Open Writing

Sally stood up and stretched her tired, aching back. She had been working on this latest series of illustrations for several hours and her whole body felt one gigantic ache.

“Cup of tea, that’s what’s called for,’’ she said to herself, and after one final stretch she wandered out to the kitchen and switched on the kettle.

Sally had graduated from Art College several years ago now and was making quite a name for herself with her illustrations of children’s books. Her first venture into the realms of money-making had been to create attractive little models from the flotsam and jetsam that was washed up along the beach close to the cottage where she lived, and for which she had found a ready outlet in the many little shops which catered for tourists in the nearby town .

It had been quite by accident that she had turned to her present lifestyle. She had gone to the hospital, to visit the young daughter of a friend and to pass the time had drawn figures about the book she had read to the child.

One thing had lead to another and now she had a very satisfying and remunerative way of life.

The telephone rang. Sally laid her cup and saucer on the table.

“Sally?’’ said a deep voice from the other end, “how about supper tonight ? I thought we might try the new Italian restaurant by the promenade. I know you love Italian food.’’

Sally grinned to herself. “David, I told you yesterday I really haven’t the time to spare at the moment. I am very close to my deadline for these next Illustrations.’’

“I know,’’ he said, “but you have to eat. It might as well be with me.’’

At his tone of disappointment Sally said, somewhat ungraciously, “Oh alright As you say, I do have to eat, but I must get back to work directly afterwards. I really do have to get on with it.’’

“Fine,’’ said David. “See you at 7.30. Cheers.’’

Sally picked up her cup and sipped the still refreshingly warm tea, ,but a small frown creased her forehead. She really was very fond of David and she was only too well aware that he wanted to marry her. But she didn’t feel that she could combine marriage and possibly motherhood with the career that at the moment seemed to be blossoming.

Later that evening, as she looked at David’s dear face across the dining table, she wished that she felt completely indifferent to him, but this she knew, deep down, was certainly not the case.

David looked across at her, a small smile crinkling the corners of his mouth.

“Changed your mind about marrying me yet?’’ he asked. “You know we get on well together and you know I wouldn’t interfere with you work.. I promise we would be so happy. Please Sally, at least say you will think seriously about it. You know I love you very much.’’

“Oh dear David,’’ she said, “please leave it. I will think about it, but you already know how I feel. I do care for you .’’

They walked home together in companionable silence and when they reached her home David gently kissed her goodnight.

“Go and keep your deadline,’’ he said. “I’ll call you tomorrow.’’

As he was walking away David turned. “Just a minute darling,’’ he called. “I've got something for you.’’

“You mustn’t keep giving me presents,’’ Sally said.

“Oh this is just something you’ll not be able to refuse,’’ was his reply. He handed her a book

“Oh,’’ Sally said, “it’s the latest Tim Pyne novel. Oh Bless you! You know I can’t resist his books.’’

David grinned, waved and walked off

How like him to give her the one gift he knew she wouldn’t be able to refuse. Tim Pyne was a comparatively new author whose books were proving very popular. He was also a bit of a mystery. He would never give interviews and no photographs had ever appeared of him.

Sally loved his books. In fact she and David had met at the local library when both were trying to obtain one of them.

The next day Sally worked steadily, making good progress with her illustrations and was well on target to have everything completed in time. She had been promising her friend Melanie Baker that she would pay her a visit which she hadn’t done for some time. In fact she hadn’t been together since Melanie’s marriage three years earlier.

To be honest, she had tended to avoid doing so, feeling that she might be tempted by Melanie’s domestic bliss, as described in long telephone calls, into giving serious consideration to David’s proposal.

Sally thought that Melanie had wasted her life.. The marriage was an undoubted success though, blessed with two small children.

Melanie had shown such talent when they were at school. She had always been top of the class in most subjects and had gone on to obtain a good degree au University. But where was the use for all that now?

Mid afternoon, and Sally set off for her long overdue visit. As she travelled, thoughts ran riot in her head. Confused thoughts about her career, David, Melanie - all jumbled together, refusing to be sorted out.

Melanie was delighted to see her and ushered her into a warm, comfortable living room. She brought a welcome cup of tea, then, after settling the two small girls for their afternoon rest, she and Sally started to catch up on one another’s news.

“What do you do with yourself all the time?’’ Sally eventually asked. “I know you have a home and family, but don’t you get bored?’’

Melanie smiled. ‘’No, not really,’’ she said.

Later, when the children were awake, they were preparing to go out for a picnic. whi Melanie’s husband, Michael, had arranged it..

Melanie, who was getting the children ready, said “Sally, pop through to my study and bring the baby’s straps would you? They should be by my desk.’’

The straps were indeed on the floor at the side of the desk. Sally bent down to pick them up. Something caught her eye on the side of the desk. It was, or appeared to be a manuscript.

She looked closer, then startled she picked it up. It was a manuscript by Tim Pyne titled Lowering Skies.

Sally was dumfounded. What did this mean? Could it be…?

It must be.

She rushed into the hallway where her friend was waiting.

‘’Mel, tell me… you must tell me. You are aren’t…? You are, aren’t you? Tim Pyne! You must be. .That manuscript. I saw it.’’

Melanie finished fastening the straps to the restless toddler then lifted her head and smiled . “Yes, alright, I am Tim Pyne. I’ve always managed to keep my life in separate compartments. The writing part iscompletely private so please don’t tell anyone. Nobody. Promise.‘’

“Oh Mel, of course I won’t tell. I feel so ashamed, I’ve been thinking how you were wasting your intelligence, merely raising the children, and all the time… Tim Pyne! My Lord! What must you think of me?’’

Melanie stepped forward and hugged her friend.

“Don’t be silly. How could you know anyway, I’ve always been so very careful to conceal my identity. Come on, let’s have this picnic. Michael went to such pains to arrange it for us.

“There’s just one thing though. I think it will prove to you that it is possible to do two things at the same time and make a good job of them both.’’