Nora (Part 1)

The crowds thickened around her, drowning her. Hot bodies stuck together in a sea of enthusiastic sweat. The sun beat down on all the chanting faces as they towered above her. Nora couldn't even see the bloody street.

            ‘Here you go, sweetie,’ said Mum. She dug her fingers into Nora's sides and lifted her into the air. Nora got a brief glimpse of the parade going past, huge floats and people singing into megaphones, before she was plonked back on the ground.

            Mum wiped a stream of sweat from her brow. ‘Phew, someone’s getting heavy.’

            This only served to thicken the stew of Nora's bad mood. She folded her arms across her chest and buried her head as far into her shoulders as it could go. ‘I couldn't give a toss about the Olympics. Why did we have to come?’

            Mum grabbed her shoulder and spun her around to face her. Her face was inches from Nora’s own, the eyes narrowed by irritation. ‘Young lady, this is a very special event. How often in your life are you going to be able to see the Olympic torch?’

            ‘But I can’t see it! Everyone’s too tall.’

‘Or maybe you’re too short,’ said Mum with a smarmy smile. When she saw that Nora wasn't going to return it, she sighed and stood upright. ‘Look, it’ll be over soon. Just try and enjoy yourself. It’s a beautiful day to be out.’

‘I could've stayed home. I’m old enough to stay home for an afternoon by myself.’

‘That’s for me to decide, love. Not you.’

‘Amy’s mum let’s her stay at home.’

‘Amy’s mum isn't your mum though, is she? Besides, she’s always been a funny one.’

‘I’ll tell her you said that.’

‘You will bloody not,’ said Mum, crouching down to meet her gaze once again. She sniffed loudly as she straightened up. ‘Besides, they’re coming for tea on Friday and it’d just make things awkward.’

'Dad didn't have to come.'

'Dad is at work, Nora. He isn't spending the day watching the telly.'

Nora sighed and turned to face the cage of crowd around her. She was confronted with an enormous bottom. It shook in front of her as the owner leapt up and down in excitement. This was pointless. To her left, a pair of eyes met hers.

*

Muriel watched the floats pass by, each one more colourful than the last. She couldn't take her eyes off them. A voice from the top of a huge coca-cola can shouted, ‘Are you excited for the torch?’

            He was met with an almighty roar from the crowd. Muriel laughed, bending down to talk to Nora without taking her eyes off the parade. ‘See, love? It’s fun!’

            She was met with silence. At last, she looked down. Her daughter wasn't there.

            Muriel spun around, darting her eyes across the sea of people which engulfed her. ‘Nora? Nora! Nora, where are you?’

            She pierced through the wall of people, swimming to get to an end. When at last she made it, she jumped onto the nearest bench and blocked the sun from her eyes with a hand, all the while still screaming her daughter’s name.

            In the distance she saw her standing by a car. Muriel began to run. Her blood ran cold as she watched.

            Nora wasn't alone. A man in a black coat held her hand. Muriel could make him out, nothing but a shifting silhouette. He guided Nora into the passenger seat.