This week's photograph prompted three stories, two of them also inspired by a friend's recent experience of the strain lockdown can put on relationships. I hope none of them are too close to home for any of my readers.
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KITCHEN SINK DRAMA 1
“I really don’t understand why you did it, after all
these years.”
“That’s just it – years
of the same irritating little things are like Chinese water torture,
drip-drip-dripping until you could scream. At breakfast, for example, leaving
the lid off the marmalade, toast crumbs in the butter...”
“I agree that’s annoying, but...”
“Dirty socks on the
floor, changing channels without asking...”
“My Jim does that too, but even so...”
“He promised to fix the
tap months ago. I was making pastry with that drip getting louder and louder –
it was just his bad luck I was holding the rolling pin.”
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KITCHEN SINK DRAMA 2
Molly looked at Sadie in horror. “You’ll have to get
married.”
“What – and spend my
life chained to the kitchen sink? No way!”
“In my day nice girls saved themselves.”
“We’re not in the Dark
Ages now, Mum.”
“Have you told him?”
“Yes – he wants us to
get married, but I turned him down. He did this on purpose because I want a
career.” Sadie’s voice softened. “It’ll be okay, Mum – you’ll get your
grandchild, just not the mother-of-the-bride hat.”
Molly’s eyes strayed to the cupboard where she kept
her knitting patterns and Sadie knew she was weakening.
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KITCHEN SINK DRAMA 3
Belinda put his plate in front of Dennis – three bacon
rashers exactly in line with two perfectly-browned sausages, crisp fried bread cut into
meticulous triangles, the egg trimmed to a neat circle. She poured his tea and
started the washing up – Dennis hated eating with used pans in sight.
His shout startled her, “This is dirty!” and a knife whizzed
past her head to land in the bowl, cutting her hand. A bubble of rage burst in
Belinda’s chest and, without conscious thought, she threw it back, watching
with detached interest its slow-motion flight towards her husband.
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So there you have it, folks! My first impression of the photo was that it was of my own kitchen, but in fact it has more cupboards than mine, and any resemblance to my own home life is purely accidental. Thank you if you have read all three - feel free to state a preference - and apologies to Rochelle for breaking the 100 word rule - I don't do it often. :)
I normally would only have read one on principal, but the first was so good I couldn't stop and I really enjoyed all three. :)
ReplyDeleteSusan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Thanks Susan - I could have done three separate blogs, as the link allows one to do that, but my time was limited!
DeleteThe stories of violence are probably closest to the mark, but the middle on tickled me
ReplyDeleteThank you, Neil. I guess many people have contemplated violence in the past months!
DeleteI liked number 2 - the clash of generations!
ReplyDeleteThey do say there'll be a rash of lockdown babies next year!
Deleteyou gave us a special treat this week. three's better one. thanks for the stories. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for calling it a treat, Plaridel.
DeleteA nice little series, Lizy. Cutting like a knife...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Helen. X
DeleteI enjoyed all 3 and love that each story unfolded at the very same spot in the kitchen.
ReplyDeleteThank Doodle - that's the fun of FF, making the story fit the prompt.
DeleteThree believable stories that were quite entertaining, Liz. Extreme circumstances breed extreme responses. I like the one about the baby and loved how the daughter watched where her mother's eyes went.
ReplyDeleteThanks,Jade. I don't always write murderer and mayhem!
DeleteAll fab, Liz. The tension was great!
ReplyDeleteThanks Helen! And glad you've sorted out how to comment X
DeleteMy favorites are one and three. I am glad my experience of confinement has not been as grim.
ReplyDeleteThey're my favourites too, Gabriella - parhaps because they reflect my emotions on some occasions!
DeleteTriple dipping when each story is so good gets a passing grade from me. All unique and all so good! I hope her aim was good...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dale. She didn't aim at all, so it's in the hands of Fate now!
DeleteDear Liz,
ReplyDeleteLoved em all. I hope the knife hit the husband in Drama #3
Shalom,
Rochelle
So do I, and thanks!
DeleteI enjoyed the first one best. Nice twist!
ReplyDeleteThanks Brenda.
DeleteI liked all three. All different, yet each one offering its own drama. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThat's what I was aiming for, so thank you.
DeleteLoved all three :) Each holding up a mirror to a different woman's life.
ReplyDelete- Justjoyfulness
Thank you.
DeleteI'm seriously impressed. Not one but three for the price of one. I really liked the last one.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sandra - that's my favourite too!
DeleteA three-in-one treat for the readers. I liked them all.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Delete