Friday Fictioneers is hosted by the wonderful Rochelle, the undisputed master of what I call Sound Bite Fiction.
She sets the weekly challenge, and the standard.
This week’s photo is by good ol’ Doug MacIlroy, who reappears like the proverbial bad penny.
Good to see you, Doug.
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on this picture, below.
© Douglas M. MacIlroy
Click here to hear the writer read his words:
i luv u
They can only communicate on-line now.
R’s husband is brutally jealous.
His fists fly at the slightest provocation.
Real or imaginary.
He scrutinises her email, examines all her social media accounts, checks every word that she publishes.
They become increasingly creative, trying to avoid the inevitable.
They know that if the lover’s identity is discovered there will be blood.
Maybe worse.
She stares at his latest photo.
The house has a For Sale sign.
It looks very familiar.
Mrs Robertson, her neighbour, is ecstatic.
We’ve just got the most amazing offer, she shrieks.
R trembles with anticipation.
And fear.
Sound Bite Fiction 
Hmm…violence, tension, mistrust, fear, anxiety and anticipation…your story has all the ingredients.
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The storm is brewing and very nicely crafted, CE. I personally can’t understand how anyone could have an intense affair and not get caught. I’d unwittingly leave clues all over the place and never get away with it. You need to be meticulously organized. Or, you partner doesn’t really mind and goes with the flow. Wants to get a bit more writing done for example…
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Great tension as we wonder what these foolish people will do next!
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Hmm, I was always told ‘not on your own doorstep,’ but over the garden fence? That’s a fence I’d like to sit on and watch the world go by.
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Very film noirish.
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Now that’s a very stubborn wife, taking all the risk for the thrill. Can’t she leave her cruelly jelous husband? Someone going to be murdered soon. Very interestingly written, but you always do.
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I would not want the lover living next door. If she is okay with reality then crack on but she may well discover he was better in a letter. Great take. I love the weaving of the web.
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Not a wise move, the lover moving in next door. I doubt there is not going to be a happy ending.
Is there going to be a sequel?
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it’s like defense mechanism to me on the part of the husband who might be having an affair himself. anyway, the thrill of taking the risk and getting away with it can be rewarding.
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This is very intriguing. There’s clearly so much more to this story. There’s great commentary on the internet & how it can bring out all the insecurities in relationships too. A great write.
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Mmm, next door neighbors. The intrigue is just getting started.
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Definitely not a risk-averse set of lovers. It could be a comedy if Mrs Robertson turned out to be having an affair with R’s husband!Although he might find it difficult to follow both of them on social media. 😊
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Fortunately, while there is clearly some element of risk, my little tale is set in Scotland, where access to semi-automatic weaponry is more limited than over in the Land of the Freely-Available. To add to your Brian Rix-like scenarion, Mrs Robertson’s husband could have a fling with R’s lover’s wife. Although I hear she is not the pleasantest of ladies.
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I like the open-endedness of this one. The real question is who’s blood (or worse–I haven’t quite figured that one out yet) will be spilled. You left me on the edge of my seat. Hot Damn!
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From what I hear, Russell, the edge of your seat is a bit like Wyoming, a pretty vast area. Perhaps nothing more than morning tea (I do hope it is not Earl Grey) will be spilled.
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Well they say fences make the best neighbors… I wonder what ‘they’ would say about this little arrangement…. Nicely done.
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Run for the hills, perhaps?
Don’t be so beeeep stupid, maybe?
‘They’ are not always wrong!
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My husband’s oldest brother does this to his wife. If she and I want to talk about anything personal it’s practically impossible. (Thank goodness she’s not having an affair!) Well done.
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Some folk are like that, sadly, and mostly live miserable lives because of it. And so they make sure everyone else is miserable too.
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If she thought things were difficult before, she’s entering into a whole new ballgame right now. Nicely done, CE. As ever. I know there’s no corpse involved, but I’m confident that’s all just a matter of timing.
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You are such an optimist, Sandra, assuming a bloodbath at the drop of a ‘Like’!
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Is it her lover who is buying Mrs. Robertson’s house? Is she leaving her husband? They are indeed becoming creative.
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Yes. No. Creative and careful are the required ingredients, I think.
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Ooooh, her lover likes living on the edge, doesn’t he?
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Just a bit, yes!
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I think in cases like this it could be wise to force a confrontation… sooner or later even heavy fists will hit concrete.
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I hadn’t pictured you as a fisticuff type, Bjorn.
And perhaps R enjoys the thrill of playing the men off against each other.
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Moving in next door could be brilliant or rather stupid. I guess only time will tell. An intriguing story as always!
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Thank you, Brenda, I know which my money is on!
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That doesn’t seem like a wise move to me.
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Where’s your spirit of adventure?
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That’s a bit more adventure than I’m willing to risk. Goodness. Why would the guy move right next door? It’s like put a “kick me” sign on one’s back 🙂
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I can imagine several outcomes, none of them good…oh dear…
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Fortunately I reached 100 words before I had to decide!
As you say, Penny, oh dear…
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He scrutinises her email, examines all her social media accounts, checks every word that she publishes…..Ohh my God. she has to be very careful and creative too.
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Or perhaps just faithful might work?
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“Our new neighbor seems awfully friendly. He’s always over here borrowing something or just chatting. You notice that?” “We have a new neighbor? Oh, I guess I didn’t notice…” Might be a little sticky making it work. Unless there is a freak accident involving R’s husband.
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Laughing.
You just took this tale way over the 100 word mark, Trent!
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Yes, no longer sound bite 😉 Wondering how they plan on doing it, though…
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Moving in next door doesn’t seem very bright. ..although perhaps it’s genius because it would be unexpected.
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As long as hubby suspects nothing, it should be okay, but…
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walking a fine line – touch and blow? ouch.
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Indeed, ma’am. Perhaps they find the danger stimulating?
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well, it can be an aphrodisiac, but then there are limits to an edge …
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It’s like a scene from a soap opera! i luv it!
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Thanks, Keith
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Dear CE,
Sounds like trouble looms on the horizon. Incidentally, Doug hasn’t resurfaced. I’m just revisiting an old photo of his.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You think, m’lady?
Yes, sorry, I saw that later, but I never read any words until I have posted my story.
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Moving in next door – this can only end in trouble!
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Hmm, maybe…
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There are some lines you don’t cross, not if you want to stay alive. Nicely crafted.
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Unless you are Ryan Giggs, apparently.
Thank you.
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