Contemporary

#22 – Tea

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The air swam with the scent of Rose Water and Jasmine, a million aromas spiralling on the breeze.   The lush green rows of the plantation bathed in the Indian sun, a hundred pairs of feet sinking into the fertile dirt.  Madhu smiled at the day, snatching leaftips from each bush and watching the women toiling the field.  Beside her strode an English girl, her pale skin pinking in the sun.  Madhu grinned across.

“Remind me” she asked, “What brought you to India, Katie?”

The English girl stroked the swastika tattoo on her wrist, her reply shy and quiet.

“I ran away.”

(c) Tim Austin 2016. Photo by Henry & Co. on Unsplash

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Today’s word was suggested by the wonderful Devika Fernando – best-selling romance and paranormal fiction author and hugely generous friend of OWOS project.  You can find her at devikafernando.com or on Twitter at @Author_Devika

Devika suggested her word by tweeting me @timaustin2k and using the hashtag #onewordonestory.  I welcome new suggestions: what will yours be?

I’ll see you back here tomorrow for “Seasick”!

This entry was posted in Contemporary, Katie, Romance/Relationships and tagged , , , , , , , .

#21 – Coincidence

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Wine

“Jane!  Fancy meeting you here,…”

Sincerity was never one of Jack’s strong points.  Jane’s cheeks flushed pink in embarrassment, her teeth clenching tight.

“Jack.”

“Won’t you introduce me to your male friend?”  He laboured the word male, balancing it like a dagger and twisting it just as hard.  His eyes were a mix of amusement and malice as he turned his gaze to Jane’s date.  There was a pause.

“…. Steven.”

Jane’s brow furrowed as she followed her ex husband’s eyes.  Stephen was shifting in his seat, eyes locking to Jack’s.  He choked a yearning whisper.

“I’ve missed you.”

(c) Tim Austin 2016.  Promo picture courtesy of Henry Fournier via Uplash.

Like this or any other story?  Hit that follow button below (if you’re on WordPress) or like the OWOS Facebook page.  Oh, and share it on Facebook and Twitter :)

Today’s word was suggested by the magnificently named Yvonne Battle-Fenton – writer and co-producer at The Story in Lancaster and Off The Page.  You can find her on Twitter @YBattleFelton.

Yvonne suggested her word by tweeting me @timaustin2k and using the hashtag #onewordonestory.  You can too!  Please do.

See you tomorrow for “Tea”

This entry was posted in Contemporary, Romance/Relationships and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , .

#10 – Rainbow

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The rain melted with Helen’s tears as she looked up into a yawning maw of scorched grey clouds, wheeling and turning in a tempest far above.  Were she able, she would have joined the thronging mass of blackening mists and lost herself to their fury. The green of the grass stretched bright as a challenge to the clouds above and she lay back, torn between worlds.  She waited, water soaking through clothes and shivering her pin-pricked flesh.  And there it was: the sunlight against the clouds – freedom in a prism of colour, her troubles tumbling free in laughter.

(c) Tim Austin 2016

Thanks to the tenacious Emma Rucastle for suggesting the word “Rainbow”.  Emma is a theatre producer and director based up in the North West of England – you can reach her at @elaru on Twitter and at http://www.elartproductions.co.uk/ 

Got a word?  Get in touch!  Pop it in the comments or tweet it to me @timaustin2k using the hashtag #onewordonestory.  Follow, share and get involved!  I can’t do this without you! 

Don’t forget to hit that follow button for tomorrow’s story: Knife!

This entry was posted in Contemporary, Tuggin' The Heartstrings and tagged , , , , , , , .

#9 – Termite

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Don’t stop – no time. Keep hunting, keep going, keep working. No time. Don’t pause: they’re counting on me. What if I stop? No! Never stop. Stop and you die. Stop and you fall to the dark place below: to the mound of rotting corpses forgotten, spent; fodder for the roots of the trees on which we feast. No: keep going, stay useful, stay relevant. Never stop. Straighten my tie, switch on the screen, drink the coffee and rock no boats.  Protect the hive, protect the Queen:  a good little worker, always.

(c) Tim Austin 2016

What a word to be handed!  Thanks to the charming force of nature that is Aliki Chapple – Actor, Luddite, proud Grecian and Activist.  You can find her on stage with The Rose Company or on Twitter at @amaenad 

Got a word you’d like me to write about?  Tell me in the comments section or tweet me at @timaustin2k using the hashtag #onewordonestory 

Don’t forget to hit that follow button for tomorrow’s story: Rainbow!

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