Pages

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. 
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , ,

36 comments:

  1. Helen Baggott 05/05/2017, 10:23

    Nicely delivered, as usual!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Iain Kelly05/05/2017, 11:31

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

    ReplyDelete
  3. Keith's Ramblings05/05/2017, 11:47

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

    My FF story, Ma Fantaisie Francais!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Rochelle Wisoff-Fields05/05/2017, 12:30

    Dear Liz,

    Some wounds never heal. Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. liz young05/05/2017, 15:57

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

      Delete
  5. liz young05/05/2017, 15:55

    Thanks Robert.

    ReplyDelete
  6. NEEL ANIL PANICKER05/05/2017, 16:45

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. liz young05/05/2017, 17:32

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

      Delete
  7. Sascha Darlington05/05/2017, 17:20

    Very well done. Your words created a vivid picture.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. liz young05/05/2017, 17:33

      Thanks Sascha, I am glad you could see it.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous05/05/2017, 20:47

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. liz young06/05/2017, 13:54

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

      Delete
  9. brudberg05/05/2017, 21:33

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

    ReplyDelete
  10. Christine G06/05/2017, 02:25

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. liz young06/05/2017, 13:55

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

      Delete
  11. draliman06/05/2017, 06:01

    Eerie, nice one!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Unknown06/05/2017, 19:57

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. liz young07/05/2017, 16:28

      Fingers crossed you will be able to read it soon!

      Delete
  13. Patsy07/05/2017, 08:39

    Good luck with the touting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. liz young07/05/2017, 16:29

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

      Delete
  14. Dale07/05/2017, 20:11

    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...)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. liz young07/05/2017, 22:26

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

      Delete
  15. Dawn08/05/2017, 03:28

    I love how you did this!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Subroto08/05/2017, 07:13

    Haunting tale. Need to read the full story now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. liz young08/05/2017, 10:04

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

      Delete
  17. Sandra Crook09/05/2017, 08:40

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. liz young09/05/2017, 13:51

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

      Delete
  18. P.S. Joshi09/05/2017, 15:52

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

    ReplyDelete
  19. Yuhu Tama10/05/2017, 18:17

    I totally love this one!

    ReplyDelete

Do leave a message before you go!

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)