The room was noisy with chatter and braying laughs. Margaret squeezed between clusters of people, smiling, raising her glass above her head; her breasts towards the men, and backside to the women. The paintings were too abstract for her liking, but she wasn’t wearing her glasses and she was on her third sangria.
She stopped in front a small oil. The title, ‘Woman with yellow hair’ swam alarmingly when she leaned forward. She lifted the painting off the wall, peered closer and without looking around slipped it into her handbag.
At the door Margaret felt a hand on her arm.
***
Earlier this week, Ruth Hunt posted a Q&A with me about my writing process, on her blog. Click here to have a read, or to contact Ruth if you’re interested in her featuring you.
For those who don’t know how Friday Fictioneers works, this picture (this time supplied by Janet Webb) is our inspiration for our weekly online writing group hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Click here to read other people’s amazing stories or to join in. And please comment below with any suggestions for improvement on mine.
This scenario is only too real! I enjoyed the link and the interview too.
LikeLike
Hilary, I like to think of you getting drunk and stealing pictures at private views 😉
LikeLike
I liked the graphic description of her progress through the crowd. 🙂 Nicely done.
LikeLike
Thanks Sandra.
LikeLike
I loved the build up, 😉
LikeLike
Thanks Helen.
LikeLike
Please tell me it’s the hand of the artist, her ex-lover and she the subject of the painting. At least she was in my mind. Fabulous story.
LikeLike
Oh, exactly. I wanted to put something like that in, but there just wasn’t enough room. In my mind, she hasn’t been caught.
LikeLike
That’s rather bold! You created a character with some strong compulsions in such a small space. Well done, Claire.
LikeLike
Thanks Helena.
LikeLike
Great descriptions. I could see it all happening.
LikeLike
Thanks Patricia.
LikeLike
Great character, great action, and an end that’s pribably good… but disapointing for the thief.. congrats for the interview…
LikeLike
I’m not sure that hand on her arm is her getting caught…
LikeLike
Love the suspense you build in this one.
LikeLike
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
LikeLike
I like the way the painting swam – one glass too many will do that!
LikeLike
Absolutely. I think we’ve all been there…
LikeLike
Not good but still worth stealing. Good story.
LikeLike
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
LikeLike
Dear Claire,
I hope the painting was a small one or her handbag extremely large. Good descriptions. I could even smell the heavy perfume in the air. Nice one.
shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Ah, yes, the heavy perfume too. Big bag, small painting I think.
LikeLike
A silly drunk or a not-so-clever art thief? I like the possibilities here and your descriptions of Margaret were excellent.
LikeLike
I was rather hoping she would get away with it 🙂
LikeLike
I think she does. In my mind the hand on her arm is not her being caught…
LikeLike
Oh ho ho!A Klepto ? Or its just the Sangria?Or maybe she had a personal interest?Too bad if she is caught-well,that restraining arm could belong to a lover too ;-)Loved the character sketch and her movement through the crowd:-)
LikeLike
Thanks. Yes, I think she’s stopped by a lover, or someone she knows.
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
Moral: A noisy, crowded gallery may not be the ideal place to pull off a heist. Then again, the sangria may have been the true reason for the failed attempt. So many different reasons to attend a gallery opening too.
LikeLike
I don’t think her attempt failed. I think the painting is hanging in her downstairs loo right now.
LikeLike
Love the build up…intense and well written 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
LikeLike
Busted! Must have been one of those economy-sized handbags. 😀
LikeLike
Small painting… actually I don’t think she was caught.
LikeLike
Great! She got caught. Good story!
LikeLike
That third glass of wine will make a thief out of many an honest woman. lol
LikeLike
Hah – now we know where all the paintings in your house come from…
LikeLike
Shhhhhh…;)
LikeLike
Oh my, perhaps if she didn’t drink as much, she would have known better than to try to pull a heist off in the midst of a crowd. 😀 Seriously, this was a good story.
Blessings,
Cheryl
LikeLike
Glad you enjoyed it Cheryl. Thanks
LikeLike
Darn I thought she was going to get away with it! 🙂
LikeLike
All is not lost. I think she does get away with it. The hand on her arm is someone she knows.
LikeLike
So stay tuned? Is that a promise of more to come???
LikeLike
Well, not necessarily on Friday Fictioneers, but I think Margaret is a character in my second book.
LikeLike
Oh she was so terribly close to succeeding in her theft…oh maybe it isn’t anyone catching her, maybe its just an acquaintance wanting to say hello, one can always hope for such a bold, somehow charming character 😀
LikeLike
Yes, I think it’s someone she knows. Let’s say she got away with it.
LikeLike
Cool 😀
LikeLike
well told story, Claire. love the idea of an impromptu robbery ☺
LikeLike