Caroline argued with the camp site proprietor. “You gave us a price last night. Why has it gone up this morning? We’re not paying more than we agreed.” She could see the manager’s anger building. She knew the signs from her father and she feared white anger. “Okay. I’ll get more money from the car.” Leaving the agreed amount on the counter, she walked to the car.
“Quickly go.” she urged her husband as she jumped in. John sped off, ignoring the manager yelling “Arrête”. She explained the situation.
“Don’t worry. We’ll soon be out of reach over the mountains.”
Thank you to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting Friday Fictioneers and to Björn Rudberg who supplied the photo prompt this week.
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) 
Ha, making a dash for it!
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Absolutely.
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Oops! I hope they don’t drive too fast on that road!
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I feel they are going to make it.
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I don’t fancy their chances on that road. I might have been persuaded to pay the extra…
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I have a good feeling Sandra. Sometimes you have to take a stand.
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Well done Caroline, that is what I say. Such a strong spirited story why bother arguing with a bully.
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Couldn’t agree more. If you can stand your ground by escaping better to be off.
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Out of reach in more ways than one, I fear.
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I have a good feeling for them Ann. Out of reach of the proprietor yes but that is a good thing.
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Pingback: The Black Sheep: Three Line Tales | Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist)
Quickly but not TOO quickly! Nice one Irene.
Click to read my 100 Word Story!
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Yes a bit of care will be needed but those following will need to take as much care but I doubt they’ll bother for the small amount of money that is the difference.
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A nice take on the prompt. She was wise to run rather than antagonise the manager, I suspect.
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Yes and she maintains her sense of self worth.
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Dear Irene,
Not the best situation. Hope they’re careful on the road. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I hope they got away with it. Next time, get it in writing? Or would she dare ask? Probably not. Good action story. By the way I love your bio, so interesting and enterprising and I totally get your comment that you would never keep an animal bigger than yourself. You have achieved so much.
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Thanks. He wasn’t angry the day before so she probably would have asked.
Thank you Jilly for commenting on my bio. I’m glad you get not keeping an animal bigger than yourself. I feel my life has been blessed in many respects but all lives are interesting just different. That’s one thing that makes blogging so much fun.
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But they’ll have to stop when that sign comes, won’t they, and it is then that they will find out that the Camp-site manager is the secret leader of the Black Hand gang 🙂
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Hahaha. They will soon find out if they haven’t already.
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They’re going to make it, right? Woman has good instincts 🙂
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Absolutely.
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It’s so frustrating when people don’t stick to their words. Only this time, the proprietor couldn’t get away with his impulse to profit more, thanks to the risk-taker in Caroline.
Great story, Irene.
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Thanks Moon.
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Nothing worse than a “change in price” at the last minute. Good on her to make a dash for it. Let us hope it ends well!
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I’m sure it did. thanks Dale for dropping by.
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A great story that leaves you wondering what will happen next. Hope it all works out for Caroline and John.
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I’m sure it will work out. Thanks for reading Lisa.
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The one that got away. Or did she? Nice one.
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I’m sure she did. Thanks.
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Sounds like they are caught between a rock and a hard place-
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I think they took the right path. At least they don’t feel as though they’ve been had.
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Haha! Go Caroline!
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She did. Thanks Dawn.
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Doesn’t sound like a place I’d want to stay, good rate or not.
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I agree.
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