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To See A Star

by Susan Carey

2017 Flash Fiction Competition Runner-up

PodcastFlash Fiction Poignant, Thought-provoking

The commuter ferry that sailed to and from Amsterdam Central Station reversed into the northern harbour. Elsa pedalled so hard that a rivulet of sweat ran down the valley of her back. A day without seeing him would be a day not worth living. Elsa’s bike skidded to a halt and a German soldier patrolling the quayside said, ‘Where’s the fire, my beauty?’

City-bound workers boarded the boat, weaving in and out of alighting passengers like an army of ants. A creature beat its wings in Elsa’s breast as the man took up his usual position, leaning against the railings opposite her. In the sunlight, his sable hair glinted.

The ferry shuddered and black smoke plumed from its chimney. It was the first sunny day of spring and Elsa closed her eyes, imbibing the heat. When she opened them he was staring at her. Blood rushed to her cheeks but she held his gaze. He had shadows under his eyes and his clothes looked crumpled. A grey scarf hung over his coat lapels. Elsa imagined caring for him; making him a warm meal, giving him clean clothes. When they disembarked she would talk to him. If the throng carried her in the opposite direction she would cycle after him. Would it matter if she were a few minutes late at the office?

Elsa’s heart pummelled to escape as the ferry lowered its ramp. On solid ground the maelstrom sucked her in and she cursed the crush that stole him away. He broke free from the cluster and glancing back threw his scarf over his shoulder. Elsa’s throat slammed shut when she saw the yellow Star of David sewn on his lapel. She stepped back into the river of people; allowed the current of bodies to carry her away from him.

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You are listening to
To See A Star
by Susan Carey

https://thecasket.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/To-See-a-Star.mp3

Story read by Vivien Taylor for The Casket of Fictional Delights.

About Susan Carey

Susan is a Brit living in Amsterdam. Susan has been a runner-up in the 2018 and 2017 Casket of Fictional Delights Flash Fiction Competitions, ‘The Plughole Picker’ was published online and 'To See a Star' was recorded as a podcast and published on a number of audio platforms.  Her writing has also been published and performed by amongst others; Mslexia, Liars’ League, Reflex Fiction and Writers Abroad. She has a love hate relationship with her adopted hometown and often dreams of living in a thatched cottage, far from the madding crowd. In 2020 Susan published her short story collection, Healer.

Susan Tweets @su_carey

Susan has an Amazon Page 


Visit Susan Carey on the web

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As autumn approaches, we have some cracking great short stories and flash fictions coming up by many of our regular writers including Alyson Faye, James Stark and Susan Carey. And we round off the year with another story featuring quirky librarian Susan Tate.

There are many other short stories and flash fictions available to read and listen to in our Stories and Podcast sections.

Joanna & The Casket of Fictional Delights Team

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    Text & stories © Joanna Sterling 2023
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