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#WomensDay
#WritcoStoryChallenge
#WomensDay
She smiled with quiet determination,
The journey was tough but so was she...
Another day, she thought, like any other washed away with routine, the same faces seeing after day, though today was different, she felt it in her bones. Today, the air was filled with angst, as though to spur her on. She went to the store, quickly collected her Grandmother's aspirin for her heart, the daily paper she loved to read as she sat by the fireside, drinking her sweet tea, and milk. Oh, she daren't forget the milk Grandmother would send her right back if she forgot. As she packed her bag, rushing out of the shop she bumped into a gentleman entering. She apologised, feeling awkward for being in such a rush, but she was hoping to pop into the bakers to get a surprise treat for her Grandmother. The man swiftly dusted his coat adjusting it slightly, gave her a warm smile saying, "He's a lucky man if you're in that much of a hurry to get back to him". She blushed, was in too much of a rush to realise he was trying to quickly gage her marital status, but she apologised rushing off into the early morning crowds.
When she arrived home, her mother was sat at the kitchen table eating fresh fruits, strawberries, blueberries and sweet dark cherries she'd washed and de-stoned. She popped a cherry into her mouth, quickly chewed it and swallowed it and asked her granddaughter if she'd bought the milk. She quickly pulled the milk out of the shopping bag and passed it to her grandmother. Tea was made, two China cups were standing side by side waiting to be filled. Her grandmother poured the tea, emptied some milk into a jug and put the rest into the fridge. They both sat in the living room by the fire, drinking tea and eating sweet blueberries and dark cherries.
Her granddaughter looked at the clock, it was time to go. They'd waited all week for this day, and she was feeling very, very excited. She packed her rucksack with pens, notepad on which she written urgent contact number of solicitors, family and friends. She had a flask of hot chocolate, some mints, a change of footware, trainers and 2 bananas to keep her energy up. She checked her grandmother's bag too, and she had similar. They both went to the bathroom, got their shoes and coats on, scarves as the weather was quite cold for the time of year, mid September, yet it felt like winter and snow was expected in a few weeks.
A final check of doors and windows, they were out the door, locking it for safety. They drove for over an hour to their destination. Now it was to find a suitable parking space which was difficult as many others had the same idea as them, to drive into town. She considered whether it was a wise decision. After going round and around in circles they finally found one a short distance ahead. Parking she noticed the sky was clear, but felt the cold and shook her shoulders slightly. Now she was excited, that she was going to make her mark on the world.
She was going to make a stand. They both got out of the car, arm in arm, they walked the 150 yards to where the protest would begin. The crowd were in great spirits.
Whistles and drums could be heard. Megaphones were being used to relay chants of protest and encouragement that were going to be repeated many times throughout the day. They looked at each other and smiled, knowingly. These two ladies were each others inspirators. They would fight the world for each other, now they stand, shoulder to shoulder, to protest, to stand and defend the rights of women. And their fight had only just begun.
They walked to join the protesters, thousands had already converged outside a week known landmark. There were young & old, disabled in wheelchairs, every nation under the sun had come to join this special event. She looked at her watch, 5 minutes before the official start. They timed their journey there perfectly. They both looked around, energised by the huge crowds, smiling, the hugged each other as though they knew this was no ordinary protest and we're excited to be taking part.
There were media and TV cameras everywhere, security personnel dressed in black with bright illuminated orange armbands and hi-tech vests easily sorted in the crowds. The Emergency services were patrolling and lined the full route of the protest. A loud whistle blew...lt was time.
There was heckling, whistles blown, loud fog-horns blown, drums synchronised to a protesters march in time with every step, they chanted their favourite chants, while everyone kept in time. Envisioning, the crowds were loud and energetic, hands and coats raised in unity, in defiance. We are women, We have rights, It you take them away, Till the day I die I'll fight, they chanted, men too supporting mothers, wives, girlfriend and partners. it was a well organised, energised throbbing if people determined to be heard. And yes, they were heard.
Along the route and got later, there was a small disturbance. A passing car heckled and berated the protesters, throwing rubbish at them from inside their car. Some protesters had blocked the road, as one of the items thrown h hit a woman in the face at the top of her nose, cutting her and blood trickled down her face. The car stopped as the crowd demanded the police to step in. They ignored their please. The crowd became more vociferous as the injured woman became dizzy and fainted. Am ambulance crew came to her aid and lifted her inside the ambulance and drive off. The crowd were and further as those inside the car, were blowing their horn, gesticulating for the crowd to move out of their way. By now the crowd increased, the police retaliating the danger of letting it go on. They stepped in, demanding the car driver turn off the engine and step out of the vehicle. At first this went unnoticed, until the police opened up the door. The engine cut. 4 people stepped out as the police held the driver, a back-seat passenger started swearing and gesticulating at the crowd, insencing their anger. Some of the crowd gathered around him, holding various arguments over the police officers instructions to turn around, they were under arrest for causing a public nuisance. As he turned someone punched him in the side of his head, he tried to raise his hands to protect himself, but was already in handcuffs. Another blow caught him on the chin. He went down. The police raided for back up, five of them against a mob of 300 or more. Sirens were ringing. Voices were raised
TBC...
