Copyright Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
The watchmaker removes his eye-glass, sweeps the assorted gears, balance wheels and mainsprings to one side, and stares down the street.
She’s late. She said she’d collect it at four – it’s gone five now.
The bell over the door tinkles; the fragrance of violets suffuses his second-floor workshop.
“I’m sorry,” she gasps, flushed and bright-eyed.
“Don’t worry,” he murmurs, handing over the dainty silver wristwatch, “everything’s fine now.”
Refusing payment, he watches her leave, packs up his tools and locks the door behind him.
There isn’t much he doesn’t know about time; so he knows that hers has come.
Birthday wishes for Friday to Rochelle, our illustrious, if slightly bad-ass, leader. It’s good to know that all is well in her world. I’ve responded to her gentle hint about keeping to 100 words. Usually I endeavour to come in between 100 – 103 but I made a special effort to stay in line for this week’s Friday Fictioneers. Just creeping. 🙂
castelsarrasin 
Oh Sandra, that’s so creepy. Well done.
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Thanks Mick. 🙂
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Dear Sandra,
This could be one of those intros to The Twilight Zone or Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Subtle yet ominous undercurrent. Very well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS Thank for your diligence to keep the word count at 100. I’d hate to have to make and example of you. 😉
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It could be… or it might be quite the opposite. And yes, I used to hate being branded naughty when I was at school… 😉
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Dear Sandra,
You inspire me to write, just to try to reach the height of the bar you set each week. This story was, oh, so good.
Aloha,
Doug
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When I read your comment, Doug, I went looking for your story. I’m hoping it’s in the pipeline. Thank you for being out there and commenting, and I look forward to your being back amongst us. Take care.
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Subtly done, a very gently sinister atmosphere….well done indeed!
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Thank you Sue, glad you liked it.
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I did!
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I don’t find it creepy, I think it is wonderfully fantastical. Especially that title – The Timekeeper. I imagine him sitting in his workshop, listening to all the different clocks/hearts marching to the beat of their own drum….with countless stories to tell. This is truly beautiful, Sandra.
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I’m so glad you saw that Lore. I wrote the story, intending it to be a sinister tale, and then, because it seemed a tad flat, I went back and purposely edited it so it could be read in an entirely different way. The flushed cheeks, bright eyes, could be signs of fever or excitement, gasping could be an indication of consumption or just simply climbing to a second floor workshop, etc etc. I was going to change ‘violets’ to ‘lilies’ but in deference to our birthday girl – whose love of purple is well documented…. 🙂 Thanks for reading and commenting – it made the extra effort well worth it.
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It was my pleasure, truly enjoyed it. I can find fantasy in the most unusual places.
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Sooo clever, my dear. But what a burden that omniscience must bring him.
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Thank you Patrick. I’m glad it’s not a power that I have.
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I like it. The eye-glass threw me for a loupe! 😉
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Clever stuff!
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Lovely but sad ending. Nice story/
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Thanks Graham.
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I hope I don’t meet that watchmaker.
DJ
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Hear hear…. 🙂
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Me too!
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Great story.. loved the ending! Will look at watch repairmen a whole new way now… 🙂
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This is why I use ‘throw away’ watches. 🙂
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I hear that!! 🙂
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Chilling ending. Enjoyed this one, Sandra. Cheers!
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Thanks, and cheers, Paul. 🙂
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Gloriously evocative, Sandra, from the violets to the wordplay, past the creepiness. I think this may be you at your best
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Thanks Jennifer. Glad you liked it
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What does it mean when you’re late “to meet your maker”? I think I would welcome a detour.
Tracey
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Sometimes I’m not so sure, Tracey. 🙂
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Lovely polished tale Sandra, beautifully crafted and a pleasure to read.
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Thank you! 🙂
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A lovely story with many possible outcomes. I enjoyed imagining all of them.
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Thank you Dawn. 🙂
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It could be ominous, it could not be. I like how it is open!
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Sometimes I like to leave it up to the reader. 🙂
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Truly lovely, and no not sinister at all. Kind of sweet! Well done!
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Thank you Yolanda! 🙂
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Ooh, that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. A great story, wonderful premise.
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Thanks Claire! 🙂
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Great tale which leaves the reader in suspense. What does the watchmaker know that we don’t. Whatever way you read that last sentence I fear her demise is imminent.
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I think you’re right, Irene. Thanks for reading.
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I loved how it progressed from being innocent and common-place to serious and morbid. I first thought he was in love with her, but with his talent, how can he?
