Ruth

[Ruth @dorothybrite]

@cbcreative @richardroper The boy stood in the middle of the road. In the downpour. With no shoes on. A crowd of pupils never took long to form.

“He's at it again,” they sneered.

But Sam and Max pushed through the tide of oglers to reach him. One wrapped him in a coat, the other wrapped him in a hug.

[Ruth @dorothybrite]

@cbcreative @RowlinsonRachel Oh, wow! Absolutely chuffed! Thank you! Congratulations to @Shoequeeny and @RowlinsonRachel as well!

[Ruth @dorothybrite]

@cbcreative @iamciarafinan He opened the door. “You’re late."

“Learn to give directions," she said, pushing past him.

“I texted. Over the hill and across the field.”

“Exactly.”

With each inhale, his shirt tightened across his chest. "Drink?"

“We’re working."

“Of course.” He smoothed his dark hair.

[Ruth @dorothybrite]

@EmilieCastera1 I also missed this too! 🤦‍♀️

[Ruth @dorothybrite]

@cbcreative @kirstylogan She promised herself that was the last time. Dirty, sweating, she frantically filled the last hole in her prized-garden, smacking it smooth with her spade. Staggering over to the electric fence, she lunged down on the leaver. The voltage barrelled down the cable with a sizzle.

[Ruth @dorothybrite]

@cbcreative @KajaAmyBrown Wow, thank you very much! I'm delighted!!

[Ruth @dorothybrite]

@cbcreative @jess_emolloy Grace paused at the top of the wooden steps to take it in. She breathed in the salty air. A slight mist hovered above the water. Patches of wind swept beach grass listed to one side. All of it made her think of home, and she wasn't sure that she liked it.

[Ruth @dorothybrite]

@cbcreative @EmilyHthinks He found the pebble out in the school yard. It had perfect, jagged edges. Carefully, he put it in his shoe. Now at his desk, he pushed down hard on it with his foot. He felt the blood trickle into his sock. When he didn’t know the answer, he did it again. And again. #WriteCBC

[Ruth @dorothybrite]

@cbcreative @JonnyGeller They always turned the heat off after the students left, and it was bloody freezing, even for September. Rose flicked on the kettle. Small comforts helped melt the days away. “Miss Wood,” his voice, light and whispery. He’d found an excuse to return every day this week.#WriteCBC

[Ruth @dorothybrite]

@cbcreative @lucysmallbark Today would be the last day he’d go hungry. He shoved open the gate, marching through games of hopscotch, eyes narrowed. Ricky looked free. As the swing reached the peak, Ricky’s hair hung in the air momentarily. Positioning himself behind, he hissed, “I’ll be gentle.’’ #writecbc

[Ruth @dorothybrite]

@cbcreative @seanlusk1 It was shoulder to shoulder in Bean Around that morning. The milk screeched, as the steam pounded up into her face. She closed her eyes against the barrage. Burning hot liquid spilled over, onto her hand. She bit her lip before presenting the drink with a smile. #WriteCBC

[Ruth @dorothybrite]

@cbcreative @AbbieGreaves1 I peer over the edge of the stand to see the ice cream.

“I give you ten camels,” the man doesn’t take his eyes off of me.

“Make it twenty, and you’ve got a deal,” dad laughs. He likes to joke.

“Deal.”

Dad swallows hard.

Hand under armpit, I am dragged away.

#WriteCBC

[Ruth @dorothybrite]

@cbcreative @BonnieGarmus At a dingy diner, she sat at a booth. The air hung heavy. Heads bowed over plates, shovelling food into mouths.

Soup arrived, sloppily.

The fly making rounds swirled to a stop atop her spoonful.

"When in Rome," she thought, and swallowed that mouthful whole.

#WriteCBC

[Ruth @dorothybrite]

@cbcreative @DotDashTash The students were snickering, giggling. Faces buried in books, laughter uncontrollable.

“Is there something funny?” She used her deepest, most authoritative voice.

Sighing, she lowered her gaze back to her paperwork.

Gasping, she buttoned up her blouse.

#WriteCBC