True Story: Sabrina’s Money Miracle
I had been working for two years as a low-paid junior journalist at Glossy when the chance to walk the newly opened Whale Trail surfaced. Friends of mine, recently qualified attorneys and bankers, were planning to go on this five-day adventure in which porters deliver one’s Le Creuset saucepans and bottles of Beyerskloof cabernet to each night’s destination. I’d heard about the visual splendour of this five-star new hiking trail – the pristine fynbos and mountain peaks, the Breede River snaking in the distance, the sandy beaches where whales and their young flop around just metres away in turquoise water. All this, plus hot showers, gourmet dinners, and conversations with old friends by firelight. I wanted to go.
The catch was that I had to deposit the R450 hike fee into the chief organiser’s bank account within two weeks. But I had no money, and no credit card at that stage. ‘Are you still coming?’ they kept asking? I didn’t know what to do.
The night before my hike payment was due, I was invited to a media function. I had been nominated for a writing award, for my work in de-stigmatising mental illness through magazine articles. I sat with a drink and an olive-and-feta tartlet, watching fellow journalists collecting prizes in various categories. The magazine category was won by a woman from Marie Clare. I applauded her, as well as the winners of the newspaper, TV, radio and Internet categories.
The ceremony was winding down. I stood up to leave.
‘And now, for the first time ever, we have a special overall award which goes to a writer who has gone beyond the call of duty in promoting mental health in the media. This year’s overall winner is ... Sabrina Bell from Glossy.’
Astonished, I walked to the podium to collect my certificate. When I opened the envelope with my name upon it, my eyes stung with joy: a cheque for R450 exactly.
Well, well, Universe, I smiled to myself. You certainly pulled some strings. Thank you.
I deposited the hike fee the following morning, and went on the Whale Trail, which was everything I’d hoped it would be, and more.
What this story is really about: Having faith. Trusting that you will receive what you need.
Word count: 360
There is a message from the Guru on my answering machine.
‘Sabrina, darling.’ A pause. ‘I’m starting my little writing course the weekend after next and would like you to attend. It should prove diverting, especially if we’re blessed with a romance or a personality clash among the attendees: let’s hold thumbs, shall we? There will be six of us in total – seven actually, though the seventh attendee will not be there in person.’ (A snort of laughter.) ‘All will be revealed in due course,’ she adds mysteriously. ‘We begin at 10am this Saturday at my house. Bring a pen and notebook. Lunch and refreshments will be supplied.’ Another pause; a tell-tale sucking sound. Heavens, she’s having a cigarette. She’s nervous. ‘Don’t be late,’ she warns. ‘Writing is not a picnic.’ Click.
A seventh member who will not be there. Such as a ghost? A deceased someone who bequeathed important unpublished writings to Lionel Wolfe-Valentine? An overseas member who will make appearances on webcam? Somebody with extreme performance anxiety, or a facial disfigurement that makes people run screaming, or ... You know, it’s possible she has invented this seventh member to spice things up. To the Guru, even a phone message should contain the potential for a story. Mystery keeps readers turning pages, she believes: Drop clues at key points in your novel, Sabrina, but let them fall as lightly as feathers.
YOU ARE READING
The Presence of Peacocks, or How to Find Love and Write a Novel (extract)
General FictionSabrina Bell wants two things in life: to find true love, and to get published. Unfortunately, she is drawn to old-fashioned items whose beauty is equalled only by their impracticality, including large hats, fountain pens, and handsome men with comm...
