Close-up photograph of a cartoon lion cub tattoo with a bold black outline and orange shading on pale skin.

Enlarged with AI from a smaller original

Lion cub tattoo in orange and black outline

Colour · Photo

The tattoo shows a stylised lion cub in a leaping pose, facing left with its tail curling up behind it. A heavy black outline defines the figure, and the interior is filled with soft orange shading that fades toward the edges. The subject is centred on plain, pale skin with even lighting and no background detail.

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A story inspired by this tattoo · fiction

Dear Nell,

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The gulls have followed us out past the Dogger since Tuesday, and Cook swears they're waiting for the cod we haven't managed to catch. We've hauled nothing but weed and one boot. I've got the little lion cub in my oilskin pocket, the one Granddad carved from that offcut of pine, and every time the deck lurches I feel him try to leap out of my hand like he did on your kitchen table.

Last night the swell came up under the stern and the cub went skidding across the wheelhouse ledge. I caught him just before he went over the side, and I thought of you laughing at me, saying he'd never once landed a jump in his life. The paint has worn off his nose where I keep rubbing it with my thumb. Skipper says I'm soft. Maybe I am.

Here's the thing I've been meaning to tell you. The net came up heavy this morning, full of fish at last, and while the lads were shouting I stood by the winch with the cub pressed flat in my palm, tail curled up as if he was showing off. Nothing about that moment needed him. Still, I wanted you to know I was thinking of you.

Tell Mam the hold is nearly full and we'll be in on the Saturday tide. Give the cub a kiss from me, and keep him off the windowsill. He's a terrible climber.

Love, Tom

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