Hannah Pearce

Saved for a rainy day.

Long streaks of rain trickled down Juni’s bedroom window. “Is it even coming?” She sighed to herself, her eyes fixed on the empty driveway. Weather for the optimist. Finally, a dim light flickered through the foggy strains of water. She peered, hoping with her heart, her soul, could it be? She could hear the squeal of motor belts as an old van bounced over the muddy potholes. A frumpy figure clambered out the rusty door. Water trickling down their yellow rain hat and their emerald green wellington boots squelched as they approached her home. Juni’s eyes widen, lips separate, feet are swiftly placed down on the ground and quickly shuffle towards the front door. Upon her welcome mat in brown paper, dotted in droplets of rain is her future, hopes and dreams. She pulls her glistening eyes away from her much-awaited delivery, only to see the van creeping backwards towards the road. “Thankyou!” she yells as the squeal of belts become fainter and the van slowly disappears into the downpour. Inside she goes clutching the package as if it were the answer to all her problems. She places the package on the kitchen bench, uncrosses the bow and rips off the wrapping. A little leather hand stitched black diary is uncovered. She looks at the rickety dining table covered in dusty diaries that have ruffled pages and loose stitching. Juni pushes them aside and plonks herself down onto a chair. She smooths her hand over the soft leather and unlatches the brass buckle. Imagining herself becoming a famous writer and travelling the world. A desperate whisper escapes her breath, “This will be the story that sets me free.”