‘She’s there, just by the shore.’ Sarah glanced nervously at Martine, hoping for some response. Any response.
‘How far?’
Sarah sighed. Martine was like the others. ‘About 200 yards, at two o’clock. She’s staring out to sea.’ Of course she was. ‘You don’t think I’m bonkers, do you?’
Martine put an arm round her friend. Yes, maybe a bit, she thought. ‘Course. Always were. But only after a couple of peach mojitos.’
The smile when it came was forced. ‘She never looks back. Not once.’
‘When did you find her?’
Sarah nodded, grateful that Martine was at least trying to believe. No one ever saw the woman. Only her. Of course only her. ‘Three years ago. I thought I was mad.’ She snorted a short laugh. ‘I think the really mad bit was coming back the next year, to check. I had to know.’
‘Know?’
Sarah shook the tension from her shoulders. ‘Come on. I’ll explain as we walk.’
‘Where are we going?’ Martine vaguely hoped it was coffee. June on the beach wasn’t always welcoming.
‘To prove I’m as sane as you.’
Good luck with that, thought Martine as she followed her down the steps.
Sarah started speaking, in a flat voice. ‘Her name was Kate Atkinson. She was nineteen, married, with a daughter. On 7th June 1944 she came here to stare at France, knowing her beloved husband Albert was there, part of the D Day landings. He was a radio operator.’ She swallowed. ‘He was killed outside a small town about ten miles inland. A gas explosion, apparently. Kate received a telegram the next day.’ She stopped and looked at Martine. ‘You wouldn’t think they could have been that efficient.’
‘How’d you find that out?’
‘The coroner’s court records were put on line a few years ago. Kate came here the same day she heard the news. She dressed her best. Nice skirt and blouse. Patent leather shoes. Shoes for dancing. She took them off and walked into the sea.’ She checked her watch. ‘In about five minutes.’
‘Geez, you’re not serious?’ Martine stopped and stared at the empty beach, trying to imagine being that depressed. Especially a mother of a child.
Sarah had kept going but she paused to wait for her friend. ‘I don’t get too close until she’s gone. I worry I might see her expression. I don’t think I could cope with that.’
‘Earlier, when I said how did you find out I meant how did you find her name.’
Sarah smiled. ‘It’s why I came first time. She was my grandma. When mum went into the home I found a shoebox in her wardrobe. There were pictures of Kate and Bert, a newspaper article about his death and hers. They only knew it was here she walked into the sea because she took off her shoes. It was foggy that day, a real peasouper, and no one saw her go.’ Sarah turned towards the shore and stood very still.
To Martine it looked like a thousand yard stare, but she knew now what Sarah was seeing. Then Sarah sighed, her shoulders dropping as the tension left them. Like the relief at the end of the minute’s silence, Martine thought.
‘Is it over?’
Sarah nodded. ‘Come on, before the tide turns.’
In silence the pair trudged across the wet sand, both of them gazing towards France as Kate has done seventy five years before. Sarah began hunting for something, her head down concentrating hard. ‘Here.’ Her voice spoke of relief not triumph.
Martine walked over. Sarah stood a few feet from a set of prints: the sole and heel of two size six, or so Martine guessed, women’s shoes placed side by side. Leading away from those two prints and into the sea were more prints but these were bare feet, deep and determined. She looked up and met Sarah’s gaze.
‘You can see them?’
‘Yes. Yes I can. Oh my dear, how utterly poignant.’ A thought struck her. ‘If you can see your grandma, what about your mum? Do you think she might? Even now?’
Sarah crouched down and traced the edge of one shoe print with her finger. A wave curled across the toe softening the edges. She stood, brushing away a few grains of sand. ‘Let’s get a coffee.’
As they headed across the flat sand, Sarah peered at the flat white sky. ‘I thought about that but it’s too late.’ Tears which Martine had expected earlier poured down Sarah’s cheeks. ‘She’s gone into the fog, just like Grandma did.’ She sniffed and took her friend’s arm. ‘Let’s hope they find some comfort in there, eh?’
Behind them the waves spread across the sand, smoothing it for another year.
This was written in repsonse to Sue Vincent’s #writephoto prompt
TanGental 
Excellent! I really liked this story which evoked much emotion.
LikeLiked by 3 people
It’s a tough little tale
LikeLiked by 1 person
Appropriate for this time
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s what stimulated the story
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know where all this sentimentality is coming from, Geoff, but it’s beautiful. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s D Day and thoughts of dad, who was in basic training when it happened but who spoke of those he knew who went through it. That’s what comes back, those rheumy eyes and thousand yard stares of his generation when the anniversary came round.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I did wonder about that, after my flippant comment. I think it’s a wonderful tribute.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
A poignant and beautiful story, Geoff.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Robbie
LikeLike
Terribly sad, Geoff, but beautiful nonetheless.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Sue
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
A bittersweet tale, enjoyed this!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Jacquie. A tough one to imagine, in truth
LikeLiked by 1 person
What more can I add to all the above comments, Geoff? I was totally engaged in a tale that seemed all too real and “appropriate for this time,” as Derrick says.
I’m currently watching the HBO TV Mini-Series (2001), Band of Brothers, that recounts the story of Easy Company of the US Army 101st Airborne Division and their joint mission together with the British Armed Forces on D-Day and the days that followed.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dad wasn’t involved, not directly but he knew many who were and told many tales, mostly sanitised I now realise. It hits hard every time you think about it and the oh so many wasted lives
LikeLiked by 1 person
Look what you came up with for that picture – it is so moving, so real, a touch of other worldly – just excellent story telling!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Pauline. It’s all that D-Day stuff I suppose churning around
LikeLiked by 1 person
That picture does invoke memories of death and loss – well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. It sort of cried out really
LikeLike
Beautifully told, Geoff. A real tear-jerker.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Hugh
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely wonderful! I was pulled and “there”.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Jennie. D Day memories triggered this as it resonated for so many
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome, Geoff.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: History Repeats ~ Geoff Le Pard #writephoto | Sue Vincent's Daily Echo
Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Team!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such heartache for one person. Two family lost to the same fate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah indeed, the screw can turn so cruelly
LikeLike
Pingback: Photo prompt round-up (so far!): Choices #writephoto | Sue Vincent's Daily Echo
I loved this story. So poignant. It’s beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks it was based around the DDay memories left by my father
LikeLike
Absolutely wonderful story, Geoff.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah thank you…
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome!
LikeLike