The Old Mill
After my night at the café, I wake later than usual. I walk down to the river to clear my head. The sun is hidden behind the clouds. I look down at the water. In the tender gray, I swim undisturbed by fish or birds. It’s a brief respite. If only life could always be this peaceful.
I return to the house to get ready for my meeting with Marie at the old Mill. She asked if I remembered. How could I forget any of it?
As I approach the mill, I feel again as if I’m caught in the past, like grain between those old millstones, powerless to control what comes next. I pace around the structure, glancing at my watch repeatedly. It’s not like Marie to be late. At the sound of footsteps, I look up.
It’s not Marie.
A continuation of my Prosery spy series for dVerse. The prompt line was
“In the tender gray, I swim undisturbed” from the poem Sullivan County by Celia Dropkin.
Here is the link to my previous Prosery chapter.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Wonderful use of the prompt line, Merril. Ooh, is it who I think it is???? What a cliffhanger!
Thank you so much, Lisa! I’m pleased you enjoyed it. Thank you for the excellent prompt.
I have no idea yet who it is. I guess I’ll have to think about this before the next prompt. 🤣
You’re very welcome, and ok 🙂
🙂
Cliffhanger!!!!!!!
Yes! 🤣
Another great episode, and I bet you haven’t decided yet whose the footsteps are 🙂
Thank you!
And you know me well. 🙂
🙂
Well, are we sure it’s not Marie? Just saying.
We really don’t know anything, but it’s probably not Marie. 🙂
Well, I expect there will be an explanation, and it will be surprising. Looking forward to it.
Thank you!
Left us hanging again. And I was going to say what Jane already said…(K)
Thank you! You both know me. 😏
wow!! beautifully written
Thank you!
Oh my, oh my…even when I miss a piece of your mystery series, I am easily captivated again. Love the addition of “I feel again as if I’m caught in the past, like grain between those old millstones, powerless to control what comes next”.
Thank you very much, Mish! 💙
A great cliff hanger, Merril. Well done.
Thank you very much, Dwight!
You are welcome!
Way to lead us along then leave us hanging. So effective, ending with a three word sentence that says so much by saying what’s not.
Thank you so much, D. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😊
You’ve built some nice tension there at the end! Love a good cliffhanger! 👏👏
Thank you, Tricia. I’m pleased you think so. 😊
💓
The mill imagery worked so well. A person who’s hopes may be about to be ground to smithereens. Enjoyed.
Thank you so much!
You’re very welcome. 💜
Brilliant cliffhanger
Thank you very much, Derrick!
ok, I’m hooked. If only everyday could be so peaceful.
Hmmm. . .I didn’t think it was peaceful, but I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Ha! Not the poem. Your line, “If only life could always be this peaceful”, then you leave me in suspense. Haha. 🙂
Oh. . .🙂
Nice one.
Thanks for dropping by my blog.
Much 💜 love
Thank you!
Your protagonist also wake up late… what a coincidence… and then you leave us with another cliff-hanger
I noticed that, too. I almost had her wake up at dawn, but then the grey wouldn’t have worked. 🙂
Thank you!
Wonderful use of the prompt line and it reminded me of my home as a child we lived in an old mill house happy days ❤
Thank you very much!
That must have been quite a childhood home!
Yes it was a very special place I lived there until I was 18 still think of it most days ❤
That sounds lovely.