CONCERT
They spent hours getting ready,
filling her bedroom with perfume, laughter and excitement. Sophie borrowed my
purple earrings.
Chloe’s dad dropped them off, their
precious concert tickets tucked into tiny handbags, mobile phones as fully
charged as our girls. They promised not to get separated, not to drink, not to
take drugs – all the usual things parents worry about.
Later, I waited outside as instructed
– apparently it’s embarrassing being met. I’d been there ten minutes when the
bomb went off, and the world was nothing but blood, nails and screams.
I only recognised Sophie by her
purple earrings.
...................................................................................................
Looking at J Hardy Carroll's photograph of devastation, I could only write about this week's dreadful happenings in Manchester. How other writers interpreted the image can be found by following the link from https://rochellewisoff.com/
ps. if you would like to read another of my stories, I'm on p68 of Visual Verse at http://visualverse.org/
ps. if you would like to read another of my stories, I'm on p68 of Visual Verse at http://visualverse.org/
Well, you can always be replied upon to write something that tugs at the emotions. A few simple words, Lizy, and you do it again.
ReplyDeleteThanks Helen - what else could I write?
DeletePowerful and effective. I had to write something related to the horror of recent events too. Dark times.
ReplyDeleteI think half of the FF who live in UK wrote something related to Monday.
DeleteOh, Liz, so poignant, so sad and, worst of all, with so much truth.
ReplyDeleteDreadful, wasn't it? Thanks for commenting, Helen.
DeleteDear Liz,
ReplyDeleteHard not to see Sophie in this heartbreaking story. I won't call it a tale because it's raw and painful truth. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
There are a few Sophies in the morgues this week, and others in hospital.
DeleteDear Liz, This was one heartrending tale. Most of us including I have gone and written about the Manchester bombings. What else can we do but pray for sanity.
ReplyDeleteWhat else indeed, Neel.
DeleteYou have captured the tragedy so poignantly, Liz. I loved the line: mobile phones as fully charged as our girls. The way you have 'personalised' the horror through your characters works brilliantly.
ReplyDeleteSusan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Thanks Susan - I always think of tragedies in terms of people, how they are affected, and how I would feel in their place.
DeleteSo right, bringing this awful tragedy back down to personal stories, to how it affects individuals. Well told Liz
ReplyDeleteSo very sad on a very personal level.
ReplyDeleteEvery death counts, whether one, twenty-two or thousands.
DeleteThis is so realistic unfortunately. Well written.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Clare.
Deletemobile phones as fully charged as our girls Oh! this line says so much. As well as the last line. I just can't imagine.
ReplyDeleteWe have six grandchildren aged between 25 and 13 - I can imagine it far too vividly.
DeleteAnd the tears are again coursing down my face.
ReplyDeleteAll we can do is weep.
DeleteThe terrible and scary reality of our times - I got goosebumps
ReplyDeleteThe news this morning at least tells us that the police are moving rapidly.
DeleteGut wrenching tale, Liz. I wish it wasn't true. My prayers go out to those families.
ReplyDeleteI do hope the great Manchester run today goes off without incident.
DeleteDevastating... and in some cases it was the mother waiting being blown to pieces, and it's not even possible to comprehend.
ReplyDeleteLost children, lost mothers, all destroyed by hate.
Deleteit's a real tragedy to see parents bury their children. never again.
ReplyDeleteFrom your mouth to God's ear.
DeleteHeartbreaking. It's a parent's worse nightmare. Good writing, Liz. ---- Suzanne
ReplyDeleteThanks Suzanne
DeleteHow horribly tragic, all the more for being real.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting, James.
Delete