Before
She looked out of the casement at the clouds gathering on the horizon.
A menacing wall of electricity and storm, billowing sulphur tinged with shades of purple and mackerel.
Her body braced itself for another pain; her heart felt liquid with fear.
If only he had kept his promise; if only he had come.
A shudder went through her. It seemed so long ago – and it was.
She had paid for those beautiful days by suffering every moment since, bearing the nagging presence of anxiety and melancholy – and the persistent loom of fear.
The little ship was in pieces now, and she doubted whether it could ever be mended.
As the next wave seized her, she wanted to claw her way out of her skin. It wouldn’t be long now…
The sea was a writhing mass of darkness, the sky in turmoil above. But this time, when she looked out towards the horizon, she thought she saw something. A light? Could it be a ship…?
As the agony racked her body, a ray of hope dispelled her blackest despair. A ship… it had to be. He was coming for her like he’d promised…
But from outside the door came the trudge of heavy, dragging footsteps and the panting of a dog. The floorboards in the corridor creaked and a slurred voice called out, ‘Tell me, woman, where’s she hiding?’
The pain crested and subsided, leaving behind a desperate fear. He had found her, come for her.
A knock at the door.
Bess took a final glance at the light… the ship. The answer to her prayers, but it had come too late.