Writers Abroad Magazine Issue 1 | Page 20

WRITERS ABROAD MAGAZINE Knowing You Flash Fiction by Dianne Ascroft Karen lifted a couple of notepaper sheets from her desk drawer, set them on her clipboard and retreated to the sofa. It was ages since she had handwritten a personal letter; work correspondence always took priority. She had heard several weeks ago through her brother Peter, back home in Letterkenny, that her friend, Sarah, was receiving chemotherapy. She was sure Sarah would welcome the distraction of a letter and it would be relaxing to take time out to write to her. Work was so relentless. Karen rested the pen on the paper for a moment then began in a bold, decisive hand. Dear Sarah, You may be surprised to receive this letter. I know I’ve let our contact slip in recent years. But when I heard you were ill I thought it was time I got in touch again. How are you doing? I hope things will soon improve on the health front for you. I got an invitation to our 35th school reunion in May. I would have liked to go but couldn’t get away from the office. A crisis always arises when I plan to do something. Did you go? Was there any good gossip? She tapped the pen against her cheek as she thought how to continue. Although we’re rarely in contact now I often think of you. Increasingly my mind goes back to the great times we had before I left home. Her pen flew as she reminded her friend of all the fun they had had before she moved to Germany. She leaned back against the sofa, remembering those days. Sarah was an integral part of her favourite memories and had been the one person she really trusted to confide in. When her first boyfriend, who she had thought was the greatest love of her life, had dumped her she wouldn’t have got through it without Sarah. Her friend put everything in perspective for her. She always had. You’ve always been the one person I can really count on. It’s just as I write this that I’ve realised how lucky I am to have you as a friend and I regret I’ve let our friendship slip. She hadn’t meant for the letter to turn so serious but she decided to follow this train of thought. Knowing you is a very special privilege. The post dropping through the letterbox interrupted her thoughts. She went to the door and lifted several bills and this week’s edition of the Donegal News. The newspaper arrived reliably four or five days after it was printed each week. She tore off the plastic wrapper and scanned the front page. The central story caught her eye and she sucked in her breath. Popular head teacher loses her battle with cancer. Sarah’s shorn scalp in the photo under the headline was startling but her eyes had the warm, wise look Karen remembered. She stumbled to the sofa and slumped down, the newspaper clutched in her hand as she gulped in air between sobs. 20 | S e p t 2 0 1 4