![nails.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmcKxBQgzb61oDiBcuXrgrjHWfnkkTXjA5FS1CMK4ST3dd/nails.jpg)) ^{[Source](https://pixabay.com/photos/nails-makeup-manicure-girl-female-865121/)} This is the next instalment of *The Crumpled Letter* for March Madness with Freewrite House. You can read previous instalments by clicking the links below. [Part One](https://steemit.com/marchmadness/@juliamulcahy/march-madness-the-crumpled-letter) [Part Two](https://steemit.com/marchmadness/@juliamulcahy/march-madness-the-crumpled-letter-part-two) [Part Three](https://steemit.com/marchmadness/@juliamulcahy/march-madness-the-crumpled-letter-part-three) [Part Four](https://steemit.com/marchmadness/@juliamulcahy/march-madness-the-crumpled-letter-part-four) [Part Five](https://steemit.com/marchmadness/@juliamulcahy/march-madness-the-crumpled-letter-part-five) [Part Six](https://steemit.com/marchmadness/@juliamulcahy/march-madness-the-crumpled-letter-part-six) [Part Seven](https://steemit.com/marchmadness/@juliamulcahy/march-madness-the-crumpled-letter-part-seven) https://i.imgur.com/jBfujgw.png?1 Deirdre looked at her kitchen clock, noting It had just turned ten past twelve. She was meeting Doris at one thirty and had already decided she’d drive, so she had just shy of an hour before she’d need to leave. It was annoying hanging around. Michael had gone to work and she’d finished all her morning chores, so there was nothing for her to do. Looking at her nails, she decided they could do with a fresh polish. That would take up the time and ease her nerves into the bargain. Sighing, she left the kitchen and went upstairs to the bathroom to collect her nail kit. Deirdre enjoyed looking after herself. She had always done her own nails and relished it when people asked her where she went to have them done. It was pleasurable to experiment with new designs and since she’d joined Instagram, she’d gained herself quite a following by taking snapshots of her nails. Some of those following had even said it was a pity she only painted her own nails. They’d love to have their nails done by her. It was just something to keep her occupied though. She hated having nothing to do and was always on the go. When she sat down and began working on her nails some of the jittery feelings she tended to feel, lessened. For her, it was a meditative practice that brought out her creative side. Usually, it was an evening activity, while she sat next to Michael and they watched their shows together. Today though, it would fill the bit of time she had left before leaving to meet Doris. Returning to the kitchen, Deirdre opened her nail kit and began taking out all the bits she’d need. First she needed to soak her nails and remove the old polish. This meant getting a bowl and some silver foil out of the kitchen cupboards too. Once she had everything ready, she sat down at the kitchen table and looked out at her garden. One by one she soaked cotton pads for each nail with the polish remover she’d poured into the bowl, and wrapped it onto the tips of her fingers, finishing the process by wrapping some silver foil round to keep the pads in place. She didn’t have the full amount of time she would normally give to this part of the treatment, but knew that fifteen minutes would suffice. When she had completed her left hand, she picked up her phone and, with her usual careful dexterity, positioned her hand so that she could get an elegant shot that included the greenery from her garden in the background. She’d spend some time this evening editing the picture and upload it to her Instagram account. Now to do the right hand, she thought. Once the fifteen minutes were up she removed the cotton pads and got up to wash her hands. It was now time to file, buff and push back her cuticles before she applied a cleanser to each nail. At each stage she took another snapshot and smiled as the images began to tell a story. She’d show Doris when they were at the restaurant to get her opinion and possibly offer to do her nails. Now it was time to begin adding the base coat. She felt such calm as she concentrated on applying the thin layers. While she waited for the base to dry, she looked at her large selection of gel colours and decided she’d keep it simple today and just opt for red. Finally, she finished. She’d dried her nails carefully using an LED light and then held up her hands in front of her, admiring her handy work. Another quick snap, and looking at the clock on the wall again she saw it was now one o’clock. Time for her to go. https://i.imgur.com/jBfujgw.png?1 https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmR8CE3cog614YioNSWXWxVYbe6xaHrPsXwQwBrmNZYcCn/MarchMadnessBanner.png If you want to read some other March Madness writers and support them too, check them out below. @kaelci @ireenchew @mariannewest @kaerpediem @balticbadger @wakeupkitty @aislingcronin @carolkean @jeanlucsr https://i.imgur.com/jBfujgw.png?1 New to Steem? Still trying to find your feet? There's a great community over on Discord that are waiting to help. All you need do is click the banner below, the one for Steem Terminal. Just hover your mouse and you'll see it change. Steem Terminal is just one of many great communities. It has been set up to help. You can read more about it [here](https://steemit.com/discord/@xcountytravelers/join-us-for-a-fascinating-journey-into-de-mystifying-the-steem-blockchain-and-discord) and [here.](https://steemit.com/steemterminal/@thekittygirl/steemterminal-the-concept) https://i.imgur.com/jBfujgw.png?1 https://media.giphy.com/media/i3oGCwt1qTdsIJCBb9/giphy.gif [![SteemTerminalBanner.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmYppGeSD2VQh5Bdy53rxXu63iYfiLAynHNNb8ikG4cgS2/SteemTerminalBanner.jpg)](https://discord.gg/XZGPGpz)

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