Living on a wing and a prayer, Ella ditched her stilettos and bolted. The clock struck 3.00am, and her chances of making the last intercity train were excruciatingly slim. Though collapsing with seconds to spare, she pushed on.
Too late.
Devastated, the big girl sobbed little girl tears, dreading a freezing night of haunting shadows and what ifs, while the clock watched on unmoved.
This was the price she paid for love, and not being able to say goodbye.
Ben flew out in the morning.
As hard as it was to pry herself away, she knew she should’ve tried harder.
…
100 Words PHOTO PROMPT © Lisa Fox
This is a contribution to Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields at Addicted to Purple. Every week we write up to 100 words to a photo prompt and it is so much fun! Perhaps, you would like to join us.
My story is set at Sydney’s Central Station.
My daughter had a late night in Sydney this week going to see Vivid, and arrived back at the station at 2.30am, but at least she didn’t miss the last train. She was also lucky Mum wasn’t seeing zzzs and was able to pick her up. A parent’s job never ends.
Do you have any classic stories of missing trains? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Beyond the Flow 
I really liked the contradictoriness of the emotions here
The clock is a hard master, especially in train stations.
We don’t know anything about Ben but maybe he was the one who needed to try harder. Seems to me Ella went above and beyond. You have a lot going on here, Rowena. Interesting read.
Women always blame themselves. Loved the emotional touch. Made it so relatable! Great job!
I’m sorry she missed the train and she shouldn’t chastise herself for not trying hard enough. She did her best. Hoping she an her beau reunite in the near future.
Yes! I hope they reunite too. Thought this one could be expanded into a longer story too.
Thank you very much. It’s hard to be sensible when you’re in love!
Well spotted picking up on Ben’s part in the story, and clearly he hasn’t tried to see her onto the train. Not sure how keen I am on him, but I also remember what it was like to be in love and not being very sensible. Ella could also be a fairly independent young lady.
I don’t really write longer short stories but this one is tempting me to take it further.
Oh yes! I have lousy time management and clocks are always mocking me.
Thank you very much, Neil. The “contradictoriness of the emotions” reflects my state of mind.
A good story about “coulda shoulda woulda”. We can all relate.
I’m with Nancy. Maybe Ben wasn’t worth the extra effort she seemed to feel she had to make.
Nicely done.
And I’m with Dale and Nancy. Sometimes people put too much effort into those that aren’t worth it.
I was certainly guilty of that when I was younger!
Sure can!
I hope your protagonist was as lucky as your daughter.