Every week, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (thank you, Rochelle!) hosts a flash fiction challenge, to write a complete story, based on a photoprompt, with a beginning, middle and end, in 100 words or less. Post it on your blog, and include the Photoprompt and Inlinkz (the blue frog) on your page. Link your story URL. Then the fun starts as you read other peoples’ stories and comment on them!
PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson
Change the Date
Once more Denise counted the lamp-posts to the bridge. She was sure she was waiting in the right place.
She called Alan again. No answer.
Something must be wrong! He wouldn’t stand her up. Not on New Year’s Eve. Would he?
The minutes were ticking away, and the crowd was growing steadily thicker, noisier and more exuberant.
Her phone pinged. A message. From Alan.
“Sorry. Dozed off. Enjoy the fireworks!”
Before she could answer, she felt a tap on her shoulder.
“Mark! How lovely to see you!”
“Here for the fireworks? Shall we watch them together?”
Why not? Bugger Alan!
Autumn Leaves 
Well, he was easy enough to get over!!
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Dear Violet
Thank you for reading and commenting. I think Denise was seriously annoyed at Alan’s failure to arrive for their date!
With very best wishes
Penny
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Alan really should have jumped in a cab
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Dear Neil
Thank you for reading and commenting. You’re right – he really, really should have jumped in a cab! Nothing irritates a woman more than being taken for granted…
With very best wishes
Penny
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Alan may regret that little snooze – it may have cost him dear.
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Dear Sandra
Thank you for reading and commenting. You’re right; any apology will need to be accompanied by jewellery; chocolates and flowers will not cut the mustard!
With best wishes
Penny
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Dear Penny,
As the old saying goes, “If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with.” I think Alan’s about to become history. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
Thank you for reading and commenting. I think you’re right about Alan – he’s toast!
Shalom
Penny
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A fork in the road!
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A knife in the back?
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Maybe so!
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😁
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Whew! I was waiting for something quite sinister, but ditching a guy who stands you up is not sinister. It’s sensible 🙂
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Dear Linda
Thank you for reading and commenting. You’re right – no sinister twist from me this week, just a straightforward slice of life!
With best wishes
Penny
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One door closes, another opens… 😀
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Dear Tannille
Thank you for reading and commenting. At least Denise had pleasant company for the New Year fireworks!
With best wishes
Penny
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Missed your chance, Alan. She certainly wasn’t shedding any tears over him!
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Dear Ali
Thank you for reading and commenting. You’re right, Denise was very annoyed with Alan, and he may well have lost his chance.
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Meeting Denise obviously wasn’t important enough for Alan. Letting her wait on New Years Eve of all days… she’s right to ditch him. I really like how you make us wait with Denise, counting lamp posts, watching the crowd (and checking her watch, I can see it).
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Dear Gabi
Thank you for reading, and for your thoughtful comments. I’m delighted that you liked the way I handled the first half of the story. My intention for the story was an emotional switch from worried concern for Alan’s safety turning in a heartbeat to aggravation at his thoughtless behaviour.
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Well, that will teach Alan for dozing off! Nicely done, Penny.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Dear Susan
Thank you for reading and commenting. Do you really think that will teach Alan a lesson? I’m not so hopeful…
With very best wishes
Penny
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Can’t believe that Alan dozed off. Denise is better off without him. Mark sounds more like a catch.
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Dear Notestowomen
Thank you for reading and commenting. Mark was certainly fun as a companion for New Year’s Eve!
With best wishes
Penny
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I like a happy ending! Nice one.
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Dear Keith
Thank you for reading and commenting. At least Mark was a pleasant companion for the fireworks – better than that damp squib Alan, certainly!
With best wishes
Penny
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Well, it’s a lady’s prerogative to change her mind (or her beau), isn’t it?
Love is like a butterfly…
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Dear CE
Thank you for reading and commenting. Mark and Denise are just good friends…for the present!
With very best wishes
Penny
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You can only be pushed aside and taken for granted only so much. Hopefully Mark is a different sort. Nicely laid out
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Dear Stu
Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m glad you thought my story was nicely constructed.
With best wishes
Penny
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I think Alan deserves it… but at least he would start the first day of the year well rested.
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Dear Bjorn
Thank you for reading and commenting. Alan was far too casual!
