Friday Fictioneers is hosted by the wonderful Rochelle, the undisputed master of what I call Sound Bite Fiction.
She sets the weekly challenge, the standard, and the prompt photo.
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on the picture below, which this week is supplied by Sarah Potter.
Click here to hear the author read his words:
Garden Party
I like garden parties.
This one is to celebrate an engagement.
A few well-dressed, affluent-looking, older folk stand around sipping champagne.
The young people are more exuberant, laughing and dancing.
Cathy looks delightful, full of happy energy.
I don’t know what she sees in Mark, but he does have money.
I don’t mix with the others, of course.
I am not one of the crowd.
Cathy hasn’t seen me yet.
If she did she would have questions.
Who are you?
What is that in your hand?
So for now I hang back, invisible in the shadows.
My moment will come.
Sound Bite Fiction 
I like the way the innocent garden party description gradually becomes something more sinister. A well-executed twist.
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Mysterious and ominous. Many possibilities and none of them point to a happy day for Cathy. Nicely done!
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Thank you, Brenda, I suspect you are right about Cathy’s big day
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Oh yes, wonderfully sinister, love it!!
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I do like ‘wonderfully sinister’, sir!
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Saying it like it is!!
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Very ominous. He seems to know everyone though I get the impression they don’t know him…
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I like ‘ominous’, Ali
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Undefeated love stalking around and gate crashing garden parties to be close waiting for the unresolvable. It will be close contact canopies when he is found out.
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Laughing. That’s a whole other story, James!
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There really is something sinister about that shadow. This is scary!
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I like scary!
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There’s so much menace in the phrase “who are you…?” when heard at a gathering like that. No one with a harmless agenda turns up in that way… Your inimitable style.
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Well spotted, Sandra.
That, of course, is the key.
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Ooh, cliff hanger! Good one. I wonder what will happen? So many possibilities.
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Thank you. I do like it when a reader gets involved!
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Very sinister. Stalking is a dreadful business. I hope your MC is apprehended before he can do anything to spoil the day.
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Too late, Penny, too late!
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An ex bent on settling a score perhaps. Nicely mysterious.
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I think ‘Who are you?’ precludes an ex…
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You certainly won’t be coming to my next engagement party!
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Gosh, Keith, you’re no fun!
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Now that;s sinister, but then that’s your trademark style, isnt it Ceayr! I sat that in a good way! We love your killer twists end endinds.
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Thanks, Neel!
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This week’s photo has really sparked some spooky stories. I want to know what’s in his hand… or maybe I don’t!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Laughing.
Probably you don’t, Susan
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Timing is everything. Perhaps he’ll wait until she goes to the ladies room.
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A gentleman would never enter the ladies room, Russell
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He loves her & she’s marrying someone else, so he’s planning revenge?
Someone has hired him to kill her?
He’s a ghost?
So many questions! What happens?
Hope all is fine and the party isn’t spoiled.
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Laughing.
As you say, Anita, so many questions…
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Way to spoil a good party!
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We all have different tastes, Trish!
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“What is that in your hand?” indeed. Something rude?
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Certainly not! It’s a cigarette…
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This blog doesn’t smoke!
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Now, now, young lady, this blog doesn’t do rude.
Murder and mayhem, yes…
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I’ve been told 😀! Blood ok, rude no no.
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Thanks, Tannille, that made me laugh aloud!
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Too much to hope that all he has in his hand is a party popper?
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Way too much, Iain!
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Dear CE,
His intent is obviously not to kiss the bride. Sinister.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Indeed not, m’lady
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That does seem mean to spoil Cathy’s happy day, but no doubt he has his reasons
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Or maybe he is just bad…
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