IAIN KELLY

EXTENDED VACATION

Archie strolled back from the shop, newspaper under his arm. Another fine Mediterranean morning.

In the campervan, Agnes was still in bed. Archie settled down in his seat to read the headlines.

Iran had retaliated against America with missile fire. A commercial aeroplane had gone down.

He turned the page.

Bush fires in Australia. Not enough rain. Floods in Indonesia. Too much rain.

He couldn’t face it. ‘Darling, I was thinking. Should we extend the holiday for a few more days?’

‘Yes, dear,’ came the muffled response. ‘The real world will be waiting for us when we’re ready.’

Well, maybe, Archie thought.

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Copyright CE Ayr

Written for Friday Fictioneers 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.

A Happy New Year to you all, I trust everyone had a good festive season and all the best for 2020!

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85 responses to “EXTENDED VACATION”

  1. Tannille Avatar
    Tannille

    Yep, I can relate. Too much misery in the media. Stay out of range.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Unfortunately you can only ignore it for so long.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Tannille Avatar
        Tannille

        Too true!

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Sandra Avatar
    Sandra

    I don’t think I’m sure what the real world is any more. And that was the quickest explanation of an aircraft disaster I’ve seen in a long time. Topical, Iain. Sadly.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Sadly so Sandra, and I fear more to come.

      Like

      Reply
  3. Anita Avatar
    Anita

    Truly sad state of affairs in the real world.
    How long can we extend our vacation? Got to face the inconvenient truth…
    Have a great 2020!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Anita – I’m afraid you’re right, it has to be faced, and hopefully countered before it is too late.

      Like

      Reply
  4. J Hardy Carroll Avatar
    J Hardy Carroll

    I’m with Archie. The real world is not so fun these days.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It doesn’t have a lot going for it, certainly not much joy or relaxation…

      Like

      Reply
  5. trentpmcd Avatar
    trentpmcd

    I don’t think I want to return to the real world…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      If only it could be avoided…

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. ceayr Avatar
    ceayr

    Depressingly realistic, Iain, even without a mention of Brexit.
    I don’t read a newspaper or watch the news, I was unaware of two of the four calamities you mention.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Or the Impeachment. Plenty of fun times ahead. I wish I could switch off the news, but somehow it feels wrong to plead ignorance as a defence…

      Like

      Reply
  7. csheldonblog Avatar
    csheldonblog

    This is so prominent for the times that we are leaving in…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      If only we could just go on holiday and forget it, but how can we just ignore all that is happening?

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. csheldonblog Avatar
        csheldonblog

        it’s just a shame our world leaders won’t come together and do something about it… Too many personalities that won’t get on for what ever political reasons.

        Liked by 1 person

  8. James McEwan Avatar
    James McEwan

    Yes, enjoy your holiday while it lasts there might not be many more.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Nope, best to make sure you spend your time doing what you enjoy. Who knows when it will end!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. Liz H Avatar
    Liz H

    Oy. (Hangs her head)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Yep.

      Like

      Reply
  10. rochellewisoff Avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Iain,

    As one of the characters in FOTR said, “Let the outside world break their own heads.” Archie’s thoughts mirror those of many of us across the globe. Well done. Make room for my camper.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Rochelle. I fear there aren’t enough campers for everyone who wants to escape. I’ll save you a space!

      Like

      Reply
  11. neilmacdon Avatar
    neilmacdon

    To die in a campervan. That’s a circle of hell Dante hadn’t thought of

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      If he was alive today, I’m sure he could add an extra one.

      Like

      Reply
  12. Michele Jones Avatar
    Michele Jones

    The vacation world seem much better. The real world has too many issues.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      If only we could get rid of some of those issues. Thanks Michele, hope you are well.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. scr4pl80 Avatar
    scr4pl80

    If only it were that easy. Scares me to think of how true this is.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      If only Janet. It’s not been a great start to the new year, I hope your year has been more positive 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. Nobbinmaug Avatar
    Nobbinmaug

    That’s why I don’t read the news. In America, we’ve given up on reality in favor of reality TV. That is, of course, our government. This whole Iran mess is just to distract us from the impeachment.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Let’s hope he doesn’t have to find any other distractions – not to mention it’s election year…

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Nobbinmaug Avatar
        Nobbinmaug

        They just need to get him out before he does anymore damage.

        Liked by 1 person

  15. Eugenia Parrish Author Avatar
    Eugenia Parrish Author

    Yes, that last line did make me smile. Very thought-provoking.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Eugenia, hope you had a good new year.

      Like

      Reply
  16. tidalscribe Avatar
    tidalscribe

    I love the last line.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you. Let’s hope it doesn’t end this way!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  17. msjadeli Avatar
    msjadeli

    Such a good story, Iain. Too bad it’s based on reality 😦

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Yep, I would much rather it was more fiction…

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  18. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar
    Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

    Maybe seems the right response right now… but staying put might be the right solution right now.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Doing nothing and ignoring what’s going on is rarely the best solution to be honest.

      Like

      Reply
  19. GHLearner Avatar
    GHLearner

    And a Happy New Year to you, despite all the bad news flooding us.
    It’s so much easier to close eyes and ears, isn’t it? But I feel it is our duty to stay informed, to know when it’s time… to do what exactly, I’m not sure. Can it go on like this much longer?
    Very good story.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you. I agree, as much as it would be nice to shut out the noise, it is important people don’t give up.

