re not shirking your responsibilities. When’s the wedding?’

‘I don’t know if...’ Tommy’s face grew red, his palms were sweaty.

‘I’ll have a word with the vicar, if she’s not showing we might get away with it, not sure about white mind, maybe something off white or cream.’ She tidied the counter.

‘We might not be getting married…’

She sighed.

‘You scared of her dad? Billy Barker’s a pussy cat.’

Tommy shuffled his feet.

‘No, its not that, we don’t know if we believe in all that?’

She hit the counter.

‘No employee of mine is living over the brush; this is a respectable establishment so think on.’

‘So I have the job then?’

‘Put a ring on Melissa’s finger and I’ll see what I can do.’

Tommy sighed.

‘She might not want to marry me.’

‘She should have thought of that before she let you have your fun. You didn’t force yourself on her, did you?’

‘No, I’d never do that.’

‘No, you don’t seem the type, just had to be sure.’ Mrs Blythe took a note out of the till.

‘I can’t take that.’

‘We’ll call it an advance on your wages. There’s a kiddie to think of now. What either of you want doesn’t come into it. Tidy yourself up a bit, take her some flowers, tell her you’re earning.’

‘What if she says no?’

‘Then she’s dafter than I thought. Decent lad like you, she could do a lot worse.’

‘Thanks.’

‘Billy Barker’ll stand by you if you do right by his daughter. You’re only kids yourselves. That missus of his brought up six so she’ll know a thing or two.’

‘I love her.’

‘Loves got nothing to do with it. You got what you were after, and you were unlucky.’ Mrs Blythe put her hand on his shoulder. 'Things need taking care of even if the horse has bolted. Let’s get you wed and some money in your pocket to keep a roof over the child’s head, clothes on its back and food in its belly.’

‘And ours.’

‘Yes, well, that goes without saying, but the child comes first.’

‘Of course.’

‘Now be off with you, get the girl a ring, best you can afford.’ She pushed him towards the door.

Tommy looked at the floor.

Mrs Blythe took more notes out of the till.

‘Here, we’ll call it a bonus.’

Tommy put the money in his wallet.

‘I’ll expect you at 8 sharp on Monday morning. No need for the suit, decent trousers and shirt should do it, jackets get in the way.’ She opened the door.

‘Thank you.’

‘Oh and Tommy…’

‘Yes.’

‘Congratulations.’

'It’s said that opposites attract'

'It’s said that opposites attract'

Vinny leaned on the door frame his bulk blocking Olivia’s exit.

‘Be reasonable Vinny there are limits.’

Olivia scowled at her brother.

‘So you don’t like my friend at all.’

‘I never said that.’

Vinny smirked.

‘He’s just …’

‘A lawyer?’

‘No, that’s not it …’

‘A football fan.’

‘No I don’t mind that either.’

‘Into different music…’

‘No, I love all sorts of music.’

‘Ok I’m running out of ideas here what is it?’

‘He’s a carnivore and I’m vegan.’

‘Sister dear, if this thing is worth anything you will convert him, its one date, give the guy a break.’

‘OK one date but any sign of rare meat bleeding on the plate and I’m out of there.’

‘I will warn him to keep his cannibal instincts in check.’

‘very funny, now give me his number before I change my mind.’

Cats Table Polite

Ajax, Lulu, and Grizabella were sat at the table. Socks, being a bit of a charmer, had managed to scrounge some food and was whipping up one of his concoctions in the kitchen.

‘Pour the wine Ajax there’s a dear.’

Grizabella nibbled at the cheese Socks had told them to leave till later.

‘I’m so glad we decided to do the partial humanisation.’ Lulu ran her paw over her head. ‘I’ve seen the humans that work they look so unhappy.’

‘People thought Theodora wouldn’t away with it. I heard her talking to that polite solicitor chap she was keen on. He said we were “just a bunch of cats.” Theodora wasn’t so keen on him after that I can tell you.’

