Adventure Beyond the Horizon

Thank you to Bradley for a lovely peaceful post-card picture of Hawaii. I can imagine the words, ‘I wish you were here’, written by him while spending a holiday break and enjoying the scene.

More Friday Fictioneers stories can be read HERE.

PHOTO PROMPT © Bradley Harris

Adventure Beyond the Horizon

I feel the morning peace and warmth of spring, and tranquillity of the waves lapping in the cove. Yet!–it is the horizon that torments me. I am jealous of the floating clouds flying free through the sky from over that line of no return.

My father scrambled up this beach in rehearsal for hell on earth, and I cannot imagine the exhilaration of soldiers disgorging from landing craft and speculating with death, with unwavering conviction.

My inertia wallows on this soft grass as Isabel’s ultimatum invites me to decide.

In solitude, I seek courage to cross over the line.

Brotherly Love at Christmas

At this time of year, for those who enjoy Christmas, one of the joys is the profusion of light displays.

More Friday Fictioneer stories , HERE

PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Brotherly love at Christmas

Oh, yes, and no peeking while you wait. She rushed off.

I looked at the pile of fashion shop bags scattered on the back seat.
No peeking indeed.
I was more interested in the tramp, Marie was talking to under the lamppost.
I took photographs of them. Why?
I never forgave her indiscretion at last year’s Christmas office party.

Marie returned. “Okay, home James,” she said.
I looked at her and waited. Patience brings its own rewards.
A tear rolled down her face. I’m sad. Tony won’t come to dinner. She blew her nose.

He’s your brother!
I’ll fetch him.

The Wedding of Sweet Molly McGuire

An interesting photo-prompt from Rochelle with lots of historical content to explore. I have researched the Molly McGuire as a secret society during the coal mining disputes in the US. The existence of the Molly McGuire may have been invented to try and discredit the miners. The 1970’s film of the same name stars Sean Connery and Richard Harris.

More Friday Fictioneer’s stories can be read HERE.

PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

The Wedding of Sweet Molly McGuire

A hundred years ago, Seamus O’Leary brought a large bottle of Potcheen from Ireland, and he insisted it was drunk to celebrate his wedding. The little bottle contains the spirit of the old country, a reminder of the mists of Killarney and the warmth of the family around a smoking peat fire. Legend states the Molly McGuire blessed the bottles with a kiss. 

O’Leary disappeared in a Pennsylvanian coal mine before the Pinkertons denounced some Irishmen for defying a twenty percent pay cut.

Nowadays in our cellar, you can still hear Sweet Molly whisper, ‘Seamus, your secret’s safe with us.’

The Mechanic

The picture for this week’s Friday Fictioneers from Claire looks typical of small backyard garages that nowadays have lost out to the big names. Thanks to Claire Fuller for the prompt.

More story contributions can be read HERE.

PHOTO PROMPT – Copyright – Claire Fuller

The Mechanic

His great-grandfather, Malcolm Roper, rebuilt a Ford Model T as a favour. Afterwards, he founded the family business and was a self-taught engineer. His expertise attracted the transport king, Jack Hills, who paid hush cash to service his fleet of Ford AA trucks that distributed crates of Marlboro contraband from the docks.
Times were good despite the depression, and the family drove Austin 12 cars. They wore double-breasted threads with a Colt in their pockets. 

That’s history, nowadays they only fix Hackney Cabs for big Tony.
‘Why does he pay them extra expenses?‘
‘I do not know! Your honour.’

Gumshoe Diamonds

The lack of people in the street shown in the writing prompt is a reminder to me of recently imposed lockdowns due to the Coronavirus, let’s not wish for that again. I have been watching a Private Investigator series on television and this was the inspiration for my Friday Fictioneers’ story this week.

You can read other contributions HERE.

(Please note my book MISSING is free on Amazon for a few days)

Photo Prompt by Roger Bultot.

Gumshoe Diamonds

She is late, and my gum has lost its flavour. 
If I stay any longer, the suspicious early risers will notice.
My bladder is screaming for release, but I’ll give it two more minutes; despite my intestines twisting at my intuition, urging me to leave.
Then I see her. Mai Ling strides towards me, says nothing, and gives me the shoebox. She rushes away and drives off.

