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
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Thanks Neil.
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You really painted a picture with this one Keith!
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Thanks so much Tannille
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Beautifully written
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That’s very kind of you Sadje
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You’re welcome 😉
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Why, Keith! Who knew you were such a romantic 🙂 Lovely story, I enjoyed it very much.
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I surprised myself! Thanks Linda.
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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.
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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
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It is, and you are absolutely right. It is a very popular venue. Thanks Anita.
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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!
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I decided not to make him catch the bouquet in order to leave it open. Thanks so much for your kind words Penny.
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I think you’re supposed to catch it…
I get the feeling that he feels he should be the one up there getting married.
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He’s a little envious I imagine, and disappointed he didn’t catch the bouquet – or not!
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Loved the voice in this story, Keith. Very atmospheric.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thanks so much Susan
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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.
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If it was me I’d be glad I didn’t catch it, but I think my character was a little disappointed!
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Whatever you do, don’t pick it up!!!
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No danger of that Violet!
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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.
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Not sure I like the way your mind works my friend!!! Cheers.
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Run, Forrest, run!
And you, Keith, get out of there fast!
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Too right – I’ve had enough weddings to last a lifetime!
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Dear Keith,
What a sweet and romantic story. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much Rochelle
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one of the best stories this week. the sight of a ferris wheel could be that awe-inspiring.
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Wow, thank you. Not my normal, style so I’m glad it worked. It is an amazing wheel..
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Get married on a Ferris wheel, not likely. But fascinating story writing, Keith
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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!
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Ah, romance. Where does it go?
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Don’t ask me! Cheers Mimi
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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…
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I think it’s a mix of all those things! Thanks Dale
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Very descriptive. Looks like he or she wanted to get married instead of the one getting married now.
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I think there was a tinge of envy which is why I emphasised the word ‘alone’. Thanks Subroto
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They got married nicely. What do you do with the bouquet?
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Pretended I hadn’t seen it! Thanks Abhijit.
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Another marriage is on the way, its seems!
Lovely story,
-Rachel
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Maybe, but as he didn’t catch it maybe not! I haven’t got a clue! Thanks Rachel
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A mixture of sadness and celebration – you did this very well, Keith.
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Thank you so much Sandra
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Unlike my story, yours had a nice and promising ending. Well done, Keith 🙂
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There were so many ways to go with this prompt. Thanks so much.
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The end seems like it can be a new beginning… pick it up and give it to the smiling girl next to you.
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Oh, I didn’t notice her there! Well spotted Björn
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Either you’re next or you’ve got to clean the streets. Good stuff Keith as ever.
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To be honest I’d prefer the latter!
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very poetic rendering. A bittersweet tale.
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Thank you so much.
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You are welcome.
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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.
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I’ll pass on your good wishes! Thanks Margaret
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Haha…you’re next!
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Oh dear!
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Excellent detail! 🙂
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Thanks so much Sascha
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🙂
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“Laughter sounds the same whatever the language.”
Lovely line and so true! Nice story, Keith.
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I’m so pleased you liked it. Thanks Thom
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