I’ve taken the liberty of moving the location to the South Bank of the River Thames and the London Eye on which many a marriage takes place.
The winding queue moves aside as the beaming groom and bride-to-be head for the ribbon-strewn pod.
Today they’ll wed, high in the sky above London-town.
Alone, I watch the world walk by. People of every creed, colour. Laughter sounds the same whatever the language.
By now they’ll have said ‘I do’.
Tour-boats float by, tinny voices saying look right, left, look right again. Bored students follow their guides’ limp flag. A dog cocks its leg.
Now they’ll be sipping champagne.
Joggers trot past. A busker wails, a juggler drops a ball.
The joyful couple leaves the pod to loud applause.
A bouquet lands at my feet.
Friday Fictioneers is hosted by Rochelle. The picture is by Dale Rogerson.
Prod the frog to see who else is taking part!
Nice street detail
Thanks Neil.
You really painted a picture with this one Keith!
Thanks so much Tannille
Beautifully written
That’s very kind of you Sadje
You’re welcome 😉
Why, Keith! Who knew you were such a romantic 🙂 Lovely story, I enjoyed it very much.
I surprised myself! Thanks Linda.
You were creating great tension with all the details and the weddin in-between, I expected something bad to happen and then… such a beatiful ending. I hope the lonely watcher gets his or her happy ending, too.
What a venue to get married!
Great details, Keith! Obviously onlookers can’t see what’s going on at that height. They can only guess about the wedding’s progress!
Happy ending 🙂
Wheel Of Time – Anita
It is, and you are absolutely right. It is a very popular venue. Thanks Anita.
You’ve written that really well, Keith. The detail is appealing and draws us in. The count-down announcements of the wedding’s progress build a surprising amount of tension. I, for one, wondered what disaster was about to strike. Instead, you give us a bouquet, whose conventional meaning is that the recipient will be the next to be married. Lovely!
I decided not to make him catch the bouquet in order to leave it open. Thanks so much for your kind words Penny.
I think you’re supposed to catch it…
I get the feeling that he feels he should be the one up there getting married.
He’s a little envious I imagine, and disappointed he didn’t catch the bouquet – or not!
Loved the voice in this story, Keith. Very atmospheric.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Thanks so much Susan
So much not said! Your character gets my sympathy. Don’t know if I should say “Congrats” or shed a tear when the bouquet lands at Narrator’s feet.
If it was me I’d be glad I didn’t catch it, but I think my character was a little disappointed!
Whatever you do, don’t pick it up!!!
No danger of that Violet!
You surprised me: I thought there was going to be a bit of manslaughter when the doors opened. Well, not for them. The bouquet, though…that could be a ticking bomb.
Not sure I like the way your mind works my friend!!! Cheers.
Run, Forrest, run!
And you, Keith, get out of there fast!
Too right – I’ve had enough weddings to last a lifetime!
Dear Keith,
What a sweet and romantic story. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks so much Rochelle
one of the best stories this week. the sight of a ferris wheel could be that awe-inspiring.
Wow, thank you. Not my normal, style so I’m glad it worked. It is an amazing wheel..
Get married on a Ferris wheel, not likely. But fascinating story writing, Keith
The pods are huge, very smart and move at a snail’s pace! If you look for ‘London Eye Weddings’ in Google Images you’ll see what I mean!
Ah, romance. Where does it go?
Don’t ask me! Cheers Mimi
Wonderfully written. We don’t know whether we should feel sad for him or if he is simply observing his surroundings or even upset that he is not the groomsman…
I think it’s a mix of all those things! Thanks Dale
Very descriptive. Looks like he or she wanted to get married instead of the one getting married now.
I think there was a tinge of envy which is why I emphasised the word ‘alone’. Thanks Subroto
They got married nicely. What do you do with the bouquet?
Pretended I hadn’t seen it! Thanks Abhijit.
Another marriage is on the way, its seems!
Lovely story,
-Rachel
Maybe, but as he didn’t catch it maybe not! I haven’t got a clue! Thanks Rachel
A mixture of sadness and celebration – you did this very well, Keith.
Thank you so much Sandra
Unlike my story, yours had a nice and promising ending. Well done, Keith 🙂
There were so many ways to go with this prompt. Thanks so much.
The end seems like it can be a new beginning… pick it up and give it to the smiling girl next to you.
Oh, I didn’t notice her there! Well spotted Björn
Either you’re next or you’ve got to clean the streets. Good stuff Keith as ever.
To be honest I’d prefer the latter!
very poetic rendering. A bittersweet tale.
Thank you so much.
You are welcome.
I detected a wistful tone in the descriptions of all the things going on. I hope he’s up at the top of the wheel himself soon. A lovely story.
I’ll pass on your good wishes! Thanks Margaret
Haha…you’re next!
Oh dear!
Excellent detail! 🙂
Thanks so much Sascha
🙂
“Laughter sounds the same whatever the language.”
Lovely line and so true! Nice story, Keith.
I’m so pleased you liked it. Thanks Thom