Ha no way, the boy had to die and she will be alone for many, many years, until one day, a stranger arrives by sea... I'd think Nina would have had to grow up fast, fending for herself and seeing so much

Oh gosh thanks ever so much!!!

I was pleased with that last line! It didn't even occur to me that she would go with the mother. Her coughing was meant to imply she would be dead soon too. Nina is going to circle that tin for days wondering

Love is irrational. Indeed. Thank goodness for love.

I think little treasures are familiar to all of us, aren't they? Even as adults. I pick up shells off the beach and smile to find them in coat pockets where if forgotten them. I think of outsiders to Hive

@agmoore Thanks so very much for reading it and your lovely comment. Did you ever read Z for Zachariah? I had her in mind with the man tugging at her skirts.

You're welcome. I think I understand that people use it to chase money - I get it. But it's ultimately dishonest.

Such is the way of things.

Your opening made me think someone woudl be hit by lightning! Perhaps the real lightning was the revelation - that if you cheat on someone you might come to regret it!

I had to go through a lot of posts to find a piece of writing without an Ai image - I hope! I'm getting so sick of AI written content with Ai images - I just don't want to read them. I think in the end

It strikes me that without apologies, our wrongs can fester inside of us - they're necessary for our peace of mind. That's just as heavy a cost as losing your memories of someone. I really liked your idea!

Well, that perhaps is worth the entry fee then!

I tend to comment more when I'm at work as I'm at my laptop anyway. It's harder to comment on my phone imo. I'm glad when people prioritise real life - but I'm also glad there are people here who know

Having a study to share with my husband would be my worst nightmare. He'd keep fucking talking to me whilst I was trying to work and I'd want to kill him. He does, however, write J + K on the foggy windows

Peachy! I love how a random piece of fruit can become something bigger (I think of William's plums in the so cold icebox, always) than it is.

I'll comment anyway just in case - have a freaking awesome time gathering content for Hive, haha!

Ah I love that. Firstly, a garden is full of metaphors. Nature gives the most lovely lessons because it gives you chance to slow down and observe. And sometimes pure neglect can result in suprise gifts

Hm, not a fan of mushroom and pasta for some reason!

yeah, but we lack the attention spans...

The flowers don't taste of much but they sure look pretty. The leaves are super peppery!