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I think he’s preoccupied with her. I haven’t decided on his motives yet. 🙂 Thanks for reading.
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Good story, the loneliness of the watchmaker but the care he takes in his work, her excitement and then the twist at the end.
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Thanks for reading, Sally.
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This is a magnificent tour de force, Sandra, as good as anything I have seen from you.
Which means it is as good as anything I have seen full stop.
I was surprised not to hear a clap of thunder at the end!
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Thanks CE for those comments, I really appreciate them. The thunder would have cost extra, so I opted out. 😉
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Loved it and the way you ended it.
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Many thanks 🙂
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Very creepy!
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Thank you for reading. 🙂
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In hindi ‘time is also called as ‘Kaal’; and kaal also means death.
A superb take on this prompt.
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That’s interesting, Yarnspinner. Thank you for reading, glad you liked it.
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Great creepy tale.
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Thank you.
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Love it. Her time has come? Interesting. That is the last time I bring a watch in to be repaired.
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Yes. I’m more of a throw-away watch person, myself.
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Everyone seems to jump to the conclusion that the phrase “her time has come” means the end is about to come for her. Perhaps she’s finally getting that chance or opportunity she’s always dreamed of, about to meet her Prince Charming, etc.
I like the fact that it could be interpreted more than one way.
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Thanks Russell, I worked at that. 🙂
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This has a wonderful imaginative story line, Sandra. The watchmaker puts on an impressive performance for this fine lady whose picking up her expensive silver watch even though he was frustrtae minutes before. I felt he was looking forward to seeing her for, perhaps, other reasons.
Great prompt interpretation …. as always you never disappoint.
Isadora 😎
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Thank you Isadora, Glad you dropped by.
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I agree with Doug whole-heartedly, Sandra. You can create a scene like very few writers I’ve known, which is tangible and vivid and trussed up on only a few well-placed words. Great job.
-David
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I’m blushing to the roots of my hair here. 🙂 Thanks David.
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Sandra, I don’t find this creepy. Rather, in a subtle, gentle way, it’s lovely. Of course, the question is, does he end her time or simply know it’s ending? Either way, so well written.
janet (who actually wrote this week)
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It was good to see you back on the block this week, Janet. Thanks for reading.
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What a wonderfully creepy twist!!! You amaze me every week 🙂
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Thanks Jan! 🙂
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I’ve decided that it’s a tale of unrequited love as that is the mood I am in at the moment.
Great scene setting and atmosphere, evoking Baker Street and Sherlock Holmes for some reason… very well written as always. Take care in France I’ll be thinking of you.
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That’s an interesting link, Dee. Thanks for reading. And for keeping me in touch whilst I’m away. I appreciate it.
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She came for time and time came for her. I love this story.
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Thanks Melanie.
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Oh dear – that doesn’t bode well.Good story.
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Thanks Liz. 🙂
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I love how you interetwine all the uses of time, clocks, and lives. The watchmaker as timekeeper who knows when our time’s run out. Great story.
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Thank you! 🙂
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I love this! Sinister and threatening!! Great piece. Sarah x
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Many thanks! 🙂
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He should have told her that her watch was kaput – since he knew she was, too. Ha.
Randy
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There’s no romance in your soul, Randy. 😉
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but I have a lot of soul in my romance…
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A timekeeper who knows all. I’d be afraid to meet him. This is so well written, Sandra. Great read!
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Thanks for reading Amy, glad you liked it.
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Love the violets and the turn on that last line and the character of the timekeeper that can be read in so many ways.
I want more of this!
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Thank you!
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Was he afraid she might not make it back for her watch at all?
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Wow! What a wonderful twist at the end. I agree with Rochelle. This would make a great intro. Definitely something I’d watch (or read).
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Thank you Ula. 🙂
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He’s an intriguing character. I love the possibilities this raises – lots to think about. It’s a fascinating idea, well told as usual.
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Thank you for visiting Margaret 🙂
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Well, that’s either good or bad depending on what he knows. I hope it’s good, but it’s a bit of a mystery how he knows. Well written as always, Sandra. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks Suzanne, hope all is well with you now.
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Beautifully written with such an understated sinister touch at the end. Turned the story around.
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Thank you!
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Oooh. I got chills! Love this take on the prompt.
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Thank you 🙂
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A commenter said it earlier: ‘sinister’. That last line changes the story from that simple set up into a tale with some real menace.
Lovely work.
KT
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Many thanks, KT
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