Angels like Harmony

An angel used to live in Marian Boswell's heart. It had crept inside when Marian was a baby, lured by the sweetnes of Marian's sunny disposition. It had snuggled down among the golden fluffy softness, and kept Marian company as she gurgled her way through babyhood, smiled her way through childhood and grown into a charming young woman. Her parents had been delighted with her, calling her their princess. Everyone she met warmed to her and the angel bounced happily along on puffy, white clouds of good humour, safe in the warmth of Marian's good nature.

All this sweetness and softness attracted many people, hoping to warm themselves by being near to Marian and banish the coldness and hardness from within them.

Marian was working secretary in a large hospital when she met Paul Boswell.

He was an ambitious doctor and decided straight away that Marian was just what he needed and would be better employed as his wife.

It soon became Marian's job to supply all the good humour that was lacking in Paul. 

The angel found that her haven was getting rather cramped and would often try and stretch its' wings to make more room.

Paul and Marian found out that they couldn't have children. Paul threw himself  into his career as a cosmetic surgeon. He discovered that one of his patient's, a voluptuous dark haired beauty, who wanted to be even more voluptuous, could have his children. It was Marian's fault after all.

Marian conceded a divorce, she thoughg it was best for the children and got another job as a secretary in a new hotel. 

She let Paul have the house so the children could run around in the garden and moved into a small flat overlooking the park.

One day the manager at the hotel called her into his office. He cleared his throat and looked out of the window as he told her that they needed someone more personable in the reception area.

That evening Marian looked  at herself in the mirror and tears ran down her face as she cried for the girl she had been.

Her mouth drooped at the corners, her hair was dull and flat. For the first time she felt cheated by life, bitterness crept into her heart.

Her parents, long gone had never put importance on physical appearance, they'd always said it was what you were like inside that mattered.

As she thought of her parents Marian felt a chill of loneliness. She looked out of the window at the park and envy entered her heart as she watched the families eating ice cream and playing ball.

There was a loud bang from the flat next door. There was angry shouting in a language that Marian didn't recognize. A child was crying.

The angel crept out of Marian's heart. Its' wing was bent and it felt uncomfortable, it also smelled a bit funny. It moved onto Marian's shoulder and whispered in her ear.

Marian put her hand up and flicked back her hair. She opened her door and peered round it. There was a man with a scowl on his face trying to fit  the key in the door, a woman bent over a suitcase, its' contents spilling onto the floor, two small children clutching her skirt. They all looked tired and forlorn. The man spoke, aggression and defiance in his voice,

'We have come to live here,' he glared at her in defiance.

The angel fluttered its' wings.

Marian opened the door wider., she smiled and made a sweeping gesture with her arms.

'Come in and I will make you a drink. The little ones can stay with me while you get settled. I could takem down to the park for an ice cream.'

The man hesitated and then his face cleared a little and he gave his wife a gentle push of encouragement. He bowed his head slightly and held out his hand,

'Thank you, that is kind.'

The angel crept back into Marian's heart.

It's easy to get inspiration on a beach like this

What more could you want?