The White Tide – Friday Fictioneers

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It’s Friday Fictioneers time! The challenge is to write 100 words based on a weekly photo prompt chosen by our good shepherd Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Check out her blog for more information by clicking here. Thank you to all who take the time to read, like or comment.

2016 07 15

PHOTO PROMPT © Sandra Crook

The White Tide

The car hadn’t moved in an hour and now the silence was worse than the shouting that had preceded it. Somehow I knew this would be our last family holiday.

Dad muttered something.

“Be careful Geoff.” Mum replied, “You can shear a sheep many times but skin her only once.”

Suddenly we heard a cacophony of bleating as a white tide rushed towards us.

“Sheep!” Riley shouted.

“See?” Said Dad, “You are a witch.”

Astonishingly, Mum began to laugh. Then Dad joined in. Soon we were all at it, laughing like crazies whilst some unknown shepherd drove the tension away.

38 responses to “The White Tide – Friday Fictioneers”

  1. Graham Lawrence Avatar
    Graham Lawrence

    Fabulous last line! Great story

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks Graham

      Like

  2. Snow's Fissures and Fractures Avatar

    Loved it!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thank you!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Mike Avatar

    Very nicely done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks!

      Like

  4. spicedmullings Avatar

    Awesome portrayal of family squabbling turned to fun time to remember!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thank you!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Sandra Avatar

    I remember a few long car journeys like that, Thomas, and only wish that some of them had been defused in that way. Good one, nice take on the prompt.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks Sandra

      Like

  6. creatingahome Avatar

    Thank God for unexpected interruptions that bring joy.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. FabricatingFiction Avatar

    Oh this will strike a cord with many Thom. Nicely done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thank you!

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Joy Pixley Avatar

    Sometimes the strangest things make you laugh, at just exactly the right time. This story really rang true!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks!

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Lynn Love Avatar

    Nice, observational piece that. Feels like a realistic family dynamic – a great write Thom 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks for the nice feedback Lynn

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Lynn Love Avatar

        My pleasure 🙂

        Like

  10. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar

    Love it… what a wonderful way to be able to laugh at your misery.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks Björn!

      Like

  11. ceayr Avatar

    A slice of reality superbly illustrated.
    Love it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks C.E.

      Like

  12. Clare Hempstead Avatar

    Love the way this turns from misery to laughter!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it!

      Like

  13. Dahlia Avatar

    Excellently drawn scene – loved the last line!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks Dahlia

      Liked by 1 person

  14. aliciajamtaas Avatar

    now the silence was worse than the shouting that had preceded it I HATE this particular event while on vacation. You caught the tension well.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Horrible isn’t it? Glad you enjoyed the story.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. mjlstories Avatar

    You capture family life so well!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks!

      Like

  16. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Thom,

    This reminds me of a few family trips when the boys were small. Nicely done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks Rochelle!

      Like

  17. wmqcolby Avatar

    Neat, Thom. Absolue wonderful. Gee whiz, if only our family trips had been as interesting and less tense.

    Five out of five Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks for your always generous and positive feedback!

      Like

  18. mickwynn2013 Avatar
    mickwynn2013

    So maybe this wont be the last family holiday. Saved by the sheep, nice take

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks Mick! Although I still have a feeling it will be the last holiday they spend together as a family – the laughter provided a brief respite from the tension.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. patriciaruthsusan Avatar

    Great story. It looks like the sheep saved the day. Good writing, Thom. 🙂 — Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks Suzanne. The sheep certainly saved the day but I don’t think they saved the marriage!

      Liked by 1 person

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