Dream Flight

January 6, 2016 / Dee / 35 Comments

Happy New Year! I hope you all enjoyed the holidays, however you celebrated them. It’s good to be back at Friday Fictioneers Central. Huge thanks to Rochelle for finding time to organise this group in between writing novels, visiting family or icing the odd cake, and my thanks to all who contribute each week making this a fantastic group to be a part of.

Genre: Fiction

Word count: 100

Dream Flight

‘Would you really buy one, if you won the Lottery?’

‘Well it’s on my list. I’d love one. Just think of the freedom, taking off whenever you wanted…’

‘What else is on your list?’

‘A long stay at a health farm, I fancy the one in Arizona where all the celebs go to get their fat sucked out.’

They both laughed as Mel placed the magazine back on the bedside cabinet. She sat on the bed, reaching for her best friend’s hand. There would be no flight or health farm visit; they both knew it, but it helped to dream.

Coffee Lovers

December 30, 2015December 30, 2015 / Dee / 17 Comments

Dawn was right, there is one more FF for 2015… Rochelle has gone for a re-run and this is one of my favourite photo prompts. I love this photo and the work that Jean Hays does is quite exceptional.

Happy New Year everyone. I wish you a happy and healthy 2016.

Here is my post, you can read the original here

Photo Jean L Hays

The smell of freshly roasted coffee wafts out into the street.

Jess sets out the freshly baked pastries, homemade chocolates, packs of ground coffee and waits.

First as usual, ‘Ms Skinny Latte with an Extra Shot’ and ‘Mr Double Espresso with a Cinnamon Bun’, (they’re getting closer). Then later, ‘Mrs Cappuccino’ and ‘Mrs No Coffee for Me’ who eats almond Danish like they are going out of fashion.

After the morning rush, she realises that two regulars were missing – ‘Mr Macchiato’ and ‘Mrs Flat White’…

Jess smiles, it was only a matter of time.

The Visitor

December 23, 2015 / Dee / 11 Comments

For the last Friday Fictioneers of 2015, Rochelle has reposted Scott’s photo from a couple of years ago. This is the post I wrote then. I hope you all have a happy holiday, however you celebrate it and look forward to catching up with you in 2016.

40again's Blog

Arthur senses he is being watched. He stands very still, tensing his muscles, ready for flight.

He stares straight ahead, waiting, watching.

She walks round the table, noticing all the clutter. What a mess. She remembers the tidy, spotless kitchen of her childhood, no mess or spills allowed. She remembers the cupboard under the stairs.

Dark, cold, silent.

Arthur tries a high-pitched meow but it gets no response.

She stares at the cat. She has always disliked cats. Now it doesn’t matter.

Now she can see him, but he can’t see her.

Thanks to Rochelle for continuing Friday Fictioneers and to Scott Vannatter for the photo this week

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Quote of the Day

October 25, 2015 / Dee / Leave a comment

‘Experience life in all possible ways – good-bad, bitter-sweet, dark-light, summer-winter.

Experience all the dualities.

Don’t be afraid of experience, because the more you have, the more mature you become.’

-Osho

No Free Ride

October 7, 2015 / Dee / 29 Comments

Happy retirement to our busy leader Rochelle – more time for writing now… Thanks for the photo this week go to Ted Strutz

Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

No Free Ride

In the small, shabby dressing room, Louise tries to pull up the straps of the outfit her mother has made for her debut.

‘Louise, quit messing with your dress. Hold your head up, smile sweetie.’

‘It’s hard to smile mama, please don’t make me do this.’

‘Baby don’t be so selfish, your sister and I have supported you, now it’s your turn. There’s no such thing as a free ride in this world sweetie. God’s given you a beautiful face and a great body; get out there and show ‘em what you’ve got.’

Terrified, Louise steps into the spotlight …

http://www.lifetimetv.co.uk/biography/biography-gypsy-rose-lee

Waiting Room

October 1, 2015 / Dee / 34 Comments

Thanks to Marie Gail Stratford for the unusual photo for the prompt this week and to Rochelle for her unswerving dedication to Friday Fictioneers.

Genre: Fiction

Word Count: 100

Waiting Room

Children play quietly with toys in the corner, they look up as a parent or grandparent walks from a consulting room to the x-ray department. I watch them as I wait for you to come back to me.