      Like

      Reply
  20. pennygadd51 Avatar
    pennygadd51

    I keep campaigning, but that campervan seems mighty alluring…Nice write, Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Doesn’t it? Keep going Penny, there must be brighter days ahead.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  21. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    I’m with Archie… I think I’d want to delay returning to reality as long as I can.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      But you have to go back to it sometime *sigh* Thanks Dale, hope you had a good new year.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Dale Avatar
        Dale

        Sigh… I know so.
        Thank you, Iain, no complaints on my end! Hope yours was fab!

        Liked by 1 person

  22. draliman Avatar
    draliman

    Yep, will the “real world” still be there when they decide to rejoin it? If they ever decide to rejoin it…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It’s like a race to see who will destroy the world first.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  23. Keith's Ramblings Avatar
    Keith’s Ramblings

    I’ve started reading the paper from the inside out. There’s usually something positive buried within!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Always go to the Sports pages first for me! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  24. Russell Avatar
    Russell

    Extending the vacation is always a good choice!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I agree, the longer I can spend away from work, the better!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  25. Liz Young Avatar
    Liz Young

    Perhaps he’d better give up buying newspapers!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      That might be just the thing. Thanks Liz

      Like

      Reply
  26. Tasha Louise Avatar
    Tasha Louise

    Always nice to go on holiday and escape reality for a while!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I could do with one now, and I’ve just had one 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Tasha Louise Avatar
        Tasha Louise

        Once you’re home it feels like you’ve never been away doesn’t it!

        Liked by 1 person

  27. magickmermaid Avatar
    magickmermaid

    The news these days is dreadful, indeed. The entire world needs a restful holiday.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Maybe we could arrange for the whole world to just have a few days off, I like that idea 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  28. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar
    Brenda’s Thoughts

    Unfortunately, the happenings in the real world are unrelentingly tragic. Every other day I declare, I’m not reading the news today. But, it doesn’t stick. I enjoyed this one, and especially the last line. No one is ready for what’s happening in the real world.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      And it seems the news keeps coming thicker and faster these days, stumbling from one disaster to the next. Thanks Brenda

      Like

      Reply
  29. plaridel Avatar
    plaridel

    under the circumstances, an extended vacation is a great idea if they can afford it. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Yep, keep the world at bay for as long as possible.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  30. Laurie Bell Avatar
    Laurie Bell

    Lovely. I totally relate to this. I struggled to go back to work this week

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I got an extra week. Already dreading Monday…

      Like

      Reply
  31. Russell Gayer Avatar
    Russell Gayer

    Very timely topic, Iain. What a viscious cycle we live in. So many of our world “leaders” (I use that word lightly) are crazy stupid. We might as well be camping when they blow up the world. At least we’d have a few moments of peace before the end.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      You have managed to find a silver lining there. More and more it is just a cycle of horror with no end in sight.

      Like

      Reply
  32. theministryofshrawleywalks Avatar
    theministryofshrawleywalks

    Maybe indeed, who knows what’s going to happen next? Maybe Oasis will get back together…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It’s bad enough already, give us a break!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  33. spicedmullings Avatar
    spicedmullings

    Perfect!
    Only as you extend it gets that much harder to slip back into the real world!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Very true – as I contemplate going back to work next week!

      Like

      Reply
  34. Woman walking Max Avatar
    Woman walking Max

    An accurate story Ian, I can identify with wanting to make current events ‘go away’ at least for a while.I feel powerless in the face of it all.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I think a lot of people feel the same, and have done for some time.

      Like

      Reply
  35. siobhan1967 Avatar
    siobhan1967

    It does feel like that some days. Hope Archie isn’t planning anything too sinister, though that last line would seem to indicate he is.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Siobhan. Fortunately Archie and Agnes don’t exist in a world of such sinister thoughts – they’re just a normal couple trying to cope with the world like the rest of us!

      Like

      Reply
  36. Dawn M. Miller Avatar
    Dawn M. Miller

    I know how they both feel!
    Just finished your second book, btw. I gave it four stars but it takes a LOT to get five from me, so four is high praise.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I spotted your review Dawn. Thank you so much for reading it and ficing it a review, really does mean a lot. I’m very happy with a 4 star review! Maybe the final book in the trilogy will crack that 5 star review 😉 Hopefully be ready before the summer, 2/3 of the way through the first draft just now.

      Like

      Reply
      1. Dawn M. Miller Avatar
        Dawn M. Miller

        I don’t know that you will ever get a five star from me. The dystopian type story is really not my cup of tea. I must say, however, you made it very easy for me to see this future as a realistic one. You stayed away from gimmicky devices and made it more about the characters. I DO want to know what happens to Danny and Gabriella, and even Phillips, is he a good guy or a bad guy? Looking forward to the final part of the trilogy.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar
        Iain Kelly

        Great to hear that Dawn, that was always my intention to make it about the characters, with the world as the backdrop.

        Like

      3. Dawn M. Miller Avatar
        Dawn M. Miller

        Really good writing Iain.

        Liked by 1 person

  37. Eugenia Parrish Author Avatar
    Eugenia Parrish Author

    I’m with Archie. You can’t stick your head in the sand forever, but sometimes you have to leave the world to its own devices for a while to rest your blood pressure. Good characterization.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Eugenia – without that break I think we would all be driven mad.

      Like

      Reply
  38. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    If only the world could take a holiday from strife, then maybe nature could nurse ‘us’ back to health

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Mike

      Like

      Reply
  39. Ten Terrific Takes | The Diligent Dilettante Avatar
    Ten Terrific Takes | The Diligent Dilettante

    […] protagonist in Iain Kelly‘s tale reads the headlines and makes a […]

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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