I’m in Asda, three days before Christmas, when my sister texts to say she’s in hospital. Her vision has suddenly blurred, her optic nerves inflamed. They’re doing tests. I’m right next to a stack of Terry’s chocolate oranges, her favourite. She’s been on a strict diet since October, but Christmas treats won’t count, will they? My brain is screaming, escalating rapidly through eye tests to MRIs to blood clots to multiple sclerosis to cancer. I put a chocolate orange into my basket and I tell myself that it’s not really a prayer. It’s not really a talisman. It’s just chocolate.
Steph Lay is an English writer, psychology researcher and aspiring parapsychologist. Previously published at Five Minutes and MKLitFest, she shares her eerie stories at cityofsecrets.blog. Bluesky: @stephlay.bsky.social Instagram: @stephanie.lay