Page 50 - My Home on the Earth

in seemed endles until he realised there were few complete buildings left and those that were had no roofs. Suddenly, he heard the sound of lapping water and behind a sea wall lay the water’s edge. Moments later, she stopped and turned around. He was seeing his new home for the first time: nothing more than a medium-sized garden shed but sturdy and well hidden. The timber looked new and when he moved closer for a better look he noticed the shiny screw heads around the door frame. He opened the door and felt relieved to see it empty and clean. A small window offered rays of light.
‘What’s it doing here?’ he asked, touching the wooden slats. ‘It’s brand new, isn’t it?’
‘Yes, I suppose so. I think it’s been here a long time and nobody uses it,’ lied Marissa, pausing and dreading another question. John remained silent and stared around.
She smiled with relief. ‘I’ll be back tomorrow and we can make it cosy. I saw one of those pump-up mattresses in the charity shop. If it’s still there, I’ll buy it. In the blue bag is a sleeping bag, three blankets and a sheet. There’s food and drink in the shopping trolley over there in the corner, plastic dishes and a tin opener. And here’s a spoon, knife and fork,’ she smiled, taking them from her coat pocket.
‘I’ve got a lot to collect today, so I must go. It won’t do either of us any good to get upset. I need a clear head if I’m to get what I want for us. It’s thanks to a man I met at the market that I found the shed,’ Marissa said proudly.
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