If Only Cows Could Sing

Kayla is a bit superstitious – but her BFF Megan believes action is the way to get things done.

- David Wass

KAYLA was ready for w o r k when she reached u p t o straighten the mirror in her bedroom. One touch did it. There was a dull ping, the string snapped and the mirror rattled its way down behind the chest of drawers.

“Oh, no!” She winced at the sound of a loud crack and tinkle of breaking glass.

A moment later her flatmate, Megan, dashed into the room. “What’s happened?” she gasped. “Are you all right?”

“I am, but the mirror isn’t.” Kayla pointed dismally at a rectangle of fresh green wallpaper left behind. “It shattered under the chest of drawers.”

“Thank heavens.”

Kayla spun round. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

The petite girl smiled. “It means it could’ve been worse. You might’ve dropped it onto a black cat while you were under a ladder picking up some spilt salt.”

“That’s not funny. One of these days you’ll realise how serious the consequences can be when things like that happen.”

Megan clicked her tongue. “I’d have thought now that you’ve passed the big three-oh you’d realise you have to make your own luck.”

“Try telling me that for the next seven years,” Kayla muttered. She slammed her window shut against an overcast sky.

“All right, but meanwhile it’s time we weren’t here.” Megan rattled her car keys. “We can pick up the pieces after work.”

THEY were halfway to the high-rise building where they both worked when Megan had to brake to a halt yet again. “This traffic’s horrendous,” she said.

Kayla sighed. “Yeah, and you know what will happen now, don’t you? I’ll be late, old Dragon Features will go nuts and I can kiss my annual raise goodbye.”