THE UMBRELLAS OF NEW YORK

Wind blew through the trees, blowing the snow up from the ground, gusting around Guy’s face. He pulled his collar up further.

Across the park he watched Madeline, her bright green umbrella luminous against the white background. Their daughter, Francis, gleefully skipped around her.

‘She’s moved on, married someone else, she’s happy. Leave them be.’

But he couldn’t. He hadn’t survived that hell to come back and find he had lost everything after all.

He inhaled a deep breath of cold air and stepped forward.

Snow swirled round the limping figure as he crossed the space between them.

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.

The photo could only remind me of the wonderful film ‘Umbrellas of Cherbourg,‘ so I couldn’t resist a rewriting of that film’s ending.

113 responses to “THE UMBRELLAS OF NEW YORK”

neilmacdon

19/09/2018

A poignant tale, Iain. We can only guess at what he intends, but the outcome can’t be good

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  19/09/2018
  
  A pessimist, Neil?
  
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Reena Saxena

19/09/2018

Suspense in the air!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  19/09/2018
  
  Thanks Reena, what shall happen next?
  
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  1. Reena Saxena
    
    19/09/2018
    
    Drama, for sure 🙂
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
syncwithdeep

19/09/2018

is he gonna take revenge?

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  19/09/2018
  
  Everyone has such sinister thoughts! Perhaps he wishes to reconcile, express his love! 🙂
  
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  1. syncwithdeep
    
    19/09/2018
    
    hope he unites 🙂
    
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Joe Owens

19/09/2018

Oh Iain you’ve spun a perplexing beginning with so many potential story lines, well done my man!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  19/09/2018
  
  Thank you Joe, much appreciated.
  
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  1. Joe Owens
    
    19/09/2018
    
    This is one of the things about the 100 word platform I enjoy as a writer, spinning just enough of the tale to draw in the reader, but allowing them to drive the story starting on word 101.
    
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Keith’s Ramblings

19/09/2018

Something bad is about to happen – or maybe not. Intriguing.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  19/09/2018
  
  Everyone seems to think it’s going to end badly…
  
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michael1148humphris

19/09/2018

I love that we both went for films, I will have to watch The Umbrellas of Cherbourg

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  19/09/2018
  
  An acquired taste Michael, but well worth looking up.
  
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jillyfunnell

19/09/2018

I hope he’s careful about what he does next. Sometimes it’s better to walk away. Intriguing story.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  19/09/2018
  
  Thank you Jilly. the original film ends that way, but who knows..!
  
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J Hardy Carroll

19/09/2018

I caught the reference. Nice imagery in this piece.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  19/09/2018
  
  Thank you, a gem of a film.
  
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Abhijit Ray

19/09/2018

How does he know he has lost everything? His wife and daughters still alive. Hope he doesn’t do anything foolish.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  19/09/2018
  
  Not his wife Abhijit, Madeline has had his child, but has moved on to be with another man.
  
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  1. Abhijit Ray
    
    19/09/2018
    
    Does he know that?
    
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  2. Iain Kelly
    
    19/09/2018
    
    Yes he does, so what choice should he make?
    
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pensitivity101

19/09/2018

Thinking Cast Away with Tom Hanks and Helen Hunt where she married someone else.
Haven’t seen the film you mention though.
I’m optimistic that once she gets over the shock of seeing him, they can reach a compromise for Madeline’s sake if nothing else Depends on her new husband of course..

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  19/09/2018
  
  Thanks Di – a film worth looking out for if you ever get the chance. A similar idea – she moves on after he fails to return from war, only for him to then reappear.
  
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  1. pensitivity101
    
    19/09/2018
    
    Need tissues?
    
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  2. Iain Kelly
    
    19/09/2018
    
    A little, but all done as a musical – not a typical musical though, no big bombastic numbers, but even the dialogue is sung. You kind of have to see it to understand, it’s quite different from any other film I know of!
    
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  3. pensitivity101
    
    19/09/2018
    
    I’ve seen something in a similar format.
    
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rochellewisoff

19/09/2018

Dear Iain,

Can’t imagine where this is going. Not familiar with the movie. At any rate, I’m a romantic and desire a happy ending. Nicely done.

Shalom,

Rochelle

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  19/09/2018
  
  You appear to be one of the few romantics commenting today, I’m glad someone is imagining a happy ending for them 🙂 If you ever find a copy, well worth a watch for something different.
  
