Friday Fictioneers : Thou shalt not …

PHOTO PROMPT - Copyright - Georgia Koch

PHOTO PROMPT – Copyright – Georgia Koch

 

‘Keep your mind on your work, boy.’ Daniel squinted from below his cap’s greasy brim, thick fingers working grey neck bristles then back to the tiller.

Jack looked to the rutted towpath, tugging at Samson’s bridle, though the horse kept its steady plod, ignoring him.

Perched on the narrow boat’s prow, Ruth’s eyes stayed fixed on her darning and the needle. Surely she felt Jack’s own eyes on her, on the soft curls licking her nape? His fingers itched to feel that skin.

The knife bounced in Jack’s pocket, eager for Daniel, its new sheath.

One more day.

 

Written for Rochelle Wisoff-Field’s Friday Fictioneers. See the lovely pic, write a story to go along with it in fewer than 100 words. See here to play along and to read the other stories.

 

 

 

32 thoughts on “Friday Fictioneers : Thou shalt not …”

    1. Thank you so much, Rochelle. Yes, I suspect there won’t be three of them on that boat for much longer, though who will come off worse I’m not sure. Thanks for reading 🙂

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    1. Thanks so much, Sandra. People on the canals had a tricky balance to achieve, living so close and sometimes having couples, families and additional workers all on the same boat. Who knows where these things will lead? Thanks for reading 🙂

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  6. Harsh solutions for problems of a harsh life. Great voice, Lynn. I wonder, is Ruth Daniel’s wife? I would think so from the title.

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    1. Yes, Gabi, that was my thought when I write it – possibly much younger than him I think, as was common years back. Though, of course, young and attractive wives spell trouble 🙂 Thank you so much for reading and your lovely comment

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    1. Yes, good call, Bjorn. Just because Jack is the younger man and has the element of surprise on his side doesn’t mean things will all go his way. Thanks so much for reading 🙂

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    1. Yes, not good to covet anything – least of all a comely young wife! It’s all going to end badly. Thanks so much for reading and for your kind comments 🙂

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    1. No, I wouldn’t like to live there either. It’s easy to romanticise the past, think that life was better (especially when we were a rurally based, agricultural society). But life was sodding awful for the majority of people for thousands of years – exhausting, painful, frightening and short. We’re very, very lucky to have been born here and now, for all the world’s problems.

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