As soon as I could make a call, I phoned Saffy to say I’d arrived in beautiful Cyprus. Penthouse suite, marble furniture, chilled champagne stuffed in a bucketload of ice. The aroma of kleftiko floating from a trolley, steered into my suite by a tanned and handsome young waiter.
Saffy wasn’t interested.
She said if I hadn’t yet again decided to help myself to jewellery for sale in several London stores, I actually could have been in Cyprus – instead of jail. Of course, she then quoted my ex. Her boring father. “If you do the crime, you do the time.”
Sugar on the Bee 
I’ll admit I’m a little confused. If jail comes with all those perks no wonder so many people commit crimes.
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Thank you, Russell. I think she’s a bit of a fibber as well as a thief!
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Did the threat move him to get her the jewelry? Nice set up.
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I have an idea it didn’t, Oneta, but your suggestion made me smile. Thank you!
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How ironic that the aroma of kleftiko is what she “smells” – lamb stolen! You are so witty and clever, Jilly.
Your MC just made the mistake of getting caught, is all. Saffy sucks. 😉
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Dale, I have to confess! I chose the dish because the word sounded like kleptomaniac but your cuisine knowledge is priceless – that’s why I always enjoy your food-based posts so much. Thanks to you, I now know why the dish I chose sounded so similar to the word I had in my head! Time to also admit it was originally going to be lobster but I dropped that because I didn’t trust the strength of the aroma. I agree Saffy sucks! Thank you so much for your great comments.
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I love that you did and it basically is based on kleptomaniac! I love that you are so clever (I googled it. Ain’t that smart!!)
I’m glad you dropped the lobster and kept the lamb 😉 She does. And I bet she is just pissed because she would have been joining your MC in Cyprus…
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I like characters who live in worlds of their own making. I also liked the way you set the scene at the beginning before introducing us to the character
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Thank you very much, Neil. I think those imaginary worlds are essential for some people but we probably all have a bit of one – and they’re fun to write.
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I thought it was, “don’t do the crime unless you’re willing to do the time.” But either way, nicely done, Jilly. Enjoyed it.
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I think that is the phrase – something tells me she didn’t take any notice of the warning though. Thank you very much for your kind comments, Bill.
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I can’t help feeling I might rather like her. I think she’s a survivor for sure.
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I’m so pleased you like her, Sandra. Thank you.
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We all live the life of luxury even if it is imaginary. I like the quick turn round from fantasy to reality.
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Thank you very much, James. So pleased you liked my story.
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Busted. Too bad for her. If she can stay in her fantasy it won’t be that bad.
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Thank you so much for commenting. I have an idea she will stay in her fantasy. It’s a lot prettier than her reality right now 🙂
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At least her imagination takes her there. Long may it last!
Here’s mine!
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Thanks, Keith. It’s story reading time this afternoon so I’ll be catching up!
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better advice probably is do the crime, but don’t caught. 🙂
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Now that’s just going to encourage her 🙂 So naughty. Thank you so much!
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Oh the eternal optimism of a klepto. She probably believes it is true even as she spins it. Sounds like the daughter has taken over the parental role from her mom. Nicely textured story, Jilly.
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Thank you so much. Your comments and your smiley picture always make me smile back! And yes, the role reversal’s definitely taken place some time ago.
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You’re very welcome, Jilly.
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Very smoothly done. Her fantasy world seems so real I think she might just be able to stay there for the duration of her sentence. Great dynamics between mother and daughter too. Good one.
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Thank you so much, Margaret. I reckon she will stay in her fantasy world until they release her.
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I like the way you’ve given us two surprises – gaol, not Cyprus, and Saffy being the narrator’s daughter. And the smell of kleftiko is a lovely touch. An enjoyable story altogether!
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Thank you very much, Penny. I couldn’t work out whether the building reminded me of a police station or an hotel, so I included both!
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Ah, she was telling tales on the phone… a dream of escape perhaps. She sounds like a scoundrel !
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Yes, spot on, thank you, Laurie – I do love to write a scoundrel.
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I guess if she can’t actually be there, she can be there in her head.
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I think it’s a comfort thing for her – escaping into her favourite plush hotel. Thank you!
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Dear Jilly,
At least she has an imagination to help her detach from reality. Perhaps she’ll write a best seller while she does the time. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ha! Great idea, Rochelle! Thank you so much.
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I loved how you flipped the story. She’s as good a liar as she is a thief! Nicely done, Jilly. I enjoyed that!
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Thank you, Brenda, so pleased you enjoyed it!
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I like the way you wrote this story. Nicely done
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Thank you, Vartika, that is very kind.
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One’s imagination could be a lifesaver in that situation unless it takes over. Clever telling.
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Absolutely right! Thank you so much for your generous comment.
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