Image by Roger Beltot at https://plus.google.com/u/0/107716760208067370787
‘There’s nothing good about the cold. Nothing!’
Eloise scowled at the snow outside.
Jay picked up his jacket. ‘Well, I’m getting dinner.’
‘I’m a beach girl. Hot sand. Hot sun. Sunburn. Soothing Aloe Vera…’
He shrugged. ‘Stay here if you like.’
‘Is that a threat?’
‘I honestly don’t care.’
The chill outside hit them hard as they staggered across the icy road. Large snowflakes fell around them and Jay noticed how some settled softly in Eloise’s hair. Without thinking, he put his arm around her shoulders and held her close. She pushed her face into his warm chest and smiled.
*********
I have exciting news to share that some of you lovely fellow FFs have been asking about. I received a Highly Commended in the Newcastle Herald Short Story competition for my story Bloodstained. Four stories were chosen out of over a hundred entries, so I’m pretty thrilled to be selected. The prize is 10 new books, a weekend pass to the Newcastle Writers Festival (hurrah!) and a Herald subscription. A dear friend from my writers group Diana Threlfo also made it to the Highly Commended list – check out her beautiful short story Unconstrained.
Friday Fictioneers is a challenge set by Rochelle each week where writers from around the world post 100 word stories based on a common photo prompt. For more information, and to read other stories, visit Rochelle’s page here.
Jessie Ansons 
Loved the contrasts in your story. Congratulations on your short story success, well deserved 🙂
Thanks Iain!
Reblogged this on ugiridharaprasad.
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Great story Jess nicely done.
Thank you, Marg 🙂
Hello Vera.
Well told as always!
Hello Vera!!! Haha, my family has always said that. Think it came from my Grandad who was a Londoner before he moved here to Australia.
Great story. And congrats!
Thank you!
So the cold is maybe not so bad after all. Massive congratulations on the commendations. I didn’t read the other stories in the competition but I can tell you that I liked your story so much I took a copy of it. I don’t usually do that, but I thought it was so perfectly constructed I would have awarded it first prize. I know the judges made a mistake
This comment absolutely made my day! Thank you for letting me know. You’re very kind 🙂
Dear Jessie,
Jay knew what he was doing when he got Eloise out in the cold, didn’t he? Good one. And Congratulations on your short story!
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle 🙂 Maybe it was his plan all along…
Good story. I liked the ending. Nice they had each other for warmth as they walked in the cold.
Thank you Tena!
Very cute. Sometimes being cooped up grates on the nerves.
I am glad she stepped out and he reached out!
A lovely summary – thank you!
Ah, neat story, Jessie, very sweetly done. I could see it happening.
Hey, congratulations on your “highly commended” award. That’s wonderful!!! Keep on going! 🙂
Thanks for all the support! I find this FF community so wonderfully encouraging 🙂
Nice little interlude. 🙂
Thank you!
Congratulations on the “Highly Commended.” Well done.
Thanks James 🙂
Loved the detail of the snow in her hair. I can pick it and feel why she pushed into his warm chest. Congrats on your “Highly Commended.”
Glad you could feel it. Thanks for the congrats!!
I have a feeling that sunshine is provided for without a beach… an arm can be a haven.
Ooooh, lovely summary. Thanks Björn!
Gorgeous story, congratulations on your success
Thank you Siobhan!
Hmmm… methinks, he did care if she stayed or went 😉 and methinks this is a regular game betwixt the two! Congrats on your Highly Commended honour!
Lovely, thank you! I also love the word ‘betwixt’. Methinks I need to use it more often…
It is a cool word, isn’t it?
Congratulations!
Thanks 🙂
I love this story Jessie, and congratulations on Bloodstained. I felt for her all the way through and am so glad she now has a companion. Hope the bird is okay!
Thank you so much for reading Bloodstained! I love that I’ve been able to share it around the world using FF 🙂
Congratulations!
Thank you!
Congratulations on the Highly Commended.
Thanks Kathy 🙂
A cold start with a warm ending. Delightful.
My story is called Stardust
Lovely summary 🙂
I’m glad they came to an agreement. (Though I lean more towards Jay.)
Wishing your story success!
Thank you!
I do like the cold–more opportunties to snuggle!
So true… I’m not much of a cold-lover nor a snuggler. Maybe I need to change that next winter!
can’t hurt. Esp if you can’t get away from the cold area 🙂
How I remember those days. Lovely story.
Lovely – glad it could bring back memories 🙂
Nicely turned story, and congrats on your highly commended
Thanks Michel 🙂
Love the tender ending of your story! Congrats on your success! 🙂
Thanks Sascha 🙂
I love the endings you come up with, Jessie, they always redeem things in such a gentle way. Nice job!
A giant MAZEL on your story; can’t wait to read it. 🙂
Just read your story in the Herald; it’s brilliant! I read it twice… seriously excellent story telling, Jess!
I am thrilled you thought so Dawn!! Thank you so much for reading it and coming back to tell me your thoughts.
I really loved it, Jessie… it’s stayed with me and come back visually, several times since reading it!
Congrats!
Good Fri Fic too 😉
Thanks Dawn 🙂
Congratulations!! That is wonderful! Living the dream!!!
– Lisa
Trying to!!! Thanks Lisa 🙂