There were no men on my island and yet I was there because of them.
It’s nothing I haven’t thought before. But I’m tired of dancing within the confines of a prison, particularly when I’ve reinforced the locks within my own mind.
I’m not even sure if I don’t want to cut my hair because I like my hair long, or because I resent the implications of short hair.
There’s a knock on the door and I yell for whoever it is tocome in. I don’t think I should be alone to continue this breakdown.
Hades steps through the door and his eyes flit around the room.
‘What did the scissors do to you?’ he asks.
‘Symbol of the patriarchy,’ I mutter.
He scowls. ‘I’ve never heard that one before.’
‘I’m having a bad day.’
‘What every man wants to hear on his wedding day,’ Hades says, leaning against the wall. ‘Anything I can help you with?’
I shake my head. ‘It’s a “damned if I do, damned if I don’t” situation.’
‘Is there a third option?’
I shrug. ‘Shoulder-length?’
‘You’re going to have to explain a bit more, love,’ he says and my heart lurches.
‘Okay, first of all, I thought we agreed none of that in private.’ I point my finger angrily.
‘But “dear” and “darling” are fine?’ he asks sceptically.
My friends and I call each other ‘dear’ and ‘darling’ so often I had almost forgotten they have alternative meanings. But hearing him say them now has me stuttering for a reply.
I turn back to the mirror. ‘I don’t see why my appearance has to indicate whether I’m a virgin or not,’ I say. ‘Yours doesn’t.’
‘My appearance very clearly says I’m not.’ He grins slyly.
I glare at him.
He raises his hands in apology. ‘Not the time.’
‘No. But I don’t know what to do,’ I admit.
‘Well, do you want to cut your hair?’ Hades asks. ‘Personally, I’m not particularly hopeful about your ability to do it well.’
‘It’s not exactly like there’s another choice,’ I snap. ‘If you haven’t noticed, nearly everyone I love has a life force rooted to an island thousands of miles above us.’
‘Persephone,’ Hades says so gently it brings tears to my eyes but, no, I’m not crying.
‘It’s fine,’ I say quickly. ‘I want to stay here. I love this place. And when we’re married and we’re both safe I’ll be able to visit Sicily. But it does make all this harder. I’ve spent my whole life dreading my wedding, and now the people I thought might make it bearable aren’t even here.’
Hades fidgets uncomfortably. ‘And we come back to things a man wants to hear on his wedding day.’
‘Hades,’ I growl.
‘Sorry, I’m trying, truly. But comfort was never my forte.’
‘I’ve never bloody noticed.’
