Diana loved those red shoes. It took so long to save the money to buy them. She rushed from work and managed to get to the shop before it closed. There was only one pair left and she was in luck, they were her size. She paid and then clutched the bag in her hand and headed for the train station. Diana was singing that song ‘Walking on Sunshine’ in her head as she opened her front door. It was not a palace, she lived alone and she was lonely. She put the bag down on her table and showered. The bag sat there and she was imagining she was the Christmas girl, that her sweet daddy had so cherished, so many years ago. All the presents beneath the tree, and all the excitement of having to wait until Christmas day to open them. It was not Christmas, it was July, today Diana was twenty five, no one else in the world knew it was her birthday. She prepared her evening meal, she washed up and cleaned her kitchenette. Then she put on the red dress she had given her self last year, and then she carefully unwrapped this years gift. She eased them on to her feet and stood looking at herself in the full length mirror. She smiled and said ‘Happy Birthday’ Diana.

© Cher Bonfis 2021