Ruby

On my way home from work, blipless as per normal and with about an hour to sundown, I made the inevitable turn into the castle's Castle Road car park.

Edging along the narrow, sandstone path to the east of Leicester's Gatehouse , giving way for the odd jogger, I followed the contour to the line of Finham Brook, hoping a course of water might add a little interest to a photograph. I wandered hither and thither, further back and closer, and in time found myself supported by the miniature footbridge spannng the brook.

With the viewfinder to my eye I could only hear the voice of a mother and daughter off stage to the left. The sound was gentle and relaxing, interspersed with the tickly giggling of the young girl. As their voices walked nearer I heard a splash and splishes below, and childish happy exclamations. Ruby had jumped in the brook.