Part 1
Hastings – 1910
Sammy O’Riley loved it when the sun went down not because, like most men it was the end of his working day but for Sammy he got to see Emerald and she made the bleakness of his long days all worth while.
Of course some might say Sammy didn’t have it all that bad, he was the son of solicitor and was training to enter the world himself much to his own personal tragedy. Sammy ran along Hastings pier the Same way he always did, as fast a possible, the way the sea air hit him was always a surprise like his body hadn’t lived in the town his whole life. The summer waves crashed with every beat of his body as he ran, as if they were cheering just for him. When Sammy saw the pub he smiled, not for the drink, but for the girl that stood behind those doors, everyday he waited for her and he hoped she waited for him.
The pub roared, with the sound of happy drunk men and there behind the bar was Emerald Green. Sammy knew that if his father caught him in this place he would be furious and fury for Mr O’Riley was a whole other level of dark but, Sammy was pulled into the pub day after day none the less. He weaved through the crowd to the front of the bar and beamed his best suave smile at Emerald, he knew his father would hate him talking too her, a low born girl of means or property. Mr O’Riley had worked his whole life climbing the social ladder and wouldn’t have his only son ruining by a bad marriage.
Emerald’s eyes lit up when she saw Sammy, although she tried to hide it, she did her best seductive lean on the bar and battered her eyelashes, trying her best to vain disinterested.
“Back then?” Asked Emerald
Her long dark hair falling across her face
“I’m always back” said Sammy
Emerald smiled at Sammy while she began to serve another customer, plonking the beer on bar unable to take her eyes from Sammy’s.
“So?” Said Sammy
“What?” Said Emerald
“Ever going to marry me?” Asked Sammy
Emerald’s boss Raymond glanced across the bar, every night Sammy would come and every night he would propose and every night she would say nothing. Sammy would always stay until closing, walk Emerald and her dog along the beach, watch Emerald lock up and then leave, Emerald rented a room up stairs so he could always walk her to her door. When Emerald ran down to the cellar Raymond leaned across the bar to Sammy.
“She doesn’t think she’s good enough, low born girl, no family, besides she knows your family would never allow it” Raymond trailed off smacking his lips although he had made a point
Tonight was different from the many other nights Sammy had spent at the pub, tonight his father burst through the doors, the outrage on his face was clear.
Sammy had no idea how his father had found him, he stood up, Sammy was a young man but that didn’t mean he wasn’t afraid of his father especially when he saw his dark eyes coming for him.
“Out, now” said Mr O’Riley
Emerald watched as Sammy made no attempt to fight his father, he just glanced back at her, the look of sorrow spread across his face.
“See the grass isn’t always greener” Piped up Raymond
Emerald smiled
“You’ll see him tomorrow, unless the father has his way of course” said Raymond
Not making Emerald feel any better
The night was starting to draw to a close, the rowdy customers went home and Raymond went upstairs and as usual Emerald was alone
“You okay to lock up?” Said Raymond
Emerald swept the floor, and as usual got ready to take her dog for a walk before bed, but she was about to do something different to her normal routine, she ran down to the cellar to get changed. Emerald changed her hair and clothes putting on an exquisite black, embellished lace dress, expensive, before she walked back into the pub she made sure that Raymond hadn’t come back down stairs, he would ask too many questions seeing her dressed like this.
Emerald walked her dog along the beach, her heavy long dress trailing behind her. The summer winds bringing a chill to her body, she saw a shadow in the distance, she recognized his face, a chill ran down her body, Emerald was afraid.
“Where is it?” He whispered his face to close to hers his hands clasping her shoulders
“Like i’d tell you” Emerald spat back at him
The man ripped the front of her dress
“I know you’re hiding it” said the man, becoming increasingly agitated
“You think I’m that stupid, you really think it’s on me?” Shouted Emerald
The man clasped his hands around her throat
“Where is it?” He said again
Emerald just shook her head, the man increased his grasp, it got tighter and tighter until Emerald was convinced this was the moment she would die.
“If you kill me you’ll never know” said Emerald
He tightened his grip until all the fight went from Emerald’s body and she was left limp and lifeless by the sea side next to the sound of the crashing waves , the man left, leaving Emerald alone and dead in the darkness.
The Musings of Chlo 