The Fireplace by Foster

I'd been saving this one up till tonight because it was long and it's been one of them weeks. Worth the wait. Agree about the beginning. I'd loose the tree bit, it doesn't really go anywhere and in places it doesn't make a whole lot of sense (it was by choice but he didn't have one? he feels accompanied among trees then feels alone when he imagines himself as a tree?). There are a few (very few) ugly sentences and curious logical errors (going straight on takes him home? surely turning back should take him home), but then there are bits in it that just made me smile, especially the bit about Mondays, and the inverse relationship thing. I'm not sure you can get away with the 'he went on a journey and then came back' bit. It might work if you bugger about with the timeline. I'd be tempted to start with him coming home (coming home to an empty flat is terribly emotive), and then flashback to the bit about Mondays, and then tell it in two interleaving timelines ending exactly where it ends now, but that's just my opinion. But it was a dead good read and really skipped by for the length. Oh, and 'course' should be 'coarse'

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this heart-warming story where kindness is rewarded and leads to a very happy ending. I could see a little film made out of this....I agree with Maddan about the start with the trees, which does not add much to the story. Fourthirty was....would be a good start (for my feeling) and the lovely bit about Mondays (I really enjoyed this!) could come later. And shouldn't it be "oneself" instead of "himself"? (One discovers many things about himself from behind the wheel of a car) Again, great read! Yutka

Foster this was delightful and for me the best piece you have written yet, the ending made me physically pull a broad grin. ty it really restored my faith in human nature. Juliet

Thank you AG - for the flag and cherry! I was glad you said it wasn't too soupy, because I feared it was. Dan, you are too clever for me. I would love to re-write the story like you described, but I haven't the skills to pull off something like that - but it's an amazing idea. Yutka, I really like your starting point, and this will allow me to shorten it some because as was said, the beginning drags a bit. Juliet, your compliment made ME physically pull a broad grin - Thank You. Foster.

Foster - i find it so hard to read long pieces on screen - this was easy - i enjoyed it enormously and as Yutka said, it's a film - pictured clearly, charming and memorable - very well done. NIcky x