Category Archives: Prose

Nell Holland: Best of Times

The baby-breath touch of the zephyr lifted her hair, whispering softly over her cheek. She felt in harmony with this land, but she’d forgotten this summit was so popular. People had gathered to enjoy the view at this time of the full moon. and most were couples, just as she and Gavin had once been.Continue reading “Nell Holland: Best of Times”

Don Sinnott: COVID Daze

Dan wasn’t a party a party animal. Never an expert in small talk, at social gatherings he either kept to himself or found a soulmate for a one-on-one chat. At work he was more attuned to planning business strategies in his own headspace than to the interactive ‘brain-storming’ sessions his management periodically called. His firmContinue reading “Don Sinnott: COVID Daze”

Sharon Apold: She Left Alone

My Grandmother looked at me. Her eyes shone in her pale face, searching for the comfort of recognition. I know she saw the silhouetted figure and heard the voice of a woman holding her hand. My hand. I could tell I was still familiar to her, but somehow difficult for her to trust between theContinue reading “Sharon Apold: She Left Alone”

Edie Eicas: Gardening Tales – Part 5

I have a philosophy when it comes to trees and global warming. My position is that if you drive a car, you plant trees to offset your carbon miles. As a result, I proselytize; annoying a number of people but feel I have a responsibility, no matter what. My friends will tell you I’m tangential;Continue reading “Edie Eicas: Gardening Tales – Part 5”

Nell Holland: A Great Party

Too many friends had died. She needed cheering up, so Tony proposed a party.  But the day arrived, and Ann still felt miserable.  Preparations completed, she took ten minutes to try to find some serenity.  Her eyes closed, and slowly she relaxed. It seemed seconds later when guitar music opened her eyes.  Howard and RickContinue reading “Nell Holland: A Great Party”

Don Sinnott: Dirac’s Lecture

Lectures—I’ve had a few. I recall some as soporific, mechanically delivered verbal sludge. Others had me hanging on every word from a skilled communicator. Yet one lecture I recall most vividly, although delivered in a droning style, had me on the edge of my seat. A group of theoretical physicists emerged in the early decadesContinue reading “Don Sinnott: Dirac’s Lecture”

Edie Eicas: Gardening Tales – Parts 3 and 4

Murder Another year and I still hadn’t learnt about scraps composting through the garden. The pumpkin seeds had generated again, and another group of vines spread through the front. At first it was water conservation and I ignored them but, with finding the first Butternut, a new plan emerged. I began watering in earnest. TheContinue reading “Edie Eicas: Gardening Tales – Parts 3 and 4”

Lawrie Stanford: Stranger Danger

The officer was polite but firm while her male companion had a look that was more firm than polite.  The female officer was the first to speak.  ‘Sir, you’ve heard of stranger-danger, haven’t you?’ Earlier, I arrived home late from work, a little before 7pm.  As I walked through the front door, I could hearContinue reading “Lawrie Stanford: Stranger Danger”

Georgette Gerdes: Plumbers’ Dream

The effluent was overflowing. Black sludge in the basin of the outside tap. Congealed, gritty and pungent. The plumbers’ dream. Rivers of black trickled from outlets. Sinks bubbled. Water pooled and slowly drained from showers and poos came back up decrepit toilet pans. I need new pipes! He comes six monthly to unblock. Heavy metalContinue reading “Georgette Gerdes: Plumbers’ Dream”

Nell Holland: Remember

I was born in England in a small Derbyshire town not far from a place called Eyam. It’s a beautiful area and I’ve always respected Eyam’s history, but now the world is gripped by a pandemic I applaud the forward thinking of its 17th century inhabitants. In 1665 the villagers isolated themselves so outsiders wouldn’tContinue reading “Nell Holland: Remember”