The day broke through the blackness of the endless long sleepless night. Melissa lay curled up in a foetal position, one arm under the pillow, staring at the photograph that stood on the wrought iron table by the side of the bed. The room felt cold and empty, she shuddered at the thought of yet another long painful day stretching out in front of her, knowing she had to wear a false smile and be nice to everyone. Despite all her plans for the future she knew in her heart that nothing would ever happen, she knew that she was her own worse enemy.
The clock struck five am, Melissa climbed out of bed, the iciness of the air hitting the warmth of her skin, her slim body swathed in her favourite sensuous red silk gown, she liked to think of Steve’s fingers running over the smoothness, caressing her skin beneath
Going for a steaming hot shower hoping to fight of the chill of the morning, she dressed carefully, putting on her expensive underwear, but today it did nothing to lighten her mood.
Melissa applied her makeup, styled her hair to perfection, then sliding her elegant designer dress carefully over her head and slipping her feet into the red four inch stiletto heeled shoes. Admiring herself in the long mirror, managing a smile, as she knew many women envied her figure. Saying to her reflection, ‘wow you are so sexy’
Making the bed ensuring the bedspread was folded just as it should be, the bed runner at the bottom at equal length either side, the cushions plumped and resting against the wrought iron bed head, the tables exactly matching on each side.
She had spent the weekend cleaning cupboards, and making sure the house was immaculate, not that it was ever any different, except when Steve came over, this was the only time Melissa ever allowed herself to relax, she would even leave the washing up until morning so she could spend every precious moment in his arms.
Taking one last look around, gently touching Steve’s photo, telling him she loved him and that she was sorry, she walked from room to room, saying goodbye and thank you for letting her live in such a beautiful house. She picked up her matching designer handbag and her keys and went out into the cold damp air. Walking quickly to her car, a maroon Mercedes convertible which she leased as she couldn’t have owned one any other way, and drove expertly to the station. Parking her car in the same space she did every day, she walked into the station, and on to the Platform.
Standing at the edge, the same faces smiled and walked on by, never speaking as if they were strangers, yet they had performed the same ritual every morning for the last 3 years.
Thoughts rushing through her mind at the same momentum of the express trains rushed through the station, what if? how would it feel? Who would? The big clock clanked it huge hands each minute as the time ticked slowly, as finally her train speed toward the platform
At the edge of the concrete Melissa waited. What for?
As the front of the engine reached the edge of the platform, without a thought for any one, which was very unusual as Melissa always, put everyone else first and herself last. She stepped off.
Goodbye was the only word she said, NOT that anyone heard, as they never ever listened.
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