Cherrypicked stories
My Grandma
My Grandma My age and chair now least I care as I do not shy while coveting I my grandma’s armpit and to leap on her lap to sit and to sleep on her...
- Read more about My Grandma
- 2 comments
- Log in to post comments
- 33 reads
Still No Snow
Monday morning spent on the usual Monday chores and grumbling about the fact there was still no snow. It’s very cold, and the pink sky seemed full of...
- Read more about Still No Snow
- 4 comments
- Log in to post comments
- 33 reads
claptrap
Collecting a plastic medal on his 30 th anniversary. Clenched teeth and a rictus smile. The backslapping goodness of them all. Dry lips. Missing God...
- Read more about claptrap
- 7 comments
- Log in to post comments
- 130 reads
The Last Night Chapter 5
Chapter 5 White Fire 15 “It’s mine.” Wyatt said. “I’ll get it.” “Not alone you won’t.” He insisted, rising from the steps, his legs trembling beneath...
- Read more about The Last Night Chapter 5
- 4 comments
- Log in to post comments
- 41 reads
Endings
In the days that follow, we will fall into a depression and battle stomach wrenching pain at the incomprehensible diagnosis and seeing the ravages of...
- Read more about Endings
- 5 comments
- Log in to post comments
- 49 reads
Time
Should have spent more with them. That's advice I'd give my younger self.
- Read more about Time
- 3 comments
- Log in to post comments
- 103 reads
The Bears Discuss
Paddington said, to Winnie-the-Pooh, “I think I know what you should do – Go on a journey to far-off Peru – forget your honey and take a tip – pack...
- Read more about The Bears Discuss
- 12 comments
- Log in to post comments
- 177 reads
Forecast Schmorecast
A proper Sunday, not going out. Cold, bitter. Wind, satisfyingly howly. Plenty milk in the fridge for homemade cappuccinos (I have a gadget),...
- Read more about Forecast Schmorecast
- 4 comments
- Log in to post comments
- 34 reads
Cricks Crocodile
I closed the front door very slowly, quietly and scurried towards my car, holding my scarf up over my mouth, my throbbing lower lip. I could taste...
- Read more about Cricks Crocodile
- 15 comments
- Log in to post comments
- 241 reads
Your Mental Health - A Handbook of Sorts
Your Mental Health – A Handbook of Sorts You should not always believe the things that you think That emotional wave beneath which you sink is often...
- Read more about Your Mental Health - A Handbook of Sorts
- 2 comments
- Log in to post comments
- 53 reads
This Week's I.P. is...
a DIY one.
- Read more about This Week's I.P. is...
- 2 comments
- Log in to post comments
- 66 reads
There is an oh so silent process
There is an oh so silent process, nobody knows when human soul grows out of the dust in space, when spirit comes to life... A mother knows when belly...
- Read more about There is an oh so silent process
- 2 comments
- Log in to post comments
- 46 reads
Causeway
and the water is warm for once
- Read more about Causeway
- 2 comments
- Log in to post comments
- 72 reads
A Wind and Wuthering Day
‘Tis Christmas Fayre season, and given the many creatives up here, some of them can be quite good. Some of them are not, but that’s half the fun...
- Read more about A Wind and Wuthering Day
- 6 comments
- Log in to post comments
- 60 reads
So farewell then Steven Wells
Steven (Seething) Wells, (or Swells), was a punk poet, turned journalist, turned comedy writer, turned author, turned cancer-diarist. He was a...
- Read more about So farewell then Steven Wells
- 3 comments
- Log in to post comments
- 52 reads
So farewell then Smiley Culture
The first reggae album I every bought was Tongue in Cheek by Smiley Culture (real name David Victor Emmanuel). The first single from the album,...
- Read more about So farewell then Smiley Culture
- 2 comments
- Log in to post comments
- 42 reads
Musings of a Doppelgänger
“Changelings,” she would call them. Ghastly little things, they were fairies or trolls depending on her mood at the time, but the stories she told...
- Read more about Musings of a Doppelgänger
- 3 comments
- Log in to post comments
- 54 reads
Saltburn - A Publishing Journey
Saltburn. I started Saltburn here on ABCTales in the first week of 2020. In February 2025 it’s going to be published. This is the story. I’m usually...
- Read more about Saltburn - A Publishing Journey
- 2 comments
- Log in to post comments
- 125 reads
The Jester’s Requiem: Yorick Unmasked (IP)
"The Jester’s Requiem: Yorick Unmasked" By Imogen Ida Nadir, Vanity Unfair London, 6:45 p.m. Yorick may have once been the court jester of Elsinore,...
- Read more about The Jester’s Requiem: Yorick Unmasked (IP)
- 6 comments
- Log in to post comments
- 216 reads
Bus Pass [and BPL] Have Plenty of Fun
BPL was becoming increasingly animated about something called ‘A snow-bomb’. Bus Pass reckoned this is what comes from believing weather reports off...
- Read more about Bus Pass [and BPL] Have Plenty of Fun
- 4 comments
- Log in to post comments
- 52 reads