Black and grey ornate spade tattoo with filigree detail on the inner wrist of a raised fist, reflected in a dark glossy surface.

Ornate spade on the inner wrist

Traditional · Forearm · Black and grey · Photo

A clenched fist is raised with the forearm extending to the right, showing a solid black spade symbol with fine ornamental filigree and scrollwork inside its outline. The shading is black and grey with crisp linework, and the design sits on the inner wrist. The dark, glossy surface beneath the arm reflects the tattoo, while the background is blurred.

Traditional Forearm Spade Playing card Filigree Ornament

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A story inspired by this tattoo · fiction

Dear Ray,

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The 6.14 to Carlisle was late again, so I've had time to sit on the bench outside platform four and count the pigeons. Forty-one. Mam would have called it a sign. I found your card under the seat in the waiting room, the spade you drew yourself on the back of a Christmas card, all curls and little points inside the outline, pressed flat between the timetable and a bus ticket. You always said a spade was the only suit that looked like it meant business.

I didn't tell the ticket man it was yours. He'd have wanted it for the lost property tray, and it's been in that tray since the Easter timetable change, so I've decided it's mine now. Don't argue. The ironwork on the canopy has the same pattern as your drawing if you squint. Dad said the Victorians built this station to look like a jewel box for people who had money to travel with, and I think about that every time the roof drips on my shoes.

The signal dropped at half past four and the lamps came on along the platform, one after another, like someone turning up a row of cards face first. I'm writing this on the back of your old envelope because my pen is nearly dead. Come home for Sunday dinner or don't, but if you do, bring the rest of the deck. We'll finally find out who cheated.

Nell