Progress - short story

Making her way past the mural covered walls and the painted kerbs, Ashley reached the iron gates of the park.

Dense grey clouds reigned the sky, casting an inauspicious gloom over the park. Ribbons of black tarmac crossed through the green lawns, bordered with beds of summer flowers and led through patches of woodland, heavy with leaves. A grey, concrete wall dissected the park, hiding the residents on either side from each other.

Ashley followed the tree-lined path into the open grass area, letting Gem off for her daily run. 

'Here, Gem!' The dog returned, her long ears flapping up and down as she ran, to her owner, Ashley's attention was distracted from the welcome sight, by the commotion at the wall.

Kneeling by her dog's side, wrapping arms around her, Ashley pointed to the people surrounded by cameras and news reporters. They were gathered on a path that disappeared under the wall. 'Look Gem, they're opening the gate today. Shall we watch? I'd like to see what the other side of the park is like.'

Swinging out in opposite directions the thick metal gates, revealed two children in school uniforms, one in a blue gingham dress, the other in green, each girl holding a bunch of flowers. Released by their teachers and given the nod of approval the girls walked towards each other, flowers extended. The dull day brightened by the flash of the cameras catching the moment for prosperity. The children soon hidden from view by the politicians circling them.

'Wait til ya see the news the night, they'll all be shaking hands and telling us how great we are for moving forward.'

Behind the gate, Ashley could see a rainbow coloured playground, identical to the one on her side of the wall. Stretching her gaze beyond it, Ashley saw another woman, standing in the distance, a dog by her side. 'Wonder if they like to play fetch too?' Ashley asked, as Gem whined, pushing the tennis ball at her owner. Ashley took the ball, bouncing it in her hand, 'kinda gives you some hope, doesn't it girl,' Ashley said, throwing the ball in the opposite direction, towards the tree line, watching her dog bounce in rhythm to the beat of the ball as it hit the path. 

Ashley rubbed her swollen belly as the child within drew her attention.

'Kicking me again, little one. Don't worry, won't be long until you're able to chase after Gem.'

The ball once again dropped at her feet and Gem's lead replaced, Ashley joined the path towards the gate. 

'Let's go see what all the fuss is about,' she said, watching as the politicians and children returned to their own sides and journalists began to disperse. Everyone returning to their normal routine.

'Sorry Miss.' The green, uniformed arm of the PSNI officer barred her progress. 

'I was just going to take my dog for a walk round the path,' she said, pointing to the tarmac that snaked through the open gateway and on into the other side.

'Not today.'

'I thought the gate was to be opened throughout the day?'

'Only for a few hours each day and today is just for the officials. Come back tomorrow,' he ordered, marching away from her so that he and his colleagues may close the gates, once again completing the wall.

'Come on Gem, I'm tired, let's go home.'

Opening the black glossed wooden door, Ashley and Gem entered the red brick terraced house.

'We're back Mum.'

'I'm in the kitchen. Put that dog into her bed and go sit down. I've made you a spot of lunch.'

Thanks, Mum, but there's no need.'

'Let me look after you when I'm here, dear. You should rest when you get the chance.'

'I've weeks to go yet and I'm fine.'

'Dad rang and he wants me to go back up home this afternoon.'

'Everything okay?'

'Yes, he's just fed up reheating the dinners I left for him,' her mother said, tutting as she set two bowls of soup and a plate of toast on the table. 'Listen, we both wondered if you'd come back up to the coast with me. It's so much nicer up there, this time of year and I hate the thought of you here alone during the day.'

'I'm not alone, I have Gem and Marty's home from work by 6 o'clock,' she said, slurping the hot soup.

'But darling, it's so dangerous here.'

'Mum, it's Belfast not Damascus,' Ashley said, raising her voice with her eyebrows, 'and I just watched them opening a gate in the Peace Wall down in the park.'

'You dad and I still think you should move back near us, would be a much better place for that wee baby to grow up.'

You know, Marty grew up in this street and he'd never live anywhere else, says they're the best neighbours in the country and they all watch out for each other.'

'It's not the watching that bothers me.'

'Mum, come 'ere, the park's on the news,' Ashley called, watching as the gate opened again, this time on her television screen. 'Look,' she said to her mother when she entered the room, 'see, this is a good area and that's progress for you.'

'I suppose it's a step in the right direction.'

As the two women watched, and the politicians declared the historic moment a symbol of peace and commitment to the political process, the front door opened and slammed shut.

'Ash, you here,' Marty's voice echoed in the narrow hallway.

'In the living room.' As he barged through the door and she started to explain about the gate and the park that morning, he interrupted her.

'You know those sirens we heard last night? They were for Tommy's young fella, he was bloody knee capped last night.' 

'Progress,' her mother said, shaking her head as she walked from the room.