Cherrypicked stories
Charm Bracelet
GRAN died on Christmas day, an hour after mum’s mega-dinner and enough sherry to kill a small dog. The only things she brought to the feast were a...
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- 302 reads
Sean Happens 3
Dad was sitting dozing outside the kitchen on a hard wooden seat. His balding head and ear were scarlet, and the sun had taken a blowtorch to his...
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- 11 comments
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- 646 reads
These Are The Signs
These are the signs of the cross. A half empied bottle of screw top wine in the bus shelter by the blighted terminus, child's new shoes wildly...
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- 84 reads
I Have Shamed Myself
Several Christmases ago, I received a DeLonghi Icona Vintage Espresso Machine. Well, truer to say that I received Christmas money and bought one, in...
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- 62 reads
Do Not Come to My Funeral
Another fallen comrade younger than I. Image created at canva.com from pd elements.
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- 6 comments
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- 474 reads
Shug Happens 2
‘I want Shadow!’ Sean wailed and cried so much he choked like an asthmatic on his own last breath. Mum had to hold on to her son or Sean would...
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- 7 comments
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- 147 reads
Evelyn
Emergency services? Yes, I want to report a disruption, she said. What is it? Well, there’s a house across from me that hasn’t been lived in in many-...
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- 51 reads
American Made
WARNING: This story contains foul language, scenes of a sexual nature, drug taking, violence, murder. In 300 words. American Made K has become a drug...
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- 18 comments
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- 390 reads
Lactobacillus Bulgaricus or Bust!
Other yoghurts are available, though scientists have proved that our Bulgarian yoghurt is by far the best in the world.
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- 22 comments
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- 320 reads
Error in Account 4275
Even last night I just knew that there would be matters of great portent today. We had gone to bed as usual at 8.30 after watching our recording of...
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- 2 comments
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- 53 reads
Life's fuel
The farmers tend it, and then they send it to shops, we spend on it, for we depend on it, and … some, corrupt, supplies disrupt, grow rich and fat in greed on that which …
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- 13 comments
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- 195 reads
Earl Beardie at Glamis (A Legend)
He sits in a narrow chamber forever, throwing dice with the Devil, wearily feigning outrage at Auld Hornie's underhand tactics. The dice rattle like...
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- 1 comment
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- 83 reads
Quality Retention
In those early visits to Forgall Terrace, I did not meet Phyllis Berrills. But she was there alright. First day I could hear the clack-clack of an...
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- 1 comment
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- 121 reads
The Full English
Goodbye to all that.
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- 17 comments
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- 432 reads
Rental (Part 2 of 2)
I move briskly, like I’m late for the Stratford bus, but that can’t be where I’m going. I recognize the land around me. These are the fields on the...
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- 2 comments
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- 87 reads
Rental (Part 1 of 2)
Back to the Future plays silently on a wall-mounted TV. It’s the scene where Marty promises to take Jenn out in his Dad’s truck. I don’t need the...
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- 7 comments
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- 243 reads
“Are You Ready to Go Back to Titanic?”
Apparently not. Today is the celebration of Durten’s life. In the Universal Hall. Last Thursday I asked a friend when it was arranged. I felt my...
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- 52 reads
Killing Scorpio - Part Two
It was upstairs in the smaller of the O2 venues and the place was only half full so we had no trouble in threading our way through to the front. We...
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- 4 comments
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- 79 reads
Killing Scorpio - Part One
You must have had this conversation in your head. We all have haven’t we? Or no, maybe I’m wrong. Yes, when I think about it I probably am wrong, I...
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- 1 comment
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- 49 reads