Ceridwen was clutching her tarot deck so tightly that the edges of the cards dug into her flesh; the air around her reverberated with disharmony as she silently contemplated the brace of cards she’d just dealt – the Tower and the Two of Cups (reversed) – she chewed her lip, her first card reading had spoken of exuberant adventure, but now the cards showed something darker in Joey’s future.
Joey, meanwhile, was teetering on the edge of a roof, in peril of falling, just as the Tower card so dramatically depicted; Patterson was closing in. A movement behind his shoulder caught Joey’s attention: a tawny-coated cat sprung from the overhanging roof and disappeared, greeted by the clank of metal as it landed not far below. The jade camel vibrated in Joey’s pocket and without hesitation, he dodged past Patterson and leapt after the cat.
Joey crashed onto the roof of a low outrigger; only momentarily winded, he let himself down to the ground, ran across the yard and climbed over the back wall, to disappear down the nearest alleyway.
Aurora’s salmon-coloured cheeks turned a vibrant shade of crimson, as her blood boiled; she directed her dismay at Patterson: ‘FIND HIM!’
Written in response to two challenges:
Di of Pensitivity 101’s Wednesday’s Three Things Challenge: OILED, SALMON, FLESH
Denise Farley of GirlieOnTheEdge’s Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt: HARMONY
See what other ‘Sixarians’ have written
Photo credit: illustration from a book somewhere on my bookshelves which has mysteriously disappeared🐪
luna's on line 
Loving it!
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Thanks, Di 🙂
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Where is my popcorn? 📽
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Coming right up!🍿🏃♀️
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Ooh, the tension mounts! 🙂
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That’s the plan! Thanks, Tom 🙂
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That’s a great way to dodge danger. Great chapter Chris
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Hehe, thanks, Sadje! 🙂
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You’re welcome
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Run, Joey, run!!
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He is, Liz! 🏃
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😀
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Joey is far braver than me 😉
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Me too, Deb!
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Whew, he got away!
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For now at least!
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I figured there was a “for now” 🙂 🙂
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You know me too well, Zelda! 😉
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Only a little bit, but I’m learning 🙂
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It’s getting so interesting
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Delighted that you find it so, Larry!
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two words: “Whew!!”
way to keep the pace up!
(also good that the ‘bad guys’ don’t get too dominant too soon)
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Lots of opportunity for a bit of cat-and-mouse around the streets of Liverpool!
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Another exciting instalment, Chris! 🤩
“Joey crashed onto the roof of a low outrigger” I got a bit confused on outrigger—I’ve only heard of outrigger on a boat—is it a local usage?
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Outrigger could be local to NW England. Or maybe it’s a more technical term from my survey days than I’d thought. I couldn’t think how else to describe a single-storey-extension-at-the-rear-of-a-building succinctly. Although I suppose ‘shed’ might have done just as well.😂
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I just looked it up, (should have done that first 🤦♀️) and it’s from your surveying days. That’s a great word for what it’s describing.
That’s me just learned an awesome new word! Thank you 🙏
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Makes a change for me to be offering the new word, Susan!
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always a joy
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Thanks, Paul!
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I knew it. In one bound, Joey was free. Probably helped by the Fairy ‘cross the Mersey. 😉
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Well, Doug, you virtually suggested it last week!
Of course, ‘Fairy’ and ‘Ferry’ sound just the same to these scouse ears.😁
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Exciting as ever, Chris.
You usually slip your required words seamlessly into the tale, but I confess that ‘salmon-coloured cheeks’ made me grin.
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It was a toss up between that and a salmon-coloured pashmina around Ceridwen’s shoulders.😂
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I had to do a bit of catching u, after being away for a while and it was well worth it!
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What a lovely thing to say. Thanks, Keith!
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The cat showed him the way down and the camel seemed to want Joey to avoid those two as well. It makes me wonder why they want it.
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Ah well, it’s no ordinary little figure… as we”l soon find out.🐪
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Glad he recognized the helper that was the cat. Phew!
Run Joey, run!
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It was quite a coincidence that the cat happened by… or was it, I wonder?
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Uh-oh, it sounds like Patterson is in trouble now! 😬
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Ah yes, suave Patterson really has his work cut out!
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He needs to team up with Joey and they both need to run! 😆
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Now there’s a twist I hadn’t thought of… 🤔
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May he get away, and get the camel to a safe place (out of his possession).
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Fingers crossed, eh?
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Hang on to your hat, lol Joey would do well to trust his instincts…and the camel in his pocket!
Exciting installment, Chris.
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It seems that the camel would rather stay in Joey’s hands, for now…🐪
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I need to read the other parts of this story! I love the name Ceridwen. She has always been my guiding Goddess in life. Great story and amazing six, Chris!
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Ceridwen is pretty special, isn’t she?
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She is! She’s been with me since I was a teenager.
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Ooh, dear… Aurora’s not pleased… and a good interpretation of the tower card too, Chris. Ceridwen’s keeping her eye on things, it seems.
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Seems I’ve found a new rabbit hole to explore, Tom!
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The cards can take you down many paths, so yes, indeed! 🙂
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Strange powers afoot…thank the gods!
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Strange indeed!🐪
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“FIND HIM!” … oh oh, Joey’s in for it now.
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Chase time!
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This little camel is very useful, Chris, I wish I had one.
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It’s been handy so far, but I’m not so sure about its good intentions, Robbie!
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[…] Previously […]
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