Hustle and bustle. Amongst it all I sit alone.
Many come and go: commuters, tourists, pleasure seekers and shoppers.
Smiling faces and laughter, serious looks with purposeful strides, blank expressions and automatic motions: all accumulate into the life of the station.
The whistle signals an arrival. Her arrival. Loud squealing brakes and steam fill the air.
I watch expectantly. Will she be alone?
I see her, my heart leaps.
Then it sinks. He is with her today. She spots me and bestows a glance in my direction: stay away.
I watch them leave.
Our train departs, I take it alone.
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.
My novel, ‘A Justified State,’ is available now
Look out for news of the sequel coming in the next few weeks!
Like the aftermath of Brief Encounter
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That’s what I saw in the prompt. Thanks Neil
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Well, that would make for an uncomfortable train ride…
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Certainly not what he had in mind.
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Aye weel, nae houghmagandie this weekend!
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Maybe next week!
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Dear Iain,
A rather disheartening story. I felt for him.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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These are disheartening times it seems. Thanks Rochelle
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I imagine there have been many such disappointments throughout the ages. A beautiful capture of a truly disappointing moment.
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Thanks Sandra
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Ah, the sad and lonely end. Well told.
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Thanks J Hardy
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Perhaps it is time he sets his eye on another lady….
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I hear there are plenty out there 😉
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So I’ve heard.
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He’d do better to find someone free to love him!
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If only unrequited love were so simple!
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Well that’s too bad. Wonder how long before he gives up.
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Perhaps he already should have! Thanks Janet
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Unrequited love is sad. Great story!
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Thank you so much
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I’m with Trent. It’s time for him to move on.
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I wonder if he can though – the heart is a complicated thing!
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You’re spot on about the heart.
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In sad story which reminds me of the film Brief Encounters.
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That’s where my mind went, so glad it seems to have worked!
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Ah, a new twist on “two ships that pass in the night.”
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It was the third ship that caused the problem!
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The emotion of your story made me feel sympathetic towards the star-crossed lovers. Still, there is hope for subsequent meetings. Nice writing, Iain.
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Thank you Penny
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Poor guy, I hope there will be another opportunity. Although, if she’s married to the man she’s with, it may not be worth the risk.
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Perhaps he is willing to risk more than she is.
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Ouch! I feel his pain, which is probably the highest compliment a writer can get.
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Thank you
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Almost but not quite.
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Thanks Danny
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it wasn’t his day. perhaps he would be lucky next time.
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He certainly hopes so
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Oh my…please don’t let her do this again!
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Maybe she could not help it. Thanks Dawn.
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Excellent story!
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Thank you
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Damn…
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Yep.
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Awww, poor guy!
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Maybe next time!
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Full of ups and downs, the life of the “other man”.
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It’s never simple.
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Something about trains brought us both to a similar theme again, Iain – Brief Encounter has a lot to answer for in my opinion, though my thoughts were rather with Charles and Camilla in 1981 🙂 Excellent pace in your story. Lovely.
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Thanks Jilly
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Maybe next time, or maybe not. Perhaps it’s not meant to be.
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I hate it when that happens!
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He’s stuck in a tragic situation. I felt for him, seeing her with the other and taking the train alone. Nicely done as always!
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Thank you Brenda, as always!
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Sorry i had to leave so quickly before I could reply this morning. Doc called me in to get my stitches out! YEAH! I can now use my point and click finger again! Love your story.Such a sad relationship. Either romantic or spy… reminds me of when my Foster Dad was working undercover, and I walked into the college cafe to see him there… he gave me that same kinda ‘don’t talk to me, you don’t even know me’ kinda look. Later, he sent me a message via another foster dad about what he was doing. It was weird.
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Glad your finger has recovered. That does sound like a weird experience, especially for a child or teenager to discover.
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Ooooo here’s a mystery. Clandestine meeting foiled. Hopefully they meet up again on another ride
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I don’t think they are going to give up. Thanks Laurie
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It is strange that despite the everyday hustle and bustle of train travel it can still be highly romantic…or so sadly not as in your ending. You capture both the ordinary world and the other emotional one happening at the same time.
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Thank you
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Very sad, Iain but not all stories have happy endings. He’ll just have to find someone else he can be happy with. I’ve found things often turn out for the best. Well written. —- Suzanne
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A nice attitude, thanks Suzanne
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Secret love affairs have to be especially cruel to the third party. Hopefully, he gets enough self-respect to move on into healthier situations.
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A nice thought, thank you Fatima
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Yes Fatima, secret affairs always hearts a lot on its reveal, it breaks the walls of trust badly.
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The excitement, the precarious hope, soon dashed – I felt for him. Vividly captured Iain, well done.
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Thank you so much
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A heart-breaking story, Iain. Lovely.
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Thank you so much
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That warning glance says it all. clearly a woman who is playing a dangerous game.
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I dread to think what happens if they get caught. Thanks James.
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May be another day, when she is alone two of you can take the train together. Today is not your day.
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Thank you – that’s what he hopes for.
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I guess she made her choice.
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Or maybe she had no choice
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Triangles always have those sharp angles that hurt…. Well-told story, Iain.
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Thank you
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You are welcome, Iain.
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I love the pace and feel of this story. His expectancy, and disappointment, all come through so well.
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Thank you Margaret
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You set the scene so well. How heartbreaking it must be for him to see her with the other man.
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Thank you
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So heartbreaking & sad. Captured well.
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Thank you Lisa
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