BELLA

 BELLA 

Jane Scoggins  

   They all sat beside Bella as she lay lethargically on the sofa. Joanne was trying not to cry but it wasn’t working very well and she could feel tears welling up in her eyes and threatening to spill down her cheeks. Lyn reached over and squeezed her hand. They couldn’t bear the thought of losing her but knew it was only a matter of time.

Bella was loved by all who knew her, not just Joanne and Lynn who had lived next door since they were young children, and used to seeing her almost every day. They were always in and out of each others houses. The girls remembered when Bella used to call in and see them if they were unwell. She brought them presents even when it was not their birthdays or Christmas. Not only was she very loving but also a real character who could make people laugh even on a bad day. And there had been a few of those over the years. When Dad was taken ill suddenly and Mum was in a state about it Bella took it all in her stride and kept the girls company watching TV comforting them as best she could. As they grew older they felt they could confide in her their secrets and worries

 
So with Bella getting on in years and decidedly poorly everyone was feeling upset. Not responding to the last lot of medication was an indication that Bella may not recover, but no one wanted to admit it. Word spread amongst the neighbours and a few called in to say hullo. Bella had lost interest in food which was most unusual, as she had always loved eating. So much so that she had had to go on a diet the previous year so she could get up and down stairs without getting out of breath.  

  As expected Bella passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family. The neighbours were invited to a little wake at home on the day she was cremated. Her ashes were sprinkled on the flowerbeds she loved so much and under the Rowan tree, she liked to sit under in spring and summer. Mr Grumpy down the road was not invited. He had never really liked Bella and neither she him. He had always said that cats were smelly creatures and he really disliked them not just because they brought on his asthma but pooped in his garden, and tried to catch and eat the birds that came to his precious bird table. But no one gave Mr Grumpy a second thought that day.

Copyright Jane Scoggins