Rad looked up to see a petite, elderly lady smiling at him. With her long, dark purple dress and neat white hair in a bun, she looked perfect for her setting -- just outside an antique shop -- her blue eyes sparkling with merriment. Rad couldn’t help but smile back at her.

“I can almost hear your gloomy thoughts.” She wagged a finger at him. “For that, your penance is to come into the shop and look around. I have something I think is perfect for you.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Rad nodded, obediently following her inside. Perhaps he’d even buy whatever it was -- the little old lady had already lightened his day, and he could certainly do with a distraction.

The shop was more upmarket than Rad expected. The antiques weren’t pre-loved items sold to raise money; some of these pieces were exquisite. And very expensive. While Rad had a decent allowance from his inheritance, supplemented by his freelance writing, he wasn’t the type to simply fritter money away. Rad hesitated. He had no intention of being smooth-talked into something he neither wanted nor needed.

The woman trotted ahead and Rad hurried to follow before he lost sight of her among the many varied pieces of furniture. She led him into a back office where she finally stopped to indicate something hidden beneath a large, dark blanket. “This, I think, would be perfect for you, young man.”

Rad wrinkled his nose at the brief but strong funk of smoke. Had the item been in a house fire? Curious, he pulled the blanket aside. A captivating full-length mirror was revealed.

An oval shaped mirror was set in the beautiful, rectangular, dark wood frame. The angels carved in the top corners were so intricate they seemed to gaze down at him fondly. Rad reached up to run the tip of his index finger gently along one of the angels before he examined the rest of the mirror.

The sides and bottom of the frame had a combination of tiny cherubs, intricately carved flowers, and entwined vines. I have to have it. The dark wood of the frame would fit nicely with his bedroom’s cream-coloured walls, black duvet, and white linen. But as much as Rad wanted the mirror, a mirror of this quality was sure to be out of his price range. Maybe I could put it on lay-by?

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” The old lady came forward, her smile fond as she laid a proprietary hand on the mirror’s frame.

“Yes. Yes it is.” Rad nodded, steeling himself against the -- likely astronomical -- price.

“The last owner’s name is carved here, in the back. He got it from his grandmother, who received it as a wedding present from her husband. It was deeply loved and cared for by both of them, hence its amazing condition.”

“How much?” Rad asked quickly. He’d come to Queenstown on the chance he’d find something to write about. Why not a local interest story about the mirror and its previous owners? That smoke smell hinted at some sort of tragedy, even if only at the place the mirror had been stored. And small towns often treasured their history. Family stories would add to the bare bones of a basic article and flesh it out nicely.

The lady continued to smile. “Name a price.”

Surprised, Rad made a quick calculation of what he could comfortably afford and said it aloud. His reward was a wide, beaming smile and a delighted clap by the saleslady.

“Perfect. Now let me take your details so I can send you an invoice.”

Rad reached into his jacket for his wallet. “I can pay by credit card.”

“No, no, dear boy. I’ll check your driver’s licence and make a note of the number as a precaution, but we’ll invoice you by email. It helps us keep better track of our inventory. Do you have a vehicle you can put this in?”

“Well, yes,” Rad said, surprised a business would put enough trust in a new customer that he could take the mirror away before they received payment. Since he really wanted to get the mirror home, Rad didn’t offer any further protest about the invoice.

“Good. You go and fetch it and I’ll wait here. Park around the back. There’s space, and it will be easier to get the mirror in without having to concern yourself about traffic or dodging pedestrians.”

After giving his details, Rad pocketed his licence and credit card. Hurrying from the shop, he went to the quayside car park where he’d left the truck. The day couldn’t be more perfect. If he’d driven the car like he usually did when he visited larger towns, he wouldn’t have been able to get the mirror home today.

To think I only came here because the magazine fell open at an advert for the town. There was just something about it that really called to me, even though I’d intended to stay home today.

Having driven back to the shop, Rad reversed up to the rear door as requested, and carefully secured the mirror to the truck bed. The old lady waved him off and Rad drove carefully away

The mirror will be perfect for the corner of my bedroom. I just need to make sure I have sufficient funds on my card so I can keep it. Maybe he’d invite Del over to celebrate his lucky purchase ...