Thank you Rochelle, (click here for her blog), for another reminder that Friday comes along too quickly. Susan’s picture made me think of a French renovation project, even though I have never lived in France.
More contributions to Friday-Fictioners are available HERE.
![](https://jplmcewan.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/room-susan-rouchard.jpeg.webp?w=768)
The Other Woman
The room was once a stable, and they built in a connecting door to the hallway.
John called it his den. A bric-a-brac dump, Mary thought.
What did he do there all day?
Mary sat up in bed, feeling dejected. He’s left me, that’s it. Progressively, he had become emotionally uncaring and keeping out of reach.
He flirted with Janette, and with Anne in the bookshop, and Doreen in the café.
He promised an idyllic retirement together on this renovated farm.
She loved him, although hated his infidelity.
He’s gone missing.
Soon, his wife will have to know.
Mary smiled.
Lovely twist at the end
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Gosh! Mary wasn’t his wife then!
Mary was responsible for him having gone missing, correct?
His wife will have a shock.
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Thanks Anita. Perhaps with all those women around him he just ran away, or as you say Mary was responsible.
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Mary doesn’t seem to upset by his disappearance, perhaps she’d had enough of the lifestyle
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Thank you, yes maybe she can keep the renovated farm.
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Oh dear. I fear I just got a crick in my neck from that twist. Nicely one, James.
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Thank you Dale. He was a bit of a chancer really. I wonder where he has gone?
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Indeed!!
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“Tell me I’m the only (other) one.” If he’s cheating once, there’s no reason to believe he won’t do it again. Well played with the twist ending.
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Thank you.
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When someone goes missing from the farm it’s a good idea to check the pig pen. But quickly… Good twist.
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Ah, yes those greedy pigs. Thank you.
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Sounds like Mary got fed up and might have a secret of her own. Good twist at the end!
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Thanks Angela. There is a limit to what Mary is willing to suffer…maybe.
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I wasn’t expecting that! Nice one, James.
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Thanks Keith.
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it looks like he’d be missing in action for good. 🙂
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Great cliffhanger, James. Mary will be fine with the renovated farm for retirement.
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Surprise ending! And I can’t help but wonder if Mary and his wife won’t become good friends 🙂
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ys, and perhaps live in the renovated house, together. Thank you.
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It looks like he must have been having difficulty juggling around all of these woman. Perhaps, he was ready to move on.
Mmmm … so many roads this story can travel. Interesting …
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Thank you Isadora. Yes, 100 words is just a basic spark to encourage the readers’ imagination to run wild.
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Your story has done just that. Well done …
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Bang! What a twist!
I guess it’s karma lol.
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Some people live complicated lives of their own making. Thank you.
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Oh, I do love a curve ball; I’ve delivered a few myself. This was a finely pitched one. Well done, James!
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I am pleased you enjoyed my effort, thank you.
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Oooooooo a twist. Mary doesn’t know. Or does she…
So the woman he is having the affair with is being cheated on and doesn’t like it? Irony.
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You can’t trust a fellow like that, its best to be rid of him. Good on Mary.
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Thanks Dawn, You understand Mary’s dilemma.
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Love that twist at the end. I can imagine all sorts of scenarios now. He really is quite a ladies’ man it seems. 🙂
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Dear James,
He is a rolling stone, isn’t he? Methinks Mary has a little revenge planned.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Perhaps she’ll turn his den into a laundry room. Thank you Rochelle.
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Ooh, deliciously complicated. Was shocked to learn Mary was not his wife. I wonder if the “other women” started sharing notes and decided to turn him into fertilizer?
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Fertiliser! at least the roses would bloom. Thank you.
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You’re welcome, James. My pleasure to read this twisty biscuit of a story 🙂
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Took me for a ride here. But an enjoyable journey.
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Yes, life is a journey in many ways.
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Part of me thinks that John just went looking for a new special friend. The other part of me really doesn’t trust Mary! Nice twist on the end!
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Thanks Michael, there is always a larger story behind 100 words. .
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