Ajax poured the wine.

‘Good job we have Sophie on side.’

The cats cheered.

‘It was Sophie’s magic we have to be most grateful for. Her spell to help us eat human food and take care of the house without losing our catness has been most useful. I must check on Theodora she must be hungry.’

Lulu went upstairs.

‘Most grandchildren would have been a bit sceptical that we could care for Theodora.’ Grizabella ate more cheese.

‘Will you stop eating the cheese.’ Socks voice came from the kitchen. ‘You’d better eat your dinner.’

‘Sophie is not most grandchildren and her seeing eye helps her know when we need her.’ Ajax sipped his wine.

‘Yes, and she does all the things we can’t like bathing her grandmother.’

Lulu came back downstairs.

Socks served the dinner and took a plate to Theodora.

‘Theodora asked if one of us would go full human. We might lose the house if we don’t. Sophie can’t live here full time with her business, she works all over the world.’

Socks regarded his companions.

‘She always gets back when we need her.’ Grizabella said between mouthfuls.

‘Yes, but that’s the instanteleport service. They don’t know she’s here then. If they did, she would be captured and have to work for the Triangle. You know what happens to folks who work for the Triangle….’

Ajax shuddered.

‘Who’s it going to be?’ Socks cleared his throat ‘Who’s going full human? Sophie would have to do it on Wednesday, or it won’t work for another moon cycle.’

Three faces turned to Socks.

The three muttered between themselves.

‘I’m too old to be much use in human form.’ Grizabella pushed her empty plate away.

‘I think I may be a little young to be taken seriously.’

Ajax stacked the dishes.

‘I’d lose Felix, and there’s no way I’m doing that. He’s extra keen since I part humanised.’

Lulu smoothed her fur.

‘You all expect me to do it don’t you?’

They all nodded

Socks sighed.

‘For Theodora I will talk to Sophie about it. But I need a better name than Socks if I’m doing it, so she better have one.’

They gathered at the graveside.

‘In the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ we commend to almighty God our sister Anastasia Veronica Violet to rest ….’

Tom his tie undone, passed his football between his feet.

Daniel sat cross legged on the grass engrossed in his phone.

Amy leaned against a tree, earbuds firmly in place.

‘How are you doing vicar? Oh sorry you’re vicaring aren’t you? Never mind me, I’ll wait in the church, these shoes are killing me…sorry bad choice of words. Sorry for your loss and all that. Who is it you’re burying?’

‘Anastasia Veronica Violet Maddison.’

The vicar caught Stella’s eye. She smiled and rolled her eyes.

‘Old Vi she must have been a hundred if she was a day.’

’97 actually. Stay if you wish but please keep quiet for the family.’

‘Stella don’t mind, do you sweetheart I’ve known her since she was a nipper on her gran’s knee at mother’s union. She knows I love a chat.’

‘Mrs Dickenson…’

‘Edith please … not really a Mrs anything since my dear Cyril passed God rest his soul. You having a tea? I love a funeral tea and so did Vi we had that in common.’

‘There will be refreshments in the hall once I have finished if you ever let me. Perhaps you can wait in there, put the kettle on.’

‘No I owe it to Vi to keep stood here. I know I didn’t come to the service. I don’t go in for all that malarkey Vicar, no offense, you’re a nice man and all but Vi loved all that hymn singing and that. I say me prayers every night like me mother taught me not on me knees these days mind you and I stick a bit on the plate at Christmas love a carol concert me and that’s me whack unless there’s a wedding or a christening or a funeral like gotta come then, haven’t you?

Stella laid a hand on Edith’s shoulder.

‘Five minutes Edi then we can get some tea and something to eat and have a nice chat, ok?’

Edith patted Stella’s arm.

‘I’d love that sweetheart. Carry on vicar.’

The Vicar rolled his eyes and cleared his throat.

