A BIT OF A CHANGE TO OUR SCHEDULE TODAY, SO TEAM MEMBER, AUTHOR EVA BIELBY, HAS STEPPED IN TO SHARE WITH US HER FLASH FICTION STORY, 'ICE COLD MEMORIES' #RWRTeamBlog #ReadWriteRepeat

ICE COLD MEMORIES

Before leaving for work a short while ago, Jeff popped his head around the bedroom door. “Bex, I wouldn’t advise going out today unless it’s something urgent. Temperatures plummeted again last night. The road is treacherous out there, far too risky.”

“Okay. See you tonight.”

He blew me a kiss!

Bastard!

I gave a snort as I heard the front door open and close behind him. I will be going out and nothing is going to deter me.

His mind had been elsewhere for the last four or five days. Each time I asked if anything was troubling him, he was quick to fob me off. “Just pressures at the office, darling. Nothing for you to worry your pretty little head with.”

Who are you trying to fool? Don’t lie to me, arsehole! I know exactly what’s bothering you!

I heard the snow crunch beneath his tyres as he drove away. I hauled myself out of bed, downed a quick caffeine fix and followed that with a slice of toast. After showering, I togged up in my warmest clothes and snow boots and headed out to my Range Rover. It took a good ten minutes to scrape the thick layer of solid ice off the windscreen. Even the de-icer was not working its magic. I left the engine running and went back inside to put Darcy’s winter coat on and grab her lead. Apparently, there would be no let-up in the arctic conditions for at least another week or so, according to the forecasts.

It seemed to take forever to master the few short miles of icy country lane before I reached the motorway. Thirty-two miles later I took Junction 38 and headed in the direction of Slatewell, though the village wasn't my destination. I would be taking an old farm track that headed into the forest; a seldom used back road which lead to the quarry lake. My tyre tracks from five days ago have been completely obliterated and at the rate the snow is falling, I need to make this a flying visit and get home before the roads become too perilous.

Knowing I shouldn’t be longer than ten minutes or so, I decide to leave Darcy in the back seat as the bone-chilling conditions are too harsh for her.

Taking the same treacherous path that my best friend, Trudy and I had taken only days before, I make my way to the lake. Beneath the eerie tranquility of the ice-covered trees, the snow isn’t too deep, yet in some areas where the wind has blown it into drifts, it comes over the top of my boots. As I emerge from the trees, the cliff face looms ahead. There’s a steady incline so my ascent needs to be cautious. Puffing and panting with the effort of both the climbing and fighting against the blizzard, it’s hard work but finally, I reach the top. Careful not to get too close to the lethal, icy edge, I lean my upper body forward to look down at the frozen lake. Phew! I am relieved to find all is as it should be. What had been a gaping hole five days ago, is almost completely iced over again. I hurry back down the slope and through the snow laden woodland to find my faithful chocolate pointer, sat in the driver’s seat patiently awaiting my return.

The snow continues to fall heavily against the windscreen making visibility extremely difficult. I’m shivering, chilled to the bone and I need my wits about me so I can concentrate on navigating the hazardous country lanes.

Joining the motorway once more, I can see it has been ploughed and gritted and whilst conditions are far from easy, it’s definitely better. Keeping to a sensible speed, I start to relax into the journey. It doesn’t take long before my mind starts to wander…

…I’d turned up unannounced to collect Trudy the previous Thursday. She told me I need my head examining but nevertheless, she donned her thick winter coat and boots and joined me in the car. During the drive out into the countryside she asked, “Where are we going in this bloody horrendous weather, Bex? You know you’re crazy, right?”

I grinned at her. “A magical mystery tour. There’s a place I need you to see. It’s beautiful. Peaceful. I think you’ll appreciate it.”

Eventually, we were in the middle of nowhere and I took the disused farm track I’d walked with Darcy several times in the past. I parked up several feet in from the tree line, though I doubt anyone would be out looking to steal cars in these torturous conditions. Trudging as fast as I could through the deep snow, I raced on ahead of Trudy. I was eager for her to see the stunning snow-covered landscape; the slate cliff face and the ice-covered quarry lake. In my haste, I struggled to stay upright. My feet kept slipping from underneath me and Trudy, whose boots seemed to have a better grip, soon passed me and reached the top of the cliff. Finally finding a decent foothold, I managed to scrabble to the top to find Trudy totally spellbound by the beauty of the frozen lake and the patchy snow on the dark grey slate. She shuffled closer to the slippery brink.

“It is beautiful.” I could barely hear her whispered words…

My musing was disturbed by the sound of several sirens. I spotted blue lights flashing ahead, blurry in the driving snow. In no time the traffic came to a grinding halt. Ambulances were in attendance and the police were busy putting cones in place. A black Golf was badly smashed up and on its roof. Several other vehicles had collided into the back of each other. Broken glass and other debris was scattered far and wide. From the look of things there’s going to be a considerable delay. With the traffic at a complete standstill and no alternative but to wait, my mind drifts back to Thursday’s chilling memories and Trudy’s murmured words…

… “It is beautiful!”

I moved forward, close behind her.

“Trudy…I know.”

“Wha…Bex..?”

She whipped around to face me, eyes and mouth wide open as the true meaning of my words hit home. The impetus caused one of her feet to slide off the edge. Balance lost, her hands reached out to unsuccessfully snatch at the rock face. Unable to grasp at anything to break her fall, she plummeted the deadly drop onto the ice, screaming at the top of her voice. I was irritated. I’d been cheated of the satisfaction of giving her the violent shove I’d planned.

I’ll never forget the sound of her body smash on to the ice. Crack! A loud groaning and creaking shattered the air as the ice splintered into a narrow fissure which rapidly grew wider, eager to accept her broken body. I saw the sheer terror in her eyes. The broken chunk of ice pitched beneath her and a sharp edge rose up. She started to slip down the incline, unable to gain any traction. For a few seconds she tried to cling to the upended slab, but her legs rapidly became immersed in the icy waters. Frantically, she tried in vain to hold on to the frozen block to keep her upper body above the surface. In a panic, she splashed and kicked in an attempt to get nearer to the mass of solid ice which covered the lake, but her body had weakened. The weight of her boots and wet clothing continued to drag her down up to her chest. Shivering violently, she looked up at me, desperate, eyes silently pleading to me, but there was nothing I could do to help. I stepped back from the cliff edge. I didn’t want to watch, yet somehow found that it was impossible for me to break eye contact with her.

She made one final, clumsy effort to grapple at the solid ice with her wet gloves. I watched her face as the reality sunk in…her acknowledgment that she was about to die. The seconds ticked past and the cold dark water drew her body down into its shadowy depths and claimed her. In the blink of an eye the last bubbles of life rose to the surface. It was over. I felt no satisfaction…or sorrow. I was devoid of emotion…

At last, the police took control of the situation and the traffic started to filter through. Thirty minutes and I’d be home. On leaving the motorway, I was back on the unsalted, country lane which was so pretty; a glimmering blanket of snow…with the potential to be lethal.

It’s your turn tonight, Jeff. Not with her…oh no! I can’t have that! I’ve found a very special resting place, just for you! It’s beautiful. Peaceful. I think you’ll appreciate it.

© Eva Bielby, July 2025

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COMING SOON: On Wednesday, 6th August, it is our pleasure to welcome guest author, Lindy Viandier, who is sharing an excerpt from her novel, 'Damson Skies and Dragonflies'.