This small village accommodates even smaller minds, and the journeyman’s departure is no secret. Everyone finds reasons to watch the locomotive steam away.
I ignore speculative glances, before curling myself around things they mustn’t know; the rapturous nights amongst the castle ruins, the empty promises, my equally empty purse…
and the child in my belly.
I quickly marry Caleb Brooks – a man solid enough to withstand the rumour-mill, and one who’s long been asking.
We’re happy enough, Caleb and me.
But in a community where no-one has a future, a past like mine remains a secret source of joy.
The ruins of Corfe Castle tower above picturesque Corfe station. There’s a wonderful photo opportunity to be had at dawn if you climb the neighbouring hill and capture the castle ruins rising out of the mists in the valley. It’s the ‘dawn’ and ‘climb’ bits that put me off… Thanks to Rochelle for allowing me to share the beautiful area in which we live, and for leading the merry band of Friday Fictioneers.
Absolutely stunning, Sandra. A life and a whole community in the sedimentary layers of 100 words.
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Thanks Neil. I was attempting to channel my inner Thomas Hardy this week. 😉
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Not quite as lugubrious
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Oh my…you are absolutely the mistress of the short write, Sandra! As for getting that dawn view, ‘climb’ is beyond my ambit these days…..
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Yes, I’ve seen the hill, and it would be something of a push for me these days. Thanks for reading Sue.
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😊😊
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Stunning pic and great story!
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Thank you!
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Exquisite.
A world in 100 words, and a nailer of a last line.
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Thanks so much, CE.
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Dear Sandra,
Thank heaven for Caleb. So much substance in a hundred words. Thank you for the loan of your beautiful picture.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My pleasure, Rochelle. Thanks for reading.
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Loved reading this Sandra. The piece has whet my curiosity and I want to know more of the story.
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Thanks, Colline. Glad it captured your interest.
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It’s brilliant, in one word. I agree with them, so many things in just a hundred words…! ❤
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Thank you! Pleased you enjoyed it.
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So much narrated! Lovely image. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Have a great week!
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Thanks, Anita. You too!
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Great piece, Sandra. And a stellar photo, too.
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Thanks Josh.
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Great tale. Glad Caleb is more honorable than that journeyman… i love the photo.
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Thanks Trent, glad you liked it.
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Great human interest story, Sandra. One wonders how often such things happened in those small villages–or still happen. My mother used to tell me about skeletons in closets of people she knew that I will take to the grave. The people are now gone but I won’t burden others with those stories. I won’t let them out unless I can twist them so no one knows identities. Those older people were talkers. Thanks for the picture of that lovely area. That’s the way I travel these days. 🙂 — Suzanne
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There’s so much to be learned from the tales of others. Particularly when you’re young and impressionable. Thanks for reading, Suzanne.
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Excellent Sandra, a timeless tale of village life. Well done.
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Thanks, Iain.
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There’s a whole novel in your hundred words, Sandra, and I was right – it is Corfe Castle!
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A place steeped in history, particularly the defence of the castle by Lady Mary Bankes. I never tire of visiting. Thanks for reading.
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Happy memories for me Sandra, being a Dorset lass born and bred (Poole)
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I didn’t know that! I love Poole – just a shame that yet again the ferry is out of action this summer. 😦
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Swanage sell the best mango ice cream for miles. Hubby used to be a warden on Swanage Beach, but that was before I knew him.
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I enjoy Thomas Hardy, and you did not fail me or him.
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Thanks, Michael.
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I can’t help but wonder how many lovers (and children) the Journeyman has left in other towns? As they say, he really gets around.
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Doesn’t he just?
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I loved the twist at the end, making the liaison not a source of regret, or disappointment, or guilt, but a source of joy.
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In a one-horse village, even a painful memory is better than no memories whatsoever. Thanks for reading, Penny.
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This is so believable! Such situations are not unheard of in any small town, where everybody knows your name 🙂
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Thanks for reading, Linda.
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Before I read the story let me tell you how much I LOVE this picture.
What you have captured here….
And your story….
I hope mine measures up.
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I’m sure it will Dawn. I’ll be along shortly. Thanks for reading.
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Wonderful story – and a great photo!
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Thank you!
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Wow, Sandra. Everyone has said it all. Beautiful picture and stunning story. You are a mistress at this genre…
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Aww thanks Dale. Glad you liked i.t
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I truly did.
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Oh wow! What a brilliant peep into an entire world. And thanks for a small glimpse of such a pretty location Sandra 🙂
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Thanks for reading.
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So much going on here, and in only 100 words. Your beautiful picture prompted me to check how far away it is from me for future reference (3h by road, or, wait for it, 7h by train!).
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Thank you. Yes, we’re not the easiest place to get to (or out of). There’s only one road into the Isle of Purbeck and one ferry out of Purbeck to Poole. And the ferry has broken down for the summer!
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You captured the essence of the community and character brilliantly. I’m always amazed at the depth of your extremely short stories! 🙂
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Glad you enjoyed it Brenda. Mmany thanks for reading.
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Highly romantic – sweet sorrow! And wedded to a landscape that is obviously in your bones.
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Thanks for reading. Yes, I wish we’d moved here sooner.
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Your words, your picture…what can I say? A masterclass in flash fiction. Btw, I’m three and a half hours along the coast from you!!!
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I didn’t realise that Keith. I hope it’s three and a half hours in the right direction! 🙂 Thanks for reading.
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East! Bexhill on Sea.
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What a beautiful story! And, I’ve seen wonders like the one that you describe. For me, it’s a spring dawn at Gettysburg Battlefield…. ah, the way the fog hangs a few feet above the ground. The early bird animals start to stir… it all combines to create an eerie scenario. I imagine that seeing your castle rise from the vapors would create the same. Thanks for the image.. Shalom~Bear
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Thanks for visiting Bear.
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It’s interesting that she finds her past a source of joy, despite the desperate situation she ended up in. There was so much depth and nuance in this piece.
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I think in a world where nothing much happens, an eventful past might be something of a highlight. 🙂 Thanks for reading.
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I love your words and I love your photo. It is a wonderful prompt.
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Thank you, Jo.
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There is a kind of acceptance in this and where the secret (no one must ever know, certainly not the child) was her one and only moment of joy.
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I thiink this might have been the case once, when women had less choice than they do now.
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Nice story. Caleb Brooks is the real life journeyman for you. Strong and reliable, but not the best.
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Not the best, but good enough. 🙂 Thanks for reading.
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You wrote an historical fiction novel in 100 words. Well done.
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Thanks for reading. 🙂
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YW Sandra 🙂
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A gorgeous photo and a wonderfully layered story. Even ‘the journeyman’ has depth despite his ignominious role in the story – just why are the villagers so interested in his departure? Thanks for the great prompt, and for another inspiring example of just what can be achieved in 100 words.
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Aww thanks for reading, Margaret. Glad you enjoyed it.
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Your story is simply perfect. A compelling beginning, a bittersweet middle and a thought-provoking ending. An entire village’s past, present and future packed into 100 words.
Thank you for letting us use your lovely photo this week.
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A lovely image, Sandra, and a wonderful story. To paraphrase, her joy in curling herself around something other people don’t know is gorgeous. I hope she is happy with Caleb. He obviously adores here.
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You crafted a marvelous story in just 100 words. Well done, Sandra 🙂
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Stunning write.
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