Bells rang out across the city, calling worshippers to service. She stumbled against the wire fence and rested herself there. Broken windows, graffiti, crumbling brickwork – all that was left of the home where she had grown up. She remembered again the nuns, the Father, the other children. She remembered the discipline, the beatings, the punishments. She picked up a stone from the ground and threw it with the last of her strength. It smashed through a pane. ‘Merry Christmas,’ she whispered and turned her back on the past. The shelter on St Benedict’s Street was serving a Christmas Day lunch. She shuffled away.

Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read more stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all, wishing you good health and the company of loved ones over the festive period, and here’s to 2024!

The State Trilogy and The Barra Boy available now.

All We Cannot Leave Behind coming February 2024.