Photo courtesy of Kelvin M. Knight
‘Bread and water,’ mum had said clipping him around the ear. ‘That’s what you’ll get if you’re caught nicking again and no soft, warm bed.’ She made him return the sweets he’d stuffed into his pockets to the corner shop where he’d muttered apologies he didn’t mean. Later, as he’d picked at too-thick stew and sticky dumplings he wished he’d still got that Mars Bar. He hated mum’s cooking.
***
Mum was wrong. His bed is soft and it’s always warm here. The food is good, no bread and water, but still, right now he’d give anything for home-made stew and dumplings.
I’m delighted that in less than 2 weeks since publication The Sister has entered the Top 20 Paperback chart in the UK. Tesco are currently featuring The Sister as part of a ‘Try a new author’ for £2 deal’ so grab yourself a bargain (other supermarkets have their own offers running too). In the run up to publication day my self-doubt set in big time. You can read that post here and my Waterstones launch party was a mixture of emotions, you can read my post on that here.
It’s too late was written for Friday Fictioneers. A weekly 100 word story photo prompt. Hop over to host Rochelle’s blog to find out how to join in.
Hmm . We realise her great love , at some point . I miss my mom all the more now .
Great story , Louise and congrats on the success.
Thanks. Hugs to you x
💕❤️🙂
Well, bless her she tried, didn’t she and that’s all we can do as parents. Nicely written as always, Louise.
You should have seen me a few days ago in Asda. I was looking for a copy of The Sister and there is was, in lovely pink and black. I had to pick up a copy and show it to my other half – ‘Look Louise’s book!’ I’ve seen The Sister all over the place now. So very happy for you.
Aww that’s brilliant. My husband pops in most days and gazes at the shelves.
Good on him and congrats!!!!!
Thanks Alicia.
Such a vindication of all your hard work and just sticking with it. Enjoy 🙂
Thanks Lynn.
My pleasure :). Didn’t tell you that as I couldn’t put The Sister down, was racing to reach the end to uncover all the secrets. 🙂
Ooof a thief! Great piece
Thanks!
I imagine at the end there he’s in the clink, and it’s actually his mum he misses more than her cooking, though he’s not about to admit that. Nice one!
Yes and yes. He’ll learn (or not!)
No doubt his Mum is wondering if she could have done anything else to stop him ending up that way. Nice take, and congratulations on the paperback success 🙂
Thanks Iain 😃
Prison. He should have learned to stop stealing.
Indeed he should.
You give me the impression that he is, by nature, someone more disposed to criminality than to keeping the law.
I think so Penny!
There’s no place like home, especially when you can’t be there.
Absolutely.
Loved this Louise! You’re an inspiration.
Thanks so much!
I hope his nostalgia cures him of his habits. Well done, on the book, Louise.
Thank you!
It might be the turning point. But then again, it might not be. At least she tried to change him and guide towards the better road…
Mum knows best…
look at what growing up do to you. it makes you change your perspectives.
That is very true.
Good story, Louise!
Thanks Sascha.
It’s amazing how we rarely appreciate what we have until it is no more. Lovely writing, as always.
I think we all probably do this to varying degrees.
Dear Louise,
He should’ve listened to his mum. Prison food is never as tasty as freedom. Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle. I can’t imagine it is.
Excellent story Louise, simple but very well written
Thanks very much.
It always happens to be so!
Hindsight is a wonderful thing!
👍
Hopefully the experiene will bring him to his senses. I wonder how often that happens though. Nicely done.
Thanks Sandra.