FF – This Land (is) Mine
Here is my story for this week’s Friday Fictioneers, hosted as always by Rochelle. This week’s photo was contributed by The Reclining Gentleman.
The photo is quite a lovely scene, therefore my story will not be bwahaha :-).
To read this week’s other stories, click on the blue froggy.
Copyright The Reclining Gentleman
Albert finished planting the last flower and stood up gingerly, his old bones making the task a chore. He shook his head angrily.
Thirty-seven years he’d worked this allotment, his little patch of England. Now it was destined for pointless “luxury housing”, but who was going to listen to a sickly old man, even one who’d fought for King and Country in Belgium and France?
He tottered away as quickly as he could. He could hear the bulldozers approaching and wanted to be far away when they encountered his war “mementos”, carefully buried and primed under the flower bed.
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draliman on life 
You show ’em, Albert! 🙂
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Yeah, there’s fight in the old dog yet 🙂
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Oooh they are so in trouble.
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They certainly are!
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Appropriately, the son and I have been joking lately about the Looney Tunes character Marvin the Martian and saying “there was supposed to be an earth-shattering kaboom.” That kind of works really well for Albert’s story. This is a spot-on darkly funny one for me (gallows humor, as they say; or should I say grenade? I don’t know for certain. I’m not up on WWII militariana). In any case, I do love it, Dr. Ali! Now, if only Mr./Ms. Unethical Moneybags Corporation were on that bulldozer . . .
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I was actually thinking “grenades” – I think a few of those were brought back as souvenirs. I haven’t seen Marvin the Martian for ages!
Sadly, I imagine the architects of this sad affair are sitting pretty in their ivory tower.
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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Power to the people! You go, Albert!
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Albert will not be cowed by the faceless wielders of power!
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If only a few war mementos would actually stop a few bulldozers. It’s so ironic that the cities where they first got rid of every inch of green space are now trying desperately to reclaim what they threw away.
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These war mementos will stop at least one bulldozer when they go off!
At least many cities are trying to get the green back…
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Gooooooo! Albert!
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Yeah, Albert’s the man!
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What a beautiful story, Dr. Ali!
And I love the idea of his carefully primed war mementos! Brilliant!
He’s a regular “Jack-in-the-Green,” your Albert!
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He likes his green spaces! Though he’s being quite drastic about it…
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Oh Boy! Trouble in River City when that little bomb goes off.
DJ
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Yep. Let’s hope he can totter away at speed!
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It seems Albert isn’t giving up his little bit of England too easily – though, perhaps, he’s taking rather drastic actions! But, who knows what obsessive gardeners are capable of when they get angry. They may even turn green! 🙂
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Never come between a gardener and his allotment 🙂
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My husband had three of the things for years. I never had to buy a vegetable or soft fruit for years. On the downside (I think) I didn’t see much of him, either. 🙂
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Wow, three? In some places there’s a waiting list of years for just one 🙂
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Strange isn’t it? There are always plenty of vacant ones around here. I was an allotment widow for years. 🙂
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🙂
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Ha ha! War mementos eh? I suppose these days that would make him a terrorist. Great little story Ali 🙂
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Yeah, I did think he’s probably into the realms of the Terrorism Act. And all he wanted was somewhere to grow his carrots 🙂
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Albert, you tricksie little hobbit! I’m guessing those aren’t next years flower bulbs you’ve buried.
“We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender”
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Maybe he’ll stand on a nearby hill, reciting that very quote as the lead bulldozer flies up in the air!
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Looks like they picked on the wrong veteran!
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Yep, for sure. Albert’s going to fight for what is his.
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I didn’t know one could take war “mementos” home 🙂 Good story…looks like he is still fighting for his country.
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You’re not supposed to, but a lot of stuff like Luger pistols, grenades, flags and such entered the country after WWII.
The piece of country he’s now fighting for may be slightly smaller but he’s not giving it up without a fight!
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Uh-uh someone’s in trouble! Haha. Clever take on the prompt. 😀
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Yep. But he’s making his escape! I’m glad you liked it!
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Oooh that last line. I re-read. Did he really? Good story.
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Yeah, I think he did!
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I felt so sorry for Albert and then wham! He’s not ready to lie down and surrender.
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It was rather sad until Albert turned into an eco-terrorist 🙂
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I like Albert!
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🙂
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I can sympathise with Albert’s distress but he’s taking it to extremes!
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Yes, he has gone way too far!
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The old soldier strikes again. Ha!
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Albert’s last stand 🙂
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Picture is very pretty, seems Spring is on its way 🙂
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Yes! I don’t know where the chap who took the photo lives but I have seen some evidence of daffodils in my garden 🙂
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There I was all sentimental, feeling with Albert, and then your ending hits. I’m still laughing. Kaboom.
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He’s not the kindly helpless old man he seems to be!
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That’ll show them! Never underestimate the strength and resourcefulness of people who have survived the horrors of war. And if only more people could see that flowers matter far more than luxury housing, the world would be a much more peaceful place
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If we’re not careful the whole world will be one big housing complex.
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Now there’s a man who knows how to bear a grudge. Wow!
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No-one messes with Albert’s allotment!
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They should listen to Albert! He is a very serious man!
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They are definitely going to regret this luxury housing deal, Ali! I don’t blame him for feeling resentful. Great story!
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Yep. Maybe they can fill the crater with water and call it a swimming pool. I’m glad you liked it!
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Maybe it will speed up the demolition a little… War mementos… I think Albert showed them the meaning of mine
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Faster than bulldozers. He certainly did – both meanings.
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I guess after Albert ends up blowing the first innocent demolition crew to bits, the heartless, rich, stuffed suits will merely hire a fresh bunch of lads to continue the work on Albert’s old stead…
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Does Albert have any more mementoes hidden away, I wonder…?
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Wow. It might take an entire army to get that swanky new place built!
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Dear Ali,
I’ve learned a new term this week. In the states we say “yard.” Apparently over there you say allotment. Nice to know these things. So stuff my belongings in the boot of my car and then lift the bonnet to see what’s going on. 😉 Seriously, I love the cultural exchange.
And I loved your story. It seems like poetic justice for the old veteran. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I did wonder about “allotment” in the US. I know the term “yard” from American TV, which I generally translate as “garden” (it doesn’t need grass or plants or anything in the UK to be a “garden”). An allotment is specifically a small piece of land you can rent from the council, usually well away from your house (may even be miles away). Technically speaking, you are only allowed to grow vegetables and such there, not flowers. In some parts of the country, the waiting lists for allotments run into years!
I’m glad you enjoyed my story. Poetic justice indeed, if perhaps a slight over-reaction on Albert’s part!
Ali
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Never underestimate the power of the aged! They still wield some power!
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Yeah, power and WWII hand grenades 🙂
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sad it had to end this way. but i guess he didn’t have any choice. 😦
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He was pushed just too far.
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Oh no! That’ll show’em. Very good.
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I fear Albert’s allotment is still going to get bulldozed, though 😦
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Wow, Ali, what an ending twist that was. We have a seemingly harmless old man and all at once he’s a mad bomber. Good story, though. Well done. 🙂 — Suzanne
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You never can tell from first glance!
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Wow, great twist at the end! Love it!
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Thanks! Albert turned out to be quite the surprise!
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My pleasure 🙂 Indeed he did!
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Well I didn’t know this allotment term, it’s an interesting concept and I would imagine especially coveted in highly populated areas. Good for Albert!
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Yes, in some areas there are waiting lists which last years. It’s also traditionally a place where hubby can get some “peace” of a Sunday 🙂 So you can understand why Albert is loathe to give his up!
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Ah yes…I do see.
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