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8.2.17

RATS & COBBLESTONES - Flash Fiction in 100 words X2

RATS

Twenty years we’ve lived here, but I’ve never felt comfortable.
I imagined the kids drowning, but of course they were soon swimming like ducks, and when Derek bought a narrow-boat they were ecstatic.
Admittedly the gently sloping gardens are lovely, but every passing boat brings gawping strangers and, since a photo of me in a bikini appeared on Facebook, I’ve stayed indoors.
Then last week it rained, in biblical proportions.
“We’re safe,” Derek declared, sitting Canute-like beside the canal bank, but had to admit defeat when a rat swam past him, heading for our terrace.

When the water recedes we’re selling up.
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For some reason I thought yesterday was Wednesday, so when I saw the next photo on Rochelle's blog I thought it was the Friday Fictioneers' prompt. So here's the story I wrote yesterday - two for the price of one!
Please feel free to comment on both before you follow the links from    https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/   to read other stories.
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COBBLESTONES

The villagers protested but the mayor carried the vote – the cobblestones that rattled his Rover’s suspension would be covered with pulverised gravel from his quarry, which the village could have at cost.
Within days every carpet was grey with dust, and the men covered their drinks whenever someone drove past the bar. Complaints poured into the Mayor’s office, but he shrugged, “What can I do?”
Then the rains came – a true tropical storm that raced down the steep village street and washed every grain of grey onto the beach, leaving only ancient cobblestones to gleam under the next day’s sun.
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And yes - the theme of rain seems prevalent this week - must be due to  the weather in Sussex :)


25 comments:

  1. Always love your work. Can't write more; I'm off to Facebook, looking for a photo . . .

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  2. I had to stop on a photo of "me" in a bikini on Facebook. Putting myself in your place. Oh dear.

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    1. Oh dear indeed, and you're younger than me!

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  3. Two for the price of one - How could I resist. Both are excellent

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  4. A Two-fer! And good job on both!

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  5. The 2nd photo is from What Pegman Saw prompt on WordPress, you should try it each Saturday - a slightly different idea to the photo prompt. Both great stories. Took the romance right out of canal boat licing!

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    1. Can a mere Blogspot blogger enter a Wordpress forum?

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  6. Wonderful stories - both of them. Interesting how you carried the idea of too much water in both. Kudos.

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    1. Thaks Alicia - the flood theme was accidental - I only noticed it after I'd posted both!

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  7. The weather seems to have created a torrent of creativity.

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  8. Double value on your site today, Liz. Liked them both.

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  9. Dear Liz,

    I enjoyed both stories. Sorry to confuse. I've gotten involved in a writing prompt run by K Rawson...What Pegman Saw. For that matter you'd be allowed another 50 words on that one. https://whatpegmansaw.com/2017/02/04/hammerfest-norway/

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    1. Thank you Rochelle. It was my fault for mistaking the day! Perhaps I should have a look at that forum too.

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  10. You see, we Brits love talking about the weather, and all the better if it inspires such wonderful writing. Well done, Liz!

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  11. both were well-written, but i think the first one was better.

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    1. Thanks Plaridel - can you give me a reason?

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  12. Either works for both, really.

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