It became clear to me that my aged companion, Crisp, did not like anything to do with dirt.
“Sludge,” she said as we crossed the bridge and looked down on another drainage pipe that was in the process of gathering a unique form of bacteria judging by the colour and consistency of what had once been clean water.
“I have nightmares about falling into a pool like that,” she said, “the stuff sticks to me and try as I might I can’t get rid of it plus there’s always a smell, and that sticks as well. I wake up wanting a shower and at two in the morning, it’s very disturbing.”
“Explains the shower running at that time,” I say thinking of other places like the village café where I’d prefer to be.
“I’d hate it if I thought you thought I stank,” she said.
I knew better than to ever affirm that statement.
Written for: https://crispinakemp.com/2020/01/01/crimsons-creative-challenge-60/
Morpethroad 
Good one Michael. 👍
Thanks Sadje.
You’re welcome 😇
Having fallen into such a drain, I can attest the smell 🙂 Nice one, Michael 🙂
Something your best friend wouldn’t tell you?
Hubby fell into one of the locks coming back from Stratford. he was soaked to the skin and once back aboard thanks to our friend who was able to get to him, he stripped and had a full wash before putting on clean clothes. Luckily it wasn’t too bad, but the dirty ones stayed out on the bow until we got home when he could have a shower and do the laundry!