September 30, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story uses the phrase, “across the water.” It can be any body of water distant or close. Who (or what) is crossing the water and why? Go where the prompt leads!
A Matter Of Life And Death – by Hugh W. Roberts
Holding on to Richard, Adrian looked out across the water.
“I told you I’d come back as a cat,” laughed Richard, “so I’m not keen being by the water.”
“But we promised we’d come to Brighton beach, ride the carousel and look out across the water on this date every year. Why wouldn’t we come this year?”
“Because it’s still too soon. Grief left empty-handed when you opened the door and let me in, but the answer to your future lays across the water.”
“But I can’t swim.”
“Who said anything about swimming to your future?” echoed Richards’s voice.
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Richard and Adrian first appeared in Edge Of Summer – another piece of flash fiction written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge.
Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch. Click here to join in.
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Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you’ll love Glimpses
Glimpses
28 short stories and pieces of flash fiction take the reader on a rollercoaster of twists and turns.
Paperback – £4.99
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Hugh's Views & News 
Aha! Do I detect a cliffhanger? 🙂 x
Cliffhangers are my heroes, Debby. I love leaving you all with ‘what next?’
Yes you do, and we shall wait. 🙂 x
Oh my, cats can swim if they have to but I certainly wouldn’t want to make them do it!
Me neither. Like me, they prefer their paws firmly on land.
Oh, the story continues! Makes me wonder what the future will be.
The future is in the hands of the prompts, Charli.
This is quite intriguing, Hugh. If not swimming, then what? Drowning?
Or maybe getting on a boat to his future without Richard, Norah. We may find out soon (depending on Charli’s future prompts).
I look forward to finding out, Hugh. I hope Charli’s prompt is just what’s needed for your story. 🙂
I’ve just read this week’s prompt and it looks like it’s going to work for Adrian and Richard, Norah.
Yes, these are likable characters and I’m always glad to catch up with them. This scene intimates that there is more to come.
Yes, lots more. I’m enjoying sharing more of their lives with you all, even if the pieces so far have been jumping forwards and backwards a lot.
Hmmm, water, cat and swimming…will Richard the cat push Adrian in so they can be together? Good one Hugh! Also, I chuckled at the bootie-crack of the guy in the image. I get a whole other story in my head, LOL!! Good for you to be incubating a new story! Look forward to more!
I never noticed that in the image, Terri. Charli (the host) finds all the images for her 99-word flash fiction challenge. It’s what she says in the prompt that I tend to go with, though.
I’m beginning to like these two recurring characters in my flash fiction pieces, even though what I’ve shared of their lives so far has been all jumbled up. You’ll be hearing lots more about them.
great stuff Hugh
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Try Laughter You might like it
Thank you. I never stop laughing.
“Who said…?” Hmmm, ominous.
I like how you tie your flash fiction pieces together 🙂
I’m also adding some pingbacks to the previous flash fiction pieces I wrote that included these two characters. I’m beginning to like these two.
Wow, what a sequel, Hugh!
Thank you, Erika. These short flash pieces are all out of order, but I’m glad readers can still follow them.
I have to be honest, I had to reread the previous ones. But I remembered thoses stories and even more the sequels go to heart.
I added some pingbacks to previous pieces, but thanks so much for rereading some of them, Erika.
Yes, and I am glad you did, so I could reread them. So, thanks for those pingbacks, they were very helpful.
I love these two , Hugh 💜
Thank you, Willow. I’m growing very fond of them as well. I can feel a book coming on.
I think it would be a huge success 😃