Short For The Week
No Time To Say Goodbye
He’d responded well. Sat up drinking tea. Never thought he’d go so fast. Back at teatime and they’d stripped the bed.
*Originally published by www.the-phone-book.com (now archived)
Undergraduate Interview
And what particularly attracted you to this university? The distance, she told them, they won’t expect me back at weekends.
*Originally published by www.the-phone-book.com (now archived)
Mooning
A new moon, a slice of hope, a wink, a smile in the summer blue night. He gazed at it fondly and collided with the lamppost.
*Originally published by www.the-phone-book.com (now archived)
Sorry, Mum
Never meant this to happen. Only wanted a moment’s peace. A cessation in hostilities. Christmas ceasefire. But now you lay among the Yorkshire pudding tins and scattered peas, Dad’s old carving knife sticking out. And I’m not sure whether to put the Queen’s speech on. You’d hate to miss it.
*Originally published by www.the-phone-book.com (now archived)
Junk Food
You are what you eat. And Denny was all hamburger. Round, meaty and promising far more than he ever delivered.
*Originally published by www.the-phone-book.com (now archived)
Creative Process
Are you driven, he asked her intently. Only when I go by taxi, she said.
*Originally published by www.the-phone-book.com (now archived)
His Domain
What she missed most was the smell of him: wood and oil. And the mess he made. She’d go and sit in the shed and breathe him in.
*Originally published by www.the-phone-book.com (now archived)
Trigger
She gave up on the opera even when they could get a sitter. The high notes made her milk let down. Ruined her frock.
Mr Right
He was a looker. Nice. Made her laugh. Then he said it. Three words. I don’t dance. Killed it stone dead.
*Originally published by www.the-phone-book.com (now archived)