Flash Fiction Friday – An Unlikely Affair

Published by

Hugh W. Roberts

Sep 30, 2022

September 26, 2022, prompt: Write a story about a broken arm in 99 words (no more, no less). What happened? Is there a cause and effect because of the broken arm? Was the injury faked? Why? Go where the prompt leads! Click here for details.

An Unlikely Affair – by Hugh W. Roberts

Fiona was furious.

“What the hell are you doing? You promised me!”

Shocked, Nick was embarrassed to see his wife had found him out. Not even the broken arm she’d given him had stopped him from seeing Bella again.

“All she wants is your money!”

“But she loves me. And I love her.”

Bursting into tears, Fiona made a beeline for Nick, who thought she was about to break his other arm. As he stepped back from Bella, he watched in horror as his wife broke Bella’s arm.

“Keep away from fruit machines, Nick. You’re going to bankrupt us!”

***

Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch.

***

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.

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43 responses to “Flash Fiction Friday – An Unlikely Affair”

britcanwrites

Oct 18, 2022

I believe that. The way to get better is to write. I wrote a post about it, but I won’t paste the link here to plug it. The hardest part is getting started – I’m sure you’ll agree.

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  Oct 19, 2022
  
  I agree. Thank you for not posting the link. Uninvited links are one of the big no-nos of blogging.
  
  Reply
britcanwrites

Oct 18, 2022

Loved this! It always amazes me how good you writers of flash fiction are. 🙂

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  Oct 18, 2022
  
  Thank you. I’ve been writing flash fiction for about 7 years. I say the more you write it, the better you get at it.
  
  Reply
Linda Schaub

Oct 7, 2022

I always like your twists to the plot Hugh. I only played the slot machines once on a short cruise with my parents. I had a lot of fun, didn’t win anything, so no lemons, oranges, etc. lining up for me.

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  Oct 7, 2022
  
  Thanks, Linda. What’s the saying? – ‘You gotta be in it to win it.’
  
  Reply
  1. Linda Schaub
    
    Oct 8, 2022
    
    Yes, we say that over here too Hugh. Right now we have two high-stakes lotteries going simultaneously. People are buying up tickets like crazy. This Summer we had a lottery prize of over one billion dollars.
    
    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts
      
      Oct 8, 2022
      
      We have a few big jackpots every now and again on our lottery games, Linda. I’ve had a few three-figure wins, but it’s all about the fun.
      
      Reply
      1. Linda Schaub
        
        Oct 10, 2022
        
        Believe it or not, on regular lottery tickets, I bought a ticket for a boss that was leaving and put it in his going-away card. He won $50.00. The attorneys at the Firm had a lotto club, so they decided I was lucky and they put me in the club and I was chosen to go down and buy the tickets every Friday since they thought I had some magical powers. We did that for about a year and “we” never won. My gig was over. :)
        
        Reply
        
        Hugh W. Roberts
        
        Oct 10, 2022
        
        Lady luck has a habit of hiding Linda. She’ll strike when she knows it’s the right time.
        
        Linda Schaub
        
        Oct 12, 2022
        
        Very true Hugh.
Norah

Oct 5, 2022

Not the ending I suspected, Hugh. Not surprising, that!

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  Oct 5, 2022
  
  Good to hear, Norah. I enjoy taking readers down a different path from the one they think they’re on with the story.
  
  Reply
  1. Norah
    
    Oct 8, 2022
    
    You do it well!
    
    Reply
seaangel4444

Oct 2, 2022

Every time I read your work, I am in awe, dear Hugh! Incredibly clever! Bella had it coming to her! LOL Cher xoxoxo

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  Oct 3, 2022
  
  Thanks so much, Cher. Glad you enjoy these little pieces of flash fiction.
  
  Reply
  1. seaangel4444
    
    Oct 5, 2022
    
    Always, Hugh! Well, everything you write! Cher xoxoxo
    
    Reply
Dan Antion

Oct 1, 2022

Thanks for the monthly recap, Hugh. I did miss this one and I’m glad I got a second chance!

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  Oct 1, 2022
  
  I think these recaps always come in useful. Thanks, Dan.
  
  Reply
Did You Miss Any Of These? Monthly Round-Up – September 2022 – Hugh's Views & News

Oct 1, 2022

[…] Flash Fiction Friday – An Unlikely Affair […]

Reply
Terri Webster Schrandt

Oct 1, 2022

Hahaha, fruit machine, good one, Hugh. Had to reread then I got it! One-armed bandit for sure. Now they are all push-button. Sadly I know too many folks who LOVE their Bella’s too much!

