ANOTHER PROMISE

 It's time for this week's WWBH

The rules are:


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


Here are the five words:

Butcher
Bullfight
Gossip
Result
Novel



And here’s the photo:

Another Promise

Yesterday the butcher had given her a strange look, her eyes hidden behind large sunglasses on a dull and dismal day, her quiet voice requesting a single rump steak.  The plain headscarf covered her hair, snuggling neatly against her ears holding in the plaster on her ear lobe healing the large gash.  She heard her grandmother’s voice, blue steak to bring down the bruising, then cook it and give it to the dog.

The viciousness of this last attack was as unexpected as it was sudden, the aftermath a storm of emotions.  She knew he would make himself scarce for a week or so, then her doorbell would ring, she would see him through the peep-hole, contrite, head hanging down, holding a bouquet of flowers along with a box of chocolates.

Amelia applied her make-up carefully; her fingertips gently spread the liquid gold over her face blending in the foundation; every now and then she paused and studied her reflection in the mirror.  The bruises on her skin she could hide not so much the scarring inside her mind.  

She picked up her silver backed compact, the tactile feel of the cold metal evoked feelings she would rather keep damped down, the Art Deco design on the lid was rather novel for these modern times but Amelia loved the nostalgia of the times, every time she flipped catch on the lid she could see her grandmother’s gnarled, arthritic hands struggling to open it. 

The result would be good enough for her work colleagues not to gossip about her, the sideways sympathetic looks, even the malicious glances from so-called girlfriends would be her downfall, she would need all her strength to remain brave.   The office environment ran on nervous energy, the fear and anticipation reminiscent of a Spanish bullfight, the swirls of dust and the animal smells, the pawing of the great beast’s hooves would overwhelm the senses unless your shoulders were broad enough to carry the heavy burden that weighed her down every day.

Amelia pushed herself away from the dressing table, stood up slowly and limped from her bedroom into the lounge.  She grabbed her coat and handbag, blew a kiss at her grandmother’s photo in the silver backed frame.  She locked the front door behind her, took a deep breath as she set off for the bus stop.  On her commute to work she promised herself this was the last time just as she had promised herself many times before. 

Word Count:  412