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 (Join the Party!) on your page. Link your story URL. Then the fun starts as you read other peoples’ stories and comment on them!
PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Chance encounter
It’s lonely, being divorced, childless and forty-something. Still, at least I have the time and money to travel.
I was waiting for a plane when I met him. He was tall, and looked artistic, cultured – interesting.
“Is that seat taken?” he asked, pointing at the place beside me. His voice gave me goose-bumps. Hastily I removed my bags.
“Where are you going?” he said, sitting down.
“Cambodia.”
His eyes opened wide. “Flight EK222? Why, so am I!”
He pulled out his boarding pass. “Seat 27A”
“Mine is 27B! Looks like we’ll be sitting together a while longer.”
How very agreeable!
Autumn Leaves 
Let’s hope he doesn’t turn out to be a bore. The flight to Cambodia is a long one
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Dear Neil
Thank you for reading and commenting. It certainly is a long flight. Mind you, I’ve met some fascinating people on long-haul flights!
With very best wishes
Penny
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Matches are often made in heaven. In this case quite literally. Let us wait and seen where the flight takes us in addition to Cambodia.
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Dear Abhijit
Thank you for reading and commenting. As you say, we’ll have to wait and see what happens!
With very best wishes
Penny
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This could end up happily ever after–or it could really go south once he gains her trust.
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Dear Linda
Thank you for reading and commenting. You never know with a stranger, I agree. I hope this interesting and cultivated man turns out to be as nice as he looks (and sounds).
With very best wishes
Penny
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Dear Penny,
I’d say things are looking up for the long flight. An incurable romantic, I find myself hoping things take off for them. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
Thank you for reading and for your kind comment. Let’s hope he turns out to be as congenial as he appears – and single!
Shalom
Penny
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That’s a great feeling, knowing you have something to look forward to on a long flight like that. I know from experience that a seatmate can make or break a flight. Great story. 🙂
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Dear David
Thank you for reading and commenting. You’re right – a good seatmate can make the flight pass quickly and agreeably!
With best wishes
Penny
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Seems the ‘chance’ encounter may have prearranged by the fates!
Great heartwarming tale 🙂
-Rachel
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Dear Rachel
Thank you for reading and commenting. Whether the fates have romance or just friendship in mind, the next 24 hours or so should just fly by!
With best wishes
Penny
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I’ve had many an ongoing conversation with a fellow passenger on a long flight. For me, it’s been a case of ‘planes that pass in the night’ – but this sounds a little more fateful!
https://theskygirl.com/2019/06/19/the-little-pleasures-of-life-wordlesswednesday/
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Dear Keith
Thank you for reading and commenting. “Planes that pass in the night” seems particularly apposite for this story, as so often long haul flights are overnight. As you say, though, this encounter may have been more fateful!
With best wishes
Penny
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OOOOOOOOOH … serendipity paying a visit, eh?
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Dear Na’ama
Thank you for reading and commenting. As you say, it was a serendipitous meeting. As an incurable romantic I like to believe that love is fated but I don’t really believe it! Except in my own case, of course, where it was definitely meant to be…;-)
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What luck to have a travelling companion and a potential new relationship placed so neatly by the fickle finger of fate. Sometimes such meetings do take place. Conrad Black met his future wife on a plane – she opened the conversation by asking if he minded her painting her nails! But enough of all that.
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Dear Jilly
Thank you for reading and commenting, and for sharing that highly entertaining anecdote of Conrad Black’s wife!
With very best wishes
Penny
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Your flight will seem shorter while engaged in conversation with an interesting — and handsome — person. Bon Voyage!
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Dear Jade
Thank you for reading and commenting. If he’s still interesting at the end of a long-haul flight, I should say I’ve made a friend!
With best wishes
Penny
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You are welcome, and indeed!
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what a lovely story. just like in the movies. 🙂
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Dear Plaridel
Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m glad the story reminded you of the movies.
With best wishes
Penny
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The start of a beautiful friendship 🙂
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Dear Iain
Thank you for reading and commenting. I certainly hope it’s the start of a friendship. Flight EK222 is a long, long haul!
With very best wishes
Penny
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Nice start!
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Dear Danny
Thank you for reading and commenting.
With best wishes
Penny
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Being the eternal optimist, I shall say that at the very least, the flight will be enjoyable!
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Dear Dale
Thank you for reading and commenting. Like you, I choose to believe that the flight will be enjoyable. (I hope he doesn’t snore, though!)
With very best wishes
Penny
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Or drool ..
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Oh, yuck!
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Ha ha!
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I think they might be sharing more than seats in the future. I could see this as a romance novel.
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Dear Tannille
Thank you for reading and commenting. I think if this were a longer romantic piece – even a novel – I would start with a more abrasive meeting – she might object to moving her bags when there are three empty seats opposite, perhaps.
With very best wishes
Penny
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Good point!
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Now that’s my idea of hell. I can’t even begin to entertain the romantic possibilities, knowing that I’m stuck with someone for that length of time. I think the prospect is infinitely more appealing for your character though.
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Dear Sandra
Thank you for reading and commenting. Stuck beside a man who fancies you, and you’re not even in the window seat! Aaagh! I hope you have plenty of reading matter. As you say, though, my character rather looks forward to the experience – as, indeed, I would myself. I’ve had some very interesting chats on long-haul flights. The most stimulating was with a history professor, who almost made me regret studying chemistry rather than history.
With very best wishes
Penny
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Ooh, holiday romance 🙂
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Dear Ali
Thank you for reading and commenting. A holiday romance – and, into the future, who knows?
With best wishes
Penny
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Sounds like she’ll have a good flight – or not. It could go either way. Fingers crossed. Great story in any case.
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Dear Margaret
Thank you for reading and commenting. I think it will be a good flight – they’re both in a mood to see the other’s good points. I’m glad you enjoyed the story!
With very best wishes
Penny
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Oh how lovely is that – a chance meeting with co-incidences on their side. So well told.
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Dear Francine
Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m pleased you thought the story was well told.
With best wishes
Penny
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A lovely romantic tale and an amazing “how we met” story if it works out. =)
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Dear Brenda
Thank you for reading and commenting. I love a good “how we met” story!
With very best wishes
Penny
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If the conversation is great, all is well. If not fane sleep.
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Dear Michael
Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m hoping the couple discover they have plenty in common to talk about!
With very best wishes
Penny
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I do so hope it works out!
It’s fate.
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Dear Dawn
Thank you for reading and commenting. Sometimes romance can start in the most unlikely places!
With very best wishes
Penny
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Sounds like the divorce hasn’t made her cynical about romance. A sweet story.
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This can be the beginning of something much longer than that flight.
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A good story and well written, Penny. It seems this romance was meant to be. Unless it’s too good to be true. I tend to be suspicious these days. I’ve probably read too many mysteries. 🙂 — Suzanne
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How exciting! This could be a great new friend, or even more. Lovely story.
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This could go any way! Great write.
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Hope he isn’t a bounder!! LOL!
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