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pennygadd51

19/09/2018

Good, tense writing, Iain. The contrast between the daughter’s glee, the gaiety of the umbrella, and the limping, monochrome figure is made stark by your decision to set the story in a snowy park.
I’m afraid I can’t see a happy outcome. If he’d wanted to attempt a reconciliation, he would surely have made a prior arrangement? If he wanted to negotiate access to his daughter he would have done it in an office with a lawyer present. As it is we must just hope that nobody is physically harmed.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  19/09/2018
  
  Thanks Penny, I can see I’m going to have to work harder to appeal to the romantics looking for a happy ending! 😉
  
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Kalpana Solsi

19/09/2018

seeing them happy , he may move on in life. time heals wounds.

https://ideasolsi65.blogspot.com/2018/09/low-spirits.html

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  19/09/2018
  
  Perhaps he will.
  
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JS Brand

19/09/2018

I don’t know the film Iain, but your story has me thinking it’s worth finding out more. Well told.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  19/09/2018
  
  Thank you, if you fancy something a bit different, definitely one to look for.
  
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Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

19/09/2018

I have not seen the film… but somehow I think he will be positively surprised.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  19/09/2018
  
  I think there is a chance it could all end well.
  
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Alice Audrey

19/09/2018

I’ve never heard of that movie. I’ll have to check it out.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  19/09/2018
  
  Please do, well worth it.
  
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lisarey1990

19/09/2018

Very suspenseful!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  20/09/2018
  
  Thank you Lisa
  
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granonine

19/09/2018

If she really is already married, then this can’t have a happily ever after ending. But if not, there could be some wonderful possibilities.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  20/09/2018
  
  A friendship, a connection with his daughter, even if she is married? You’re not buying it… 🙂
  
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  1. granonine
    
    20/09/2018
    
    Of course there should be a relationship with his daughter. Not sure there could or should be between him and his wife who is no longer his wife. Lots of complicated emotions and tension there.
    
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  2. Iain Kelly
    
    20/09/2018
    
    Definitely complicated!
    
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BarbCT

20/09/2018

Was he reported KIA? I hope he at least gets to see his daughter regularly, although I wouldn’t be surprised if his return upsets her current marriage.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  20/09/2018
  
  That is the premise of the original film and what I had in mind, yes. His return is bound to cause a stir, for better or worse.
  
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Priya

20/09/2018

I am intrigued. I will try to find the movie. Limping figure does suggest that something untoward is about to happen.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  20/09/2018
  
  Thank you, funny that that little detail seems to have swayed people towards the negative outcome.
  
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plaridel

20/09/2018

i’m hoping for a positive outcome considering… i’m an optimist.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  20/09/2018
  
  Quite right 🙂
  
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Dale

20/09/2018

Lovely take, Iain. I, for one, choose to think he wants to close the gap, if only to become friends again and have contact with his daughter in a more loving way…

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  20/09/2018
  
  That would be the ideal, if not the most dramatic, outcome! Thanks dale.
  
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subroto

20/09/2018

Thanks for giving the context, any movie with Catherine Deneuve is already worth watching. Nicely done. I think he wants to reconnect as a friend.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  20/09/2018
  
  Thank you – she is wonderful to watch.
  
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draliman

20/09/2018

I wonder if Frances even knows about him? I hope he’s not about to set the cat among the pigeons…

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  20/09/2018
  
  I suspect she may not, and perhaps they will hide that truth from her…
  
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Anshu Bhojnagarwala

20/09/2018

Seems like a post war story!! Touches the heart – so many families get broken because of these stupid wars. Madeline is happily married now – let bygones be bygones!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  20/09/2018
  
  It is indeed post-war, but does he not deserve to see his daughter?
  
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  1. Anshu Bhojnagarwala
    
    24/09/2018
    
    He does, but not to disrupt the life of his ex-wife. 🙂
    
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Anshu Bhojnagarwala

20/09/2018

Seems like a post war story!! Touches the heart – so many families get broken because of these stupid wars. Madeline is happily married now – let bygones be bygones!

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spicedmullings

20/09/2018

Poor guy.
Wonder if he is a war veteran!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  20/09/2018
  
  That was the feeling I wanted to present.
  
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  1. spicedmullings
    
    20/09/2018
    
    👍
    
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liz young

20/09/2018

This is definitely the start of a longer story – one I would love to read.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  20/09/2018
  
  Thank you Liz
  
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StuHN

20/09/2018

It sucks to be presumed dead, and then officially dead, only to resurface. War is hell. Hell continues for the survivors.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  20/09/2018
  
  It can only be disheartening to find everyone has moved on.
  
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Brenda’s Thoughts

20/09/2018

An intriguing and sad story, it left me wondering about so many things. He’d been through so much only to find she’d moved on. I watched the trailer for The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, now I’ll have to watch it.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  20/09/2018
  
  Do enjoy it you can track down a copy, well worth it 🙂
  
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Dawn M. Miller

20/09/2018

IDK the movie but you’ve certainly made it sound lovely!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  20/09/2018
  
  It is a wonderful film 🙂
  
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Woman walking Max

20/09/2018

I really like the way you have ‘crafted’ the story-line – not a word wasted, to achieve a vivid and gripping sequence of events. As others have said, it ends with a cliff hanger… what will he do ? Good writing.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  20/09/2018
  
  Thank you so much, very much appreciated.
  
