Isabelle watched the foam settle as the speedboat winked out of view, scurrying its way back to the city. The old man hadn’t been keen to take her, counting her money twice before letting her aboard and then lingering for longer than necessary when she leapt out into the shallows.
Her skirts were damp, but she’d kicked her shoes free before getting off the boat. Her feet had dried while she waited.
She checked her watch and scowled. The glass was cracked, had been since earlier that morning when a cyclist outside her apartment careened into her. It was her own fault. If she’d not spent so long on land, she might have noticed him before he had chance to get close. Instead she’d been thrown from her thoughts by the bite of handlebars into her ribs.
The wind picked up and threw the waves higher along the beach. Isabelle waded out, shivering as the water closed around her ankles.
‘Please,’ she cried. ‘I’m sorry. I have learnt my lesson!’
Above her a seagull cried out but that was it.
‘Father please!’
The sea did not answer.
Isabelle dropped to her knees and sobbed.
‘Please. I’m ready to come home.’
Photo Credit: Fandango
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Carol J Forrester - Writing and Works 
Well done. A pleasure to read.
Thank you. 😀
Why is Isabelle crying? Where is her father? What is she waiting for?
I think they are questions for a longer story I’m afraid.
A great story. I’m wondering what brought her on to the land in the first place and how long her father is going to let her suffer? But I guess that’s a whole new story.
Quite possibly. Happy for you to run with it if you feel inspired 😁
Oh, dear, the poor girl. Was she sent onto land as punishment or did she want to run away? Was she the Little Mermaid?
Why not continue the story? See where it takes you.
Children leaving home to find themselves is age-old. Hopefully her father will let her return. Nicely done.
Thank you very much Susan.
Nice.
Thank you
I am assuming she is a mermaid hence the punishment. Hope her father returns for her soon! Nice imaginative piece. I loved the watch and bike part!
Thank you. I did wonder about cutting it out for the wordcount as I was pulling the piece together but I liked it too much to cut in the end.
An intriguing tale indeed! I too wondered if she was a mermaid, but they don’t have ankles – at least, the last one I met didn’t!!
Would love to hear more of that story Keith.
Oh that was excellent
Thank you very much.