The woman had travelled a long way that day.
The principality of Asturias, a region of northwest Spain, was particularly picturesque at that time of year, but she had hardly noticed. She was naturally tired with stiff joints when she climbed down from the bus. As the vehicle pulled away she crossed the road and stood taking in the scene, one that she remembered, the place she had left two decades before. This was a tiny medieval village and a tourist attraction; but she was not a tourist. She still had a distance to walk, but although exhausted from the journey she would steel herself for what lay ahead.
As planned, she arrived at the old bakery shop a little before closing time.
It was empty when she entered. She stood looking around for several moments before moving forward. She was disappointed to find a stranger behind the counter. Asking for the manager, the man explained that the original owner of the bakery had passed away a few years ago and he now owned and managed the shop.
On hearing this she broke down with a flood of tears. The owner shut the shop and settled her down in a back room, bringing her a glass of water. She thanked him and began her story. She told about the years of slavery, abuse and neglect she had suffered while working for the previous owner, about how she had finally managed to run away to get as far from him as she could, how she had been forced to make her living on the streets, and how she had saved up enough money to revisit this awful place; to see that justice was done.
She finally stopped speaking and her head slowly drooped. Her awful tale had come to an end. She sat in silence for a while. He, not knowing what to say, stayed quiet. When she looked up and their eyes met, he could see something in them; a fierceness, a maniacal hatred of things past, a vengeance. Methodically, she unzipped her purse and drew out the gun. She held it in her lap and paused.
In that moment they shared a mutual awareness.
He realised that she had only returned for revenge, and she realised that this stranger would adequately fulfil her needs…