#WomensDay
She smiled with quiet determination,
The journey was tough but so was she...
Another day, she thought, like any other washed away with routine, the same faces seeing after day, though today was different, she felt it in her bones. Today, the air was filled with angst, as though to spur her on. She went to the store, quickly collected her Grandmother's aspirin for her heart, the daily paper she loved to read as she sat by the fireside, drinking her sweet tea, and milk. Oh, she daren't forget the milk Grandmother would send her right back if she forgot. As she packed her bag, rushing out of the shop she bumped into a gentleman entering. She apologised, feeling awkward for being in such a rush, but she was hoping to pop into the bakers to get a surprise treat for her Grandmother. The man swiftly dusted his coat adjusting it slightly, gave her a warm smile saying, "He's a lucky man if you're in that much of a hurry to get back to him". She blushed, was in too much of a rush to realise he was trying to quickly gage her marital status, but she apologised rushing off into the early morning crowds.
When she arrived home, her mother was sat at the kitchen table eating fresh fruits, strawberries, blueberries and sweet dark cherries she'd washed and de-stoned. She popped a cherry into her mouth, quickly chewed it and swallowed it and asked her granddaughter if she'd bought the milk. She quickly pulled the milk out of the shopping bag and passed it to her grandmother. Tea was made, two China cups were standing side by side waiting to be filled. Her grandmother poured the tea, emptied some milk into a jug and put the rest into the fridge. They both sat in the living room by the fire, drinking tea and eating sweet blueberries and dark cherries.
Her granddaughter looked at the clock, it was time to go. They'd waited all week for this day, and she was feeling very, very excited. She packed her rucksack with pens, notepad on which she written urgent contact number of solicitors, family and friends. She had a flask of hot chocolate, some mints, a change of footware, trainers and 2 bananas to keep her energy up. She checked her grandmother's bag too, and she had similar. They both went to the bathroom, got their shoes and coats on, scarves as the weather was quite cold for the time of year, mid September, yet it felt like winter and snow was expected in a few weeks.
A final check of doors and windows, they were out the door, locking it for safety. They drove for over an hour to their destination. Now it was to find a suitable parking space which was difficult as many others had the same idea as them, to drive into town. She considered whether it was a wise decision. After going round and around in circles they finally found one a short distance ahead. Parking she noticed the sky was clear, but felt the cold and shook her shoulders slightly. Now she was excited, that she was going to make her mark on the world.
She was going to make a stand. They both got out of the car, arm in arm, they walked the 150 yards to where the protest would begin. The crowd were in great spirits.
Whistles and drums could be heard. Megaphones were being used to relay chants of protest and encouragement that were going to be repeated many times throughout the day. They looked at each other and smiled, knowingly. These two ladies were each others inspirators. They would fight the world for each other, now they stand, shoulder to shoulder, to protest, to stand and defend the rights of women. And their fight had only just begun.
They walked to join the protesters, thousands had already converged outside a week known landmark. There were young & old, disabled in wheelchairs, every nation under the sun had come to join this special event. She looked at her watch, 5 minutes before the official start. They timed their journey there perfectly. They both looked around, energised by the huge crowds, smiling, the hugged each other as though they knew this was no ordinary protest and we're excited to be taking part.
There were media and TV cameras everywhere, security personnel dressed in black with bright illuminated orange armbands and hi-tech vests easily sorted in the crowds. The Emergency services were patrolling and lined the full route of the protest. A loud whistle blew...lt was time.
There was heckling, whistles blown, loud fog-horns blown, drums synchronised to a protesters march in time with every step, they chanted their favourite chants, while everyone kept in time. Envisioning, the crowds were loud and energetic, hands and coats raised in unity, in defiance. We are women, We have rights, It you take them away, Till the day I die I'll fight, they chanted, men too supporting mothers, wives, girlfriend and partners. it was a well organised, energised throbbing if people determined to be heard. And yes, they were heard.
Along the route and got later, there was a small disturbance. A passing car heckled and berated the protesters, throwing rubbish at them from inside their car. Some protesters had blocked the road, as one of the items thrown h hit a woman in the face at the top of her nose, cutting her and blood trickled down her face. The car stopped as the crowd demanded the police to step in. They ignored their please. The crowd became more vociferous as the injured woman became dizzy and fainted. Am ambulance crew came to her aid and lifted her inside the ambulance and drive off. The crowd were and further as those inside the car, were blowing their horn, gesticulating for the crowd to move out of their way. By now the crowd increased, the police retaliating the danger of letting it go on. They stepped in, demanding the car driver turn off the engine and step out of the vehicle. At first this went unnoticed, until the police opened up the door. The engine cut. 4 people stepped out as the police held the driver, a back-seat passenger started swearing and gesticulating at the crowd, insencing their anger. Some of the crowd gathered around him, holding various arguments over the police officers instructions to turn around, they were under arrest for causing a public nuisance. As he turned someone punched him in the side of his head, he tried to raise his hands to protect himself, but was already in handcuffs. Another blow caught him on the chin. He went down. The police raided for back up, five of them against a mob of 300 or more. Sirens were ringing. Voices were raised
TBC...
