The sun was too weak to melt away the compacted ice. The pathway was pitted and rutted.

‘Like a metaphor for life,’ said Michael, as we walked along. ‘It’s only smooth for little bits here and there, the rest is stumbling your way through.’

‘Are those supposed to be words of encouragement?’ I was irritable.

‘Think of the divorce as one of those ruts you’ve got to get through. On the other side it will be smooth again.’

Helen’s boss getting his leg over her was the only ‘getting over’ I could think about right now.

Michael tried to grab my arm as he slipped and fell on the ice.

I felt oddly better.

Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read more stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

My new novel All We Cannot Leave Behind has arrived in paperback and is available to order now from all good booksellers in the UK. The eBook edition will be available from Feb 28th for those around the world, and I’m hopeful the paperback will be available elsewhere soon too.

Here’s the moment I got to see the physical book for the first time:

The State Trilogy and The Barra Boy also available now.