The cars started rolling slowly to embark the ferry. They had been waiting for an hour watching the rain drum down.
Jessica rolled her eyes as Dad launched into another rendition of ‘Summer Holiday.’
Mum had got out the car and walked aboard. Her parents still weren’t talking after the argument over directions. Her brother sat staring at a video on his phone.
Two weeks camping in rainy Normandy again this year. Her best friend, Lucille, was flying to Disneyland tomorrow.
Next year she would be old enough to go away with her friends. She would miss her family holidays.
Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).
To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
Iain Kelly 
83 responses to “FAMILY HOLIDAY”
Good story.
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Thank you
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So much emotion in such a few words. Wonderful write, Iain!
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Thanks Annie
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Dear Iain,
There’s a lot of story in a few words. It sounds like a family holiday to miss. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle
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Those miserable moments on family holidays make the memories stronger and sweeter. Life is funny, yes?
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Exactly that John, thank you.
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I really love the content on your site – so much so that I nominated you for the Liebster Award. Check out the post at https://soeyewrite.wordpress.com/2017/06/21/liebster-award/.
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an end of an era looming – I hope she comes away from the holiday with some happy memories. Well written Neil. Nicely captured tension
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Thanks Lynn
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A feel good story. Well done, Iain.
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Thank you! 🙂
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Welcome
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I actually it will take many years of sunburns with her friends to realize what she are missing…
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I actually think
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Yes, usually it is only in later life we look back and realise how precious these moments really are.
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Though maybe not this moment exactly. 🤔
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The modern family!
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The last line took me by surprise. I love it! You really turned things around with those six words.
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Thanks Alicia, a bit of a cheat because in reality it is later in life that we look back and fondly remember these moments, but maybe she is a very self aware girl! 🙂
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You know what? It’s the miserable ones we remember! So, yes, she will miss them… while she’s having fun elsewhere…
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A different kind of fun for sure!
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Neat stuff, Iain. Who knows what’s going on with people we see passing by? Well-thought out characters, too. It put me in the story.
Great job, sir! Five out of five “I-get-to-go-to-Disneylands!”
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Thanks, if only I didn’t have to take the kids with me… 🙂
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What heresy?! Leave the kids at home and go to Disneyland. 😥
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Oh, this sure took me back. Wonderful story
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Thank you
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More weary travelers returning home. As Joni Mitchel says “Don’t it always seem to go. That you don’t know what you got till it’s gone.” Nice take on the prompt.
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Thank you, that song sums it up quite nicely!
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Or would she?
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I like to think so.
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Awh! Love the ending!! Especially hits home as my oldest is getting too old 🙂
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Thank you Joy 🙂
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Nice slice of life, Iain. Love the feel of it.
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Thank you Sascha
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someday, she’ll look back at these family outings with fondness. i do.
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Exactly the feeling I was aiming for. Thank you.
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A scene playing out all over the country right now! A trace of sarcasm from the daughter in the last sentence, methinks.
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Possibly, or maybe she is aware enough to know that family life moves on… Thanks for reading.
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I like the description of how the different members of the family are acting, you get a great feel for their dynamic.
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Thank you
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As I read your story, I was reminded of family holiday events. The arguments that always seem to pop up. Realistic story this week, lain.
Isadora 😎
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Thank you 🙂
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Will she miss them I wonder? Sounds like she can’t wait to get away. Though there is something about family holidays that are just so… so common. We all react in a similar way I think
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Thanks Laurie. I don’t remember thinking I would miss them at the time, but when we look back there is always a nostalgic memory of happy times.
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I’m guessing she won’t miss those holidays for a few years. And then she’ll miss them like crazy. Well done. :o)
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Thank you. I think you’re probably right.
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Now that is a true slice of life. Very well done.
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Thank you
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Very well-captured slice of life. Many years hence it will either be totally forgotten or tenderly remembered. 🙂
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Great story Ian, so true to life. I wonder whether, in 30 or 40 years, Jessica will remember the rain or claim (as so many do) that the sun shone brightly every day during the summer holidays “when we were kids”. Sadly I’m one of the miserable ones who remembers having to wear a parka in August!
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That’s true, I always remember it as sunny during the holidays but I’m sure it couldn’t have been all the time
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We always holidayed in England and I remember mine with joy – rain and all!
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It’s part of the fun 🙂
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Nothing wrong with camping in Normandy – I do it often! She wouldn’t like Disneyland.
My story – ‘An empty bottle’
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🙂
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Ah, the family vacation. Much anticipated and dreaded at the same time. As my wife calls it, “making memories.” You painted the picture well, Iain.
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Making memories, for good or bad! Thanks Roger
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It’s Russell, but Roger is close enough.
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Wrong R. Apologies.
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No biggie.
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Very lovely writing and you very beautifully captured the pain of lovely days past their expire date.
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Thanks Neel
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Sounds as though she won’t. You captured the truth of so many family holidays, nice one
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Thanks Michael
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I agree with all the rest. Really well told. And now I have a new phone with oodles of smilies so I can truly express my sentiments. 🤗
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Ha, I like to stick to the basic smile 🙂
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I can relate to this. I was so happy when at sixteen I didn’t have to go on family holidays. At the same time, I missed them. And I think all parents tend to argue on vacation — at least mine did. Now As an adult I have vacationed with my parents and my friends too. It’s nice to mix it up. Great write!
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Holidays with parents in later life seem much more precious, thanks Mandi.
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Oh the pain and challenge of family. You capture it well!
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Thank you
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It is sad when the kids become to big or busy to join us. You’ve captured that well.
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Thanks Dawn
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Sometimes it’s good to miss things. Hopefully she’ll still have a good time – there ‘s lots of hanging around at Disneyland. My brother and I spent out summers being driven to and around France. I remember them as good, he remembers feeling carsick, we both remember the rows over directions.
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Ha ha, they sound like great holidays!
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I love how we got an insight into so many characters in such a short piece.
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Sounds like a holiday trip that countless families will be on this summer! And yes, we look back and remember even the bad ones fondly
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Thank you, certainly based on my own family holiday experience, I’m sure I’m not alone!
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Really like how you built up almost four characters with their idiosyncrasies in just 100 words .
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Thank you
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Usually, we forget the regrettable memories and remember the good ones. I hope that’s the way for her. Good writing, Iain. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thank you 🙂
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