Friday Fictioneers – “Lakeside fine dining chez Louis”

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

“Lakeside fine dining chez Louis”

Louis was proud of his newly-opened restaurant. True, the view was better than the wine, and the wine was better than the food, but nine out of ten of his customers wanted steak anyway. What could possibly go wrong? More covers were served every week.

Louis bought himself a celebratory cigar.

Then the rain started.

Nothing dramatic, just steady rain.

For days. Weeks. 

Customer numbers dropped as the lake rose. When the deluge finally stopped, the decking, so recently occupied by happy diners, was submerged. Everything was covered in mud.

Louis sighed, got out his broom and started cleaning.

Inlinkz – click here to join the fun!

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.