Thursday 30 May 2013

THE STALKER

100 Word Challenge – Week#91
Posted on May 27, 2013 by jfb57

Julia says: this week’s prompt came from nowhere really:
…there’s always a sting in the tail….
You may play with the spelling of Tail / Tale if it helps!
If this is your first visit do read ‘What is 100WCGU?’ You’ll see that you have 100 words to add to those in the prompt to produce a creative piece to share.
You link it below and have until Monday 3rd June to do so.
Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list. I will move it to this page as soon as possible!

THE STALKER

Scorpion like she stalked her prey
Pulled up Facebook every day
Looked through friends of friends lists
To make sure there was nobody she missed
She'd been hurt by too many people before
She hid the papers in her underwear drawer
He said, there’s always a sting in the tail
This was one mission she would not fail
It wouldn’t be honourable
She was not an angel
The black mark against her name
It would bring her family shame
Her children would wonder
They would guess and ponder
It really is better this way
Not tomorrow but today
They will not forget
She will not regret.

Tuesday 28 May 2013

Regrets



WWBH Prompt
Wednesday 22 May 2013

) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.
4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.

This week's photo:



The words:

T-Shirt

Paddock

Spacestation

Pyramid

Zip


Here is my contribution:

REGRETS

The view through the hotel window showing the myriad of nightlights reminded her of a space station she’d read about in a book.  One day she knew the human race would have to settle outside the galaxy probably dashing along in hover cars where they would zip between buildings.


 
She smiled at something Mark said not really listening to him.   He grabbed her hand and said, ‘isn't this fantastic, Natasha?’
‘Yes, darling,’ she replied dutifully.

 
 





She came back down to reality as she realised Mark was addressing her again.  She smiled her apologies at him as she allowed him to put his arm around her bare shoulders trying to suppress a small shudder.
‘Sorry, my darling, are you feeling a chill?’ Mark asked solicitously. 
‘Your touch gave me goose bumps,’ she answered in a manner that she hoped was slightly flirtatious which is why they were here in this posh and swanky hotel eating food she’d never heard the name of before.
She followed his lead as he picked up his champagne flute.  They clinked champagne glasses together; crystal chink chimed melodically as an unobtrusive waiter cleared their plates and brushed the invisible crumbs from their table.
A deep sigh came from Mark.  ‘This is the day I’ve dreamed of for many years,’ he murmured. 
‘I can't quite believe you agreed to become my wife.  I keep pinching myself to make sure it’s true.’
‘Yes, it’s true,’ Natasha said trying not to grind her teeth.  
A pyramid of regrets built up inside her heart with only the apex peeking out from the base she kept hidden deep down inside.
 


 






She must stop this.  He had made his decision to leave.  She had made the effort to forget him.   Mark wasn't a bad man.  In fact he was a lovely chap, kind and thoughtful and she would do her very best to be a good wife.

Her mobile phone vibrated in her clutch bag nestling on her lap. 

  

 ‘I do love you Natasha.  I will do anything to keep you happy.’ 
She heard Mark’s words and thought there was just a tinge of menace hiding in his tone.  
She squeezed his hand, snuggled in to his neck and nodded her acceptance.




Word Count: 499





Thursday 23 May 2013

Walter and Sarah


Romantic Friday Writers
 RFW May 2013 Challenge is LETTERS.
Open until May 27th 2013
 Write your poem/story using LETTERS as the theme for a multi-generic piece of writing.   For more details go to the RFW Challenges Page.

Here is my contribution to the challenge:



WALTER AND SARAH




Word count: 999


Wednesday 22 May 2013

THE MISUNDERSTANDING

100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups – Week#90
Posted on May 20, 2013 by jfb57
Julie says: I’ve been having problems with a very sore wrist for a couple of months. Nothing I do seems to help and of course as I spend quite a lot of my day at a PC, rest is out of the question. Just to make sure there wasn’t something else I could do, I’ve been to see a physio and he did some acupuncture on it.
So (you’ve guessed it I’m sure) the prompt is:
…the points were sharp…
As usual just add 100 words. Please keep your pieces suitable for a PG certificate and if you are stuck do read ‘What is 100WCGU?’ for some help.
The link is open NOW and will remain so until 27th May.
Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…

 HERE IS MY CONTRIBUTION:

THE MISUNDERSTANDING

The words flew around the room
He said them in their bedroom
Vitriolic full of venom
This is what they had become
Where was the love, the affection?
They were sinking deep into a canyon
Jutting up the points were sharp
Biting and pricking like a barb
No rescue would be forthcoming
His blue eyes were so hard and unblinking
She’d never seen him so angry before
His last act was slamming the front door
She fell in a heap, curled up in a ball of shame
She tried to call out his name
Her throat was dry, no noise came.


Word count:  103

Tuesday 21 May 2013

Home Coming, by Sally Stackhouse




Here are the rules:

1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.
4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.
 