‘In the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ we commend to almighty God our sister Anastasia Veronica Violet to rest, and we commit her body to the ground: earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. The Lord bless her and keep her, the Lord make his face shine upon her and be gracious to her, the Lord lift up his countenance upon him and give her peace.’

Stella and Edith threw their dust on the coffin.

‘Can we have our tea now?’

Stella took Edith’s arm.

‘Yes Edith, we can have our tea.’

Oppressive Surprise Skirt

It was no surprise 1521 wanted to escape. Number one’s rules grew more oppressive by the day. It was illegal for goks to wear skirts now. Boks and goks had to be universally dressed in grey trousers or shorts.

1521 and her fellow goks were struggling to retain their femininity after the banishment of makeup, heels and fitted clothing. All they had left was their hair which was allowed to be any length and any colour.

1521 could see a time when the restrictions would come in regarding colour as they already had for the boks who were restricted to natural colours. The boks for their part had similar issues with their masculinity.

The nons were expected to conform to the rules followed by those who they shared physical similarities with.

1521 called a meeting in the Inzone the only place people could meet freely outside their family unitbubble. It was the biggest crowd that had assembled together since the city became Podsville on Takeover day.

In public spaces boks, goks and nons could only meet if they had registered their relationship as family, partner, or friend – there was partnerunit ceremony for adults wishing to live together or a bubbleentryceremony for children who needed to live outside the unitbubble they were born into. Friends could be in as many registered Inbubbles as they wanted.

1521 took to the stage with a big bag of hairspray in various colours. Her Inbubble passed them out to the crowd. 1521 sprayed her hair purple, her Inbubble sprayed theirs with cans of red, green, blue, and orange. Before the meeting was over all of the attendees had sprayed their hair.

The primes struggled to control the crowd and were unable to get them all in shuttles. The protestors started spraying the primes’ hair. When number one arrived he too was sprayed by cans of dye.

The protestors captured the primes and dragged them into Deact centre freeing those who were incarcerated in the Mins as they went. The Majs were kept separately, no-one ever left the mags for the safety of all Podsville.

1521 escaped as the protests raged on. She now lives in Freeville. Her name is Sarah.

Picture prompt - see image

The sun was poking its head over the hills as Faye wandered across the fields. She was struck once more by the beauty of the place she had moved to.

Faye’s modern apartment on the edge of town gave her access to all local amenities. She loved the cultural opportunities it afforded but what drew her to this place was the countryside and the beach within walking distance.

At this time in the morning it felt like her private space. She tried to keep her mind clear, but thoughts would often intrude on the return journey.

Faye’s phone was on silent in her pocket. She didn’t want any distractions, but it eased the minds of worried friends if she could call for help if necessary. Every day she would send a photo to their what’s app group, she had to admit her technique was improving. They suggested the gallery in town might be interested in her photos, but she hadn’t been brave enough to approach them yet.

It was on her way back she saw it nestled in the trees. Faye rubbed her eyes, her hand on impulse went to her phone to capture the moment. She decided against it, wanting to keep this secret to herself. They would think she photoshopped the image, another rung on the ladder of her budding photography career. She didn’t think anyone would believe she saw a dragon.

It was the last day of the month

It was the last day of the month and what a month it had been.

Sally had been tortured at the gym with her new routine that left her aching in places she didn’t know existed. Her body felt welded to the bed. If they was an app for everything, she needed an energy boost pronto. Unfortunately her phone came up short on this one.

Lolly, her instructor, looked like she wouldn’t break a sweat climbing Kilimanjaro. Sally didn’t want buns of steel or a six pack she just wanted to feel fit and healthy. Her torturer didn’t seem to speak her language.

Ok she signed up to the classes with only slight coercion. It was her response to looking at herself in a changing room mirror that did it. She wondered how the body she knew had taken on such alien attributes.

