A wide-brimmed hat shades Mary’s face as she watches Susan chase a ball over the
manicured lawn. Her breath catches. She remembers the day Susan was born, the feel of her hair against her breast as she fed, before the wet nurse arrived.
‘Aunty Mary, look how fast I can go.’
The word aunty lands like a punch. Winded, it takes all her strength to summon a
smile, as she thinks how Susan’s chestnut curls, tumbling free from their cream bow, are the exact shade as her father’s – a man she will never know and Mary will never forget.
Her sister appears like a sentinel. ‘Susan, it’s time for tea.’
‘But, Mama do I have to come now?’
Mary meets her guilty gaze. Her sister looks away and, taking Susan’s hand, they
disappear inside.
Mary picks up the satin ribbon and the day, no longer sunny, is laden with regret.
Anita Goodfellow has an MA in creative writing from Bath Spa University. Her stories have been placed and shortlisted in various competitions including Flash 500, Retreat West, Trip Fiction, Cranked Anvil, Bath Flash Fiction Award and The Bedford Competition and published in numerous anthologies. She loves experimenting with flash. @nitagoodfellow
This story was shortlisted in the June 24 Monthly Micro Competition.