Don’t go out there – #flashfiction

Image courtesy of Jellico’s Stationhouse

 

The back door creaked open. I shouldn’t go. But the thought of Jake waiting for me at the park pulled me. I shivered and it wasn’t the middle-of -the-night-chill but the anticipation of Jake’s hands heating me.

I wheeled my bike down the side of the house. Paused as the latch on the gate squeaked open. It wasn’t too late. I could go back to bed but my feet carried me forward. I pedalled as fast as I could. I pedalled so fast my dad’s warning words couldn’t catch me ‘there’s a killer out there.’

I didn’t care.

I was in love.

 

A super busy week with a deadline looming and the school on their Easter holiday but when I saw the prompt it fitted perfectly with a paragraph I’ve just written for book 3 soI couldn’t resist using this excerpt.

Friday Fictioneers is a weekly 100 word challenge inspired by a photo prompt and hosted by the fabulous Rochelle. 

Flash Fiction – Buttercups

Image courtesy of Jennifer Pendergast

 

You loved playing dress up, twirling in my far-too-large wedding dress until your heel caught in the lace and you tumbled onto the dried grass.

‘Mummy.’ Your lip trembled and I plucked a buttercup, shining gold in the sun, telling you it was a magic flower. All was well in your small world once more.

I blink. Somehow time has slipped passed. Weeks, months, years.

You rush towards me. This time it’s a gown and mortar board that swamps your still-small frame.

‘Mum!’ You’re nervous. I push a buttercup into your hand.

‘Collect your degree, darling.’

Your world is larger now, but I’m still here. Always.

 

‘Buttercups’ was written for Friday Fictioneers. A weekly 100 word story challenge inspired by a photo prompt. Hosted by Rochelle. 

 

Flash Fiction – Act in haste…

Image courtesy of Shaktiki Sharma

 

‘Dan said ‘I’m going to give Stella the sack.’ Hilda relayed.

Stella’s throat burned hot. How could he? Today? It’s 30 years since she started here. Not that anyone remembered. She’d helped his wife arrange a birthday party for him too.

Stella fired off an email telling her boss everyone called him fish breath behind his back. She pressed send and gathered her belongings and her dignity, and stood.

‘Not going anywhere, Stella?’ Dan carried in a cake. Thirty candles flickering. ‘I said this morning I’m going to get you back for the party and surprise you!’

‘Sorry,’ mouthed Hilda. ‘Misheard.’

 

This week my sister asked for a more lighthearted story and as it’s International Women’s Day and she’s the strongest woman I know I had to step outside my comfort zone and give it a go. 

Big thanks to everyone who has read, reviewed and recommended The Sister. Yesterday my publisher rang to congratulate me on half a million sales. You can read the first thought that popped into my head here. World Book Day was another step outside my comfort zone. An introverted writer giving a talk to 250 kids. What could possibly go wrong? I blogged about that here.

‘Act in haste’ was written for Friday Fictioneers. A weekly 100 word story challenge inspired by a photo prompt and organised by Rochelle. 

Flash Fiction – Can’t you kiss it better?

Image © Rochelle Wisoff-Field

 

Elsa dabbed the cotton wool against Edward’s leg. It came away crimson.

‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered. ‘It doesn’t look good.’ She reached into her case and pulled out a bandage.

‘Elsa! Why aren’t you eating your chips and why has Teddy got ketchup over his leg?’ Elsa’s mum swiped the bear and began to sponge his fur.

‘He ranned out in front of a car, Mummy, just like me.’

‘Let’s get you both cleaned up.’ Elsa’s mum’s knuckles bleached white as she gripped the handles of Elsa’s wheelchair and pushed her out of the kitchen.

She wouldn’t cry again. She’d run out of tears.

 

Yesterday I wrote a post on the 15 stages we go through when writing a first draft – no wonder writers are often exhausted! You can read the post here. 

‘Can’t you kiss it better?’ Was written for Friday Fictioneers. A weekly 100 word story challenge inspired by a photo prompt. Hop over to Rochelle’s blog for instructions on how to join in. 

Flash Fiction – Letting Go

Image courtesy of Liz Young

 

I paint on the smile that won’t reach my eyes and smooth my dress as though that will suddenly make me lose 10lbs. Today I want to be sparkling. Beautiful. Brilliant.

The church is full. The bride is young, thin, radiant. As full of hope as I once was. I bite back tears. I won’t cry. I won’t.

You’re so handsome as you walk down the aisle. I try to catch your eye but I’m invisible to you now. But I’m still your mum and I cling to that thought as tightly as you once clung to my hand.

Be happy, my love.

 

‘Letting Go’ was written for Friday Fictioneers. A weekly 100 word story challenge, inspired by a photo prompt. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting – you can check out the other entries, or join in, here.

