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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.

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41 comments:

  1. Anonymous29/03/2018, 12:26

    My guess is they'll weather this one

    ReplyDelete
  2. Helen Laycock29/03/2018, 14:13

    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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    Replies
    1. liz young29/03/2018, 17:58

      It was difficult cutting it to 100 words.

      Delete
  3. Sandra Crook29/03/2018, 15:18

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

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  4. Rochelle Wisoff-Fields29/03/2018, 15:51

    Dear Liz,

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

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    ReplyDelete
  5. krawson29/03/2018, 16:31

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

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    Replies
    1. liz young29/03/2018, 17:59

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

      Delete
  6. Iain Kelly29/03/2018, 20:15

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

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    Replies
    1. liz young30/03/2018, 12:16

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

      Delete
  7. moon29/03/2018, 20:18

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

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    Replies
    1. liz young30/03/2018, 12:14

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

      Delete
  8. Susan Kane29/03/2018, 21:17

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

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  9. lisarey1990@gmail.com29/03/2018, 22:53

    Great story. Leaves so many questions at the end.

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  10. Dale30/03/2018, 01:33

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

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  11. Keith's Ramblings30/03/2018, 11:58

    This does not bode well I fear!

    Click to read my 99 words!

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    Replies
    1. liz young30/03/2018, 12:16

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

      Delete
  12. Susan A Eames30/03/2018, 17:54

    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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    Replies
    1. liz young31/03/2018, 14:14

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

      Delete
  13. plaridel30/03/2018, 19:03

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

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    Replies
    1. liz young31/03/2018, 14:15

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

      Delete
  14. Anurag Bakhshi31/03/2018, 05:38

    Aah, the ghosts of careless past :-)

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    Replies
    1. liz young31/03/2018, 14:15

      I hope the young man is made welcome by all.

      Delete
  15. Linda31/03/2018, 16:21

    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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    Replies
    1. liz young02/04/2018, 18:01

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

      Delete
  16. Gah Learner31/03/2018, 20:07

    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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    Replies
    1. liz young02/04/2018, 18:02

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

      Delete
  17. Anonymous01/04/2018, 09:36

    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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    Replies
    1. liz young02/04/2018, 18:03

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

      Delete
  18. Liz Brownlee02/04/2018, 18:19

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

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    Replies
    1. liz young03/04/2018, 13:57

      Thanks Liz - glad I caught somebody out!

      Delete
  19. brudberg02/04/2018, 20:17

    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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    Replies
    1. liz young03/04/2018, 13:57

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

      Delete
  20. Fatima Fakier Deria03/04/2018, 10:00

    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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    Replies
    1. liz young03/04/2018, 13:59

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

      Delete
  21. Dawn03/04/2018, 15:22

    Intriguing story!

    ReplyDelete

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