Copyright Roger Bultot
In retrospect, he was almost neanderthal – the underbite, the spiked hair, the squint.
But he rode the Waltzers majestically, spinning them hard to make the girls scream, leaping monkey-like from one car to another, muscles bursting through his lumberjack shirt.
Light-bulbs flickered wildly, the Shirelles pleaded for constancy, and Del Shannon lamented his errant girlfriend whilst Annabel’s newly-acquired hormones raged uncontrollably.
The Fair was leaving tomorrow, and she would do anything for him tonight… anything.
Not realising this was, inadvertently, the kindest thing he would ever do.
Other guys would not be so remiss in the future, sadly.
For the younger Friday Fictioneers, or the older ones who’d like a touch of nostalgia, I’ve included the relevant links to the songs in the story. For non-Brits, the Waltzers are a flat fairground ride with cars seating 3/4 people on a circular spinning base. My breakfast stirs uneasily at the memory. Thanks again to Rochelle, the mistress of the 100 word story and leader of our happy band of writers.
castelsarrasin 
A lovely bittersweet moment, Sandra
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Thanks, Neil.
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You set the scene brilliant, as for the Shirelles they were great, young memories are flooding back
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Yes, I loved that record. Thanks for reading Michael.
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Set the atmosphere for the period so well. Poor Annabel, I worry what her future holds!
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Hopefully she will survive. Thanks for reading Iain.
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I’d never heard of waltzers, but you threaded the bands and their voices beautifully through this story.
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Many thanks, Trish.
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I don’t know what the backstory is but you painted a vivid picture.
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Just a crush on a fairground worker, and a disappointment, the first of many to come.
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What a flashback, although way before my time…
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Thanks for reading, Tannille.
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Dear Sandra,
Thank you for explaining Waltzers so I didn’t have to look it up. 😉 I did catch the nostalgia and now have Runaway running through my head. 😉 I feel for Annabelle. I wa-wa wonder what her future holds. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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As good an ear worm as any for the day, Rochelle. 😉 Thanks for commenting.
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Clicking the links, I really enjoyed the walk down memory lane. Thank you for including those! Don’t miss those teenage hormone-raging days though. So glad he didn’t notice Annabelle. She got away this time without her heart being broken. Nicely done!!
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Yes, writing it took me back. 🙂 Thanks for reading, Brenda.
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Thanks for explaining the Waltzers, Sandra. Hadn’t heard of them. And the music–so many memories of teenage heartbreak and joy 🙂
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Yes, when I googled them I saw that they were largely a British invention. Thanks for reading, Linda.
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Oh dear, I guess Annabel never quite got her hormones under control.
And you made him so alluring, I blanch at the thought of the others!
And love the title.
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Yes he does sound quite the catch, hey?
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Another excellent story, Sandra. You described him wonderfully well. I was particularly struck by your phrase, “the Shirelles pleaded for constancy”. Lovely writing!
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Thank you Penny. Sorry to be so late acknowledging. I don’t know where the days go right now.
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This was a wonderful write, Sandra. I love how you incorporated the songs into the storyline. Poor Annabel… Love those old tunes!
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Yes, the Shirelles personified the sixties for me. 🙂
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🙂
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There are definitely days when one is glad one isn’t a teenager anymore with all of those emotions (and hormones). And, poor Annabel, tonight’s disappointment is just the beginning.
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It’s a long hard and rocky road for Annabel, I think. Thanks for reading Sascha.
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Waltzers, The Shirelles and el Shannon – you took me back a few years! I really don’t envy my teenage grandkids!
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No, I wouldn’t like to relive those years, Keith. Thanks for reading.
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I could see you there – was it you?
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Well, you know what they say… write what you know… 😉
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It sounds like Annabel’s in for a bit of a bumpy ride through life.
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Fair comment. See what I did there?
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in a way, she was fair game indeed.
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Indeed. Thanks for reading.
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Ah, those days when hormones raged.
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I remember them well.
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Ah, life of a carney. I can just picture him. What a catch.
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Delightful, don’t you think? 🙂
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I remember those Waltzers so well. A nice dose of nostalgia – but poor Annabel.
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They were a ride and a half… 🙂
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I felt your story crackled with energy – the music, his rippling muscles and showing off and her uncertain future life. Loved it Sandra.
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Thanks for reading. 🙂
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What a lovely scene painted in words!
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Many thanks for reading.
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🙂
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Vivid and nostalgic. Well written as ever. Thank you for sharing.
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Thanks for reading. 🙂
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Love that opening description.
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Thank you!
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