Friday Fictioneers : 31st July 1917

PHOTO PROMPT © Marie Gail Stratford

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Dolly stared into the trug at the faded rose heads, their sepals turned back like neatly folded wrapping paper showing presents of fluff and seeds.

‘Only a little more to do,’ said Mrs Galston.

Being in the garden suited the Missus. Despite the expanse of her straw picture hat, she’d always bronze a little, as if the sun had snuck under her skin and couldn’t help but glow at its own cleverness.

Dolly was the first to see the telegram boy walking straight and stiff towards them, a dark blue shadow falling across the golden afternoon.

So many fallen blooms.

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Written for Rochelle Wisoff-Field’s Friday Fictioneers. See the prompt and spin a tale and don’t forget to share, read and comment. See here to join in.

Historical notes

The 31st of July 1917 was the first day of the Third Battle of Ypres, also known as Passchendaele. To learn more about the battle see here.

In the UK at this time and later, telegram boys wore a dark blue uniform, as can be seen in the image on the far left below.