Feature

Just Sayin’

© LUCIA FOSTER-FOUND 2020 WWW.LUCIAFOSTERFOUND.COM

“And four for a boy, five for silver, six for gold! You know what that means, don’t you?” She said as they walked the dogs along a country lane. Himself cast an eye at the gathering of birds. “A mischief of magpies? I’d guess… songbirds look to your chicks and eggs?” She frowned. “No! Well, maybe.. But it also means we’re gonna find treasure!” He cast her a dubious look and called the dogs back to him, just as a cat crossed the lane in front of them. “See! A black cat has crossed our path too. It’s my lucky day.” She felt pretty optimistic – life showed hopeful signs of getting back to a recognisable version of normal. And she’d joined a gin club. Privately thinking that it was rather the cat’s lucky day that the dogs hadn’t seen it, he asked “Really? You feel lucky because you saw a random group of black and white birds and observed a moggy out on its constitutional? You and your quaint superstitions.” He had a point. During her formative years, her mother, armed with a small arsenal of sayings, would fire off warnings of impending doom. At home, warbling early in the morning would give rise to a stern ‘Sing before breakfast, cry before tea’ leaving her younger self worrying what horrors lay in wait before fish fingers and the Magic Roundabout. Whistling too - very much frowned upon, because, according to chère maman ‘whistling women and crowing hens ain’t no use to God nor men.’ Ignore the rampant sexism, it forever dashed her schoolgirl hopes of duet-ing with Roger Whittaker. And the annual ‘Never do washing on New Year’s day; wash one in and wash one away’ meant that, now all grown up and in her own home, dirty clothes would wait until 2nd January. Wouldn’t want her freshly laundered smalls – no matter how deliciously they may smell of unicorns and cherubs - to cause a random pregnancy or a premature demise. However, she protested “Oh come on – you’re just as bad. ‘If you wish to live and thrive, let a spider run alive.’ I’ve heard you muttering that one as you carefully liberate our hairy legged friends into the garden.” Himself shrugged it off with a nonchalant “I read somewhere that during your lifetime you eat eight spiders in your sleep. I’m just making amends.” She wasn’t convinced. Suddenly he stooped and intoned “See a penny, pick it up and all that day you’ll have good luck – see a penny, let it lie and all good luck will pass you by.’ Only it’s a pound coin and not a penny.” He showed off his find. “I think it’s the principle that counts. Well spotted. But you should know the last line that few people quote is ‘Give the penny to a friend and your good luck will have no end.’” With a cheeky grin she held out her hand. “So… you need to give the pound coin to me!” He laughed “You made that up” passing it over, in case she hadn’t.. They ambled along the lane and the May sun shone warmly on their backs. Himself started to take off his jacket. “Cast nary a clout ‘till May be out!” she barked at him (sounding alarmingly like her mother) before she could stop herself. “Actually that wind is a bit nippy” he agreed, pulling his coat back on. It was chilly, but nothing like the arctic weather last month that had accompanied another of her mother’s favourites, ‘Blackthorn Winter’. Dear old Mum had been spookily spot on. When the sloe was in full flower and the hedgerows frothy white with tiny blossoms, it had definitely been ‘so long Spring - welcome back Winter’. Upon returning home after their dog walk, she mumbled something about ‘back in a bit’ and disappeared. His turn to make lunch, he went to the fridge. The calendar on the door caught his eye. Full moon - time to plant the seed potatoes, apparently. He’d even offered to help. But noticing she’d scribbled ‘plant and the world plants with you, weed and you weed alone’ in the margin, he laughed out loud. Sandwiches made, he took two pinches of some salt he’d spilt and threw them over both shoulders “Just to be on the safe side” he said to the dogs. When she materialised to eat her lunch, it was with a big smile on her face. “So, I’ve spent your penny, darling. Or rather, your pound coin. I bought a scratch card with it. Time to put my quaint superstitions to the test..” She tossed the colourful little square across the table to him. “Not quite treasure, but I won a tenner…! Just sayin’.”

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