It was on my mind to tell you that I’d booked us a meal. We could maybe take a holiday in France this summer; I’d like some peace and quiet and you’ve been working so hard. The kids were coming back from school the other day and my how Olivia is growing. She’ll be asContinue reading “100-Word Fiction: ‘On My Mind’”
Tag Archives: flash
100-Word Fiction: ‘A Softer Word’
I saw her once – in person. A proud mother I thought, she stood calm and tall with such an open and steady face. I am drawn to use the word resolute, but it needs a softer word than that. She listened to speakers and clapped at the end. Eyes, mouth… as if every senseContinue reading “100-Word Fiction: ‘A Softer Word’”
100-Word Fiction: ‘If In Doubt’
“If in doubt… leave it out. That’s what they say. They mean, if in doubt… abandon. Resist. Take your leave. Disengage. Only fight the battles you can win. History only remembers a winner. These are the maxims of success. It’s a money, time, success thing – a ratio of sorts. If there was a policyContinue reading “100-Word Fiction: ‘If In Doubt’”
100-Word Fiction: ‘Towards a New Year’
There are people here, but not many. An old man sighs a joke as his grandchildren try to raise a kite into the still air. On the grey banks of mud a wiry bird stands still, too tired to prod for worms with its thin beak. Reeds have been blackened by the winter across theContinue reading “100-Word Fiction: ‘Towards a New Year’”
100-Word Fiction: ‘An Education’
The queue of kids had grown, their excitable faces turning into expressions of anguish as they waited. At a signal, each stepped forward and was met by a guardian who would inspect the child’s pockets and remove any money, sweets or small toys. Puzzle or colouring books were not permitted. Other banned items included art,Continue reading “100-Word Fiction: ‘An Education’”
100-Word Fiction: ‘The Old Cupboard’
Pat turned the key in the gloom and the old cupboard door opened. Shining a light, he gasped. Inside, boxes were piled high. A year calendar hung on the back of the door with days circled. Files were stacked and labelled meticulously. Civil Partnerships and Church, ‘Trouble’ Families, Euroscepticism and the Public, Standards and Sleaze:Continue reading “100-Word Fiction: ‘The Old Cupboard’”
100-Word Fiction: ‘Where we come from, where we go’
Some of us came from the factories, sons and daughters of coal miners and steel workers. Others were the children of doctors and professors. We were brothers, sisters, neices and nephews, friends, colleagues and lovers. You saw us only through what we did; the ways in which we toiled. We created glories, memories, happiness, andContinue reading “100-Word Fiction: ‘Where we come from, where we go’”
100-Word Fiction: ‘I Will Never Forget You’
xx saw xx xx xxx xxxxxxxx. x thought xx xxx xxxxx xx xx x xxx crash xx cancer. xxx xxxxxx news xxx xxx xxxx harrowing. xxxxxx? Oh xxxx xxx xxxxxxx xx xxxx xxxx another xxx? xxxx xxx xxx xxxxx xxxxx xx xxxxxxxx. xxxxx xxx all xx us, xxx I xxxx. xx xxxxx xxxx shared xxxContinue reading “100-Word Fiction: ‘I Will Never Forget You’”
100-Word Fiction: ‘They Come’
From Siberia and the cold continent they arrive, to make home, however temporary. To eat. To survive. The Great Northern Diver. The Arctic Skua. Waxwing and Redwing. Snow Bunting. Short-eared Owl. Guillemot. Brent Geese in their tens of thousands, huddled in the cold mud of the grey estuaries, arcing over forlorn skies. Oystercatchers from Norway,Continue reading “100-Word Fiction: ‘They Come’”
100-Word Fiction: ‘Barricades’
Batten down the hatches Man the barricades Prepare to defend your privilege From the grenades of the betrayed Send in water cannons Baptise the unholy few Shoot them with rubber bullets But duck if they rebound onto you Let sirens be of comfort Reclaim the streets and the ‘feds’ Then raze the estates to theContinue reading “100-Word Fiction: ‘Barricades’”
MW Bewick 