The Text

I look at my phone, your words infiltrate me and I want to sterilise my phone. It feels infected by your words, but as hard as I try nothing will anaesthetise me from the harsh statements.  Your words have entered my conscious mind and they sting. Until enough time has elapsed and they enter my

Life so fragile

The snow is falling gently, it’s quiet all around Everyone’s in their own world, on the streets there’s not a sound, Lights are twinkling brightly, indicating there’s life within But not in Gordon’s heart, he’s soaked to the skin His feet ache with the frost bite, his clothes have seen better days A cardboard box

Mum’s the word

Once upon a time we would say “Mum’s the word” It was a bond we had that meant we would not betray confidences Her Mum and my Mum, were like two peas in a pod Both strong women, both domineering, both very outspoken That was before the memories faded and dementia set in Health deteriorated

Secrets of the Emerald Circle

Behind the fans, the makeup and the courteous demeanour, envious sisters plot eternal revenge. It had been brewing for years, they had worked hard on their façade, in fact that is what had made them famous – rich and famous, but that was not enough, nowhere near enough. Underneath it all lay secrets and lies

Finding Me – Tell me your story

I have changed so much over this pandemic that I no longer know who I am. I used to be outgoing, I loved a party and was never happier planning one, but now, I’m happy to stay in and see no one. I had my birthday this week and would have gone out with friends

Pudding Surprise

He looked at his phone, turned pale, then quickly left the room. She watched him, smiling. Her plan was working, she would get her own back and he wouldn’t know what had hit him. That would teach him to stick his wick in another candle, and especially just before Christmas. She loved Christmas and this

Short Story genres

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Facebook – My False Friend

Well we’ve all done it – be honest, clicked like on a post with no comment, after all it’s easy. But look at this scenario, someone’s posted on Facebook “My best friend Toby, my beloved dog has died”. This is met with a tirade of comments like, “Oh hun, I’m sorry to hear that, I’m

The Huntress

She walked towards the opening of the forest. Pine trees in the deepest of green towered above her and a cool breeze rustled the branches. ‘Mother Nature at her finest’ she thought to herself as she powerfully strode on. She was on a mission, she had to find it. The rest of nature could wait.

The Call

“Hello, this is Lily from GMB, can I speak to Mr Reynolds please.” Stanley thought the caller on the other end of the phone seemed pleasant with a smiley voice, that exuded warmth and excitement but he couldn’t understand why a Union would be calling him, his working days were long over. “Yes, that’s me,

Loss

I held on to him for as long as I could; but I could hold on no longer; I could feel him slipping away from me. His grip loosened and I could feel the cold, clammy touch of his fingers brush mine for the last time; the warmth gone forever. The silvery tissue paper feel

The land of glass and night

Amelia pulled back the curtains, she wasn’t sure why people drew their curtains in the first place, there really seemed no point, as day and night merged together seamlessly, like black paint that had merged with grey. No one knew where one day started and the other one ended. Living in Tromsø, Norway during the

Turkish Delight

Tanya opened the parcel and carefully un-wrapped the delicate tissue paper, fingers fumbling with excitement. There it was – an array of sequins, velvet, and chiffon. She stepped into the black asymmetric skirt, tied the belly dancing scarf around her waist and lifted up the bra top embellished with black and gold sequins. Adding a

The Right Way

The guide book for the parent hasn’t been written yet As your kids grow up you don’t know what woes you’ll get Sometimes it’s a breeze and life just fumbles on And before you know it your children have up and gone But sometimes children meet the bullies that’s when life gets tough As a

The Interview

Stand up straight, your life’s in their hands, One wrong word could mess up your plans. Stand, don’t sit, until you are told, Answer questions and make them bold. Truth, not lies you’re always found out, When it does you’ll be left with nowt Try not to sweat, it’s not a good look, Dress to

The Horse came back alone — Kashariyot

The Horse came back alone. It had always been a possibility but the fact Horse came back at all meant it had been a success. Three had set off Horse, Goat and Sheep, with names changed to mask their true identity. The journey had been arduous and no one really expected the mission to succeed

