Category: Flash Fiction
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HIGH SOCIETY
I cornered Sheila next to her cheap display cabinet in the living room, noticing that she hadn’t bothered to hide her tacky glass ornaments despite hosting the annual neighbourhood fireworks party. ‘Exactly when did it change from being a fancy dress party?’ I asked her, raising an eyebrow to indicate the ridiculous small witches’ hat…
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OPENING NIGHT
A deep breath. I hear the chatter from the audience settle as the auditorium lights dim. The expectant silence. I grip the neck of my cello tightly and close my eyes. Visualise. Breathe. I see the endless hours of practice. Fingers bleeding. The encouraging smile of my father and mother. The exasperated berating of my…
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LEST WE FORGET
Through the sea haze she saw the final stream of small boats appear. From this distance she could make out the decks crammed with soldiers. For nine days the small boats had shuttled across the channel to Dunkirk. Over three hundred thousand men had been saved and returned to Dover. As the boats drew closer, the…
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EMIGRANTS
‘Good lord,’ Archie exclaimed. ‘Have you seen what they’ve done to that turret roof?’ Agnes sighed, not looking up from her newspaper. ‘Yes, dear. I saw it when the scaffolding came down last night.’ ‘It’s one thing to stick ghastly turret extensions on their house, quite another to have one in gaudy bright colours.’ Archie…
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THE FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE
Mr. Gilbertson wasn’t going to give up. He looked at the bored faces of his class. Every year he brought his pupils to Rome. Every year he was convinced they would return home enthralled and inspired. Whether or not this was reflected in their grades wasn’t a concern to him. He wanted to make a…
Iain Kelly 