Underneath the Chestnut Tree
(Genre: historical fiction)
Amy arrived at the barn flustered, cheeks flaming almost to the colour of her hair. The lambing man’s face in contrast was grey with exhaustion.
For once her words were bold, urgent.
‘The meadow, courting corner; ewe caught in the hawthorn hedge.’
His thoughts were muddy with lack of sleep.
‘Courting, caught?’
‘Under the old Chestnut. She’s birthing a lamb.’
It was the word lamb that did it. He rose, shaking himself to wakefulness.
‘Pass me them sacks,’ he said.
He took her hand and pulled her with him into the yard.
‘You’ve the hands of a midwife at any rate.’
Miranda Lewis 2017
Welcome to Friday Fiction and hello again after a bit of a hiatus. Thanks as always to our host, the writer Rochelle, whose own story can be found here, along with all the rules of play and Friday Fictioneers from around the globe. Thanks to Sandra Crook for the photo. (Realised I could have put a crook in the story, Sandra! Take the shepherd’s crook as read.)
(Please respect photographer’s and writers’ copyright. Join in, read and comment on other stories, but please do not use the photo for any other purpose than Friday Fiction.)
A very different take. Well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Iain!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely, just lovely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometimes it’s nice to do lovely! Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
As Iain says, different which is great, I really enjoyed this story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the visit Michael.
LikeLike
Wonderful glimpse into a faraway world. I love the hint of “courting, caught” — that perhaps she is courting, and he has not quite grasped that he is caught.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Glad you spotted that little play on words – couldn’t resist!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you didn’t resist!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’s a timelessness to this piece that drew me in. Nicely done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Alicia – I guess love is timeless!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really interesting story. As aothers have said, a glimpse into another world. And you can feel the lambing man’s weariness —yet dedication overcame his exhaustion when he heard the magic word.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your visit and lovely comments. I am living with these characters almost daily at the moment – nice to know they can travel through time to Friday Fiction readers. (I’ve also been reading a lot of lambing accounts!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmmm…two thoughts in my head about this story, with what the key words mean. Well done in provoking thought!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always happy to raise a few questions as well as answer some!
LikeLike
Hmmmm—seems there could be some courting in the Corner coming up 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now there’s something most of us can relate to I hope! (Even if my own courting days are long over.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mine too. Thank God. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now, this I like!. Excellent.
Click to read my FriFic!
LikeLike
Such an original take on the prompt!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks you Sandra. Any shepherds in your ancestral past I wonder?
LikeLike
No, craftsmen mostly – I was a Smith before marriage. My husband denies both pastoral and criminal antecedents, but he would, wouldn’t he? 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fabulous take on the prompt. Nice to have something life affirming
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your affirming comment!
LikeLike