The Chair

Sarah sat at the head of the table, beads of sweat forming on her brow. She was trying to regulate her heartbeat with deep, long breaths but it wasn’t really working. This was the first time she had hosted this meeting and to say she was nervous was an understatement. This position was not one

Spring

Buds and blooms, snowdrops and swallows Laced with the promise of summer that follows Hide from the showers then bask in the sun That’s how you know Spring has begun Enjoy the blossom before wind sweeps it away Enjoy the changes each and every day Spring is the taster of what lies ahead Rooted in

Death Head Ring

Albert’s weathered fingers brushed the raised surface of the silver ring and a tear slipped silently down his cheek. He rolled his index finger around the inside of the ring, each indentation of the inscription cutting deeper and deeper into his heart. The past seventy years had not eroded the memories attached to it and

Death Bed

“Tom, quick come here,” Mark shouted his colleague, “I need you quick.”             Tom ran over to the door where Mark was standing. Smears of blood, smudged on the glass in the door. A blood curdling hand print visible from the outside, with blood smearing down the glass. With shaky torch lights, the pair gingerly

Commute – Corona Virus edition

This is an update on the original Commute

Commute

Sitting down rapidly in a newly vacated seat, Stuart claimed his prize, a seat on the 8:00am tube to Shepherds Bush, a rarity for this time of day. Although he was usually a gentleman and would give his seat away to anybody, today he was not feeling so charitable.             9/11 changed everything for people

Bullying

A poem about being bullied

Beyond The Banyan Tree

A story about a mother and daughter

Betrayed Friendship

It was particularly crowded today, more so than normal, so Angela had to squeeze in. Lifts always made her nervous, not because she thought for one minute that something disastrous was going to happen, but because it was the thought of being in a confined space with people she hardly knew. She felt as if

Accidental Hero

“This is pathetic, I look stupid.” Gary pulled on the red underpants and looked discouragingly in the mirror. “Apart from anything else I’m going to catch my death, and that’s not to mention the people who are going to pee themselves laughing today.” Gary surveyed his crotch area mentally putting a shield around his nether

Sunset before Sunrise

The light shimmered and danced on the rippling waves and the undulations in the sand likened to the desert. Katie sat and pondered the mirage before her. The breeze played upon her scorched cheeks reminding her of the previous day. It seemed so surreal that less than 12 hours ago she had been standing on

Bring Me Sunshine

As the hearse passed the mourning onlookers, Toby slipped a hand in his mother’s more for reassurance than anything. This was the first time he had been to a funeral and from what he’d seen so far he didn’t plan on visiting another one any time soon. There were too many people crying, too many

Life So Fragile

The snow is falling gently, it’s quite all around Everyone’s in their own world, on the streets there’s not a sound, Lights are twinkling brightly, indicating there’s life within But not in Gordon’s heart, he’s soaked to the skin His feet ache with the frost bite, his clothes have seen better days A cardboard box

The Interview – A Drabble

Stand up straight, your life’s in their hands, one wrong word could mess up your plans. Stand, don’t sit, until you are told, answer questions and make them bold. Truth, not lies you’re always found out, when it does you’ll be left with nowt Try not to sweat, it’s not a good look, dress to

Commuting

Sitting down rapidly in a newly vacated seat, Stuart claimed his prize, a seat on the 8:00am tube to Shepherds Bush, a rarity for this time of day. Although he was usually a gentleman and would give his seat away to anybody, today he was not feeling so charitable. 9/11 changed everything for people in

A day not so ordinary – A drabble

She felt no pain; it was almost as if it hadn’t happened. She thought she had heard something, like a gunshot but she wasn’t sure. In fact, if it wasn’t for the red sticky liquid that had started to soak up the blue flowery pattern of her dress and was now seeping between her fingers

The Right Way?

The guide book for the parent hasn’t been written yet As your kids grow up you don’t know what woes you’ll get Sometimes it’s a breeze and life just fumbles on And before you know it your children have up and gone But sometimes children meet the bullies that’s when life gets tough As a

Beyond The Banyon Tree

“Please remain in your seat until the plane has landed and come to a full stop. We would like to thank you for flying with Air Mauritius and hope you enjoy your stay.” I took a sideways glance at Eloise who was looking pensive and preoccupied. If only I could take back the lies I