2001 School Magazine

original works : 5 ^

The Mysterious Death of Mrs Elizabeth Walden As the young, slim woman wearing a green velvet coat swept over the city below with her black fringed. slate-grey eyes for a final time, she sighed and stepped back from the telescope. She suddenly remembered why she was there. Her pale face shadowed as she reflected the night before. She had been in her husband's office. searching for her handbag when she had come across a stack of opened letters that was sprayed with a flowery fragrance. She had been curious After slipping the letter out of one of the envelopes, Mrs Walden began to skim over the letter in question. As she read, tears sprang into her eyes. Dropping the letter in dizziness and almost choking with grief, she sped from the office, virtually colliding with Mr Walden as he entered. Glancing back. she saw him pick up the dropped letter with a leer With that, she rushed from the office and climbed the stairs to the top. She would stay there all night Leaning against the low railing at the top of the tall city building, Mrs Elizabeth Walden felt a sharp, forceful shove from behind. With a small, discreet scream, she felt herself rapidly plummet from the top of the building, with the busy roads below, rushing closer A dull, sickening thud finalised fate. A trickle of black blood dribbled down her forehead and her eyes rolled back in her head as swarms of people flocked around the lifeless body Three weeks later. The priest solemnly raised his head and opened his book. "We are gathered here today to grieve over the unfortunate death of Elizabeth Walden, beloved wife of Gemld Walden, adored mother of Charles and Natalie Walden and daughter of Mr Charles and Mrs Rebecca Bennet. " The coffin was lowered gently into the grave. At this, Mrs Bennet sobbed as Mr Bennet comforting Iy patted her arm. The other mourners buried their faces in their handkerchiefs in sorrow. But Mr Gerald Walden stared coldly ahead. absorbed in his own, private thoughts Whispers in the city followed Mrs Walden's husband for days after the accident. As he passed by, he heard a group of middle-aged women talking furiously about the death of his late wife " heard that she threw herself off the building! You know what I mean. She must have known about her husband. Otherwise-" "Really? 16 say she was pushed!" "Pushed I But how-" "But who could-" With a small smirk, Mr Walden pushed past the gossiping women and strode briskly to his office. He sat down in his seat and leaned expectantly across his desk as his willowy secretary. Louise, poured black coffee for him. His companion. Mr Bracken, straightened a pile of papers in his lap. Mr Bracken cleared his throat In a businesslike manner. "Firstly, Iwill read out your late wife's legal will. I must suggest you listen carefully while I read and any questions you may wish to as may e asked after the will 15 read. " Mr Bracken flicked through the pages. reciting the words that had been written carefully in Mrs Walden's hand. He stopped "Well? Go on!" snapped Mr Walden impatiently "That's all Mrs Walden wrote. " Mr Walden rose with such terrific force that his chair flew back and crashed Into the wall behind He angrily stormed from the office, heaving with fury and resent As he fumed and raged on the office balcony chair. he felt a pair of feminine comforting arms circle his shoulders and heard a slow whispering in his ear "Oh, honey, don't worry. Everything's still alright. " With that, Louise swept him away in a shiny blacklimousine, leaving behind the shattered dreams and driving Into the dusk

L!nh fluon9 9 Gibson

Kd!y Hornson I2 Mockoy