Image courtesy of Sandra Crook
Dampness seeps through a hole in my shoe as I trudge one exhausted foot in front of the other. There’s no-one to rush home for.
I’m so tired.
On the bridge I pause, staring down into the crashing water below. Would anyone miss me?
I’m so lonely.
A soft mewling breaks my thoughts. A wriggling sack next to the railings. I tug it open and lift out a shivering kitten, bones protruding. He licks my hand. My heart swells. It’s been a long time since I felt needed.
“I’ll call you hope.” I whisper as I tuck him inside my coat.
I thought nothing could top 2016 professionally but appearing on TV last night, albeit briefly, to talk about writing, being published & mindfulness was such a great experience and an amazing start to the year. You can watch the 3 minute clip here. Or read my blog piece about it here.
Hope was written for Friday Fictioneers. A weekly 100 word story challenge inspired by a photo prompt. You can join in and read the other entries over at Rochelle’s blog here.
fabricating fiction 
A TV star as well now! Congratulations. Great take, so glad the kittens were saved, and they saved the person as well.
Me too 😃 Thanks Iain!
Dear Louise,
Beautifully written story. I really enjoyed the clip. Lovely to see what you look and sound like. Congratulations!
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle! x
Such a moving story. It’s so true that, when you feel at your lowest, you can find someone or something that needs you to care and that can make all the difference.
Thanks for the TV clip and well done!
Thanks Edith! I think the love of an animal has probably saved many a person.
Oh, Louise! How exciting for you. I just got your book from the library two days ago and have been sucked in. When I checked it out they said I couldn’t renew it – two weeks only – there is high demand.
And I love this week’s submission. Kudos all around.
That’s so exciting as I didn’t know I was in a library 😃
Yep! Right here in little old Bellingham, WA!!!!
How wonderful! Saved by kittens – one never knows what will be the thing!
Loved hearing your voice and congrats again.
Thanks Dale!
Lovely story – they’ve saved each other 🙂
They did 😃
Lovely story, and lovely to see you in the flesh, so to speak. You came across so well! Congratulations; I’ll be keeping an eye out for your books – I love a psychological thriller.
Thanks so much Sandra x
Loved this one.. nothing helps more than being needed… and to save yourself by saving others.. melts my heart.
Thanks 😃
Good story. You need another hundred words so you can tell us how, in a daring rescue, she saved the kitten from a precarious position just as it was about to drop into the water below. 🙂
I have a dear friend who has struggled with symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia (though of course she’d never admit this!) She took in a homeless cat that later had 3 kittens. Caring for these has kept her a lot saner over the years since.
That’s so heartwarming Christine and yes the story could run!
Heartwarming story!
Thanks 😃
aren’t they (kittens) so irresistible when they are mostly vulnerable and can’t survive on their own?
congrats on your continued success!
Pets are such a comfort – thanks 😃
She didn’t save a kitten, she saved herself. Nice one.
Congratulations on the TV interview. Now all you need is a film adaptation in 2017.
Ah she did save herself – very lovely! Haha a film would be incredible!
Such a sad story but with such a hopeful ending. I like it that she and the kitten saved each other.
Your interview is excellent. You look and sound very calm. Mindfulness training — I think I need that, not for pain but because my energy levels are down following three doses of flu in 2016, which in turn makes my focus and organisational skills terrible.
Thanks Sarah. Yes mindfulness can help with focus and being kind to yourself when you can’t get as much done as you’d like 😃
Louise, love the hopefulness and positivity of this piece. And so very proud and excited for you! What an epic run you’ve had with both books!! The video clip is wonderful; thanks for sharing it.
Thanks Dawn. It’s been an incredible year.
Touching piece.
Thanks 😃
A really moving story. They saved each other! 🙂 Huge congratulations on your continued success.
Thanks Clare! 😃
Aww. So sweet and life-affirming. Well done, Louise!
Thank you!
What a lovely tale of hope 🙂 reminds me of the book/film A Streetcat Named Bob, well worth reading/watching if you get the chance.
Me and my son went to see that – my favourite film of 2016. I’ve ordered the book.
The book’s even better!
Wow, TV, very cool.
Sweet story.
Thanks Dawn!
Lovely story, Louise. A sweet ray of hope when all around looks bleak. Just watched your interview – what a natural! And a third book out soon too – how are you so productive? Amazing stuff and congrats for your ongoing success. Wonderful
Thanks Lynn – I’ve only just started writing the third book this week so I’ve no idea when it will be out. It’s planned for the tail end of this year but we shall see! Thanks for watching the interview.
Darn good going, Louise! Really fantastic how much of a success you are. Well done you 🙂
Thanks x
🙂