It was with great trepidation that she slowly and reluctantly opened her eyes to the merest squint. She had left a tiny gap, in the closed, thick velour lined curtains, but her first glimpse of the day was that of the beautifully patterned work of the man, we know from our childhood, as Jack.The playful Jack that can enchant and enthral us with his night's work, but could make the life of Susannah a living hell. Even the intricacy and delicateness could not bring any sense of wonder to her lined, haggard face. The cold,pinched face was beyond all recognition of the once beautiful bride,whith her delicate white skin, now so blue with winter's savagery.
Ousted by her husband's family in Hungary, for not being a perfect wife to him, he had set her up in this hovel of a bed-sit and try as she may, to get on with her life, most of her winter days were spent huddled beneath the feather filled quilt that she had bought for a few pounds at the local charity shop.She had missed many a winter's social gathering at the Hall and people could not understand her apparent lack of support for her husband, but with all their fine and fancy ballgowns, she dreaded the guests seeing her cold, blue skin.Oh, she tried.She bathed in water so hot it would scald a cat, she wore thermal underwear discreetly, of course and painted her blue tinged nails the deepest shade of red..But it was to no avail and Susannah’s husband made it clear that she had become a social embarrassment and that whilst he still loved her it was not doing his social image any good.As beautiful and elegant as she was, he needed an ornament that looked, at least, halfway normal.The money had dwindled after the death of his parents and the Bayswater room that he had rented for was devoid of any form of heating, but Susannah would put light a gas ring on the dilapidated cooker and warm her deadening fingers for a while.Money was tight, but the library was a free one, if you returned the books in time, that was. So today, being the last day before their time was up she put on her warmest vest, two jumpers, a waistcoat, shawl and an old Burberry, that a friend had been all set to throw out.Topped with a woollen cloche hat, a mohair scarf and her sheepskin mittens, she ventured forth into the refrigerated air.It didn’t take too long and she walked at a brisk pace, entering the building with an air of expectation.
As she put her books on the desk, Susannah noticed a new person working there. She thought that maybe he felt the cold too, as he was dressed in leather from head to toe, even in the climatically controlled environment. He nodded his greeting and winked one beautiful green eye at her. Her heart raced and she would have loved to have seen the twinkle in the other one, but a black leather patch hid it from her curious eyes.He shuffled her books with one hand and Susannah’s immediate thoughts were that he’d been in a motorcycle accident, but as he turned to place then on the returns pile she saw, quite clearly that he had a suitcase handcuffed to his arm.She would have pinched herself to make sure that she was not still dreaming, but so unfeeling was her cold flesh, the answer would probably have been yes.He beckoned her to a quiet corner and proceeded to unlock the suitcase.Written on old parchment were letters and symbols that she did not understand.He whispered, slowly and deliberately that she was to take it home and when she woke the next morning she would know what was required of her.She slept fitfully that night. Excited with anticipation as to what was to happen and when she woke she knew that she would get her husband back and return to her rightful place.There was much to be gathered, herbs, essences and green candles, and the incantation which, had somehow, deciphered itself in her mind.She was ready and after all was done she looked at her skin and it had turned the most glorious shade of delicate green, with just a few silver sparkles for good measure.She knew her husband would be delighted as he had always found the colour green attractive.It was rent day and his familiar knock at the door signalled his arrival. He could hardly contain his joy and amazement at his pretty, green skinned wife. He bundled her few belongings into a carrier bag and carried her, like a new bride to his waiting car.He was ready to show off his beloved wife. Who despite the harrowing gale, the sleet and the ice, was warm to his touch even although all she wore was a silky, strapless nightgown.
Copyright Penny Little 2004
Ousted by her husband's family in Hungary, for not being a perfect wife to him, he had set her up in this hovel of a bed-sit and try as she may, to get on with her life, most of her winter days were spent huddled beneath the feather filled quilt that she had bought for a few pounds at the local charity shop.She had missed many a winter's social gathering at the Hall and people could not understand her apparent lack of support for her husband, but with all their fine and fancy ballgowns, she dreaded the guests seeing her cold, blue skin.Oh, she tried.She bathed in water so hot it would scald a cat, she wore thermal underwear discreetly, of course and painted her blue tinged nails the deepest shade of red..But it was to no avail and Susannah’s husband made it clear that she had become a social embarrassment and that whilst he still loved her it was not doing his social image any good.As beautiful and elegant as she was, he needed an ornament that looked, at least, halfway normal.The money had dwindled after the death of his parents and the Bayswater room that he had rented for was devoid of any form of heating, but Susannah would put light a gas ring on the dilapidated cooker and warm her deadening fingers for a while.Money was tight, but the library was a free one, if you returned the books in time, that was. So today, being the last day before their time was up she put on her warmest vest, two jumpers, a waistcoat, shawl and an old Burberry, that a friend had been all set to throw out.Topped with a woollen cloche hat, a mohair scarf and her sheepskin mittens, she ventured forth into the refrigerated air.It didn’t take too long and she walked at a brisk pace, entering the building with an air of expectation.
As she put her books on the desk, Susannah noticed a new person working there. She thought that maybe he felt the cold too, as he was dressed in leather from head to toe, even in the climatically controlled environment. He nodded his greeting and winked one beautiful green eye at her. Her heart raced and she would have loved to have seen the twinkle in the other one, but a black leather patch hid it from her curious eyes.He shuffled her books with one hand and Susannah’s immediate thoughts were that he’d been in a motorcycle accident, but as he turned to place then on the returns pile she saw, quite clearly that he had a suitcase handcuffed to his arm.She would have pinched herself to make sure that she was not still dreaming, but so unfeeling was her cold flesh, the answer would probably have been yes.He beckoned her to a quiet corner and proceeded to unlock the suitcase.Written on old parchment were letters and symbols that she did not understand.He whispered, slowly and deliberately that she was to take it home and when she woke the next morning she would know what was required of her.She slept fitfully that night. Excited with anticipation as to what was to happen and when she woke she knew that she would get her husband back and return to her rightful place.There was much to be gathered, herbs, essences and green candles, and the incantation which, had somehow, deciphered itself in her mind.She was ready and after all was done she looked at her skin and it had turned the most glorious shade of delicate green, with just a few silver sparkles for good measure.She knew her husband would be delighted as he had always found the colour green attractive.It was rent day and his familiar knock at the door signalled his arrival. He could hardly contain his joy and amazement at his pretty, green skinned wife. He bundled her few belongings into a carrier bag and carried her, like a new bride to his waiting car.He was ready to show off his beloved wife. Who despite the harrowing gale, the sleet and the ice, was warm to his touch even although all she wore was a silky, strapless nightgown.
Copyright Penny Little 2004
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