For those just tuning in, this challenge is about taking a story idea from bare bones idea into a fully fledged story by writing consistently every week day for fifteen minutes. The sentence I end with on one day, is the sentence I start with on the following. Part one was Bob’s story and has nothing whatsoever to do with the story below. Part Two follows a character named Penelope. I have a few basic sentences to act as road marks on her journey. I am loosely calling that an outline. We will see where she ends up by the time the story is done. For now, we start Part two of the 2025 Fifteen Minute Writing Challenge.
Day 105: Penelope knew that if it looked like trouble, rumors could start and the rumors could cause doubt, the doubt spiraling into actual distress.
Penelope knew that if it looked like trouble, rumors could start and the rumors could cause doubt, the doubt spiraling into actual distress. As Penelope ate her sandwich she thought of Trinity’s party from a business perspective. Having it at the most popular high-end restaurant would be a sign that business was good, all was well and the wealth was flowing. Penelope knew that while she wasn’t invited, the friends Trinity invited were all from families that did business together. Her father did business with most of them and would want to do business with the others in the future.
It was almost a business investment more than a family one.
Seen in that light, Penelope still felt the sting of exclusion, especially as some of the movers and shakers the family hoped to impress with the event were only attending because of their contacts with her mother’s family.
‘Which means it makes little sense to not invite me,’ Penelope thought. She knew that if she were in Jeanette’s shoes then she would have made sure Penelope was seen to be there and seen to be enthusiastic about Trinity’s birthday celebration. “I’m sure she would have come up with some sort of excuse for my absence that made me seem enthusiastic.”
From Mrs. Merriweather Penelope knew that many of those who were friends with the family due to her mother, would not be in attendance even though they were expected. Jeanette’s call let her know that. “and that I told them not to come.”
Penelope finished her sandwich and as she chewed her last bite, she wondered what sort of trouble that would cause. ‘If they aren’t going to a party because I am separated from the family then will they still do business with my father?’
She didn’t know. Some people she suspected were inexorably linked. Others might be less connected and find it easier to withdraw. She wondered if that would happen. If it was merely the social connections that would disappear or if it would have an effect on business.
Thinking of the accounts, Penelope found a flash of anger cutting through her curiosity. If things were going to go ahead they would do so without her funds.
She rinsed off her plate and put it in the dishrack. She then dried her hands and as she reached for the phone, a text message came in. Penelope picked it up and looked at the screen, not answering it, just catching a flash of the text as it arrived. It was from Trinity.
‘How dare you ruin this for me.’
Penelope let the screen go dark, not bothering to answer. She knew what Trinity would say and suspected there would be a long string of text rants. ‘And not having them read will do more to annoy her than anything I could send back,’ Penelope knew.
The one thing Trinity couldn’t stand was being ignored. She would see the message was delivered but not read. She would stare at the screen until she thought enough time passed and then send another message trying to get Penelope’s attention. Usually when she ignored messages Trinity sent about eight before she tried calling instead.
Penelope walked back to the library, picking up Amelia’s book of research along the way. By the time she sat down a second text came in. ‘What do you think you will accomplish?’ was the next text. ‘This won’t make anyone love you,’ followed shortly after. Penelope set the phone on the arm of the chair.
Ten til Midnight 