Friday 12 July 2013

London's Burning




The fire burnt brightly in the distance, flames leaping into the air, licking the night sky like a hungry cat at a saucer of milk. A plume of dark smoke filled the air making the blackness of night darker still. A sense of foreboding had hung over Adam all day; in meetings, at lunch, on the phone he’d been unable to fully concentrate, worried  by the idea that he’d forgotten to turn the iron off after pressing his shirt that morning. Throughout the day he’d been preoccupied by  visions of the iron still plugged in to the extension cable, getting hotter and hotter and eventually doing what? Exploding? Tipping over and starting a fire? And now as he cycled home, the cold wind in his face, he could see the fire that must have been caused by his forgetfulness early in the day. He felt sick to the belly as another fire truck sped past him, its blue lights illuminating the night sky and the sirens deafening all those around.  He simultaneously tried to speed up and slow down, desperate to get home to find out if it was indeed his house ablaze while thinking that there was nothing he could do now. Tears flowed down Adam’s face, he tried to convince himself they were caused by the bitterly cold weather rather than the worry but deep down he knew the truth.
It wouldn’t be long now before he’d be turning into his street to see the commotion and desperation of the fire fight.

But before he could get there he was stopped by a police corden. No one was going near his street, it was guarded by a burly uniformed officer making sure everyone knew this was a no go zone.
Adam got off his bike and wheeled it up to the policeman.
‘I’ve gotta get through, I think it’s my house that’s burning.’
‘I very much doubt it’ the copper gave him short shrift.
‘It is, I live in this street and left the iron on this morning.’
‘That’s as maybe, but unless you live in a factory I think you might be okay.’
The words were like chocolate for the ears, like a massage for the brain, untying the knots that Adam had tied himself into.
‘Street's gonna be closed for a while so better find something else to do.’ The copper’s voice had a small smile in it, amused by the sudden transition from worry to relief on Adam’s face.
Adam walked away pushing his bike feeling  a little bemused but very relieved. 

1 comment:

  1. How passionately read! Are you employing a professional actor?:)

    ReplyDelete