Her husband Scott had done all the platitudes and reassurances that told her he thought it didn’t matter and he loved her whatever but it didn’t help. She wasn’t a yummy mummy and the days of wolf whistles were long gone she knew that but Sally wanted to feel like herself again and was exploring ways of doing that.

She was debating texting Lolly to say she wanted to cancel when Scott appeared. He handed her a tray. An envelope laid next to her usual healthy breakfast.

‘What’s this?’

‘Can’t I bring you breakfast in bed?’

‘It’s not my birthday, but it’s a lovely surprise thank you.’

‘What’s in the envelope?’

‘Open it and see.’

Sally did as she was instructed, pulling out two bits of card.

One was a block booking for Yoga and Pilates classes. The other was a set of monthly full body massages.

‘Thank you.’

She pulled him as close as the tray would allow and kissed him.

‘I spoke to Lolly; told her you were finding this circuit stuff too much and asked her if you could use your credits for something less exhausting. She suggested this.’ Scott ran his hands through his hair. ‘You can swap it for something else if you want, they do dancing, swimming, aerobics … all sorts, she said you can book one session at a time if you want so you can do whatever you feel like doing, even this blasted circuit training, I hope you don’t mind me interfering…’

Sally ate a spoonful of fruit.

‘Not at all. I’m very lucky to have such a caring husband.’

‘I thought the massages might help. I can get a refund or you can get your nails done or something if you’d rather do that …’

‘No refunds. A monthly massage sounds wonderful. You can join me if you like…’

Scott rolled his eyes.

‘Let’s not get carried away. Eat your breakfast and I’ll see what movies I can find to watch when you finally get up.’

She threw a pillow in his direction, but he was already at the other side of the closed door.

Beast Radio Moaned

Claire fiddled with the radio dial trying to get a signal. One of the benefits of living in Nowheresville was a dodgy internet, so Claire had gone old school today for the local morning show.

‘…. there’s been definite sightings … Nowheresville …bodies … hospital … killed …Beast …unsure …story … warning …. local author … book signing …That’s Indie at 2 pm today.’

The radio reverted to music with upbeat chat.

Claire turned it off. Her coffee break over she went back to her gardening.

***

Her neighbour Tom came over for lunch. Claire was distracted by attempting to piece together the news about the Beast and was not paying much attention to Tom as he talked about his ailments.

‘It’s my back you see, makes things very difficult … so I went up in a hot air balloon with a giraffe...’

‘That’s good hope it helped.’

‘I knew you weren’t listening’ Tom moaned between mouthfuls of sandwich.

Claire sipped her tea.

‘Sorry it’s this beast stuff, what do you know? I’m sure I read something years ago before I’d even considered the idea of moving here. Its real so they say.’

‘Nonsense. Someone wanting a bit of attention, too much time on their hands, I blame the internet, take no notice, its one of them legends, good for tourism but not much else, think no more about it.’

***

Claire went to the book signing and everyone was talking about the agent not being there. She wasn’t the cheeriest person, but she was very efficient.

‘This is so unlike Cecilia.’ Arthur shook his head and signed a few books.

‘Something will have come up; you know what the phone signal’s like around here. I’m sure she’ll be in touch.’ Joy gave him some tea and biscuits and served a few customers.

***

The police constable worried at his hat.

‘Good of you to come officer, would you like any particular wording, or shall I just do a regular signing?’

‘Arthur, I need a word. I will take a book of course but this is rather important and I’m not sure how to say it’

‘Let’s go through to the back constable.’ Joy guided the men to the small office behind the till.

‘Claire hold the fort there’s a dear.’ She shouted before closing the door.

***

The constable continued to worry at his hat.

Arthur took it off him and laid it on the table.

‘Whatever it is man, spit it out, I am a little busy at the mo.’

‘I got a call from a dog walker this morning saying they’d found something in the woods.’ He cleared his throat. ‘It’s Cecilia.’ He coughed. ‘I need you to identify the body, it’s not pretty I’m afraid, looks like the Beast got her.’