With peeling paint, dank lobby, and bathrooms best not
mentioned, the motel was little better than a hovel. She didn’t care. It might
as well have been the finest room in the largest castle in the land. Like the
one the princess lived in. Alone, she talked her way in with lies about Mother
and Father checking in later, she paid cash, in advance, so no questions asked.
She lay back on the bed in spite of the stained sheets,
staring at mould creeping its way across the ceiling. She smiled. Even as her concealed
black eye and swollen jaw protested, she grinned. Even as she felt her lips
draw across the gap where her front tooth once was, she beamed. Just like the
princess must have, finally free of the ogres and trolls.
They couldn’t find her here. Mother and Father couldn’t find
her there. No more listening to heavy footsteps climbing the stairs, the latest
beating getting closer and closer. No more curling up into a ball, tight as she
could as the blows rained down. No more lying to all and sundry about falling
down stairs and walking into doors. It wasn’t quite a happily ever after, but
it was the first step towards one.