The first time I saw Nadia she was shouting on one the backstreets in the old quarter. A boy on a scooter had snatched her bag and she was begging passers-by for help. I didn’t stop; like everyone else I thought she was part of the scam. Two days later I saw her at the airport when I was leaving. She turned and smiled at something and her full lips, painted red, stretched to reveal the gap in her front teeth. I knew we would be seated next to each other, but what I didn’t know was that within a year Nadia would be dead.
***
This is a Friday Fictioneers story. 100 (or so) writers writing 100-words (or so) inspired by the picture above (supplied this week by Sandra Crook.)
***
It’s been a while since I’ve written a Friday Fictioneers story because I’ve been on holiday and life suddenly became very busy. On 1st July Our Endless Numbered Days won the Desmond Elliott Prize – an award for debut fiction, and I’ve been doing quite a bit of promotion including writing this article on being a debut author over 40, for The Guardian.
Claire Fuller 
That’s a brilliant short story, I really enjoyed it. The end is very gripping.
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Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it. Any idea what happens to Nadia?
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The possibilities seem endless at this point. Drowning (accidental or otherwise) is always a dramatic way for someone to go…
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I’ll bear that in mind 😉
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I can’t get my head around this one, Claire. Sorry!
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In what way? What doesn’t make sense? (Genuinely interested)
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I don’t understand how the death fits with the rest of it.
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Oh, I see. It doesn’t. I suppose it’s the start of something – how two characters meet, and then a jump forward to some knowledge that the narrator has. Nothing that the reader is meant to guess from the rest.
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I felt like Mick. A good read, then it ends and I scratch my head and think, what?
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Beautifully written, there is so much in those 100 words! I love the sound of the challenge itself, too, it sounds like a lot of fun.
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Thank you! You should join in!
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It’s very tempting! I’ll have a look, thank you 🙂 Do you just start or do you need to take certain steps? I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes 🙂
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You can just start. Write something, put it on your website, link it with the linky thing, and read other peoples, and soon other people will come and read yours. Good luck
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That sounds lovely, thank you 🙂
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Great story. Love those open endings, always making us wonder what happens next, or in this case, what happened in between. I love Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers. I can write when the mood strikes and if I miss a couple weeks or write a few words over 100, it’s all good. Plus, other writers come to visit and I get to read where the photo prompt took other writers.
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Yes – if I haven’t done one for a few weeks I really start to miss them – both writing and reading others. They are great editing practice.
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They are great for editing. My story today was close to 140 words and I managed to whittle it down to 115 or so. When I first began these, I would often read other’s stories before writing my own. I would use their ideas to formulate my own. Now, I write my own THEN go read other stories to see what they came up with.
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Fabulous. I just wish there was more.
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It might turn into something longer. Just playing around with stuff at the moment. Thanks!
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Reads like the start of a book. I want to know more about Nadia.
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That’s a good thing to hear, because maybe that was what I was thinking.
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Well done, Claire. I love how this began ~ leaves a lot of questions to be answered.
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Thanks so much Alicia.
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That was a twist at the end! Very sad about Nadia because in your story she was a vibrant young girl.
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She was. Now I just have to find out what happened to her.
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Wow, i was pretty much exhausted at the end of that!
Quite a pace you set, and totally gripping.
Great stuff.
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Hah! Thanks.
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Congratulations on your debut’s success.
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Thank you!
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And just read your Guardian piece. As a forty something year old writing my first novel I think it’s brilliant!
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Thanks so much Louise. Hopefully you’ll be able to join the Prime Writers at some point!
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🙂
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Great story, very gripping. You end it, but in truth you only started it, quite a feet. Oh, and congratulations on all the success! Well deserved, Claire. 🙂
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Thanks! And for the congratulations!
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An intriguing piece in its own right and the start, I’m sure, of a longer piece. Loved your take on this prompt.
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Thanks Mike. Glad you liked it.
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Cracking 100 words. Sounds like the first paragraph of a novel i.e. what happens to Nadia etc? Oh, and congrats on winning the Desmond thingy prize. You are an inspiration to us all…no, really 🙂
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Hah, thanks Paul. I’m currently playing around with novel #3, so you never know.
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Wonder what happened to Nadia in that year that led to her demise… and also if the protagonist follows Nadia’s story more after getting off the plane!
Leo @ I Rhyme Without Reason
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I think she must have to, to know that she dies. But I don’t know what happened…
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Also, congratulations on the award. 🙂 Happy book touring.
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Thank you! No tours though as yet.
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It happens like that, doesn’t it. Congrats on all your success I am happily following you on facebook!
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That was such a thoughtful piece with many layers. Congrats on the prize.
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Intriguing start to a story. It reminded me of a book I read recently which started in a similar fashion with two women being seated next to each other on a plane, but I can’t for the life remember the title. The touch of reality, thinking she was involved in the scam too – that’s exactly what onlookers might think. Good one. I enjoyed your article and congratulations on your award.
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Thanks so much Sandra. If you remember the book, let me know.
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Dear Claire,
You left me wanting to know more. We never know where life’s path will lead and your little flash is a good reminder.
I’m halfway through your book and I’d say it deserved the prize. Captivating. Peggy and her father stick with me throughout the day.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Even though it would make a good longer story, I think it can stand alone, too. The few phrases mirror the distrust, and (forced) lack of compassion towards strangers we’re faced with today. Who knows what an interesting friend/aquaintance/person Nadia could have been–but the connection was only superficial, and now she’s dead. Congrats on your award.
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I think she might be been those things in between this meeting and her death. Thanks for reading and the congratulations.
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Mysterious.. Would like to know what happened to Nadia..
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Me too… I’d better keep writing.
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It sounds as though fate has a hand in their relationship. Good writing.
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I think so. Thank you.
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An interesting intro to a longer story …
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Thanks. I think you’re right
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🙂
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It feels like the dramatic beginning of a much longer story.
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Yes, I think you’re right. Thanks for reading.
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Your title grabbed me as my granddaughter is named Nadia.
I can see this story extended to become a great murder mystery.
Nicely written ..!!! 😊
Isadora
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Thanks so much Isadora. Nadia is a lovely name.
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I want to know more.
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Congratulations
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Thanks Tracey!
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Sounds like an intriguing start to a murder mystery. Nice set up. Well done!
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Dear Claire,
I’m so thrilled for you with the success of your first novel. I hope this leads to even more success in your future.
It’s good to have you back in the ring.
All my best,
Marie Gail
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Thanks so much Marie. I’ve missed FF.
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I could someone’s bag being snagged from someone riding a scooter such a street. Such a lovely spot, but all kinds of bad things going on for poor Nadia. Great story. Congrats again on your success!!
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Thanks Amy.
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Howdy – I think It’s a really engaging start of a story… But not a complete story in itself (unless I’ve missed a clue here – entirely possible :)).
Cheers
KT
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I think you’re right.
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Congratulations. I read the article and I’m curious why there is an age category for authors, for readers, yes, but authors? As for this week’s FF, it tugs at the reader to know more of Nadia’s story as well as narrator’s. Nicely done.
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Thanks Honie. Yes, I don’t understand why there should be age restrictions.
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Very well done. Leaves me wanting more…like this is the beginning of something longer. 🙂
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Thanks Susan. I think it might be.
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I think she died trying to figure out if she could work the roof pattern in a jumper she was knitting.
Jokes apart fine writing as always and congratulations on your well deserved award.
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Hah! Thanks!
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Intriguing. Very engaging characters and I want to know more about their relationship, and whether Nadia really was part of the scam. Congratulations on your book success.
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Thanks so much Margaret
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