I stand under their bedroom window at night and hear them talking:
‘I don’t think she’s ever had a boyfriend,’ she says.
‘No?’ he says.
‘Still a virgin; at her age. Can you imagine?’
‘Not like you then, is she?’ he says, and she shrieks and laughs as if he’s goosed her. They are both silent for a minute or two, and I try not to imagine.
‘Do you think she misses it?’ she says.
‘You can’t miss what you’ve never known,’ he says.
‘But having someone?’
‘No,’ he says. ‘Not her.’
And I turn away, both stronger and sadder.
Listen to me reading it:
*
This is a Friday Fictioneers story, hosted by the lovely Rochelle, and inspired by the photo above. This week provided by Janet Webb. Click here to join in and read more.
*
A few weeks ago my short story, A Quiet Tidy Man won the Royal Academy & Pin Drop short story award. At the award ceremony the winner was announced by actress, Juliet Stevenson. The recording of the event and her reading my story aloud is now available to listen to. Visit this page, and click through to listen.
An anatomically precise disection, Claire.Raw and glistening
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Neil.
LikeLike
And congratulations on the prize
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stronger and sadder. That’s an acute observation of the way you’d feel after listening to that conversation. And congratulations on your success. So very well deserved.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much Sandra.
LikeLike
Intriguing piece, Claire, as expertly crafted as ever.
But who are they, and why is she listening under their bedroom window?
All a bit creepy.
I meant to say last week, I enjoyed your reading, although I was surprised at how jolly English you sound!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, a bit creepy. And glad you liked the recording. I’m always surprised at how beautifully Scottish you sound!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll have to read one on my stories. Perhaps I sound even more beautifully Scottish…lol.
LikeLike
Hah! Yes, do it!
LikeLike
You probably wouldn’t understand me. Think of a mix between Beggie from Trainspotting and Neil Oliver. As an aside, how do you do it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Begbie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I use my iphone and the voice notes facility, and then email myself the file, and upload it. I’m not sure how I would do it without an iphone or equivalent…
LikeLike
Hmmn, ok. I might give it a go. Would be quite fun if one week in the future all entries had to be spoken i.e. no written words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations on the award. Nice story, too. I saw your book here in Iowa on the shelf of Prairie Lights. It made me smile.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! Lovely to know my book is making its way to all corners of the world!
LikeLike
Dear Claire,
Powerful story in a few words. Full of emotion. I enjoyed hearing your read.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Rochelle.
LikeLike
You’ve done this so well. But then again, you do this so well. Congrast on another success.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! Glad you liked it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is great, and so sad. Good for her that she’ll be stronger through it, comments like that can easily wear a person out. Congrats on your success. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks. I wasn’t sure how to end it: stronger or sadder. So went for both!
LikeLike
As a reader I feel for your listener, but then I wonder why she listens,
LikeLike
Yes, pointless to listen. Perhaps they weren’t even talking about her…
LikeLike
Very powerful story and so nice to hear you read it. I was pleased to recommend your book to my Book Club and we all had fun discussing it a few weeks ago. It was well liked but that didn’t surprise me. No, not at all! Congrats on the prize.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahh, that’s so kind of you, thank you! You should have said and I could have sent you some book club questions – but it sounds like you got along fine without them anyway.
LikeLike
We had a great evening and our host had a list of ten questions. Now I’m curious where she got them!
LikeLike
I suppose she might have emailed me for them. Lots of people do, and most I don’t recognise the name of.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Possible but I’m going to find out 🙂
LikeLike
Delightful to hear you read your story. How sad she must feel.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Alicia
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another excellent piece Claire, well done. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you
LikeLike
Despite her sadness her determination shines through here. Congratulations on the prize.
LikeLike
Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was painful. I felt so sorry for her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Dawn. The reaction every writers wants!
LikeLike
Great story, Claire – we both had our trolleys gossiping! And huge congratulations on your win – what a thrill!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Liz. That’s what the picture looked like, didn’t it?
LikeLike
That’s why its not good to eavesdrop!
Poignant!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly!
LikeLike
Oh, has quite a heavy impact but the phrase: ‘as if he’s goosed her … I try not to imagine’ provides the perfect counterbalance so therefore profound but not overtly maudling… using both stronger & sadder offer much widercscope too. Nice job!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Poppy. I’m flattered that you’ve read it in such detail!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a pleasure… gaining so much from these flash fiction pieces for my own writing😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Powerful story. I just wanted to keep reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Both reading and writing superb! Claire, you’re doing great! That ending is what sealed the deal for me. Bravissimo!
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
I like how you’ve used the viewpoint of an eavesdropper – most unusual. And as you say above, perhaps the conversation wasn’t even about her – but it obviously applies to her. Ending it as you do gives depth to the character, and gives much food for thought. Terrific. Congratulations on your short story success, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Margaret. Really pleased you liked it.
LikeLike
And here we are as readers listening in too. Nicely done and congratulations on the prize.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes. Good point!
LikeLike
Good story and writing as always, Claire. Congratulations on the award and having your story read by an actress. I recognize her from TV. How exciting. It’s too bad it fell on the night it did, but that didn’t take away from the award. I’m getting to this comment late in the evening here, so will listen to the reading earlier tomorrow. Well done. 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations on your other story! I will check it out. I enjoyed this one and its play with perspective and self knowledge.
LikeLike
Thanks Emily
LikeLike