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25.2.15

DEAF JED - a story in 100 words

DEAF JED

For twelve years Deaf Jed cleared his ten-mile stretch of track. He cut back invading undergrowth in spring and summer, carted away sacks of leaves in autumn, swept snow in winter.

Tired of the daily trek from town, he built himself a shack with timber that fell from the wagons, and lived there happily with his dog.

Scruff could hear the trains that Jed couldn’t and kept him safe - until that day in forty-three when he smelled a bitch in heat.

Trains no longer run on that track, but people say Scruff still patrols his stretch, whining for Jed.

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Thanks, as always, to
 https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/
for the photograph that prompted this week's story. 
Follow the blue frog trail on her blog to read other writers' takes on the prompt.

19.2.15

VERA'S VASE

VERA’S VASE

When Great-aunt Vera had her stroke we raced to see her. 
Propped up in bed, impossibly small, she gripped my hand. “I’ll be dead by Sunday.”
I choked on a sob but she shushed me.
“I’ve left you everything on one condition – you must smash that vase.” She patted my cheek. “It was always there when I visited but I know you loathe it.”
We laughed and promised.

After her funeral we positioned the camera against the night sky, drank champagne from Vera’s vase and then dropped it.
Shards exploded with light and in death the vase was beautiful.

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That was another piece of Flash Fiction for Friday Fictioneers prompted by a photograph on this blog - https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/  Follow the Blue Frog trail on her blog to read more stories.





12.2.15

ON THE VERANDA - a 100 word story

Here I am again with another 100 word story prompted by a photograph on Rochelle's blog. 
See https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/  and follow the Blue Frog icon to read other writers' takes on the same prompt - it always amazes me how different our stories can be!

In the first weeks of this year I have been blessed with two gorgeous granddaughters to add to my two handsome grandsons. Millie was born in England on January 8th and Natalie was born in Canada on February 7th. The subject of infant immunisation is therefore very close to my heart.

ON THE VERANDA

I can see Susie and Jake playing next door and I'd like to join them but they don’t play with me now.

Last summer we were together every day – splashing in our pool, making cookies with their mum, kicking a ball – until we got ill. The doctor said it was measles and we should have been vaccinated, but our mums hadn’t had us done.

The whole town rushed to get the jabs but it was too late for some of us. Two babies died and Mum says I’m lucky I only went deaf, but I don’t feel lucky – I'm just lonely.


5.2.15

THE PRINCE - a 100 word story

THE PRINCE

The neighbourhood was in uproar and Petey watched from the garden, thrilled by the blue flashing lights. Eventually his mum called him inside for tea. “Your friend Lucy’s missing.”
 Petey ate a chip. “Mum – how long is a hundred years?”
“A very long time, darling.”
“More than one ordinary sleep?”
“A lot more – why?”
“Because Lucy’s sleeping for a hundred years.”
His mum sat down with a thump. “Petey – do you know where she is?”
Petey waved his fork nonchalantly. “Course I do – I’ve got to chop through the hedge and kiss her.” He pulled a face. “I’ll go after tea.”

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Thanks as always to https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/ for the photo that prompted this story. I almost wrote one about my Pa, whom the scent of box hedges always brings to mind, so here is one of my favourite photos of him, taken many years ago.