The Unicorn Challenge.
A magical new weekly writing opportunity from her – Jenne Gray – and me.
Visit her blog every Friday to see the photo prompt, and post your amazing story in her comments section.
Or on your own blog, and stick the link down in her comments.
The rules are:
Maximum of 250 words.
Based on photo prompt.
That’s it.
To hear me read my story, just click here:
The Narrowboat
Striding along the canal towpath, I spot Portuguese Tony lackadaisically sloshing water across the small deck of his decrepit narrowboat.
‘Hard at work, T,’ I grin at him.
‘Always the same,’ he laughs. ‘No rest for the wicked!’
‘I’m off for a game of tennis,’ I tell him. ‘Maybe catch you in the Badger’s later?’
‘That’s a possibility!’
More than a possibility, I reckon, because Tony’s a heavy drinker.
But he’s good company, with a surprising reputation as a ladies’ man, who entertains the guys with tales of his conquests.
I say surprising because he is shortish, roundish, baldish and, quite frankly, not much better-kept than his boat.
Added to which, hailing from somewhere south of Lisbon, he has little tolerance for Scottish weather, so that even in May he wears more clothes than Sherpa Tenzing in a Himalayan blizzard.
‘See you five-ish,’ I call over my shoulder, hurrying to arrive early to find a partner for the weekly Saturday Doubles tournament.
Val’s feeling under the weather today, so I left her wrapped up in bed with a hot drink and a yard of paperbacks.
I get paired with Big Mo, whose main assets, while spectacular, are little help on court, so, eliminated by four o’clock, I wander back to check on my poor wife.
Pausing on the bridge to admire the swans, I see her hop off Tony’s boat and skip homewards.
I immediately remember the paraffin in my shed, and plan a spectacular and well-deserved Portuguese Viking funeral.
(wish I’d a writ them):
“…even in May he wears more clothes than Sherpa Tenzing in a Himalayan blizzard.”
“…and a yard of paperbacks.”
Laughing.
Thanks, buddy, feel free to purloin and adapt to fit!
Tony’s swan song. Game set and a box of matches.
Your cygneture humour, Keef, I 15-love it!
excellent story and read beautifully!
Thank you, ma’am, you are very kind.
Have you considered contributing a piece here yourself?
You’ll discover that Unicorns are fun!
Devilishly and deliciously compelling!
And enhanced by your response, Nancy!
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Wonderful descriptions of your characters. Funny undertones. Loved it!
Thanks, Rosemary, they’re all totally fictional(ish)!
As always, a wonderful use of the photo. Is the funeral for the wife as well, or just the poor misguided drunk?
Jings, no, Tessa!
Can’t condemn a woman for falling for Tony’s charms, but the seduction of a friend’s wife is unforgivable.
Ahh I see. It makes sense.
Now I’m grinning – at your descriptions of these colourful characters.
It’s an entertaining-ish – no, no, that’s just for dramatic effect – it’s a highly entertaining story, with a fine twist and a finale to rival Up Helly Aa.
Not a weak word to be found – I partcularly like ‘…lackadaisically sloshing water across the small deck of his decrepit narrowboat.’
And the benign comment about Big Mo’s assets…
Such rich use of language.
Thanks, Jenne, sometimes the journey is more important than the destination!
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Boom!
Laughing. Indeed!
He’s off to the tennis while Val is under-served, it would seem. 😉