This week’s photo prompt for Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers shows a tranquil scene – or is it ?
Thanks to Sandra Crook for the image. This is what I imagined.
House-party in Rouen, 1856
Good party, lively guests, especially him with the smouldering eyes – Gervaise – he’s up for some fun. A tryst ? Tonight ? Uncle can ask him. Yes he will ! Husband Claude is a dolt. Dinner done, dusk falling, garden aromatic. First clue in Cupid’s stone hand —
” Cupid knows your wish, So go to the fish” Aha the carp pond .
” Rose you are sweet, where shall we meet?” The rose garden
” In a daze?, it’s the maze” Bravo, the maze.
Run to the maze, my heart is racing. See a shape, at last, it’s Gervaise. What’s this ? A clammy hand ! It’s Claude – Mon Dieu.
March 18, 2018 at 12:37 pm
Oh, madam, what have you done? That husband is not such a dolt after all … Well told tale
March 19, 2018 at 3:41 pm
Thank you Lynn – clearly Claude is wily even if not wildly attractive !
March 20, 2018 at 9:28 am
Haha! Indeed
March 13, 2018 at 1:56 pm
Great twist. Perhaps Claude is not such a dolt after all. Well done.
March 19, 2018 at 3:42 pm
Thanks – glad you liked the twist at the end. – I imagine that Madame has had previous trysts, don’t you ?
March 11, 2018 at 8:02 pm
Very clever to fit so much into 100 words. It left me breathless!
March 19, 2018 at 3:43 pm
Thank you Liz. Glad you liked the story. Breathless is good…
March 11, 2018 at 5:22 pm
Oops… but maybe Claude is the best in the long run.
March 19, 2018 at 3:44 pm
Yes, maybe Claude is reliable, though maybe not exciting ?
March 9, 2018 at 3:03 pm
Busted 🙂
March 9, 2018 at 8:10 pm
So true Granonine !
March 9, 2018 at 10:20 am
Maybe Claude isn’t quite the dolt that she thinks he is. Perhaps she prefers clandestine meetings over stable love.
March 19, 2018 at 3:46 pm
Yes, I think you may be right, and she is seeking short term thrills…
March 8, 2018 at 7:27 pm
My head is a spinning with the breathless tale. What a voice. such a strong voice. Marvellous. Quel magnifique!
March 8, 2018 at 10:14 pm
Thanks Kelvin, your feedback is appreciated.
March 8, 2018 at 5:39 pm
I think she’d better shower Claude’s face with passionate kisses, and congratulate him on rekindling the excitement of their courting days…
March 8, 2018 at 10:15 pm
Good idea Penny….
March 8, 2018 at 1:19 pm
Oh dear, it appears that Claude isn’t quite the dolt she thought he was!
March 8, 2018 at 10:16 pm
No ! Perhaps she has a habit of secret romantic meetings ?
March 8, 2018 at 10:15 am
I loved this, so French. Perhaps her husband is not such a dolt – but alas where is the adulterous fun?
March 8, 2018 at 11:26 am
Thanks James- glad you liked the story. La femme didn’t get the fun did she !
March 8, 2018 at 9:11 am
Mon dieu indeed! Simply delightful.
March 8, 2018 at 10:17 pm
Thank you Keith, glad you liked the tale.
March 8, 2018 at 3:56 am
This was a really fun piece, Francine. May I just make a small suggestion? Gervaise would be more of a woman’s name… Gervais would be the masculine – I know… coz there was a Gervais who worked at our corner store that I had a major kick on… 😉
March 8, 2018 at 11:27 am
Glad you liked the story Dale. Gervais, for men – thanks.
March 8, 2018 at 11:28 am
😊 I’m sure, in today’s world, there are exceptions…
March 7, 2018 at 11:13 pm
Dear Francine,
Imaginative period piece. Claude has the upper hand and sees right through her carp. 😉 Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
March 8, 2018 at 11:28 am
Thank you Rochelle. You’re right – Claude sees through her carp !!
March 8, 2018 at 12:27 pm
Thanks Rochelle. You’re so right – Claude see through her ‘carp’ !!
March 7, 2018 at 9:10 pm
Good old Claude. He’s not daft.
March 8, 2018 at 12:28 pm
You’re right Jilly. Claude’s a smart cookie.
March 7, 2018 at 8:05 pm
Nicely played Claude 🙂
March 8, 2018 at 12:29 pm
Thanks Ian. I’m a fan of French Farces – can you tell ?
March 7, 2018 at 5:37 pm
Not so stupid after all, eh?
Well done.
March 8, 2018 at 12:30 pm
Thank you Alice- glad you enjoyed the story.