By John Holmes
Crouching behind damp reed baskets, she nervously watches the armed sailors patrol. Before dawn, hunger forces her to clamber aboard. She steals three pieces of brown fruit from the galley and stores them deep inside her filthy skirt. Her daughter will eat like the captain tonight.
More sword brandishing sailors board the ship; hauling, sweating, swearing. Fear of capture keeps her from leaving.
The yardarms screech into life and sails drop slowly.
~
The quiet sound of crying is lost in the chaos of the dockyard. Her mother has concealed her well. Apart from the rats, nobody will notice Jane’s gentle cries.
Thanks go to the editor who encouraged me to consider a couple of changes – it helped.
An intriguing story.
Hope, fear and utter sadness captured in so few words.
Great story.
Thank you.
Very clever writing to tell such a tragic story in so few words.
Ooh, nasty.
Well done.
Lovely little tale… enjoyed reading…kudos…
Thanks – enjoyed writing it!
My heart breaks for the little girl.