La Jeunesse
Long shadows stain the shimmering cobbles; it’s still hot for late September.
Weatherworn cottages bordering the square ogle with unblinking eyes as she lifts the damp curls from her neck. The boy from le tabac wipes down tables, shifting glasses, never taking his eyes off her.
He appears to be weighing up his chances; she’s contemplating her options.
Condensation drips down her glass; sweat beads his upper lip.
She rises, stretches languidly before swaying along the track back to the canal and the brightly-painted barge.
He may follow; he may not.
Ҫa ne fait rien…
There will always be others.
So as we begin the long haul into the darker end of the year, and on the brink of a second Covid wave, thanks once again to Rochelle for her leadership of Friday Fictioneers, which is probably about the widest social interaction I get these days. 😦
castelsarrasin 
Ouah!
Les femmes anglaises, toujours intéressantes…
Your usual p’tit chef-d’œuvre, Sandra
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Had to look that one up, CE. Thank you! 🙂
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Wonderfully atmospheric, Sandra, full of langorous passion
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Thanks for reading, Neil.
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This was delicious, Sandra. I was there, the proverbial fly on the wall…
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Lovely photo Dale. Reminded me of times long gone. Thanks for reading.
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Thank you, Sandra. I did take it in Italy… but there is one hanging on my wall in my kitchen 😉
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I like the last line 🙂
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Thanks, Reena.
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He may follow, he may not. A universal mating dance. Great atmosphere.
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Thanks for reading, Tanille.
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She knows she will have followers for sure, whether this boy or someone on the street…
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I think so. I tried to comment on yours but I failed at the log-in process. I can’t seem to find my password. Anyway, I enjoyed it.
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I’d say he will follow 🙂
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I’d tend to agree with you. 🙂
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Dear Sandra,
I enjoyed every sensuous detail of this piece. Merveilleuse!
Paix,
Rochelle
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Merci beaucoup! 🙂
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Very atmospheric.
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Thanks for reading.
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Wonderful Sandra, I could feel the heat and taste the sweat, not to mention the hint of danger. I’ve been reading a lot of Georges Simenon lately, and this very much put me in mind of that. His novels based around the canals of Paris have a similar tone. Excellent.
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That’s gratifying! Thanks for reading, Iain.
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Love the hopeful last line. Well done
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Thanks for reading.
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Ah, the philosophy of youth. Beautifully written.
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Many thanks, Eugenia.
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Worry not, there are plenty more fish in the canal. Delightful as ever Sandra.
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Many thanks, Keith.
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Loved the atmosphere you created. I was there! Great writing as ever, Sandra.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thanks, Susan.
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Ah, c’est la vie! Love the atmosphere you’ve painted.
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Thanks Paula 🙂
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Easy pickings for an eternally young vampiress! Once again, your story catches and sweeps me away, Sandra.
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Many thanks, Dora.
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Nice scene-setting. Methinks he will follow.
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I think so too. thanks for reading.
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You’re welcome.
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You painted a great scene, that I enjoyed reading
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Very atmospheric!
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Thanks for reading.
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I love the tension, the not-knowing you have left us to deal with. Excellent 🙂
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Many thanks, Linda.
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Oh I think he will follow😊 Wonderfully descriptive.
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Like a homing pigeon, I suspect. 🙂
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Beautifully atmospheric, I love the contrast between the glass and the lip, really smart.
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Many thanks for reading.
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What descriptive language.
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Thanks, Danny.
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Oh, you brought us in as the eavesdropper on the minds … nicely done. I wish it was still that warm here … 😉
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Yes our weather has turned this week. Thanks for reading.
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Our weather is doing the fall flip-flop … was cool, then chilly, then back to warm … No doubt fall is here, though, with the cooler nights. That’s the first sign of it actually digging in …
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Yes! Youth? at its best. Or not. I’ve never been good at flirting this way but boy-o-boy, your brought it to life!
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I might possibly have been able to manage after several glasses of wine. And then I’d probably fall asleep.
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if he decides to follow, he should bring enough garlic for protection. 🙂
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🙂
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Absolutely terrific! So many good things. I particularly liked “Condensation drips down her glass; sweat beads his upper lip.” Wonderfully well done, Sandra!
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Thanks for your comment, Penny.
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I think he will follow, but love that she’s not fussed. Enticingly descriptive piece!
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Thanks for reading, Brenda.
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Wonderful, I feel the body language come through and I am drawn into moment of an expectant lull.
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Thanks for reading, James.
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Love the anticipation.
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Thanks, Rob.
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Defined late September langour beautifully.
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There’s something about the end of summer, isn’t there?
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The photo definitely helps set the tone for your story.
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Excellent writing. You really brought us along and it was enticing!
I’m very late again with my contribution. I’m number 53!
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Thank you! I’ll be catching up with the later entries today hopefully.
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I’m so late! Some of it is the time difference, by the time it arrives it is usually late Wednesday night here and then I just get busy. Oh well 🙂
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A fascinating maybe-romance tale – and those are always the best kind. Well told.
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Many thanks for reading.
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I like the lyricism and the ambiance very much. Also matching of : the beads of sweat oh his upper lip and the condensation of her glass, a clever way to chart their encounter.
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Very atmospheric. The eternal dance.
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I love the attention to small details, the condensation, the sweat, the sexual tension. Well done.
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The detail and the overbearing sense of heat give a wonderful passion to this, Sandra, truly great description and capturing of moment and emotion.
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Excellent writing, Sandra. Atmospheric and captivating.
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Excellent job setting the scene.
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When you are young ‘ He appears to be weighing up his chances; she’s contemplating her options.’
Excellent writing, as usual, dear Sandra.’
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Those were the days, hey? 😉
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