 

Flash Fiction – Loaves & Fishes

Image courtesy of Ted Strutz

 

‘What am I supposed to do with loaves and fishes?’ I swallow the hot lump that rises in my throat. Soon the kids will be home, hungry, not that this is a home, with the endless smell of mildew. The wallpaper blackening and curling.

‘I suppose you can’t turn water into wine either?’ Rob trails kisses along my collarbone.

‘You’re always hoping for a miracle.’ I push him hard. ‘Get a real job.’

‘I’ll get a book deal.’

Rob tears open the post. As he reads a smile stretches across his face. ‘You know that miracle you were hoping for?’

 

Yesterday I wrote a blog post about Friday Fictioneers which you can read here.

A writer’s life is not an easy one! Loaves & Fishes was written for Friday Fictioneers. A weekly 100 word flash fiction challenge inspired by a photo prompt. You can read the other entries over a host Rochelle’s blog here. 

 

Flash Fiction – New Life

Image courtesy Roger Bultot

 

‘They were such a lovely couple, I can’t quite believe it’s happened’ says the woman wrapping her arms around herself as if she is cold, although this is the warmest March on record for years. At the side of the kerb, as close as the emergency services will allow, friends and neighbours huddle together. The sight of their shocked faces, tissues dabbing at tears, is such a contrast to the neat borders bursting with snowdrops and the reporter thinks they would make a great shot. The joy of Spring tempered by tragedy. New life highlighting the rawness of loss.

 

Apologies – I admit I’ve cheated a little this week as I’ve today written the above for my WIP but when I checked out the prompt it fitted perfectly. Friday Fictioneers is a weekly 100 word photo challenge inspired by a photo prompt. Hop over to host Rochelle’s blog to read the other entries or join in yourself. 

Flash Fiction – BFF

Image courtesy of Al Forbes

 

‘We’ll be best friends forever won’t we?’ She asks, piercing the daisy stem with her thumbnail and threading another flower through. ‘Finished.’ She loops the chain around my neck and as she draws back and studies me, the scent of her lemon shampoo lingers. ‘You look beautiful,’ she says.

She races across the field, honey-hair shimmering in the sun, tanned arms pumping by her sides. My January-pale stumpy legs struggle to keep up.

I want to tell her she’s the one that’s beautiful but I’m just her best friend, and my heart aches as I know that’s all I’ll ever be.

 

Written for Friday Fictioneers. A 100 word story challenge inspired by a photo prompt (my story this week inspired by the BF on the numberplate). 

To read the other entries hop over to host Rochelle’s blog here.

Flash Fiction – A Rainbow of Regret

Image courtesy of Dale Rogerson

 

There are grey spaces in my mind where my memories used to be. Even now, I can’t quite remember the events of that night.

That’s what I tell them anyway. Regret stings yellow and sour at the back of my throat as I swallow down my lies.

It was an accident. It must have been.

Except it wasn’t.

My shame burns red.

Green was the colour of the carpet I loosened at the top the stairs. Blue was your language as you tumbled to the floor.

White are the lilies I lay on your grave.

My soul is black and weeping.

 

A huge thank you to everyone in the US who has bought, reviewed and recommended The Gift. I am delighted it has, this week, joined The Sister on the USA Today Bestsellers List.

‘A Rainbow of Regret,’ was written for Friday Fictioneers. A weekly 100 word story challenge inspired by a photo prompt. Hop over to host Rochelle’s blog and read the other entries here, or join in!

Flash Fiction – 3 Words

Image courtesy Roger Bultot 

 

I must have misheard.
You don’t break eye contact and the lump that rises in my throat feels so real, I feel like I could reach in and tug it out. You’ve said it. Those three words I thought you’d never say. It’s been so long.
I reach out over your desk and place my hand over yours. My senses sharpen. Your sandalwood aftershave fills my nostrils as love fills my heart.
‘Say it again.’
‘Mrs Hamilton.’ You pause and I hold my breath. ‘Your cancer’s gone.’
And I wonder, even though you’re my doctor, if I could kiss you.

 

Hurrah my second novel, The Gift was published last Friday and I’m stunned and incredibly grateful it’s already No. 4 in the overall UK Amazon chart, and in the top 10 psychological thrillers in the US. The kindle version is part of a flash sale for the next few days and if you want to grab one you can at Amazon UK here and Amazon US here. A big thanks to all who have supported me.

3 Words was written for Friday Fictioneers, a weekly 100 word story challenge inspired by a photo prompt. My story was inspired by the balloons in the picture and I couldn’t think of anything better to celebrate. You can join in, or read the other entries at host Rochelle blog here.