Welcome to Romantic Friday Writers Challenge No. 46 for Friday 5th October 2012. RFWers is a fortnightly challenge that is founded by and hosted by and Donna Hole. For Challenge No. 46, participants are asked to write a text 400 words or less using the prompt, 'Birthday Madness'.
This story is a prequel to my on-going story about Paul & Jenny Holland & Co. If you haven't read the first part of this story, you can read it here.
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Title: 'Birthday Madness'
The
writing prize, that Jenny Holland had won, for Plot & Intrigue Magazine was
an all-expense-paid trip to the South Pacific. Jenny asked Tom Norton to
accompany her as photographer. Their first stop was a reception for the
prize-winners. After the speeches and awards, Jenny and Tom mingled among
the guests. Tom found an old acquaintance, Jack Richardson*, a writer who also
shared Tom's interest in flying. But Richardson had done better, and owned his
own aeroplane.
'I'd
like you to to meet Jack Richardson, said Tom Norton, holding his half full glass
of Champagne. Jack Richardson was a handsome but short and slightly balding man
in his late forties. The first thing that Jenny noticed was his ice-blue
eyes and the dimples that appeared when he smiled.
'Congratulations.
I've read your marvelous story.'
'Thank you', replied Jenny, feeling perplexed, flattered and strangely attracted to this man.
'Jack
is a writer as well as a pilot’, explained Tom, thinking that Jenny might like
to meet other writers. 'We've just booked passage on a cruse to the
archipelago. I'm taking pictures and Jenny's writing a travel story.'
'Oh really?' replied Jack lighting up as if he saw this as an opportunity. 'Where and when do you plan to go? I'm taking my plane on a short trip soon and I need a couple of passengers. How much flight-time do you have, Tom? Could you be my co-pilot?'
Said and done. Mr Richardson convinced them to change their travel plans and fly with him the next morning. But tonight they would celebrate his birthday.
'Why
don't you come home with me? My wife, Myra, has planned a surprise party tonight.
You don't have to give me a present. The only requirement is that you must sing
a song,' he said with a twinkle in his eye.
Jenny
and Tom rode in Jack's elegant car to his luxurious home with a lush garden and
a large patio lined with lanterns hanging over tables laid with white
linens, fine china and silver cutlery. There was also one table covered with
rich meats, shellfish and exotic fruits. Later, Jenny would spend many, many days and
nights dreaming about the food that she saw on this table. Little did she know then, that it was to be her last meal for a very long time.
Text copyright 2012 Christina Wigren
Word count according to WordCalc: 392; 'FCA' Full Critque Acceptable.
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Best wishes,
This text is fictional. Any resemblance to events, firms, persons living or dead, is purely coincidental. *I changed the name of the pilot from 'Richard Smith' to 'Jack Richardson'.
