It had seemed like a good idea when James phoned and suggested getting the old gang together and spending a weekend at Crickley Hall, his estate in the countryside.
Now we all sat in the cold next to David, crouched down in the heather, as he waited to get the perfect photograph of a wild grouse. We’d been here all afternoon and I’d had enough of David’s endless photography lessons.
Maybe it was too much to expect us to all be the same people as we had been studying creative writing as students. James had gone into publishing and earned his modest fortune, and now pretended to be part of the gentry. Teresa and Robert were still together, both accountants, but all Teresa kept talking about were her weight issues, while Robert nodded occasionally to pretend he was listening to her.
Seyi was the only one of us to have a novel published, some sort of trashy science fiction that we all would have sneered at when we were students. Now Emily and Steven hung around him like groupies, in awe of his every utterance. Greg, who’d been the life and soul of the party in the past, had now found God and spent a lot of time judging us and quoting the bible.
I suspected I wouldn’t come along to the next reunion. Perhaps it’s best to leave some parts of our past on the bookshelf and move on to a new chapter.
Written as part of Sunday Photo Fiction. Write a story of around 200 words based on the photo prompt given (above). For more details visit HERE.
For more stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
True realizations 🙂 Nice short story
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Many thanks.
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It doesn’t seem much of a fun reunion. It is amazing how much people change over the years. Maybe it is better to just move on to a new chapter 🙂
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Thanks Angie.
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Haha, oh that’s so friggin brilliant. I didn’t clock the connections within the picture until the end 😂😂😂
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Thanks Jac, I’m not sure how many people are making the connection, good to know at least one person did 🙂
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We only get to tell half the tale. People write such great ideas into my stores, stuff that I would have never thought of.
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Such real feeling in this one. And I really liked how you tied it to the photo — to the concept of putting things on a shelf, and even the name of the author. Nicely managed!
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Thanks Joy 🙂
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Great piece of flash, Iain. Love the last line!
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Many thanks 🙂
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I am due a reunion next month. Shall I – shan’t I?!
…about my very first book!
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I’m sure it will be worth it – even just to be nosy and see what has become of everyone. I’m guessing there won’t be Bird Photography so it should be better than this one. Thanks for reading.
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That made me smile from the first name to the end. Using the titles as a story of their life. Brilliant.
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Thanks, I enjoyed coming up with the scenario to fit them all in, I think it worked quite well. Glad you appreciated it. 🙂
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Greeat job, I enjoy these more every time I read them. So clever!
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You’re very kind, thank you so much 🙂
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Clever use of the books on that shelf! Most of the time, we can not go back…and expect things to be as we would like them to be. Harsh reality sets in real quick!
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Very true. My birthday this week, maybe that was in my mind! Thanks for the kind comment.
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Interesting take on the prompt. It is weird how people have changed when you see them at reunions. Weird to see how different they are how your group has come apart, it’s only a memory. Doesn’t seem like it was a good reunion.
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Many thanks 🙂
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Excellent use of the prompt and total truths spoken.
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Many thanks 🙂
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Made a whole lot of sense! Nicely crafted Iain.
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Many thanks 🙂
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I’ve been to one class reunion.
I was very hopeful about the people attending, but it very nearly turned despairing.
It’s sad to see how people change, but in another i’m quite happy.
You captured that feeling of loss perfectly.
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Always best to look forward I think and not try to relive your past. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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