Mandatory words:
dock
cannon
anchor
camel
credit card
 
 
 
HOME COMING
The photo courtesy of our fellow blog hop writer Cindy Cagle
Although Annabel had risen early that morning time was already flying past. The kitchen was now spotless, beds made and all chores were done.  She gazed out of the window to check the weather.   It seemed a nice day for a lovely walk but she knew how deceptive it could be so to be on the safe side she would wear her camel coloured coat.  It was smart enough to meet Peter in the Crown and Anchor pub and warm enough to sit outside and enjoy a drink.
She wandered down past the stream that led in to the town centre that eventually flowed to the harbour at the dock.   There were several spots with benches on the quayside that she could sit on and her particular favourite was the bench next to the old cannon that was polished a burnished black and well looked after by the council men along with the others embedded on the quayside.
She loved watching the ferries come in to the harbour disgorging all those cars with their travel weary passengers and the foreign drivers whose faces were full of concentration as they negotiated the British road system. 
Drive on left.
Tenez la Gauche
Links Fahren
Picture from Wikipedia

Annabel scrolled down to the text messages on her phone.  They weren't quite the same as love letters but it suited Peter as he was a man of few words, more a man of action especially when he came off the ferry after a fortnight working on the oil rig far out to sea.  Only seeing your husband one week in three kept the excitement alive and felt that you were always courting. 
The only blot on Peter’s homecoming this time around was the credit card statement letter she’d opened in the mail this morning.  She usually left all the mail for Peter to sort out but this was addressed to Mr. and Mrs. so she opened it. 
The balance had been cleared the month before.  Her hand flew up to her mouth when she saw a large amount appearing on the statement.  What on earth was it for?  Furthermore, where was the money coming from in the next month to pay that large sum off? 
Peter espied Annabel sitting on her favourite bench.  He squared his shoulders, put on his best smile and sat down next to her.  He put his arm around her as she snuggled in to his neck.  He love the smell of the shampoo she used coupled with her perfume; he knew he’d made the right decision.
Annabel sat up and distanced herself from Peter’s embrace.  She opened her mouth to ask him what he had bought on credit.  He put his finger to her lips as he put his hand in his jacket pocket and pulled out a jewellery box.  He flipped open the lid and presented her with a beautiful diamond eternity ring.
Inscribed on a card inside the box were the words ‘I love you.’

Word Count:   500

Wednesday 15 May 2013

THE LAKE


This week’s prompt is a picture


This week’s prompt is a picture
Photo courtesy of Marianne Whooley who has a great blog Maris World



THE LAKE

Do you think they really will?
Yep, they said so did Dad and Uncle Bill
What’ll they do with all the water?
Dunno, Mum said they didn't oughta.
What’ll happen to all the fish?
I suppose they’ll die and perish.
They had a big meeting in town
Mum said it was a big showdown
With lotsa men in pinstripe suits
And the mayor was in cahoots
So we can’t keep the lake?
The grown-ups said it was a mistake
They dry it up and make some money
The soldiers will come from the army
That’s why they’re all very angry.




Friday 10 May 2013

WHAT A DAY


This week's (Wednesday 8th May 2013) prompt - first, the rules.

1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.
4) Link up with your blog hostess (NicoleCarrie, Tena or Leanne)
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow
This week's photo is courtesy of Flikr Commons:



The 5 must-use words:

butter

evil

wardrobe

rescue

ballroom


WHAT A DAY
Jessica stood at the edge of the wooden path gazing along its interminable length to the barren trees at the bend far ahead.  She couldn't believe how the universe could be so evil and conspire to make her mobile phone run out of charge.  No chance of rescue any time soon.   Today of all days when there was so much to do and so little time left.
 The tyre blowing out on the main road wouldn't have been a problem if only she’d bought some butter at the supermarket and packed it in to the bags in the boot of the car.  Then she could have greased the wheel nut and changed the flat for the spare one and driven home carefully.
The shortcut home looked rather precarious but she would just have to get on with it.  She heaved her handbag over her shoulder, rolled up the sleeves on her pretty white embroidered blouse, hitched up her skirt away from her booted ankles and started marching along the path.
 Her mind began to wander as she thought about the rest of the decorations that still had to be hung in the ballroom for her sister, Natasha’s wedding reception tomorrow afternoon.   She ran through a mental check list. 
The helium balloons, in the boot of her non-functioning car - tick. 
The three-tier wedding cake was being delivered to the house in the morning: she would have to arrange alternative transport to get it to the venue - tick.  
The flowers were coming straight from the florists – tick.
She would set her alarm clock for silly o’clock tomorrow to ensure there was enough time to alleviate these blasted problems.
She smiled as she thought how pretty Natasha’s dress was.  She didn't want to let her sister down and only hoped that the running repair she’d had to make on the hem of her own bridesmaid’s dress wouldn't be too visible after the slight wardrobe malfunction she’d had yesterday when she’d caught it on the heel of the stiletto shoe she was supposed to squash her feet in to.
Natasha had told her that it would be a good idea to break in the new shoes beforehand so Jessica though she might as well wear the dress as well.   It was all going so well as she pottered around the kitchen until she stretched up to the top shelf for a pan which is when she caught her heel in the hem and heard a loud ripping sound.
The cotton thread she had to use on the running repair was only a slightly different colour to the dress.  It was red (well perhaps more scarlet than red) instead of a pretty pastel pink to match the dress.  
She was sure it wouldn't be very noticeable in subdued lighting; luckily it was at the back of the dress, so if the great, wonderful universe didn't throw another spanner in the works she should get away with it.

Word count: 497


Thursday 9 May 2013

THE JOURNEY

100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups – Week#88



the prompt this week  is

…parting is such sweet sorrow….

THE JOURNEY

Her little round face watched from the rear window
She tried to capture this moment as a photo
She tried to smile bravely through her tears
She knew they’d forget her in a couple of years
So why did they want to send her far away
More miles than you could travel in one day
She wiped the tear from her cheek as the house disappeared
And picked up her favourite book, slightly soiled and dog eared
Her dad’s last words had been ‘parting is such sweet sorrow’
Then he smiled and said ‘Love you, I’ll Skype you tomorrow.’