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. 🙂
Oh Sandra, that’s so creepy. Well done.
LikeLike
Thanks Mick. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
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. 😉
LikeLiked by 3 people
It could be… or it might be quite the opposite. And yes, I used to hate being branded naughty when I was at school… 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
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
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Subtly done, a very gently sinister atmosphere….well done indeed!
LikeLike
Thank you Sue, glad you liked it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did!
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
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.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It was my pleasure, truly enjoyed it. I can find fantasy in the most unusual places.
LikeLike
Sooo clever, my dear. But what a burden that omniscience must bring him.
LikeLike
Thank you Patrick. I’m glad it’s not a power that I have.
LikeLike
I like it. The eye-glass threw me for a loupe! 😉
LikeLike
Clever stuff!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely but sad ending. Nice story/
LikeLike
Thanks Graham.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope I don’t meet that watchmaker.
DJ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hear hear…. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too!
LikeLike
Great story.. loved the ending! Will look at watch repairmen a whole new way now… 🙂
LikeLike
This is why I use ‘throw away’ watches. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hear that!! 🙂
LikeLike
Chilling ending. Enjoyed this one, Sandra. Cheers!
LikeLike
Thanks, and cheers, Paul. 🙂
LikeLike
Gloriously evocative, Sandra, from the violets to the wordplay, past the creepiness. I think this may be you at your best
LikeLike
Thanks Jennifer. Glad you liked it
LikeLike
What does it mean when you’re late “to meet your maker”? I think I would welcome a detour.
Tracey
LikeLike
Sometimes I’m not so sure, Tracey. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely polished tale Sandra, beautifully crafted and a pleasure to read.
LikeLike
Thank you! 🙂
LikeLike
A lovely story with many possible outcomes. I enjoyed imagining all of them.
LikeLike
Thank you Dawn. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It could be ominous, it could not be. I like how it is open!
LikeLike
Sometimes I like to leave it up to the reader. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Truly lovely, and no not sinister at all. Kind of sweet! Well done!
LikeLike
Thank you Yolanda! 🙂
LikeLike
Ooh, that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. A great story, wonderful premise.
LikeLike
Thanks Claire! 🙂
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
I think you’re right, Irene. Thanks for reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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?
LikeLike
I think he’s preoccupied with her. I haven’t decided on his motives yet. 🙂 Thanks for reading.
LikeLike
Good story, the loneliness of the watchmaker but the care he takes in his work, her excitement and then the twist at the end.
LikeLike
Thanks for reading, Sally.
LikeLike
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!
LikeLike
Thanks CE for those comments, I really appreciate them. The thunder would have cost extra, so I opted out. 😉
LikeLike
Loved it and the way you ended it.
LikeLike
Many thanks 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very creepy!
LikeLike
Thank you for reading. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
In hindi ‘time is also called as ‘Kaal’; and kaal also means death.
A superb take on this prompt.
LikeLike
That’s interesting, Yarnspinner. Thank you for reading, glad you liked it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great creepy tale.
LikeLike
Thank you.
LikeLike
Love it. Her time has come? Interesting. That is the last time I bring a watch in to be repaired.
LikeLike
Yes. I’m more of a throw-away watch person, myself.
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
Thanks Russell, I worked at that. 🙂
LikeLike
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 😎
LikeLike
Thank you Isadora, Glad you dropped by.
LikeLike
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
LikeLike
I’m blushing to the roots of my hair here. 🙂 Thanks David.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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)
LikeLike
It was good to see you back on the block this week, Janet. Thanks for reading.
LikeLike
What a wonderfully creepy twist!!! You amaze me every week 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Jan! 🙂
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
That’s an interesting link, Dee. Thanks for reading. And for keeping me in touch whilst I’m away. I appreciate it.
LikeLike
She came for time and time came for her. I love this story.
LikeLike
Thanks Melanie.
LikeLike
Oh dear – that doesn’t bode well.Good story.
LikeLike
Thanks Liz. 🙂
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
Thank you! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this! Sinister and threatening!! Great piece. Sarah x
LikeLike
Many thanks! 🙂
LikeLike
He should have told her that her watch was kaput – since he knew she was, too. Ha.
Randy
LikeLike
There’s no romance in your soul, Randy. 😉
LikeLike
but I have a lot of soul in my romance…
LikeLike
A timekeeper who knows all. I’d be afraid to meet him. This is so well written, Sandra. Great read!
LikeLike
Thanks for reading Amy, glad you liked it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
Was he afraid she might not make it back for her watch at all?
LikeLiked by 1 person
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).
LikeLike
Thank you Ula. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s an intriguing character. I love the possibilities this raises – lots to think about. It’s a fascinating idea, well told as usual.
LikeLike
Thank you for visiting Margaret 🙂
LikeLike
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
LikeLike
Thanks Suzanne, hope all is well with you now.
LikeLike
Beautifully written with such an understated sinister touch at the end. Turned the story around.
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
Oooh. I got chills! Love this take on the prompt.
LikeLike
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
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
LikeLike
Many thanks, KT
LikeLiked by 1 person