Wednesday, August 03, 2016

Friday Fictioneers

Posted Wednesday August 3




I clanged the bell. ‘Time gentlemen please’ I yelled.

‘What about the ladies?’ chortled Annie as she coughed, spluttered and stumbled into the steet.

I’d been landlord of the Brewers for thirty years but night after night, year in year out, it was at closing time I felt my loneliest.

The banter and merry laughter of minutes ago rang in my ears as I turned the key in the lock. My finger lingered over the light switch. It always did. I hated turning out the lights.

It was then I thought I saw Annie, sitting in the corner. She raised a glass to me. ‘Cheers’ she whispered.

'Have one last drink with me Annie. Please?' I begged as I flicked the switch.





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Thanks Rochelle at Friday Fictioneers for hosting and Ted Strutz for the photo prompt



10 comments:

  1. Very nice. I adore your vignettes.

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  2. This was very good. I enjoyed it, well done.

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  3. Dear Keith,

    A sweet and poignant tale. The atmosphere is tangible. Nicely done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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  4. Another cleverly crafted little story - very nicely done, Keith.

    Susan at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

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  5. A ghostly memory underlines his loneliness. Beautifully told.

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  6. Aww...you touched my heart

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  7. I got goosebumps reading this. So simple, but so very effective!

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  8. I loved this, Keith! I think so often people in very public roles like this find themselves more alone and lonely at times than any of us would guess. I smiled to think of Annie there waiting. :-)

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  9. this one left me confused

    http://obliqview.blogspot.in/2016/08/icon-grill-prompt-ted-strutz-he-was-too.html

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  10. His loneliness and longing for the lost Annie come through so powerfully, and I love how you've described the details of his nightly ritual and how hard he finds it all. Well told.

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