She sneaked away from the rest of the group as they splashed around in the water. ‘Come on, Alice,’ beckoned her friends.

It was not often they got the opportunity to enjoy the sunshine by the river. Enthusiasm had got the better of one, then two, and soon all their clothes lay in a pile on the rocks. What would the men think if they found them cavorting in just their underwear?

Alice smiled. ‘I’d rather go for a stroll,’ she said and walked along the river until the laughter became feint.

Hidden from them behind trees and foliage she was able to take off her cotton top and ankle-length skirt.

The blemishes on her arms and chest, angry purples and blues, were in stark contrast to her pale white skin. The ones on her arms were even the shape of his hands where he had held her down.

The clean water had a refreshing feel. She felt her wounds start to heal, the swollen marks cool.

When she heard the others clambering out of the water she quickly did the same, throwing her clothes on.

She rejoined them with the same smile which hid so much. ‘I couldn’t resist a dip too,’ she said, combing her wet hair with her hands.

They all picked up their baskets of wet laundry and started walking back to the village.

This is a response to the #writephoto Prompt – Hidden curated over at Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo. Click on the link to read other stories inspired by the image.

My new novel, ‘A Justified State,’ is now also available from Book Depository as well as Amazon in Paperback and on Amazon Kindle.

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