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Russell Gayer

20/09/2018

I like the open ending–and I’m an optimist.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  20/09/2018
  
  Good, there seem to be few around among the FriFic writers!
  
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Laurie Bell

20/09/2018

Oooooo and then… gosh I want to know!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  20/09/2018
  
  Thank you Laurie 🙂
  
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4963andypop

20/09/2018

The comments helped explain my question: what hell was he coming from. I wasnt sure when i read it whether the limping figure was the returned soldier, presumed dead, or if it was another more malignant chacter. I was convinced the soldiers intentions were good, personally.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  20/09/2018
  
  Glad you thought his intentions were good 🙂
  
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Piyali

21/09/2018

I think he’s just going to tell her that he still misses her. After that, he would just go on his way but not before wishing her well. That’s it, a bittersweet ending 🙂 I like the emotional connect your story had.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  21/09/2018
  
  I like your ending 🙂
  
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  1. Piyali
    
    22/09/2018
    
    You did? Thank you 🙂
    
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Vivian Zems

21/09/2018

This is full of intrigue. You set a poignant scene there. I was holding my breath… and will have to imagine how it all ends.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  21/09/2018
  
  I’d love to know what you think happens next. thanks for reading 🙂
  
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Jennie

21/09/2018

Very suspenseful.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  21/09/2018
  
  Thank you Jennie, hope you are well 🙂
  
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  1. Jennie
    
    22/09/2018
    
    You’re welcome, Iain. All is well. 😀
    
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James McEwan

21/09/2018

Like all the snippets in our lives, there are bigger stories behind the words. Nicely done.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  21/09/2018
  
  Thank you James
  
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Jennifer Kennedy

21/09/2018

Ooh this is really intriguing! Great write Iain.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  22/09/2018
  
  Thank you Jennifer 🙂
  
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Russell

22/09/2018

Never saw the movie, but a powerful scene all the same. I can’t help but think everyone would be better served if he walked away though. However unfair that may be.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  22/09/2018
  
  Oh, perhaps, although in later life if the daughter ever found out about her true father it may have consequences.
  
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  1. Russell
    
    24/09/2018
    
    Oh, I think I misunderstood! I thought that the girl in the story was a spouse/lover from before. Daughter changes things!
    
    Maybe I should watch the movie.
    
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theministryofshrawleywalks

22/09/2018

Nice, it’s left me wondering what? Then I saw the unbrellas of Cherbourg refand made me want to seek it out! Thanks, as if I’ve got any spare time!!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  22/09/2018
  
  It’s only an hour and a half, so a short film at least 🙂
  
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JoHawkTheWriter

22/09/2018

Back from the dead is a difficult new beginning with little space for a happy ending for everyone. Certainly a lot of storytelling opportunities with this one Iain.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  22/09/2018
  
  Thank you, yes it could go several ways!
  
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Sarah Ann

22/09/2018

Great pictures of people and umbrellas dancing against the snow. I imagine wife and child will be shocked and then pleased to have him back. Only time will tell if they can make a go of it after so long.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  22/09/2018
  
  I think time and no sudden decisions may be the key. Thanks Sarah Ann.
  
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Dahlia

23/09/2018

I haven’t heard of the movie but i loved the possibilities here and that he was willing to take the risk 🙂

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elappleby

23/09/2018

I haven’t seen the film but I love the way this starts off looking like a happy family snapshot and the second half reveals his sadness and isolation. Brilliant.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  23/09/2018
  
  Thank you so much.
  
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Ellie Scott

23/09/2018

So much emotion in a short little scene! Wonderful.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  23/09/2018
  
  Thank you so much Ellie
  
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Sascha Darlington

24/09/2018

I know that the movie was a three-part love story, which I’ve never seen. (And, I only know that because when I saw umbrella the title came to me and I looked it up. 🙂 )

I have to presume that he’s come back from war and still loves his wife. What else to do other than make yourself and your love known?

Well done, Iain!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  24/09/2018
  
  That’s it, make it known and see where the chips fall! Thanks Sascha.
  
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Fatima Fakier

26/09/2018

Cliffhanger! Sometimes it is better to walk away, but I understand his need for closure or answers or that something to move on with.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  26/09/2018
  
  Thank you Fatima.
  
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Anand Bose

28/09/2018

Interesting story. Anand Bose from Kerala

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  28/09/2018
  
  Thank you Anand 🙂
  
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