A long time ago... In a place far from here... There was a girl. She'd been crewing a ship from Portsmouth to Belgium. The Schooner was called 'The Mistake' and she had asked the Captain why its name. "Because of a mistake," he'd said in a brash voice and although he had been wearing a… Continue reading Bells and batons
Tag: short story
An Unexpected Guest
I could smell smoke in the air, cloying and bitter. "Something's up," I told the chickens. They pretty much ignored me and continued to scratch at the grain I'd just flung at the ground. A niggling headache had begun to softly pound behind my right eye and I knew that something was wrong, but what.… Continue reading An Unexpected Guest
The choice
I got lost. It's easy to see, they had said, but it wasn't. A track leading into a forest. It's angle steep and leaving me wondering if the car would make it. I was instantly glad I'd decided to bring the four by four. The track was covered in ruts and grass grew down the… Continue reading The choice
Tyler Keevil and the Burrard Inlet
I have problems with some books. They get into my head and then never leave. 'The Burrard Inlet' is one of them. They are a selection of short stories all connected by the Inlet. Set in Canada is explores just what humanity is, the good and the bad. The actual inlet divides Vancouver's north shore… Continue reading Tyler Keevil and the Burrard Inlet
Love, Just, Is
The new anthology has gone through its first edit and I have dropped two of the stories. It's odd but the one story is one of my favourites and close to my heart, but it just didn't hold up to the others. There is nothing wrong with it. Except maybe the fact it has been… Continue reading Love, Just, Is
Puppy Love
"Are you sure you want to take him?" I look at Mum and smile. "Yeah, without him I might not sleep." In my hands is a soft toy, a dog. It is floppy and almost flat and looks more like a cushion as opposed to a toy, but he has been my companion for eight years,… Continue reading Puppy Love
Appearances
"So where you from?" The girl in front of me asks. "Midlands," I say. I'm so nervous that I'm almost shaking. Luckily she hasn't noticed. This girl is my new neighbour and I'm not sure she and I are going to get on. Not in the least is the simple fact she is sucking on… Continue reading Appearances
Beer Bottle Tops
It started with beer bottle tops. You remember, they were all the rage in the eighties. Every teenager was wearing them. I forget which idol started it, maybe Bros? Maybe not... Anyway, I went into school and laughed. "What are they?" I said, pointing at a friends shoes. "Fashion," she snapped back and turned away.… Continue reading Beer Bottle Tops
The Disaster
"God, you're gorgeous," Pete slurred breathing fumes of stale beer into Liz's face. "Thanks," Liz said, and then added, I think, in her head. Pete pushed out his chest and grinned. "So, I think you are really pretty..." I can hear a but, Liz thought. "Have you ever considered losing weight. Just a couple of… Continue reading The Disaster
Mice
Scratching in the wall. Don’t worry, you say. The dog will get it. I look at your elderly companion. I wonder. Perhaps you have over-estimated his abilities? No, you say. He will come through. Except, he doesn’t. He tried. He failed. You never said anything, just turned up the volume. This is a fifty word… Continue reading Mice
Kate Murray - Cleaver 