This week’s photo prompt is provided by Iain Kelly. Thank you Iain!
Danny downed the last of his pint, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. ‘Sodding police helicopter,’ he said. ‘Drowns out the football.’ He nodded towards the TV, its dashing, fuzzy players.
The landlord, Nige, turned another page of his newspaper.
A gust of wind tugged Danny’s sparse hair, a door banged and Maggie, Nige’s wife, appeared behind the bar, breathing heavy like she’d just run the 100 against Usain Bolt, her nose speckled with damp.
‘Raining is it?’ said Danny, shaking his glass.
Maggie smiled. ‘I’ll fill that for you.’ Soon there was a fresh pint of Guinness on the bar, bright foam shivering.
Danny spotted the beads of blood round Maggie’s wrist, the grime smudging her sleeve. Funny how she was never around when the choppers went over. Funnier still how she returned breathless, often grazed, often grubby.
She watched him, lip clamped between her teeth, forehead glistening as if the rain had followed her inside.
Danny raised his pint. ‘Cheers, love,’ he said.
She always did pull a better pint than Nige.
Written for Priceless Joy’s Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. See the photo and write 175 words or fewer to accompany it. See here to join in and to read some great stories.
Nice Take…
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Thanks Joy 🙂
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I can’t decide if she’s a secret hero or a villain… I guess it’s up to Danny to figure out the mystery. Or course, that could wait for the infamous tomorrow. After one or two pints.. Really creative take of the prompt!
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Thanks so much Izzy! Yes, my instinct was that she’s a villain, but you never know. And perhaps Danny will figure it out – he seems pretty good at spotting clues. Thanks for reading 🙂
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We can only hope lol. And you’re very welcome
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🙂
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Hm, Maggie’s got a bit of mystery about her! Great scene you paint of the bar.
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Thanks Joy. Yes, she’s a mystery woman alright. Love painting a pub scene – I’ve clearly spent too much time in them 🙂
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I could use a little pub time myself these days. 🙂
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Sounds like Maggie is a secret agent of some type. Great mysterious story, Lynn! Loved the ending where Danny raised his pint and thought, “She always did pull a better pint than Nige.”
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Thanks Joy. Yes, not quite sure what Maggie gets up to, but she is an exciting and mysterious woman alright. Thanks so much for reading 🙂
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I wonder what Maggie has been up to? I’m not sure Danny is too bothered, so long as he has a fresh pint I think he’s happy where he is! Great work.
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Haha! I think you’re right Iain. Now, if the Guinness stopped flowing, that might be another thing entirely … Thanks for reading 🙂
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Yes, then there would be trouble!
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🙂
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A very intriguing take Lynn.
Maggie hmmmm …..
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Yes. I feel like following her out of the pub one night to se what she gets up to. Mysterious lady. Thanks for reading 🙂
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Mysterious Maggie. A nice take. Lovely flow, great pace.
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Thans Graham – mysterious indeed. Thanks for the great feedback 🙂
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seems like shes leading a double life and he is only mildly bothered….as long as the pints keep flowing he is contended to not ask questions. Very intriguing story!
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Absolutely right! But if the beer dries up … Thanks for reading 🙂
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Wow. Loved it. A couple of spies 😉
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Well, you never know. Fun to surmise, though 🙂
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