Beauty and the Beast

The girl looks dangerously thin. When they lift her to carry her off the stage, the gurney jerks upward.

The mother climbs into the back of the ambulance. You can tell she's the mother. They look a lot alike, although she probably prefers people to mistake her for an older sister.

The paramedic spares her a look, weighing the pros and cons of allowing her to ride in the back. Will she get in the way if it all goes sideways...? It's fine. The kid needs a parent. In any case, this one has an air about her of one who won't be told No.

They really do look similar. Not just their features... They share a sort of hollow look. Something about the way the style of their hair and clothes. The mother's outfit looks like it has been chosen, if possible, with even more care than the girl's elegant dress. It's as if a tightrope has been trod: nothing must outshine her little star, but also, she couldn't bear to be outshone herself.

The paramedic asks her questions. She mumbles evasively. He presses her:

"Ms. Holdsworth, when did Kelsey last eat?"

Her eyes shift side-to-side, grip tightening on the tiara in her right hand.

"I'm not sure," she says at last, setting it on the painstakingly blow-dried tresses. "I was helping her get ready for the pageant... I..." The tiara slips, and she goes back to holding it awkwardly. It's glint holds her attention as much as the girl does.

The paramedic takes it, and she whips round, steely eyes boring into him, all focus.

"Give it back!"

"Answer the questions, Ms Holdsworth. It's very important."

She softens a little. "OK, fine," she snaps. "Ask."

The paramedic asks his questions. She drops her gaze, and her fingers creep to the sash, rubbing it like a security blanket.

She's been starving her, and pushing her to work out excessively. It's like anorexia nervosa meets munchausen by proxy...

"Ms. Holdsworth? I just need you to sit here a moment..." He steers her with authority into the correct position.

Door opened, one hard shove, and he watches with satisfaction as her tumbling shape gets smaller and smaller.

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Word count excluding note: 366

Submitted on Wednesday 7th August at 17.01

Thank you so much for reading my story! The ha'penny that Vocal will toss in my hat for your eyeballs landing on this humble piece will be well-spent.

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