WATER MUSIC
On holiday in Tenerife, who could resist a free
concert?
It didn’t take them long to get ready – the Spanish
waiter told them bikinis and sarongs were the norm. They started on the vodka
in their hotel, mixed generous slugs into bottles of Coke, and went to the
beach.
It was heaving, the music loud, the atmosphere
electric.
They danced on sand that radiated the day’s heat, and
watched the lights sparkle on the sea. It looked different at night –
mysterious – and they dropped their sarongs to slip into its silken coolness.
Beach cleaners found their sarongs at dawn.
............................................................................................................
There were many beach concerts when I lived in Tenerife, though I chickened out of going to one - I have more respect for my hearing! The sand needed sifting afterwards, despite the banning of glasses or bottles, but how could police control a jam-packed crowd of holiday-makers? Swimming at night, when drunk, is not a good idea either.
Thanks to Rochelle for running our group of flash writers, and to CE Ayr for his photograph she used as a prompt on her blog https://rochellewisoff.com/ If you'd like to join our happy throng, click on the froggy on there which will take you to the link page.
I hope you are all well, staying safe, washing your hands, and ignoring idiotic advice to inject houshold substances or take unprescribed medicine!
Yes, I'm talking like a mum, but today I'm allowed to - it's my son's birthday, and he's of an age that reminds me how ancient I am :(
Yes, I'm talking like a mum, but today I'm allowed to - it's my son's birthday, and he's of an age that reminds me how ancient I am :(
Loved this, thank you Liz. You make full use of every single word. I really do need to try my hand at flash, as I know my writing leans toward verbose. I really liked the finding of sarongs at dawn. It could have been drowning, and it could have been something else too. Happy son's birthday to you! Sending positive thoughts your way. I'm off into the garden for a glass of bleach-free wine x
ReplyDeleteIf you fancy trying flash, start with your story then whittle it down. Read what the other Friday fictioneers wrote this week, or scroll through my years of flash fiction. Practice makes, if not perfect, at least better!
DeleteLets' hope they just found a nudist party to go to
ReplyDeleteThere is that possibility :)
DeleteGood story Liz, with a tragic twist.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ian x
DeleteI hope they were found passed out up the beach. Good story, Liz.
ReplyDeleteThank you jade x
DeleteIt's too easy to make unwise decisions when booze takes control.
ReplyDeleteHere's mine!
Hopefully they just forgot their sarongs and they're not going to wash ashore a bit further up the beach...
ReplyDeleteNice one!
Let's hope so.
DeleteOh no! Did they get so drunk they drowned? Wasn't expecting this to end in tragedy!
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid there were similar stories in the newspapers every year.
DeleteYou built up the atmosphere to perfection.
ReplyDeleteI'll keep the small hope that they are hiding behind something, entwined...
They could be wherever you want them to be x
DeleteA great take on the prompt - sad ending though.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandra. Sad was my intention but some other people have written their own, happier, endings!
Delete