Task Compose a short story with the phrases, “The city never slept. Everywhere she went she was...

Task

Compose a short story with the phrases, “The city never slept. Everywhere she went she was caught

up in noise and bustle, and she hated it.” as either the first or last sentence of your composition.

NextCopyright © 2007 June Grandwells. This story is protected by UK Copyright Service registration.

GOOD NIGHT, MY LOVE

NextPrevious Copyright © 2007 June Grandwells. This story is protected by UK Copyright Service registration.

That month was colder than usual and there was therefore only one other guest in this guest house. Hearing the very familiar tap‑tap sound coming from the hall, I trembled with happiness. She had come back here earlier than in previous years. Not only was she fond of this handsome country mansion, but she also treasured the atmosphere of the area. She even loved the rarity of clear blue skies.

The city never slept. Everywhere she went she was caught up in noise and bustle, and she hated it. The place I live is about two hours’ journey by train from her place. The tranquillity here was what brought her back every year.


On the day she arrived, she normally went to her room shortly after dinner, but not on that particular evening. Not until the waiter offered her another glass of Château d'Yquem, did she realise how long she had been sitting, staring at the mahogany Bechstein grand piano. It stood behind the French Art‑Nouveau stained glass doors between the drawing room and the dining room where she was. She rose abruptly, walking through the kitchen to the office. I tried to catch the conversation she was having, but her voice was too soft to fish for as she was far from the sofa I was sitting on. Scarcely had she re‑entered the drawing room, where my sofa was, when she told me what it was all about. “I asked your master for permission to play this. You don’t mind either, do you?”

She affectionately stroked me a few times with her slender fingers and massaged just behind my ears, my favourite spot, a fact nobody else had ever noticed. Then, she said, “Hello Sheila, how have you been? You look great,” and kissed my forehead. “Welcome back, I’m glad to see you again,” I echoed, even though I knew she could only hear a meow. So, I tried to make my voice as sweet as possible, also expressing my feelings with my whiskers and tail.


I had not known she could play the piano. Never before nor since had I listened to such soulful Schubert! She looked as if she were one of the Muses reciting lyrics. I wished I could have wept for her heartfelt performance, the sound of which bespoke her noble and cordial personality. I could see her happiness at being here, disguising briefly her sorrowful and solitary character. This was not surprising considering her extreme sensitivity; but for my intuition, which is superior than humans,' I would not have recognised it.


I could not stop wondering how she contrived to live in the city. I, myself, never went to the city, nevertheless, my uncle, who did see it, used to tell me how much he detested it and my cousin said that it was getting even worse. Tower blocks thrust like spearheads into the sky, cars perpetually passed by like thunder storms, roaring their horns boastfully, and people scurried up and down the streets, shouting to each other provocatively, day and night. Victors gleefully condescended to losers, so everyone put a brave face on, hiding the miseries and apprehension rife in their minds. To build the highest skyscraper of their career, everyone was dashing towards the invisible goal of a never‑ending rat race. As a respected cerebrospinal surgeon, she would not be allowed to flee from her responsibility there.



It was only temporary but this place was her sanctum. “Thank you for listening, Sheila. Good night,” she whispered courteously, closing the lid of the piano with the tenderest of care. “Have a good night’s sleep,” I murmured to her back as she was leaving the room, knowing she would not be able to find such serenity when she went back to the city.

IMAGES:

Antique Frames

www.antiqueframes.eu

Wallpaper

www.wallpaperdirect.co.uk

Cat Breed Picture Gallery (A to Z Cats Breeds)

http://cats.about.com/od/breedpictures/ig/MaineCoonPictureGallery/MaineCoonCatFoxy.htm

“Foxy, the Maine Coon”

www.about.com Home & Garden

Art Nouveau French Windows, Panels & Door Sets Collection

(c1900)

http://www.vitraux.co.uk/

“Pair of Tall French Antique Stained Glass Doors”

Tomkinson’s Stained Glass

Prestige Collection

http://www.waterford.co.uk/products/

http://www.waterford.co.uk/products/details.asp?id=2253

“Master Cutter's Claret Decanter”

Waterford

Grand Piano Collection

(c1901)

http://www.grandpianos.com/

“Bechstein Grand Piano”

Lloyd & Keyworth Music

Travel Pictures

http://realtravel.com/london-england-photos-d16103-7.348.html

“Cityscape”

Real TravelCopyright © 2007 June Grandwells. This story is protected by UK Copyright Service registration.

Task Compose a short story with the phrases, “The city never slept. Everywhere she went she was...

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