Phoenix

Nearly missed my story Phoenix http://t.co/clxPlZdl9i . I was so excited when John Zero said it was being included in 101 Fiction and forgot it was going online on 1st September 2013. John asked me to edit the original one I sent in and gave me pointers so I could better edit the edited version :) Thanks John for all your encouragement.

Had fun writing this in 100 words and a 1 word title. I'm wondering if readers think there are two characters the Monster and the Husband or like me think they are facets of just one character. Whatever you think is right. :)

The Value of Money or Not........

Bought amazing Salter scales from Asda today. Shows your weight, body fat, body water and BMI, only £5 with a 15 year guarantee. I'm now drinking water, eating less and planning to go to the Gym on Sunday morning. As one of my friends said "Truly amazing if they get YOU to go to the gym"
I pay gym membership religiously every month but haven't been for years. Bit like calling myself a member of the Church of England but never turning up.

Just cleansed my face & applied Boots number 7 Day Cream, first time I've bought grown up face cream (£23) problem is a) its night time b) I'm 60.... thinking this might be a little too late :)

I pay over £300 for a yearly car parking permit to park at my place of work but always park on my parents drive and walk the short distance to work. There seems to be a pattern forming here. Answers on a postcard please no prizes offered though. All my money is going out to places I don't use :)

The Graveyard......

In a corner of the graveyard I watch a man silently weeping. I draw near. I know him, I have never seen him cry before. He is strong and dependable. I wrap my arms around him and he shivers. It's like a cool wind has wrapped around him. His skin feels cold to the touch. In the distance standing around an opened grave I see people I recognise, it’s my family. I leave my lover; I don’t want them to see us together. I look down at the coffin in the grave and read the name on the bronze plaque. Now I shiver and know why I see dead people. 

Back from Morecambe

Returned from 4 days in Morecambe staying at the splendid home of my friend Sal. Weather wasn't perfect but that didn't stop us visiting Arnside  and Grange over Sands.
Arnside has a bore, quicksand, nice gift shops and tea rooms. I was sure I was going to disappear into quicksand when I walked on the grassy part of Arnside's beach but then I am a Drama Queen.

Grange has a long promenade with lots of benches that bear plaques. Some after reading made us want to ask questions or make up stories. We had a lovely lunch whilst the rain came down in torrents.

Had afternoon tea at The Midland Hotel, Morecambe, fabulous food sitting on the sun terrace looking over the jetty. Bought souvenirs for the family. 

I read Sal's novel and can't understand why it hasn't been picked up by an agent. It's well written and a great story. All in all 5* holiday. Thanks Sal.

Flash Mob

Here is a link to Flash Mob.... tomorrow I'll find out if the story 'Rise and Fall' on this blog is a winner. Love it to be but I think it probably won't as its an international competition attracting lots of entries
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http://flashmob2013.wordpress.com/

Flash-fiction Day, this year is on 22nd June, please read all the little amazing stories.
http://t.co/7lv636z45q   My story 'The Chair' will be on at 9am

Rise and Fall

A story I have written for International Flash Fiction day.

Rise and Fall 

At last the blood has gone. I’ve scrubbed myself raw to get rid of the last remnants of you off my skin. I slather on copious amounts of body lotion, breathe in the heady perfume. I’ve always thought it would happen. One of us would fall and the other rise.  But just not like this. 

I’ve always envied you. You wearing the latest fashions, coming first in every exam, in every race.  My father looking at you in the way he shouldn’t. He’d always look around to see if anyone had clocked him. I always did. It wasn’t your fault that I was a bit slow, a bit plain and to be fair you were always nice to me, letting me wear your clothes in secret.  

When you moved in next door, just the two of you, I used to think that maybe we could be friends one day. Go out arm in arm laughing and joking together like friends do. But no my father saw to that with his looks and innuendoes. His decision to marry your mother put paid to that, his bad judgements always ruined things.  

My shins hurt where you kicked me. My arms hurting, where you tried to restrain me. The bruises are beginning to show. When I call the police they are going to take photos of my bloodshot eye and my bleeding nose and all the marks you inflicted on me. 

They are going to ask me lots of probing questions. I’ve rehearsed my answers over and over again. I have to convince them. The body, lifeless in the corner, the bread knife sticking out at an odd angle. What will I tell you Step sister? How will I explain about your mother’s cruelty? 

 

Maybe I am a writer ????

I'm still in shock. Received an e-mail telling me my flash-fiction 'Penitence' is going to be published in the NFFD 2013 Anthology http://t.co/CHB04FRHBD and my other story 'Salsa' is shortlisted for 1000words flash-fiction competition http://t.co/NByphFs3r7

It's all happening now I've turned sixty :)

99words published another one of my little tales 'Vanity' on their new site  http://t.co/MnOANddZJi
Had a couple of nice encouraging comments.

Vanity 

“I didn’t hear any of that. Did you Betty?”

I shook my head. My hearing wasn’t as sharp as it used to be.

I was too vain to ask the Doctor to speak up. George was too vain to wear his hearing aids. 

“Do you think it was bad?”

I shook my head. He looked alright. He still made me mad with his forgetfulness and whinging on about his aches and pains. I always thought I was going to be a merry widow but he’d see me out for sure.   

We both missed the Doctor saying it was terminal.

 

 

 

My friend Tessa always asks is it a happy story? Sorry Tess this one isn't .... but Salsa and Penitence both are. :)