photo prompt © J Hardy Carroll
It was a disaster waiting to happen, During the renovations flamable paints were left lying around in amongst debris that needed only a spark to set it alight. The fire had smouldered before igniting the experts decreed. A preventable accident. Someone had to be held responsible. Politicians, architects, builders and the work foremen were all questioned. Money passed hands. New evidence showed it was arson. Probably the mafia. More money passed hands and the prosecutor’s family threatened before the mafia was cleared. The charred remains of a cat were found. No-one was to blame. A clear cut case of spontaneous combustion.
Thank you for hosting Friday Fictioneers Rochelle and thank you to J Hardy Carroll for the photo prompt.
About Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
I began my working career as a reluctant potato peeler whilst waiting to commence my training as a student nurse. On completion I worked mainly in intensive care/coronary care; finishing my hospital career as clinical nurse educator in intensive care. A life changing period as a resort owner/manager on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu was followed by recovery time as a farmer at Bucca Wauka. Having discovered I was no farmer and vowing never again to own an animal bigger than myself I took on the Barrington General Store. Here we also ran a five star restaurant. Working the shop of a day 7am - 6pm followed by the restaurant until late was surprisingly more stressful than Tanna. On the sale we decided to retire and renovate our house with the help of a builder friend. Now believing we knew everything about building we set to constructing our own house. Just finished a coal mine decided to set up in our backyard. Definitely time to retire we moved to Queensland. I had been writing a manuscript for some time. In the desire to complete this I enrolled in a post grad certificate in creative Industries which I completed 2013. I followed this by doing a Master of Arts by research graduating in 2017. Now I live to write and write to live.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
I smell something suspicious.
DJ
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Char grilled pussy perhaps or pollies in a stew.
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I hate it when cats do that!
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Yes it is most annoying.
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Dear Irene,
You can’t trust animals. I can’t help but think of Mrs. O’Leary’s cow who set off the great Chicago fire. 😉 Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I hadn’t heard of Mrs O’Leary’s cow and you sent me on an educational journey. I have now seen a most interesting youtube by Brian Wilson and know about the 1871 fire in Chicago. Don’t you love blogging.
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The world was ever so
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Absolutely.
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Oh, poor kitty! Nice story.
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Thank you.
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Yes, black magic is so much more likely than mafia arson.
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Haha.
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Poor cat, an innocent victim and then has the whole thing pinned on it!
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Crooked logs make straight fires and end in cat astrophe.
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Poor kitty was a fire starter (like in Stephen King’s novel).
My wife had the garage painted recently. On Friday, they’d put on an oil-based coat that smelled to high heaven. Good thing the painters are diligent about removing any hazards (except to my breathing).
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They sound like good workmen and I guess the mafia isn’t too interested in you garage. Watch out for cats though….
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When enough money changes hands, the cat is always left holding the bag. Great story, Irene, very clever.
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Thanks Sharon.
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The purrrrfect alibi. Meow!
Click to read my FriFic!
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Hahaha. More like Meowll.
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Enough money is banded about and the problem mysteriously goes away. Nicely told Irene
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Thank you Lynn. True in most societies.
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Sadly, yes – money talks loudest
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Ha ha – they let the cat out of the bag?
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Or the bag caught fire first when pussy ignited.
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What a great take on the prompt!
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Thank you Penny
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This is so well written that I find myself angry at all the evil people involved.
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Thanks so much. I’m sorry I made you angry but glad that my writing moved your emotions.
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The truth is an ever-changing scenario, depending on the artist. Good one.
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Thanks Sandra
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The living pin the blame on the dead to wash their hands off. Nicely done, Irene. Now we know what might be the reason for all those forest fires – spontaneously combusting animals.
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Haha.
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You’re a cynic, Irene, but probably wise to be one 🙂
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The way of society (or those in power at least.)
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Something stinketh in the ashes
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Hee hee. You are impussibly clever.
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Thank you D. Haha
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I’m still thinking the mafia is behind this catastrophe!
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I guess the pollies were all for the catalyst reaction as they wanted to abdicate their own responsibility.
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AS they are wont to do, leaving the cat holding the bag.
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Poor pussy.
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Cat must’ve used up her eight other lives! I’m watching my own cat more closely now 😉
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LOL I’m sure it is a rarity.
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The vagaries of law and the hoodwinking of justice. No wonder she is blindfolded!
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Haha. Money talks. Expert opinion can be found that suits the buyer.
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Yep. It’s sad!
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Funny how that all works out…
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Yes we have to round everything off so we are all satisfied.
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LOL
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😀
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In the end… the money wins
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Always.
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Hi Irene, so much cynicism in these stories – which I completely agree with. I like all the possible ‘explanations’.
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Thanks Rachel. Sadly I think money talks and protects and as in your story others are unseen and hurt.
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‘Money talks and protects’ – a good characterisation there!
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Ah, but it wan’t an accident at all. My husband was a fireman for 5 years and he said that they never caught an arsonist but when he was in high school, two shady guys came to the gas station where he was working and bought 5 gallons of gas in a container in the afternoon. Within five minutes, the dilapidated chicken house was on fire and the fire trucks were on the way. No evidence of mischief was found and no solid evidence, so the insurance was paid out.
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Haha. Sounds like self combusting chooks to me.
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Sounds like New York City, ha.
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I think it is cities and countries world wide. Money talks, cats burn.
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