Splitting Axe: Has a sharp, tapered head that is easily able to cut into logs. Splits along the grain. Good for making kindling. Austin tensed as Michael got into bed. He hoped that Michael would keep to his half. He wasn’t in the mood to be touched. He didn’t really want to be in the […]
Short stories can be very satisfying. Each of these will take less than ten minutes to read. I hope that you enjoy them.
Standing in for a Dead Man
I didn’t know he was dead when I agreed to do it. Timothy wasn’t answering Sally’s calls and she needed a stand in. It was an easy job. I joined the bus queue and when the bus arrived I shouted that the bus was going to crash and no one should get on. Sally was […]
Not All Heroes Wear Capes
About forty years ago. I had a holiday hitch-hiking around Ireland. It took me hours to get a lift out of Dublin – but that was the exception. For the rest of the trip I got a lift within an hour and sometimes I’d get out of one car and the very next one would […]
Marmalade
‘I got the gig. At Comedy Queens.’ ‘That’s fantastic Ryan. So why the worried look?’ ‘It’s on Friday. I’m not sure I’m ready.’ ‘Honestly darling. You’ll smash it.’ ‘Hrmm.’ ‘Come on. You’ve already done what? Ten gigs? More?’ ‘Yeah, but this is the first real one. Open mic gigs don’t count. Anybody can stand up […]
Odd Socks
The storm started at sea. A little wind, lifting a little wave. Unnoticed. Unremarkable. Dave couldn’t find his other sock. Couldn’t find any of his other socks. He held at least ten socks in his hand and not a single one was part of a pair. Yesterday’s socks lay on the floor. He couldn’t decide […]
Keeper of the Keys
Martin couldn’t believe he’d found it. Here in his own town, squashed between a baker and a bank. He watched from across the street as the man behind the counter returned a pair of shoes with new soles to a customer. The man looked quite ordinary. Well dressed in a colourful striped shirt with a […]
The Peloton
Connor instinctively flinched as the first rays of sunshine struck. He didn’t need to worry. The Isle of Hull was fully shielded behind the massive glass filter-wall. He watched as the sun rose into the sky, perfectly reflected in the sheltered sea. Some serious early morning swimmers were ploughing up and down in the calm […]
None
Sarah ignored her phone and continued painting another Christmas card. It rang again. It was Eddie. He rang again. And again. She placed her loaded brush on her palette-board plate and reluctantly accepted the call. ‘What’s so urgent?’ ‘I’ve found one. It’s perfect. I’ve sent you details.’ ‘Can’t it wait? I’m working.’ ‘I’ve arranged a […]
The Beach Hut
It was further than she expected. Her large backpack weighed on her shoulders. Maggie laughed at herself. She looked like a long-distance walker but she was only walking ten minutes along the coast path. ‘Morning.’ She passed a group of chatty people walking in the other direction. She noticed their Geordie accents. Probably on a […]
The Park Avenue War
Mathew King was the first casualty of war. He got shot in the back of the head. It was Uncle Robert’s fault. He was a favourite uncle, mainly because of his totally inappropriate presents. Somehow he never seemed to remember his nephew’s ages. For their second birthday he gave them each a full size drum […]
The Temple of the Seven Songs
I bet you haven’t heard of the Temple of the Seven Songs. That’s my doing. I’ve written hundreds of online reviews of the place and never given it more than two stars. What’s pleasing is that no one else has given it more than two stars either. If you don’t read reviews and just turn […]
Unfiltered
Politics Live rarely had more than a million viewers and the latest programme was no exception even though it featured the Prime Minister. It covered all the usual subjects with no announcements. Even Simon Lovelock, the host, would admit it was bland. As usual he made a show of asking awkward questions and as usual […]