She Wanted a Bike for Her Birthday

She’d wanted a bike for her birthday. They said people shouldn’t ride bikes when they’re 100, so she went one better. Bob had been gentle and efficient, leaving before the neighbours stirred. Later, when she could no longer ignore the noise in the street, Daphne climbed the stairs to her bedroom clutching the card from the queen. From the window, she couldn’t make out the faces clearly but assumed somewhere in the crowd of well-wishers were her children, still ignoring each another. As they sang, she smiled and waved and placed her hand on her heart over the new skull tattoo.

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#FLASHFICTION101 February 2021 SHORTLISTED ENTRY

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