With best wishes
Penny
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it’s the start of a new year. best time to get rid of the old boyfriend. 🙂
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Dear Plaridel
Thank you for reading and commenting. Yes, a fresh start with a new date would be appropriate for New Year.
With best wishes
Penny
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Alan can continue to doze off and miss the boat.
Mark seems like a better option, anyhow … And he pans out to be a nice man all around, then, hey, at least they’d start their date with a party!
🙂
Na’ama
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Dear Na’ama
Thank you for reading and commenting. Maybe Alan has inadvertently done Denise a favour. Only time will tell! But, as you say, a first date at a New Year fireworks display would certainly start the relationship with a bang!
With best wishes
Penny
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🙂
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I have no pity for Alan. He totally lost his chance and how wonderfully serendipitous for Mark to show up. Besides, who knows what lies ahead? Why should she spend New Years Eve alone thanks to an “oversleeper”… 😉
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Dear Dale
Thank you for reading and commenting.
I never cease to be amazed and amused at the serendipitous ways in which people meet their life partner. It almost seems like fate…!
I loved your story this week – really warm, in every sense of the word.
With very best wishes
Penny
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This week has brought a nice variety of stories.
Thank you. I have many warm memories 🙂
Have a wonderful day.
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No fireworks for Alan now or any in the future with Denise. Mark is going to have a cracker of a time.
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Dear Subroto
Thank you for reading and commenting. You’re right – if Alan tries to apologise I think he’ll just get a rocket!
With best wishes
Penny
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One door closes, another opens. Nicely done.
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Dear Abhijit
Thank you for reading and commenting. As you say, one door closes, another opens. Let’s hope it’s not a revolving door!
With best wishes
Penny
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Delightfully told Penny – the worry about waiting, the wretched Alan, then Mark whisking her away for a fab evening. Made me chuckle.
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Dear Francine
Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m delighted you enjoyed my story and that it made you chuckle. That was what I was hoping for!
With very best wishes
Penny
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I agree, bugger Alan!!
Great story! I thoroughly enjoyed it 🙂
-Rachel
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Dear Rachel
Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m glad you enjoyed the story!
With best wishes
Penny
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Bugger Alan, indeed! What a card! Great story this week!
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Dear Jelli
Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m glad the story pleased you.
With best wishes
Penny
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Why watch them alone when you can do it with a friend. Good for her. That’ll teach Alan — maybe. If not, there’s Mark 😉
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Dear Jade
Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m sure Denise and Mark enjoyed the fireworks!
With best wishes
Penny
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🙂
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So quite literally, you snooze, you lose.
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Dear Nobbinmaug
I like your rhyming comment! Thank you for reading!
With best wishes
Penny
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HA HA … the firat thing that popped in my mind at the end of your story was
‘You snooze, You lose’ …
I’m glad she was able to enjoy the fireworks with someone. It would have been
sad to be alone. Nicely written, Penny. It unfolded beautifully.
Isadora 😎
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Dear Isadora
Thank you for reading and for your thoughtful comments. I’m glad you enjoyed the way I constructed the story.
With very best wishes
Penny
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Dear Margaret
Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m so pleased you noticed the title!
With best wishes
Penny
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Well, looks like Alan is history. Great story Penny!
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Dear Kelley
Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m glad you enjoyed the story!
With best wishes
Penny
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Alan seems to be taking her for granted. Good thing Mark showed up when he did!
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Dear Mags
Thank you for reading and commenting. I bet Mark couldn’t believe his luck!
With best wishes
Penny
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Well, as the saying goes ‘you snooze, you lose’ and Alan has definitely lost out there, the numpty. I’m all behind Denise there – if your boyfriend finds you so unengaging, he sleeps through your date, dump him! Nice tale Penny
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Dear Lynn
Thank you for reading and commenting. As an inveterate taker of unintentional naps I might have just a little sympathy with Alan. Oh no, no I haven’t! It’s New Years Eve! No excuse will cover missing that date!
With very best wishes
Penny
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If you can’t be with the one you love…love the one you’re with! lol
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Dear Dawn
LOL
Thank you for reading and commenting.
With best wishes
Penny
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Ha. Wasn’t there a song: Love the One You’re With? 🙂 Well done.
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