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5.5.17

GHOSTS OF WAR - flash fiction

This week's photo reminded me of two places - the market square in Le Touquet, France, where we have shopped on many occasions, and the Town Hall in the novel I am touting round submitting to agents at the moment. I have resisted the temptation to use an extract, though some of the story filters through in these one hundred words.
Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers, and to Sandra Crook for her photo that prompted my story and all the others here; https://rochellewisoff.com/

GHOSTS  OF  WAR

Tuesday afternoon was not the best time to arrive in a small French town wanting lunch. Shuttered shops exuded an air of desolation and Gerry voted to drive on, but I wanted to explore.
In the square, fallen blossom formed drifts around a dry fountain and the air was deathly still. Fear gripped us as the flowers adorning the colonnaded Mairie were transformed into flags emblazoned with swastikas, and heavy boots stamped the cobbles.

Then a shutter banged in a sudden breeze, and the flags were flowers again, but when I touched the walls my fingers found bullet holes. 

36 comments:

  1. It still scars Europe almost a century on. Effective writing.

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  2. Battle-scarred buildings and bullet-peppered churches are so common in northern France. Beautifully written.

    My FF story, Ma Fantaisie Francais!

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  3. Dear Liz,

    Some wounds never heal. Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    1. The ghosts are still there, too - I have felt them.

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  4. This brought in horrific memories of the wars gone by. Very effective writing Liz, as usual.

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    1. Thanks Neel - that war has gone, but building have other scars now.

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  5. Very well done. Your words created a vivid picture.

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    1. Thanks Sascha, I am glad you could see it.

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  6. Very haunting. You really get the emotions flowing in this.

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    1. thanks sara - ampty places always have that effect on me!

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  7. I would assume that the Ghosts of war would stay a long time...

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  8. Your story really brings it home. Glad it was only a brief vision for her.

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    1. In my novel the empty town square is real, and it too has ghosts.

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  9. Thanks for the glimpse into your novel. I'm intrigued.
    Tracey

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    1. Fingers crossed you will be able to read it soon!

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  10. Good luck with the touting!

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    1. Thanks Patsy. The alternative is self-publishing, but I don't fancy the self-publicising!

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  11. This was brilliant, Liz. We will, of course, be needing the title of your work and where we can purchase it... (I am an avid supporter of all my FF writer friends...)

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    1. Thank you, Dale. You wouldn't happen to be an agent, would you?

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  12. I love how you did this!

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  13. Haunting tale. Need to read the full story now.

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    1. That's two FF people who'll buy my book - perhaps it's a sign that I'll find an agent soon :)

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  14. That's the reality of many a small village in France. Lovely story, Liz.

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    1. Thanks Sandra - we've driven through many such places, all deserted in the early afternoons!

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  15. A great memoir story, Liz. Good writing with great background description. ---- Suzanne

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