Tick

She breathes in.

Tock

Tick

Tock

She breathes out.

Tick

Her gaze melts on the page of her book.

Tock

Tick

It feels like an eternity has passed between the last page and now.

Tock

The mansion is empty, save for her. The occasional servant graces its halls once a week to ensure that the dust doesn't pile up too high. Her ship rests in London's drydock, a small thing, a placeholder, to be replaced through her wealth. She could be captain.

Tick

She finds the thought unbearable.

Tock

When did she start listening to the clock?

Tick