Home Coming, by Sally Stackhouse

Here are the rules:

1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story

2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.

3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.

4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.

5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.

 

Mandatory words:

dock

cannon

anchor

camel

credit card

 

 

 

HOME COMING

The photo courtesy of our fellow blog hop writer Cindy Cagle

Although Annabel had risen early that morning time was already flying past. The kitchen was now spotless, beds made and all chores were done.  She gazed out of the window to check the weather.   It seemed a nice day for a lovely walk but she knew how deceptive it could be so to be on the safe side she would wear her camel coloured coat.  It was smart enough to meet Peter in the Crown and Anchor pub and warm enough to sit outside and enjoy a drink.

She wandered down past the stream that led in to the town centre that eventually flowed to the harbour at the dock.   There were several spots with benches on the quayside that she could sit on and her particular favourite was the bench next to the old cannon that was polished a burnished black and well looked after by the council men along with the others embedded on the quayside.

She loved watching the ferries come in to the harbour disgorging all those cars with their travel weary passengers and the foreign drivers whose faces were full of concentration as they negotiated the British road system. 

Drive on left.

Tenez la Gauche

Links Fahren

Picture from Wikipedia

Annabel scrolled down to the text messages on her phone.  They weren't quite the same as love letters but it suited Peter as he was a man of few words, more a man of action especially when he came off the ferry after a fortnight working on the oil rig far out to sea.  Only seeing your husband one week in three kept the excitement alive and felt that you were always courting. 

The only blot on Peter’s homecoming this time around was the credit card statement letter she’d opened in the mail this morning.  She usually left all the mail for Peter to sort out but this was addressed to Mr. and Mrs. so she opened it. 

The balance had been cleared the month before.  Her hand flew up to her mouth when she saw a large amount appearing on the statement.  What on earth was it for?  Furthermore, where was the money coming from in the next month to pay that large sum off? 

Peter espied Annabel sitting on her favourite bench.  He squared his shoulders, put on his best smile and sat down next to her.  He put his arm around her as she snuggled in to his neck.  He love the smell of the shampoo she used coupled with her perfume; he knew he’d made the right decision.

Annabel sat up and distanced herself from Peter’s embrace.  She opened her mouth to ask him what he had bought on credit.  He put his finger to her lips as he put his hand in his jacket pocket and pulled out a jewellery box.  He flipped open the lid and presented her with a beautiful diamond eternity ring.

Inscribed on a card inside the box were the words ‘I love you.’

Word Count:   500