Not able to sit still, I join a line of worried relatives at the coffee bar. We buy coffee, tea, cake – anything to fill our minds, to give us a moment free from doubt and fear. No-one mentions the word we all dread, but ‘what if’ is whispered and hands are clasped tight.

Then suddenly, you’re walking towards me.

And you’re smiling.

A Bridge Trip

September 23, 2015 / Dee / 48 Comments

Thanks as always to Rochelle for her sterling work and thanks to The Reclining Gentleman for the photo this week.

Genre: Fiction

Word Count: 100

A Bridge Trip

Jerry limped into the bar on North Street and hauled himself onto a stool.

‘You got money this time Jerry?’

‘Not ‘xactly.’

‘You know the rules, NO credit.’

Lowering his voice Jerry leant in, ‘Ben, listen, there’s a hole in the pavement on Murray Bridge. No sign. Nothing. I sorta tripped and hurt myself. A guy helped me and said I’ll get comperation, that’s cash aint it?’’

He wiped a grubby hand across his mouth, watching Ben pour a beer for a paying customer.

Ben laughed, then pushed a beer towards him, ‘Jerry, you’re unbelievable. Get a job, it’s safer.’

Prussia Cove

September 11, 2015 / Dee / 27 Comments

Thank you to Rochelle, the hard-working captain of the good ship Friday Fictioneers and thanks also to Jen Pendergast for the lovely photo this week, I’ve kept the connection with boats…

Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

Prussia Cove

‘Come away from the window Alice.’

‘Mother, I heard their horses.’

‘You know it’s not safe, come away.’

Alice climbed back into her bed. She drifted back to sleep cuddling Charlotte, her new rag doll. As she slept, her mother lit the torches in the network of tunnels below their house, before running out to help her husband and the other men from the village. Rolls of silk, packets of tobacco, barrels of brandy were swiftly hidden from sight.

‘The King of Prussia’s’ men had relieved another wreck of its cargo, before the customs men came galloping along the beach.

The house above Prussia Cove

For more information on the self-styled King of Prussia and his family

… and an extract from ‘A Smuggler’s Song’ by Rudyard Kipling

‘IF you wake at midnight, and hear a horse’s feet,

Don’t go drawing back the blind, or looking in the street,

Them that ask no questions isn’t told a lie.

Watch the wall my darling while the Gentlemen go by.’

Past Imperfect

September 4, 2015 / Dee / 37 Comments

It’s a lovely morning here, the sun is streaming in though the windows as I write, it looks more like spring than autumn. In any event, it’s a lovely day to wish a very Happy Birthday to Rochelle and to my sister, who also celebrates today.

I watched a building, much older than the one pictured, being pulled down a few days ago, and wondered…

Genre: Fiction

Word Count: 100

Past Forgiving

From a safe distance, I watch the demolition team start work. A small group of people gather at the safety barrier; I recognise a few of them, but doubt many would recognise me, now.

The place that was once my home but became my prison, is reduced to piles of rubble. A workman in the basement shouts something to his supervisor who runs across the street.

Mrs Goodman leaves the group of onlookers; she glances in my direction, a half smile forming on her thin lips as she walks away. We both know what’s been found; no point hanging around.

click here to read what other FF’s have written

Madam, do you trust him?

August 26, 2015August 26, 2015 / Dee / 34 Comments

Good to be back. The photo this week is from Claire Fuller, I have just finished reading her brilliant book ‘Our Endless Numbered Days’ which certainly stays with you quite a while after you finish reading.Thank you to Rochelle for her continued captaincy of the good ship ‘FF’ and for her latest book ‘Please Say Kaddish For Me’ which I have just started to read. I feel humble to be in such talented company.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

‘Madam, do you trust him?’

‘I have a mind to. Anthony has been a loyal page and is also a good friend of John Ballard, both seem set upon my release. The letter sets out a plan so daring, it takes my breath away, but with God’s help it will succeed. Bring me paper, I will reply.’

Imprisoned at Chartley, Mary’s letters were encrypted by her secretary Gilbert Curle and smuggled out in casks of ale, only to be intercepted by Sir Francis Walsingham. Her eager reply to Babington’s letter sealed the fate of both herself and the plotters.

The Babington Plot