THE GIRL ON THE OLD TRAM

Modern, sleek cars had been rolled out along the route.  At the time Jonathan travelled every morning an ancient tram still clanked and rattled along.

Accompanying him each day were the unchanging faces that shared this journey. The familiar smile and muttered greeting part of their set routine.

She appeared one grey morning. A ray of light piercing the everyday gloom. She sat opposite him. For the first few days he couldn’t making eye contact.

After a fortnight they established a nodded ‘hello’ when she took her seat.

Now Jonathan began to dream. Should he speak to her? What should he say? Was there a future for them? He resolved to talk to her the following Monday.

When she got on the tram that morning she was talking to Richard. Richard was another regular on the old tram. Richard boarded at the same stop as her.

She nodded to Jonathan as usual, then spent the rest of the journey chatting to Richard.

The next day Jonathan got an earlier tram. It was modern and sleek.


photo-20170529154641697
Copyright Yinglan

Written as part of Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. The challenge is to write a flash fiction story in around 150 words, based on the weekly photo prompt. Thanks as always to the challenge host Priceless Joy. For more information visit HERE.

To read other stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

42 responses to “THE GIRL ON THE OLD TRAM”

  1. Poor Jonathan. This story is touching in its understatement.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. That’s life, Jonathan. You did right to move him on Iain

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I’m sure he’ll be fine, until he sees the next one!

      Like

  3. So sad for Jonathan but at least he didn’t wait around and watch those two start a relationship. Hopefully, he will find a more interesting girl on the newer train! Great story!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m sure he will, but will he make a move next time?!

      Like

      1. Hopefully, he will!

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Aww, Jonathan, you’d miss that ray of sunshine for a while, and it’s okay. Great write, Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Poor Jonathan , but maybe the 3rd train will be the charm. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. There’s always the next train 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  6. “Sorry Jonathan though i feel you are yet to meet the best . ” Nice story , Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. An optimistic outlook, nice 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  7. He who snoozes, loses! A wonderfully understated little drama, Iain and beautifully written. A lovely nugget of a tale

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ah, thank you Lynn 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. My pleasure 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Oh dear. I did have to a wee chuckle though.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ha, it strikes me that Jonathan is unlucky in life quite often.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. EH , that is just some fowks’ lives… x That wis how (not why..learning lines for a play richt the noo…) this was brill xx (shoulda said wis) x

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Oh! I feel bad for him.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Subtlety rules in this sweet little tale. I said sweet because i believe the next train will bring in some sweetness for Jonathan. Well written, Lian.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. A nice positive thought Neel, thanks.

      Like

  11. Better hunting grounds, eh?

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Oh so sad for Jonathan! It’s so often true: You snooze, you lose. Perhaps he’ll learn his lesson and find someone better, and talk to her sooner, on the newer tram.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I feel like might be the kind of guy who has gone his whole life like this and won’t ever change! Here’s hoping though.

      Like

  13. I really like your snippet of reality that was portrayed here. A missed connection, definitely but how many times has something similar happened to us? I hope Jonathan finds someone willing to wait for him next time 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You can never be sure when you’re sitting on the tram or train whether you should talk to a stranger or not – a difficult thing to do and do without being creepy or annoying!

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Maybe it was meant to be that they never spoke. Maybe he’ll find ‘the one’ on the other train. Maybe he won’t. Life leads you in ways we will never understand.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks NJ, I get the feeling he won’t though, he’s that kinda guy!

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Liked this! Poor Jonathan!

    Liked by 1 person

  16. It’s always difficult to realize that your chance of getting to know someone you have an interest in will probably never happen. Hopefully, if he sees someone else he likes, he will not wait so long to engage in a meaningful conversation and will be able to get to know the person . There are many women that have the same problem. There is always that fear of rejection. I could feel his disappointment . Great story. 😊

    Like

  17. I liked this story. I can’t help but cheer for Jonathan, that the next tram will have just the right one for him. Obviously, it was not her!
    Going Home
    Annie at ~McGuffy’s Reader~

    Liked by 1 person

    1. He’ll be pleased to know he has got so much support 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Aw, onto the next one for Jonathan. I think he’ll probably make his move earlier when another chance comes.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I hope he has learned

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Perhaps he’d do better on the afternoon tram…this from someone who isn’t a morning person.
    Ellespeth

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Maybe Johnathan could have waited for some more time. Maybe Richard and she we’re good friends. Hope he finds a blossoming relationship in the modern tram. A good story.

    http://ideasolsi65.blogspot.in/2017/06/117th-challenge-flash-fiction-for.html?m=1

    Like

  21. awww. missed opportunities, missed chances. well-written!

    Liked by 1 person

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.