Slippery Slope

Slippery Slope

Penny Rogers

Pepsi

Today

The first bus leaves at 06.50. I’ll be on it.

Day before yesterday

Pack a bag and hide it on top of the cupboard. Just the essentials: change of underwear, warm top, socks, a towel, tissues, make-up, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste and Ted.

Yesterday

Have a shower; not enough time in the morning. It won’t be difficult to get out of the house without them knowing. They sleep like logs.

Today

Don’t look at anyone, must not be recognised.

Day before yesterday

Check connections. I’ll have about 40 mins to wait in Randlesford.

Today

Mustn’t leave any trace I was here. Don’t get a drink. Waste of money and someone might remember. The coach is late and crowded. I recognise a face about half way down. Don’t make eye contact

14.55 Arrive Victoria. They’ll be looking for me now, and realise that I deliberately left my phone behind. Feeling lonely and risk buying a cup of tea and a sandwich. The surly woman who serves me hardly glances away from her magazine. Good.

17.00 I wonder if they are worried.

17.15 Man asks me to talk to him. Creep.

Last week

Row with parents. I do go: sometimes.

Day before yesterday

My tutor says he’s done all he can and I failed because I didn’t do the work.

Today                   

Find hostel. Room £12.00. Burger and chips £4.50. Coke £1.20. Reassure Ted.

Tomorrow

Meet Delvina, she says she can find me work. Go with her to Lolo’s.

About the Author

Penny Rogers writes short stories and flash fiction. She was shortlisted for the Bridport Prize for flash fiction in 2013, has been placed in the Henshaw creative writing competition and has had stories published in Writers’ Forum, Paragraph Planet and Bare Fiction.