SILVER SPOON - a story in one hundred words

SILVER  SPOON

Arnold sat in the village pub, sipping a whisky and enjoying an hour of anonymity, when an arrogant young voice called from the other bar, “Another round in here – and be quick about it!”

The landlord went to serve them, his body language eloquent with disapproval, and Arnold’s whisky was suddenly tasteless.

Next morning his son stared at the breakfast table through bleary eyes. “What’s that?”

“That,” Arnold said sternly, “is an oilcan. It reminds me that I only own an oilfield because I worked hard. It’s time you did the same – you start in the workshop tomorrow.”

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This week's photo of someone's treasured collection comes from Nick Allen by way of Rochelle's blog  https://rochellewisoff.com/  and, as usual, I am late on parade. Though why Thursday should be considered 'late' for Friday Fictioneers is a conundrum i have yet to understand :)

After a few hours baking Justice League fairy cakes with my granddaughter yesterday, I achieved the impossible - I inserted page numbers into my next book, starting on the fourth page!! So, as it has already been approved by my proof-reader, WOLF PACK, the second in my LIVING ROCK series, might even be published this year.

Meanwhile the first book, A VOLCANIC RACE, is available on Amazon in print - which would make a lovely gift to wrap for somebody - or in ebook for your Kindle.

Also on Amazon is HELTER-SKELTER which I published as Elizabeth Young to make clear it is in a different genre - historical fiction. You can find it by clicking on the link on this page.

EROSION - a 100 word story for Friday Fictioneers

EROSION

Val glared across the table at Dennis. “You can’t leave me – we had such dreams!”

“You had dreams – I just had to work all hours to provide the cash.”

Val clenched her fist round her coffee. “While I kept the house nice and raised the kids.”

“Nagging me incessantly, like water eroding rock. You’ve worn me away till there’s nothing left.” Dennis began spreading marmalade meticulously to the edge of his toast. His hand was shaking, Val noticed, and reality hit her like a brick – she didn’t want to lose him.

She took a deep breath. “Let’s talk about it.”

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This photo was taken by Dale Rogerson and posted on Rochelle's blog   https://rochellewisoff.com/  as a prompt for Friday Fictioneers.  It's such a lovely view that I struggled to find a story to fit, but here it is at last.

I had an unexpected boost to my esteem yesterday when my stepdaughter told me she was finally reading A Volcanic Race, my first book published last year, and was loving it. 'So well written,' she said, with only a hint of surprise in her voice! Families, eh? I am soon to publish my third book, the next in my Living Rock series, called Wolf Pack, yet only a handful of my large extended family have read any of them.

Which reminds me - Christmas is coming - why not buy a copy for yourself or a friend? They are available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle versions.

MEMORIAL - a story in one hundred words

MEMORIAL

I was fourteen, running away from my stepfather, ducked in here out of the rain and practically fell over Mike. He gave me one of his coats.

It was our home for months till they caught me shoplifting and put me in care, but then the social worker tried it on so I came back to Mike.

Five years we had before his cough turned worse. I got us into a shelter but it was too late.

The Social cremated him and gave me his ashes. That’s his grave there – the only dad I ever had worth the name.

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This week's prompt photograph was taken by our leader personally - Rochelle - who you will find on her blog at  https://rochellewisoff.com/  From there you can follow the link to read other stories by dozens more writers like me, all of whom hope you will leave a comment and want to read more.

With Christmas coming up, I trust your shopping list includes lots of books? You can buy my latest book, Helter-Skelter, an historical novel, by clicking on the cover image on this page. Or if you like prehistoric adventure, the first in my Living Rock series, A Volcanic Race, is available on Amazon. Read it now before the next one comes out - I will be publishing Wolf Pack very soon.

TREE DANCE - a story in 100 words

TREE  DANCE

When the Council declared the old tree was dangerous, the town mourned. Generations had swung from its branches and eaten picnics in its shade.

By popular vote, Hal was selected to carve the remaining trunk, and Running Bear supervised progress from his folding chair.

“Be careful what spirits you awaken, boy – trees have long memories.”

Hal laughed, but when he surveyed his work that evening, shapes had appeared that he didn’t recognize. Shivering, he hurried home.

In the morning there was a track in the grass, as if many feet had danced around the tree all night.

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I had to resist the temptation to write a story about my elder son, who is in the process of carving the trunk of a tree which was felled beside his house. We also have a tree-carving artist who has made woodland creatures to delight the children - and adults - out of felled trees around our village. So much better than reducing a grand old tree to firewood and wood-pulp.

Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers and to J S Brand for this week's photograph.

WHEN I'M BIGGER - flash fiction for Friday Fictioneers

WHEN I’M BIGGER

Why does crying make your eyes all blurry?

I’m hungry, but when I asked Mummy for a biscuit she said I’d made her brush slip and she smacked me.

I don’t like it when she paints her models because it makes her busy and cross. She calls me a little pest and tells me to ask Daddy, but I don’t want to.

When I’m bigger I’m going to bite him – perhaps that will stop him hurting me.

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This week's photo prompt was taken by Jeff Arnold and it made me screw up my eyes trying to get it in focus, hence my story, which happened so fast that it only reached 80 words. I hope you agree that I was right to stop there? Please leave a comment and follow the link from Rochelle's blog  https://rochellewisoff.com/  to read other stories.

It doesn't seem possible that it's November already, but my son and grandson's Trick-or-Treat call last night made it clear. I shall have to get a move on with my decorating if our new old cottage is to look its best by Christmas!

Helter-Skelter - how about buying yourself an early Christmas present? My latest novel is on Amazon in paperback or Kindle, (click on the cover at the top of my blog to find it) and would make a great fireside read. Or a beach book, if you're in another temperate zone!