Patricia M Osborne

Today’s challenger is Karen Baker. Karen’s response to the challenge to ‘Write a story in less than one hundred words’ comes in the form of Skimming which you can read below.

It’s flat, smooth, shapely, sensual, and fits perfectly in my fingers, an extension of my right hand. Calm and motionless, I stand for a long meditative moment eyes closed.

Reminding myself of the Zen of this exercise with three deep intakes of breath, I turn sideways-on and take the correct stance, knees bent. Then raising my arm, elbow flexed, I lean with a slight sway that tests my balance.

My arm swing and wrist-flick catapult the stone across the water. One… two… three… four… five…

Yes!!

Still the same jubilation.

 

90 words

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To find out more about Karen and her writing you can visit her website here.

Our challenger today is author Janet Hardacre. Her response to the challenge ‘Write a story in less than one hundred words’ comes in the form of  Who am I. You can read Janet’s story below.

As Simon Granger entered the lobby of the Hotel Excelsior, he was not alone in wondering what this night would bring.

‘Good evening, Mr Granger’ greeted Miss Brandon the receptionist.

‘Good evening, Lou’ replied Simon knowing how annoyed she would be at this familiarity.

Louisa Brandon did not approve of his weekend performances in Lounge 69 of the Hotel Excelsior.

Simon Granger entered, but beautifully transformed three hours later, ’Simona Starlet, Greatest Drag Act in The South’ emerged. Breathing in as far as her corsets would allow, Simon preened into the mirror and whispered ‘Showtime.’

95 words

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Well I don’t know about you, but that one came as a bit of a surprise to me. What did you think?

Today’s challenger to ‘write a story in less than one hundred words’ is Geoff Parkes. Geoff’s response to the challenge comes in the form of Apple Vision which you can read below. Enjoy.

In the first age, I raged beneath the tree because I was too short to pluck the plump red apples there.

In the second age, I climbed the tree, smiled and sat branch-fast, munching and crunching sweet-juiced fruit.

In the third age, I cried as truth hit home. My enfeebled legs denied me apple time. But now I smile a sated, grateful smile. Let others feast; I know how apples taste.

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What a lovely story. Don’t you agree? 

 

 

Today’s story comes from challenger, Zowie Sweetland. Her response to the ‘Write a story in less than one hundred words’ is The Cloak which may be read below.  Enjoy.

As the mysterious cloak, which surrounded her waking mind, lifted, she realised that she was not where she expected to be. Cautiously, she peered out the window, at the leafy scene rushing by. Where was she? Why didn’t she recognise any of the scenery? She looked around the carriage, but it was empty, apart from a discarded water bottle. Never mind, she would check her phone and find out her location. Except, she couldn’t… her bag, which had only moments before, (or so it seemed to her), been next to her, was gone forever…

94 words

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Ooh another spooky one. I love how these prompts bring out a similar theme.

Today’s challenger  to ‘Write a story in less than one hundred words’ is a writer friend of mine, Corinne Lawrence. Her response to the challenge comes in the form of Night Life which you can read below.

Her hair was shot through with a strand of emerald green, her painted nails of the same vivid hue. She smiled coquettishly at him from beneath her lashes, hoping she would pass for sixteen.

He rubbed his fingers along the roughened edges of his carefully cultivated designer stubble, congratulating himself on discovering this hidden gem of a cellar bar, well off the beaten track of the paparazzi. His expectations rose.

73 words

Thank you, Felicity Cousins for your response to the challenge of ‘Write a story in less than one hundred words’ with Guilt Trip. 

‘I’m taking you on a ballooning holiday,’ said Geoff standing in the doorway.

Barbara rolled her eyes behind the newspaper. She had hoped he would just book the golf trip with his friends and leave her in peace, but he obviously felt guilty about his recent fling.

‘Lovely,” she said, “where is it?’

‘We start in Cairo and fly over the Nile to see the Pyramids.’

Barbara put down her newspaper. Quite impressive. ‘Amazing.’

‘I hope I haven’t gone over the top,’ Geoff said nervously.

‘No. No.’ She smiled. But you will do, she thought.

97 words

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Another one with a lovely twist. You can find out more about Felicity and her writing by going to her website here.

 

Thank you Andrea Smith who has taken up the challenge to write a story in less than one hundred words. Andrea’s response comes in the form of, Crumbs, which you can read below.

George returned home from work late, trudged into the living room and slumped into the sofa.

‘Sorry I’m late Mavis,’ he said, opening a packet of biscuits.

‘Did you want one?’

A glare was the reply.

‘No… ok…You don’t need to sulk.’ George spluttered showering his chest in crumbs. He switched

on the TV and munched his way through the packet. More crumbs avalanched down his chest.

Mavis moved next to George and began hoovering up the crumbs.

‘Thank you, Mavis, I’ll get your dinner in a minute.’ George stroked his cat who gave an appreciative meow.

97 words

Thank you Daniel Crowley for taking part in the challenge to write a story in less than one hundred words. Daniel’s response comes in the form of The Doctor which you can read below.

The door closed with a soft click and Dr Anderson smiled to himself.

This was Rachel’s first visit back after chemo. He had noticed the signs of remission in her X-rays and was now able to shed the first rays of light into her cold fragmented world.

Peter Anderson felt particularly pleased to be the bearer of good news because Rachel Hudson was his niece.

There were times when he had worried whether the blood tie would prevent him being dispassionate in dealing with her case. Obviously, this was not true.

91 words

Thank you to author, Elizabeth Ducie, who has taken up the challenge to write a story in less than one hundred words. Her response can be seen in the form of  The Feast which you can read below.

We sit under cerulean skies, gazing at the picnic.

‘For what we are about to receive—’ I mutter

‘— we’re bleedin’ grateful,’ Billy interrupts.

We gorge on fresh-baked bread; salty butter, buttercup yellow; and strawberry jam, fruit whole and succulent. Milkless tea burns our tongues; extra sugar removes the bitterness.

Few sounds disturb the peace, save Billy’s smacking lips and contented sighs; the shriek of a curlew. We run our fingers through cool strands, bruised by careless boots.

We silently thank those who gave their lives—and rations. We stand, collect rifles, and re-enter the trench.

97 words

Well that was a bit of a surprise. Hope you enjoyed it. To find out more about Elizabeth’s writing you can visit her here

Margaret Burton has taken up the challenge to ‘Write a story in less than one hundred words.’ Her response comes in the form of Old Ground which you can read below.   

Tom clinked glasses with Mick. Few quid behind the bar, the pub was heaving, in full voice. ‘…he’s a jolly good fellow…’

‘Think Belle’s coming back?’

Tom sighed. ‘Nah, after the lottery win we finally agreed. Better to end it’.

‘She’s a free spirit.’

‘Yeah.’

‘No more police digging up your garden then? Bit red-faced when she returned nine months later. Disappeared once too often eh?’

‘Built my dream observatory there.’ Tom beamed.

Later, scanning the night sky, on cloud nine, Tom thought aloud. ‘Both got our own way then Belle. What did you say? …over my dead body.’

99 words

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Love the twist in this one. What does everyone else think?