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25.1.17

FLIGHT - 100 word flash fiction

FLIGHT

Father said they wouldn’t come this way, but this morning we could no longer ignore the thunder of guns.
“Ten minutes!” Grandfather roared, and like hens we scattered, gathering food, clothes, and suddenly precious things – mother’s mixing bowl, father’s books, my doll – and piled into the motorcars.
We could actually see the enemy when we reached the ferry.
“Everyone!” Grandfather ordered, and all, from eighty to eight, hauled on the rough rope, bullets hitting the leather seats to prove that our lives depended on speed.

As Father’s axe cut the rope I cooled my burning palms in mud. Mother scolded but she was smiling.
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My regular readers may recognise this week's photo prompt, taken by Al Forbes, as it was used on Friday Fictioneers last year, but this is a completely new story. If you'd like to read what I wrote before you can find it archived in February 2016.
Thanks to Rochelle @ https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/ for hosting FF - follow the link on her blog to read many other and vastly different stories.
Oh - and welcome to James, who has become my 100th follower - check out his blog @  http://jthargreaves.blogspot.com/  for longer short stories.

20.1.17

OVIDUCT - Flash fiction

OVIDUCT

The entrance beckoned across the dinosaur theme park – gentle curves in the warm white of a breakfast egg. The children clamoured, so I paid the entry fee.
I walked easily through the first two arches, but when the third one touched my hair I felt a frisson of unease. 
“Wait for me!” I called, but they scampered ahead, and by the time I’d ducked through arches four and five they were nowhere to be seen. Childish giggles drew me further in until I was crawling on hands and knees.
When I couldn’t even force my shoulders through, the screaming started.
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I'm late on parade this week. I had my second cataract operation on Tuesday, and at the moment I'm managing with off-the-shelf reading glasses.
Today's prompt photo was taken by Dale Rogerson and posted by Rochelle on her blog  https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/  You can follow the Blue Frog link from there to read other stories, after you've commented on mine, of course. Thank you.



11.1.17

STRIKE - a 100 word story

STRIKE

I promised her she’d regret leaving me, so when I’d collected enough pills I dissolved them in my morning coffee. Bloody doctors and a stomach-pump put paid to that plan.

I faint at the sight of blood, so knives are out of the question, I’ve no idea where to buy a gun, and the gates to the canal towpath were locked.


So here I am on this railway bridge, sitting with my legs dangling over the edge, waiting for a train, and I’ve just remembered the drivers’ strike. Who would have thought it would be so flaming difficult to commit suicide?

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Another story prompted by a photograph on Rochelle's blog  https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/ , from whence you can follow the link to read how other Friday Fictioneers interpreted  C E Ayr's photo.

5.1.17

THE MILLS OF GOD

THE MILLS OF GOD

Each of Dusty Miller's first two wives had drowned in the mill-race. Tragic accidents, he claimed – they’d slipped on the steps whilst drawing water – but his temper was legendary and people had seen the bruises. 

After failing to find a third wife locally, he settled for a woman he met in the town tavern.
The first time Dusty raised his fist she ducked. The second time she struck back. There never was a third time. Somehow his smock became trapped in the machinery – they had to scrape him off the wheel to bury him.

Missus Miller III was strangely dry-eyed at his funeral.
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'The mills of God grind slowly / Yet they grind exceeding small / Though with patience He stands waiting, / With exactness grinds He all '  

On seeing this week's prompt photo, the 'Mills of God' sprang instantly to my mind - If you've never heard the quote, this link will explain it.  http://www.theotherpages.org/poems/2000/l/long52.html

Thanks to https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/ for hosting Friday Fictioneers. a link from her blog will take you to a list of other FF writers whose 100 word stories were also prompted by Sandra Crook's photograph..

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL THE KIND PEOPLE WHO READ AND COMMENT ON MY BLOG.