Discover

Written for https://fivedotoh.com/2024/03/19/fandangos-story-starter-141/

Alison arrived home to discover, propped up against her front door, a mysterious package addressed to her but with no return address. She pushed the key in the lock, twisting it to the right.

A subtle peek down, she wondered what it could be. It had been weeks since she brought her exercise bike from Amazon.

What was it? Light, and in a solid box. Whatever it was, she hadn’t ordered it. A glance at the name, and it was for her. Curious? It wasn’t her birthday, and it was six months to Christmas.

She shook the package, a little nervous about opening it.

‘Mummy, can I have some of your chocolate please?’ her daughter asked, pulling at her hands.

‘Sorry darling, there isn’t any.’

She retrieved a knife from the counter and dragged it across the cardboard. Inside, perfectly formed was a bar of chocolate. Blinking twice, she glanced down. Wide eyed, her child was grinning.

‘I bought it yesterday while you were in the bath.’

‘How did you get my card number?’

‘It was already there, and it was only a pound.’

She wanted to be angry, but couldn’t. True, she shouldn’t have done it. Yet, a few slabs would go nicely after their tea. ‘Okay, but in the future you ask.’

‘Why?’

‘Sometimes Mummy is poor.’

‘Oh, is that the reason I couldn’t buy a bike?’