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27.9.18

LATE FOR WORK - a tale of consequences, in one hundred words


LATE FOR WORK

Gerald pedalled furiously along the dark streets, shot through an amber light, and collided with a delivery van, breaking his wrist.
Gerald’s absence left Dennis, the night porter, to set the breakfast bar, and he neglected to turn on the coffee urn.
Deprived of her morning caffeine, the Foreign Secretary departed angrily for a Cabinet meeting, but her trailing scarf became trapped in the revolving door. Before Dennis could press the emergency button she was half-throttled.
As she was rushed into Emergency, Gerald watched the drama, totally unaware that his failure to get up on time had averted a war.
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It took me ages to come up with a story this week,but I've been busy helping with the local Arts Festival, so I hope you'll forgive any shortcomings.
Thanks to https://rochellewisoff.com/  Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers, and to Yvette Prior for the photograph of a lovely mosaic floored lobby.

20.9.18

ALFREDO'S - a story in one hundred words


ALFREDO’S

There’s a secret hidden in the side streets of our town, known only to the locals. Tourists are directed to promenade restaurants with music, free entertainment and lights reflected in the night-dark sea.

On rare occasions some will venture further and discover Alfredo’s, where they will be shown to a table outside – only the kitchen is indoors – and given a carafe of local wine. There is no menu. Alfredo serves whatever his sons caught that day – sardines, swordfish, octopus – with salty potatoes, salsa picante and tomato salad.

The alley breeze keeps the diners cool, and if it rains there are Alfredo’s famous umbrellas.
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This week's image - thank you, Dale Rogerson - took me straight back to Tenerife, where there is a restaurant much as I describe here. It is in Los Cristianos, called El Cine, and has been in the same family since the 1970s. We spent many a happy evening there, usually with family or friends. 
Thanks to https://rochellewisoff.com/  for hosting Friday Fictioneers. If you follow the links from her blog you can read how other writers interpreted the image.

I have been busy these past few weeks with a house move, and apart from a prodigious amount of painting still to do, we are settled in comfortably for the duration. ie - until they carry us out! See my previous post for a photo.

13.9.18

HANS AND GRETA - a one hundred word story for Friday Fictioneers


HANS & GRETA

Every hour, on the hour, the carved doors swung open and Hans moved smoothly to meet Greta. Watched by townsfolk and tourists alike, they leaned towards each other to kiss, then danced to a foot-tapping peasant tune before parting company.

Behind those closed doors Hans and Greta lived in a comfortless world of jigsaw lights and intricate draughts, fires that never stayed lit, curtains blown frantic by every breeze, and constant chest infections.

One bitter winter day the doors opened on emptiness - relieved only by a hand-painted sign: ‘Couple wanted. Free accommodation. Must be reliable.’
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Here I am again, after a week off writing while we moved house. We are now living in an old cottage and, although I have some painting and other odd jobs still to do, we are settling in. There are twenty of them, owned by a Village Trust, and we are very lucky to have been offered one.
Must dash - I now have a garden and it's in need of some TLC  :)