STOLEN WEEKEND

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.


train-station-sandra-crook
Copyright Sandra Crook

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.


cropped-justified-new-banner-1.jpg

My novel, ‘A Justified State,’ is available now
‘a first class read from start to finish’ – reader review
Amazon.com / Amazon.co.uk / Book Depository
Amazon.in / Amazon.au / Amazon.ca

Look out for news of the sequel coming in the next few weeks!

84 responses to “STOLEN WEEKEND”

  1. Like the aftermath of Brief Encounter

    Liked by 2 people

    1. That’s what I saw in the prompt. Thanks Neil

      Like

  2. Well, that would make for an uncomfortable train ride…

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Certainly not what he had in mind.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Aye weel, nae houghmagandie this weekend!

    Liked by 2 people

  4. Dear Iain,

    A rather disheartening story. I felt for him.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 2 people

    1. These are disheartening times it seems. Thanks Rochelle

      Like

  5. I imagine there have been many such disappointments throughout the ages. A beautiful capture of a truly disappointing moment.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Ah, the sad and lonely end. Well told.

    Liked by 2 people

  7. Perhaps it is time he sets his eye on another lady….

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I hear there are plenty out there 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  8. He’d do better to find someone free to love him!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. If only unrequited love were so simple!

      Like

  9. Well that’s too bad. Wonder how long before he gives up.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Perhaps he already should have! Thanks Janet

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Unrequited love is sad. Great story!

    Liked by 2 people

  11. I’m with Trent. It’s time for him to move on.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I wonder if he can though – the heart is a complicated thing!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re spot on about the heart.

        Liked by 1 person

  12. In sad story which reminds me of the film Brief Encounters.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. That’s where my mind went, so glad it seems to have worked!

      Like

  13. Ah, a new twist on “two ships that pass in the night.”

    Liked by 2 people

    1. It was the third ship that caused the problem!

      Like

  14. The emotion of your story made me feel sympathetic towards the star-crossed lovers. Still, there is hope for subsequent meetings. Nice writing, Iain.

    Liked by 2 people

  15. 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.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Perhaps he is willing to risk more than she is.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Ouch! I feel his pain, which is probably the highest compliment a writer can get.

    Liked by 2 people

  17. Almost but not quite.

    Liked by 2 people

  18. it wasn’t his day. perhaps he would be lucky next time.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. He certainly hopes so

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Oh my…please don’t let her do this again!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Maybe she could not help it. Thanks Dawn.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Full of ups and downs, the life of the “other man”.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. It’s never simple.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. 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.

    Liked by 2 people

  22. Maybe next time, or maybe not. Perhaps it’s not meant to be.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I hate it when that happens!

      Liked by 1 person

  23. 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!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you Brenda, as always!

      Like

  24. 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.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Glad your finger has recovered. That does sound like a weird experience, especially for a child or teenager to discover.

      Liked by 1 person

  25. Ooooo here’s a mystery. Clandestine meeting foiled. Hopefully they meet up again on another ride

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I don’t think they are going to give up. Thanks Laurie

      Liked by 1 person

  26. 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.

    Liked by 2 people

  27. 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

    Liked by 2 people

    1. A nice attitude, thanks Suzanne

      Liked by 1 person

  28. Secret love affairs have to be especially cruel to the third party. Hopefully, he gets enough self-respect to move on into healthier situations.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. A nice thought, thank you Fatima

      Like

    2. Yes Fatima, secret affairs always hearts a lot on its reveal, it breaks the walls of trust badly.

      Liked by 1 person

  29. The excitement, the precarious hope, soon dashed – I felt for him. Vividly captured Iain, well done.

    Liked by 2 people

  30. A heart-breaking story, Iain. Lovely.

    Liked by 2 people

  31. That warning glance says it all. clearly a woman who is playing a dangerous game.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I dread to think what happens if they get caught. Thanks James.

      Liked by 1 person

  32. May be another day, when she is alone two of you can take the train together. Today is not your day.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you – that’s what he hopes for.

      Like

  33. I guess she made her choice.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Or maybe she had no choice

      Like

  34. Triangles always have those sharp angles that hurt…. Well-told story, Iain.

    Liked by 2 people

      1. You are welcome, Iain.

        Liked by 1 person

  35. I love the pace and feel of this story. His expectancy, and disappointment, all come through so well.

    Liked by 2 people

  36. You set the scene so well. How heartbreaking it must be for him to see her with the other man.

    Liked by 2 people

  37. So heartbreaking & sad. Captured well.

    Liked by 2 people

Leave a comment

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