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  Oct 1, 2022
  
  I don’t blame you for having to reread it, Terri. Fruit machines are known by many names, so I chose the one I thought most readers would know. Thank goodness for the comments section, too, where I can explain a little more.
  
  I used to love playing the fruit machines when I was much younger. I won a few Jackpots too, but I have no interest in them these days. They can be very addictive.
  
  Reply
Gary A Wilson

Sep 30, 2022

It has to be a UK vs US thing.
The gambling device with spinning pictures of fruit & things here is called a slot machine so I was confused by your story and was trying to figure out what this expensive fruit processor device was that was costing them so much money 💰 but someone’s comment above straightened me out and now your story is as funny as they always are.

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  Oct 1, 2022
  
  I agree with what you say about language problems, Gary. I was once disqualified from a writing competition because I used the word ‘Motorway’ instead of ‘Freeway’ in a story. The judge claimed she had no idea what a motorway was! I was going to use the word ‘one-armed bandit’ but wasn’t sure if everyone (especially younger readers) would know what I was referring to. Fortunately, the comments section came to my rescue.
  
  Reply
JT Twissel

Sep 30, 2022

Yes, Bella is a great name for a fruit machine!

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  Oct 1, 2022
  
  I agree. It’s that sound she makes when paying out prize money.
  
  Reply
Brenda

Sep 30, 2022

I’m always impressed with the way you bring stories from these prompts. Well done on another brilliant story

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  Oct 1, 2022
  
  Thank you, Brenda.
  
  Reply
Colleen M. Chesebro

Sep 30, 2022

LOL! You had be going there for a minute, Hugh. What a great story! Truthfully, I’ve been “stumped” by this prompt.

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  Sep 30, 2022
  
  Glad you liked it, Colleen. A fruit machine and one-armed bandit (as it used to be known) came to my mind as soon as I read the prompt.
  
  Reply
  1. Colleen M. Chesebro
    
    Sep 30, 2022
    
    I never considered it, so it was a fabulous surprise. I’m still mulling this prompt over. LOL!
    
    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts
      
      Oct 1, 2022
      
      Don’t allow it to defeat you, Colleen.
      
      Reply
      1. Colleen M. Chesebro
        
        Oct 1, 2022
        
        I’ve got too much on my plate right now, which is a shame. Sometimes I have to sit quietly and just mull the prompt. It will have to wait until another time.
        
        Reply
Erika

Sep 30, 2022

I was wondering where this would lead but had not expected the ending 👍

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  Sep 30, 2022
  
  Good to hear, Erika. I like surprising you all.
  
  Reply
  1. Erika
    
    Sep 30, 2022
    
    Hehe, and I like being surprised by you. That’s why I am always looking forward to your stories 😃
    
    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts
      
      Oct 1, 2022
      
      I’ll keep them coming, Erika.
      
      Reply
      1. Erika
        
        Oct 1, 2022
        
        It feels like they are coming effortlessly. You are a fantastic writer, Hugh.
        
        Reply
willowdot21

Sep 30, 2022

Really High that was so unexpected 🙂

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  Sep 30, 2022
  
  I’m glad it was, Willow. When I read the prompt ‘broken arm,’ one of those old-fashioned fruit machines came to mind. They’re also referred to as ‘one-armed bandits.’
  
  Reply
  1. willowdot21
    
    Sep 30, 2022
    
    Yes indeed they are 😍
    
    Reply
Liesbet @ Roaming About

Sep 30, 2022

Haha! Except, now Nick will have to buy yet another fruit machine!

Cool names, Hugh. I recognize Bella (of course, as we live in her) and I just visited a friend in Austin (yep, a name you are close to), Texas, who divorced the husband – Nick – she was with when we last met up. :)

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  Sep 30, 2022
  
  I thought ‘Bella’ was an excellent name for a fruit machine, Liesbet, because of the noise they make when paying out. Some also have the bell symbol on the reels that spring around. And having recently read what you call your new home, ‘Bella’ was in the foreground of my mind when writing this piece of flash. It was a great match.
  
  ‘Austin’ – ‘Nick’ – ‘divorce’ – there seem to be some telepathic powers at work this week.
  
  Reply

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