“Surely thou jest,” Denis cried out. The duke, with bloodshot eyes and slurred speech, pushed his sketch towards Denis who cringed inwardly: I wouldn’t build a mud hut for my dog with that design! He prayed to be delivered from men with more money than brains, especially those who thought they were the Lord’s gift to modern 14th century architecture.

“Pointed arches are the wave of the ecclesiastical future,” Denis announced. He stretched open his design for the new church. The duke dropped his head on the vellum, snoring.

“Good,” Denis said, “we agree. I shall commence on the morrow.”

Friday Fictioneers photo prompt. Copyright Jennifer Pendergast

Friday Fictioneers: Write a 100-word story based on the photo prompt.

“Stop him, please!” The caller identified “him” as Nelson and gave details linking him to two homicides. Calling himself “The Admiral,” Nelson’s bullying started in secondary school; she and many others had the scars to prove it.

Driving through sunshine one minute and mist the next, she smiled at how both life and the countryside were full of surprises.

Nelson saw her entering the pub and shouted, “Hey! Dunce Diana! Still falling down stairs?”

His laughter ended as he watched her. “That’s Detective Chief Inspector Penrith, to you,” she said, reaching for her handcuffs. “You’re under arrest.”

Friday Fictioneer Photo Prompt, copyright Erin Leary

Friday Fictioneers