reporting for duty
Well past reasonable hours, this was when Ysolde was finally let out of the small plastic container that was her final biology class. She took quick breaths in the chilled air, and then, with a dutiful crunch below her feet, she made her brisk way to the Anchor’s Weight. This time deft in avoiding that shower of dirt that had been her first impression, Ysolde’s skin invited the warmth and the humidity, the oily familiar air that came from the fish-and-chips foundation of the building.
The bricks were held together with grease and grit, but this was just the charm of the place. Upon entering, Ysolde’s eyes landed happily on faces familiar to her. She smiled an extra watt brighter when catching Thomas Awbrey’s eye, she hoped that this time the man would be less apprehensive but Ysolde was frugal with her hope in that she did not hold out too much of it.
“Hello everyone,” she greeted more cheerily than she felt, “Ysolde Ellis, reporting for duty!”
There was a gnawing anticipation in her stomach as Ysolde waited.

















