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29.3.18

FAMILY TREE - fiction in one hundred words


FAMILY TREE

Kirsty raised her glass to Andrew, mouthing “Happy anniversary” over the buzz of conversation – despite everything they’d made it through twenty-five years. With their first grandchild on the way, she was content, if not deliriously happy.

The dappled shade reminded her of a distant afternoon beside a river, making love hidden by willow tree fronds, young and carefree.
Careless, too. Her smile faded as she recalled the subsequent loss and heartache.

Andrew’s voice shattered her reverie. “Kirsty – who’s that young man?”
Kirsty could only watch, trembling, as the consequence of her stolen afternoon walked towards them across the lawn.
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This week's photo prompt comes from Fatima Fakier Deria via the good offices of Rochelle at https://rochellewisoff.com/  and is one of about 70 stories which you can find by following the links from her blog.

I was very pleased this week to find that my local library in West Sussex are now listing my novel A Volcanic Race, which I hope will lead to more people reading it before the sequel, which I am now working on, comes out. You can buy your own copy by clicking on the image of its cover on this page.

41 comments:

  1. My guess is they'll weather this one

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  2. Ooh, so many questions! Why the secret? Where has he been until now? Why is he approaching?

    I think there's a longer story here, Liz!

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    1. It was difficult cutting it to 100 words.

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  3. Ah the sins of the past rise up to greet you... Nicely done, Liz.

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  4. Dear Liz,

    Let me guess, the young man bears an uncanny resemblance to someone. Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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  5. Wow! So much storytelling packed into so few words. Romance, deception, and a reckoning too!

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    1. There was a bigger story in my head. Thanks Karen.

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  6. Wow, that's quite a revelation after 25 years. She has some explaining to do.

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    1. She'll be okay - it was a long time ago.

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  7. Superb storytelling, Liz.
    Wondering how Kirsty will deal with the new developments.

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    1. Thanks Moon - I'm sure she's up to the challenge.

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  8. I enjoy and admire this crisp use and imagery created by these very few words. Well done.

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  9. Great story. Leaves so many questions at the end.

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  10. Oh dear... well done, Liz. I'm hopeful they will get past this one but frankly... I dunno...

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    1. They might be alright - they've weathered other storms and the new arrival is a ghost from her very distant past.

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  12. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this, Liz, I hope her husband forgives her. You've packed a great deal into 100 words. Well done!

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    1. I hope he's got the sense to realize it was before they met.

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  13. amazing how she could have hide this secret for so long. :)

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    1. I couldn't marry someone without telling them the big things, but I think there are probably many marriages built over secrets.

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  14. Aah, the ghosts of careless past :-)

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    1. I hope the young man is made welcome by all.

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  15. The tension doesn't start until the end! Excellent, leaves us to fill in the rest however we choose. I choose that they get through this together, just as they have everything else.

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    1. Thanks Linda - I hope you like having to fill in the gaps?

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  16. That is gong to be a hell of an anniversary. So many questions... I wonder how they'll get through that. Maybe Andrew has some ghosts from the past as well.

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    1. Andrew having ghosts would level the playing field, wouldn't it!

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  17. A fascinating glimpse of a scene where the past is here in person. Very well written with just a hint in the phrase indicating contentment as opposed to delirious happiness. Jilly, Sugar on the Bee (wouldn't let me post with my website details so like many writers before me I became Anon!)

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    1. Strange how some people can be themselves and others can't! Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Jilly.

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  18. Gosh, Lizy! You are so good at these! I did not expect that at all. x http://www.poetryroundabout.com

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    1. Thanks Liz - glad I caught somebody out!

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  19. Oh.. I guess it's time to share a secret... hopefully she can have acceptance... it should have happened before Andrew I hope.

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    1. Before Andrew is how I imagine it, but she should have told him long ago.

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  20. Few marriages or relationships get through 25 years without mistakes and consequences. Hopefully, they'll survive the past coming back to confront them.

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    1. How true, Fatima! I am approaching 24 years with my second husband - the same number I had with my first - uh-oh!

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