She could hear her mother's voice from the grave, 'Is it worth it?' The world tilts out of kilter. Sun sears her eyeballs. Cool tarmac against her face. Shards of broken green glass. A dent in a red metal bin. Memories of the night before. Anger and hatred. Standing firm. Too slow to run. Her … Continue reading THE MORNING AFTER THE NIGHT BEFORE
It was time to give up. Admit defeat. Accept the desolation. The whole thing was futile. Life was futile. It was just another thing, on top of everything else, that made him angry about this year. A year of pandemic, riots, protests, more Brexit, more Trump, more Boris. Was it no wonder the country was … Continue reading A FUTILE LIFE
They call me a freak. I live in the old church surrounded by crosses and hang garlic cloves from every stained-glass window and revel in the sunshine that pours through the coloured panes. They call me a freak because I'm not like them. They've stopped visiting now. I never invite them across the threshold. I … Continue reading FREAK
IN THE APARTMENT 'When did you last see your baby?' 'I went into the kitchen to collect her food. When I came back, she and the chair were gone.' 'You think someone stole the chair and kidnapped your child?' 'I don't know!' 'Alright, Ma'am, keep calm.' ON THE STREET 'Dispatch, this is Officer 423. We've … Continue reading EVOLUTION
'You got any reels?' 'Nope.' 'Any lures?' 'Nope.' 'Lines?' 'None a'them either.' 'Okay, bait?' 'Live or dead?' 'Live.' 'Nope.' 'Dead?' 'Not that either.' 'Okay, what about boat equipment?' 'What like?' 'A boat hook?' 'Nope.' 'Cleat hooks?' 'Nope.' 'Rope?' ''Fraid not.' 'Do you have anything for a fishing trip?' 'I got fresh fish.' 'How does fresh … Continue reading DOWN ISLAND TRADERS
