The café began to feel like her only real home. It was an oasis in the chaos of her mind.
Settling into her favourite table by the window, watching other patrons sip coffee, read books, greet friends. Normal people leading normal lives. Cookies and cappuccino served up with barista smiles.
But they always sent the chauffer for her. Impeccable livery, highly polished boots, eyes hidden behind dark glasses. Perfect manners as he waited, with infinite patience, holding the Bentley’s door open. Sighing, she rose, passing through the café door and into yesterday.
Maya looked up; she heard the distinctive tinkle of the café door’s bell. Except, after the renovations, she’d never put it back up over the entrance. She shivered; where was that draft coming from?
A mélange of prompts: mlmm’s first line Friday: “The café began to feel like her only real home.” paired with the image prompt from the Sunday Muse #165.
Lorraine's frilly freudian slip 
June 21, 2021 at 9:02 am
Ooh, great mystery- chilling and intriguing – built up in only a few lines. Love it.
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June 23, 2021 at 10:11 am
Thanks. The first line and the photo send me down the spooky path. I like ghost stories!
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June 21, 2021 at 6:48 am
Lucky lady, she should be welcomed as long as she is spending money.
BYW, Tolken’s quip also works both ways, not all who are lost will wander.
..
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June 21, 2021 at 8:20 am
True; I’m pretty lost these days, and I don’t wander very far!
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June 20, 2021 at 9:12 pm
Mysterious goings-on here that make me want to know more.
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June 21, 2021 at 8:22 am
Yes, it does have an air of mystery! I had the first line prompt (and a couple of additional sentences) before I saw the picture — then an idea began to form which did require some mysterious goings on.
Thanks for stopping by.
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June 21, 2021 at 11:40 am
You’re welcome, Lorraine.
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June 20, 2021 at 6:39 pm
Chilling and wonderful Lorraine! So glad you joined us at the Muse!
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June 21, 2021 at 8:23 am
Thank you. I found my way through someone else’s blog and was intrigued by the image. A great range of very good responses. I need to read more.
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June 20, 2021 at 5:35 pm
I could see here there, and then the haunting end….
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June 21, 2021 at 8:27 am
I had begun my response to the first line prompt when I discovered the sunday muse image. It did seem to lend it’s self to a mysterious, ghost story.
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June 20, 2021 at 3:38 pm
Love the spooky vibe in your prose …. nicely penned!!!
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June 21, 2021 at 8:27 am
Thank you — the image helped me finish my first line story.
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June 20, 2021 at 1:13 pm
Nice flash fiction!
–Fireblossom
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June 21, 2021 at 8:28 am
Thanks! The image was great for interpretation — I have been reading the other responses — such excellent writing in this group! I’m glad I “stumbled” on it reading a response on another blog.
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June 20, 2021 at 11:03 am
Oh, what a clever twist in the ending. Very cool!
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June 21, 2021 at 8:30 am
Thanks. The image gave me a retro vibe — someone from the 1930s at a cafe (from the other prompt) in the now.
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June 20, 2021 at 10:47 am
Great mystery/ghost tale, titled the Haunted Cafe, no doubt!!
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June 21, 2021 at 8:31 am
Yes — the proprietor got more than she thought when she purchased the place!
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June 20, 2021 at 10:08 am
Hearing the bell she’d never put back up… nice.
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June 21, 2021 at 8:31 am
Thanks — I was thinking of something else, and the idea of a bell came to mind — I think I’ve seen that in television shows or movies — ghostly bell ringing.
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June 20, 2021 at 9:21 am
Unexpected! Really enjoyed the setup in this.
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June 21, 2021 at 8:32 am
Thanks. Once I thought my character was grounded in yesterday (due to the photo), her presence that day needed some explanation.
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June 20, 2021 at 9:11 am
Intriguing!!!
My Sunday post HERE
Much💛love
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June 20, 2021 at 2:09 am
Ewwww — shivers! Nice piece Lorraine!
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June 20, 2021 at 7:38 am
Always up for a good haunting.
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