THE SENTINEL 

(continued)

FLOOD 

    Hazel walked down into the sloping gloom. Around her she could make out people but it was as an amorphous puddle. Only the judge had light around him.
    Hazel was directed to the witness box, an awkward climb upwards, then abruptly sideways. A kind lady with a smiling face moved close. She looked quite far away as the witness box was high.
    "Stay standing," the elderly judge ordered sternly - white hair, white wig. There was a choice of using the Bible  or swearing a secular oath. Hesitating, Hazel chose the latter.
    Almost she said her name was Polly, but remembered just in time. This was a formal setting. "Hazel," she said. A person she had spoken against had called after a previous court appearance and accused her of lying, using a Bible, saying she was supposed to be very religious. So this time she repeated the secular oath. She must have missed some as the lady below whispered the words to her. Hazel repeated them.
    Her bag fell over and she bent down and straightened it. Later, she would throw it away, unable to bear the memory.

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