A Heavy Rim

I shuffled across the wooden floorboards toward the warm radiator in the hallway. An upturned terracotta saucer rested beside the baseboard, dry and solid. I leaned forward until my bucket tapped the clay rim. It did not budge. The curved lip created a tight, shaded alcove directly against the wall. I wedged my base into the gap and settled in. The copper pipe above emitted a single dull click, then went still. It is sheltered here. Nobody can approach from behind.