So, I’ve decided to take the challenge this year, drafting a literary novel with the working title ‘Getting to the Truth’.
Do I have the stamina? Do I have the speed? Do I have the inspiration?
There’s only one way to find out…
Romance
Friday Fictioneers – Second-hand romance
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 on your page. Link your story URL. Then the fun starts as you read other peoples’ stories and comment on them!
Second-hand romance
“I want a bride.”
“Do you mean the dress in the window? I’m afraid it wouldn’t fit you – it’s only a size 10.”
“I don’t want a dress, I want a bride.”
The shop-girl giggled. “Is that a proposal?”
“Of course not; I mean a mail-order bride, a Filipina say. I’ve got plenty of cash, and I’m generous. I’d be a great match.”
“Perhaps Mum could help you.”
The shop-girl led him into a back room, where an old woman held a folder of photographs.
“These are the women currently on our books,” she said. “But remember – we’re a second-hand shop.”
Friday Fictioneers – Moving on
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 on your page. Link your story URL. Then the fun starts as you read other peoples’ stories and comment on them!
Moving on
Twenty-five past ten.
I wait, sweltering in the sun, at the entrance to the Summer Craft Fair.
Okay. I’m going in anyway. David can jolly well look for me for once. I wonder how much beer he swilled last night?
His absence spoils the first ten minutes for me, but Rochelle’s stall cheers me up. I wish I could persuade my publisher to use her illustrations for my books.
No sign of David, and lunch is agreeably peaceful. My publisher’s latest intern – Adrian – joins me, and we gossip about literature.
I shall waste no more time on David.
Friday Fictioneers – A Boat Trip
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 on your page. Link your story URL. Then the fun starts as you read other peoples’ stories and comment on them!
The boat trip
I snooped. I confess it. Was Marcus going on the boat trip? I get sea-sick and I wasn’t going to risk it if there was no hope of even a brief time together.
I followed him on board. But, oh dear, it was so windy, and the waves were choppy. Marcus leaned against the rail taking endless photographs.
‘Gosh, it’s breezy!’ I said.
‘Is it? I suppose it is.’
‘Do you fancy a coffee to warm up?’
His eyes focussed on me. He smiled, a friendly smile.
‘I’d enjoy that,’ he replied.
I swallowed, hard. Please, not seasickness – not now!
Flash Fiction – Commitment
Commitment
The front door slams, jerking me to full awareness of my whisky hangover.
The place beside me is empty, the bedding cold. Angela’s suitcase and her yellow coat are gone.
How could I have been such a fool?
She had looked so lovely yesterday, blue eyes sparkling.
I lever myself out of bed, groan, pull on yesterday’s clothes. Perhaps I can catch her before she gets the bus to Manchester at 8 o’clock? The red roses I’d bought her reproach me from the floor.
Wincing, I jog; it’s the only way I’ll make it before she leaves. I take the stairs of an underpass two at a time, pounding feet offering a counterpoint to the litany of excuses in my aching head. Do I really fear commitment so much?
I barge through the crowds at the bus station.
07:59 A large man drops a large suitcase right in my path, and I stumble into it. “Oi! Watch where you’re going,” he snarls.
08:00 I look across the crush to the bay where her bus is waiting, and see a flash of yellow. She enters. The bus door closes and the bus starts to move.
Friday Fictioneers – The Singer
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 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
The Singer
He would ask Anna out tonight, after the gig.
As Eddie made the decision, his hands shook and he fumbled the set-up of his keyboard,
The gig started. The band played brilliantly; the audience were on fire.
Anna’s voice thrilled him. That slight vibrato – so sexy! And when she dropped into the lower register…wow!
The lights dimmed. The music slowed, grew gentler. Anna was singing a ballad, backed only by Eddie’s keyboard. He felt as though she was singing for him alone.
Backstage after the gig, Anna called the group together.
“Let me introduce Phil, my new boyfriend,” she said.
Friday Fictioneers – No Way Back
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 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
No way back
The Christmas Market was in full swing. Anne glanced up from the savoury delights of the delicatessen and saw Charles. She stiffened and held her head high. She wasn’t going to approach him, not after last night.
Neither would she hide. She strutted past him, cutting him dead.
“Anne. Anne!”
The voice pursued her.
There was a flurry of feet, and there he was. She stopped.
“I’m sorry for last night, I really am. I was nervous. I drank too much…” He dropped to one knee. “Will you marry me, Anne?”
Anne fingered her bruised cheek.
“No way,” she said.
Friday Fictioneers – One Tide
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 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
One Tide
Linda and Mark watched the waves pounding the sea-wall, hurling shingle across the promenade.
“I must go back,” sighed Linda.
Charlie, lying in his sick-bed, coughed. For a moment he was lucid. Linda could do better than Mark, he thought. Then the surging ocean carried him back sixty years to his first voyage in a three-master.
Linda looked at Charlie’s chest. Still breathing.
The sound of the surf faded. Charlie’s breathing became shallow.
Linda phoned Mark.
“I think he’s going. Will you come round?”
The couple sat hand in hand as Charlie’s tide ebbed.
“We can marry now,” said Linda.
Friday Fictioneers – Taboo
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 on your page. Link your story URL. Then the fun starts as you read other peoples’ stories and comment on them!
PHOTO PROMPT © DAVID STEWART
Taboo
Stephanie sat outside the cafe, enjoying the evening and yet grieving for what had been lost during lockdown – spontaneous embraces, laughter for no reason other than joie de vivre.
She saw Michel, and waved. It was such a shame that lockdown came just as they were getting to know each other. He smiled, walked across, and sat down.
“Aren’t we supposed…?”
“You don’t mind…?”
They spoke simultaneously, and smiled.
“Sorry…”
“I beg your…”
This time they laughed.
“Would you have dinner with me?” asked Michel, taking Stephanie’s hand.
Her smile said yes. Her breath came fast at his forbidden touch.
What Pegman Saw – An unexpected treat
“What Pegman saw” is a weekly challenge based on Google Streetview. Using the 360 degree view of the location provided, you must write a piece of flash fiction of no more than 150 words. You can read the rules here. You can find today’s location on this page, from where you can also get the Inlinkz code
An unexpected treat
“Don’t worry – I’ll pay,” said Ricardo, firmly.
“But the Gingerbread Restaurant’s expensive!” Roseline opened her eyes very wide, and Ricardo kissed her.
“No problem.”
Roseline giggled when the starter came; the dish looked like a painting. Ricardo smiled, and stroked his fingers along the cornrows of her hair. “Would you like some wine?” he suggested.
The food was – interesting, Roseline decided.
As they ate dessert, Ricardo cleared his throat.
“I had my exam results last Thursday.”
“You never told me! Were they good?”
“I was top.”
“Oh, well done, Ricardo!”
“I have an internship at Clinica Union Medica del Norte.”
“But – that’s in the Dominican Republic…”
“I’ll phone. And text. If you want to, you can join me there when you’ve finished your studies.”
Roseline’s heart sank.
“Do you love me, Ricardo?”
“Yes. Yes, of course”.
“Then let’s get married.”
Ricardo stared at her, then grinned.
“Why not?” he said.
Autumn Leaves 