As I empty the box onto my desk, I reel back, knocking over my coffee.
My investigation into jewellery theft has intensified since the many mummified fingers have diamond rings attached.

Always with You

This week’s Friday Fictioneers prompt reminds me of cosy nights by a log fire. Thanks to Dale for her picture of the log stack neatly piled around the basement windows.

More Friday Fictioneers stories HERE.

Picture prompt from Dale Rogerson

I am always with you

The flickering of the flames from the logs burning in the grate filled the room with a cosy feeling. Elroy remembered drinking rum and the comfort of the taste warming his soul as it slipped into his turkey diner. He recalled these moments of joy and smiled, watching Jay and Josey playing cards under the tinsel draped from the fir tree; happiness and peace washed through him. 

The clatter of plates drew him into the kitchen, where Mary was crying by the sink. If only his spirit could kiss and hug her to let her know he missed her, too.

Charlie’s Mountain

Mountaineering and climbing the world’s highest peaks is not within the ability or resources of many, however mountain walking remains a favourite past time. The satisfaction of reaching the mountain top and being rewarded with a wide expansive view, occasionally high above the clouds, is worth the effort; in my experience. Also, we learn that the weather must never be trusted.

Read more stories from Friday-Fictioneers HERE.

PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz

Charlie’s Mountain

My daily commute is thirty minutes each way across the strait, and the view is both an inspiration and a reminder of my sadness.

My brother Charlie would say we will get to the top next time. We started on warm days and when we were within reach of the summit, the bitter weather always forced us back down.

One dark morning we began the trek and by the next afternoon stood on the peak shouting across the world. A vicious blizzard marred our descent.

I will retire tomorrow and have the rest of my life to find Charlie’s remains. 

Pestiferous Ghost

In this week’s Friday Fictioneers I have wandered into a world of SciFi, where a dying planet is being abandoned to its fate.

More flash fiction by Friday Fictioneers this week can be accessed HERE.

PHOTO PROMPT © Douglas M. MacIlroy

Pestiferous Ghost 

The stowaway white plasma detected in Conception’s engine troubled Captain Gohan. He must eliminate this intrusion.
First, he set the destination coordinates and fired the thrusters. The transporter lurched free from Rathe’s orbit.
He shook with grief. Forever he had left his home.

Rathe’s population struggling with an uninhabitable climate was being annihilated by flares from their star.
Survival of their species depended on Conception’s arrival on another planet, abundant with air, water, and food.
Probing missions confirmed their superiority over existing life-forms.

Somehow, he must destroy this pestiferous plasma, or else it will consume all life on the Blue-planet. 

A Matter of Taste

This week’s prompt from Rochelle is a lovely painting of typical dining table condiments.
I hope I have added some spice with my story.

Read more stories from Friday Fictioneers HERE.

PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields.

A Matter of Taste

How much?

The value is in the symbology. 
The famous artist is making a passionate plea to his lover.

I don’t understand. What does it say?

Focus on the condiments, they are always complementary.
The spicey, romantic flirtatious pepper by the flickering candle has an offer of an honest commitment.
See the full clear glass of lemonade.

The sauce is a promise of abundant passion and substantial wealth.
Sensible salt is pondering indecisively (half full glass) between a dying flame and the squeeze of the silky-smooth future.

I expect she said no.

Why?

There’s a pepper top on the salt.

Spectacles for Every Occasion

My contribution to our weekly Flash Fiction group Friday Fictioneers.

Read more wonderful fiction bites HERE

PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

Spectacles for Every Occasion

Certainly, sir.
We have a range of paranormal spectacles.

Yes, our mood range. The rose lens lets you view the world in eternal, euphoric happiness. Our blue ones present a cynical world of bitterness and grievance. Apparently, they are very popular with politicians.
Our nostalgic glasses will let you wallow in a mud pool of missed opportunities and shameful regrets. However, this monocle will swell you with pride as you relive achievements and insurmountable success at the expense of others.

These, in cotton wool to avoid distortion, give a view of our future.
You may not like what you see.