The White Rose. Madilina Tresca

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      T

      he meeting ended. Ryan grabbed his briefcase and bolted out of the office.

      Inside Town Hall Station he heard the announcement come through the PA. The train to Circular Quay was about to depart. He ran down those stairs only to have the doors slam shut in his face.

      He sat down on a nearby bench to catch his breath, resting his brief case on his lap. He looked up those stairs and knew he would have to run up them again to call Skyla. He was late. Something on the bench caught his eye. He picked it up. It was a white rose. He was entranced by its beauty. There was a light blue ribbon tied to it, and someone had embroidered a few words in white cotton.

       Charlotte loves Addison forever.

      Ryan looked around for anyone who may have forgotten to take their flower. For now he was the only soul on the platform. He gently placed the white rose back where he found it.

      Ryan’s call came through Skyla’s extension.

      ‘Where are you?’ Skyla admired her engagement ring.

      ‘I’m at Town Hall Station, missed the train, just waiting for the next one.’

      Skyla could hear Ryan’s heavy breathing.

      ‘You sound out of breath, old man.’ She adjusted a few things on her desk.

      No response.

      ‘Ryan, are you still there?’

      ‘Um, someone has left their white rose on the platform.’ Ryan’s gaze went down the flight of stairs.

      ‘What?’

      ‘A rose, blue ribbon and …’

      ‘Okay, so how much longer will you be?’ Skyla dismissed what Ryan had just said.

      ‘Um, make that about 25 minutes.’

      ‘I’ll make my way down now, bye Ryan.’

      Skyla’s dream of marrying Ryan was soon to become a reality. They were both twenty-five. Ryan’s promotion to Account Manager meant a great deal to the both of them. They would be able to put a deposit on a home much sooner. Ryan’s office was up on the twentieth floor in the Darling Park Towers on Sussex Street near Town Hall Station. Tonight was dinner by the harbour to celebrate Ryan’s promotion.

      A police car had happened to be driving past and spotted a young woman slumped nearby the curb. They parked by the taxi stand and went to Skyla. With some difficulty they managed to walk her to their car. They sat her in the back and quickly jumped into the front seat. The thunder was on a vengeance as rain poured down relentlessly. Skyla sobbed uncontrollably. She merely looked from one officer to the other. They appeared to be genuinely concerned. She did not register what was being asked of her and it seemed she had lost control of every limb in her body. One officer leaned forward and grabbed her bag. They found her driver’s licence and took her home.

      Ivy Rose opened the door and was mortified to see her daughter being held up by two police officers. The short trip from the car to the front door had completely drenched both men.

      Ivy Rose was re-assured that Skyla was okay. They were bringing her daughter home. As they helped her onto the couch in the living room, Ivy Rose looked out through the heavy pouring rain to catch glimpse of what she expected would be Ryan running up her driveway. There was no Ryan.

      Leonard soothed and comforted his daughter. The Officers were offered a cup of tea which they were happy to accept. Skyla by now had stopped crying and was staring into thin air. Ivy Rose and her husband instinctively knew Ryan had left her.