Short Story Blog
#22 – Tea
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”!
#21 – Coincidence
“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.
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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”
#20 – Particles
The young girl blinked and giggled, the sparkling dots swimming in her gaze as she kicked her feet in the air.
The fluttering lights danced and circled the branches around her, bathing her face in warmth as dew soaked through her dress. She didn’t care about the dress. She didn’t care about the angry shouts of her parents. She didn’t even care about the sirens, the flames or the screams as the atom bomb flared in the distance, turning all to ash.
She was with her friends at the bottom of her garden and they would always keep her safe,…
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Photo by Matthew Hicks on Unsplash
Like this story? Take a look at the other 19 – you can find them by clicking links to the left or hitting the Pre-Loved Words link at the top. Remember the plan: 365 stories in 365 days! Join me on the journey by hitting the Follow button (if you’re on WordPress) or liking the OWOS Facebook page!
Today’s word was suggested by talented writer and poet Anne Gaelan – You can suggest a word just like she did: tweet me at @timaustin2k using the hashtag #onewordonestory
See you tomorrow for “Coincidence”!
#19 -Tendrils
Colonel Anderson jumped as the beast slammed its snaked arm against the splintering glass. His hands shook as he lifted his wrist to his mouth, spitting breathless commands to the rest of his platoon. He had to stay quiet: the alien saw the world in sound. It knew he was there on the other side of the bulkhead. It knew. He hissed a second order but it was no good,… they were gone.
“Aaaand I think we’ll call that Lunch, Colonel,” boomed a female voice. “That’s the Tenth simulation you’ve screwed. But don’t feel too bad,… it’s Pasta Wednesday”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Photo by Matthew Hicks on Unsplash
If you get it, you get it. And if you do, let me know! If you’re enjoying the stories, hit that follow button below (if you’re on WordPress) or like the OWOS Facebook page. Oh, and share it on Facebook and Twitter 🙂
Tendrils was suggested by my old sparring partner John “Bobby” R Wilkinson (Esquire): Associate Artist at York Theatre Royal and all-round top bloke!
If you want to suggest a word, pop it in the comments or Tweet it to me @timaustin2k using the hastag #onewordonestory.
Browse a few more stories and I’ll see you tomorrow for “Particles”!
#18 – Ooze
I don’t know what made me do it. God knows. But it just seemed so,.. natural. Many things do after a few drinks. I didn’t think about how weird it was to see a silver straw poking from an old stone wall. It was the lipstick mark at the tip and the line of sticky syrup that caught my eye. Someone had seen this on the street and puckered up. And if they could,….
The men in white coats are staring at me. I think they want to use the knives again.
….. The syrup wasn’t even that sweet.
(c) Tim Austin 2016
Hey, don’t blame me! This is the kind of imagery I get to some words,… I need a psychiatrist,…
Thanks to Ian Abbot – creative adventurer and artist – for today’s word. You can find him at http://www.thegeometrician.com/ or on Twitter @TheGeometrician.
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Come back tomorrow for “Tendrils”.
Tim.
#17 – Expectation
Benjamin peered through the window, wide eyes looking out into a star-specked sky.
The boy smiled as he carefully scanned the horizon: tonight he would see Father Christmas.
Outside his door, two figures were kissing in the dark, their giggles muted by the touch of their lips. They made no sound as they printed a soot-covered shoe to the floor. They were careful to make no sound as they crept away, hand in hand.
Still Benjamin waited.
And, as his eyelids fluttered closed, he knew,… he just knew,… that tonight he would be the boy who saw Father Christmas.
(c) Tim Austin 2016
Today’s word was suggested by Jemma Cross – Acting Coach, Director and proud Mum-to-be. You can find her over on Twitter at @JemmaGross. If you want to donate a word, please pop it in the comments below or tweet it to @timaustin2k using the hashtag #onewordonestory.
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Come back tomorrow for “Ooze”!
#15 – Llanfair PG
[Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch]
The two men had been arguing for 20 minutes, their sweaty brows gleaming in the mid-summer sun.
“No, I’m telling you it’s pronounced “Clan Vire”!”
The older man was jabbing his finger at the new sign with flailing exasperation.
“Then why is it spelt “Fair?!” The younger man moaned, scratching his head.
With a sigh, the first man called to a passenger, nearby. “Excuse me, love. How do you pronounce the name of this railway station?”
“Bodorgan.”
The two men looked at each other. Then at the sign. Then at the tools they’d used to erect it, 20 minutes before.
“Bollocks.”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Photo by Benn McGuinness on Unsplash
Today’s word was suggested by Liverpool songsmiths the Speakeasy Bootleg Band – purveyors of the “Finest Quality Bootleg Music Since Records Began…..”. You can find them on Twitter at @Speakeasybootle.
For those not in the know, this is a real train station in Wales. Yes, that really is the full name. And no, most people can’t pronounce it.
If you’ve a word you’d like me to turn into a story, tweet me at @timaustin2k using the hashtag #onewordonestory or pop a note in the comments, below. Oh, and share the blog with your friends using the button down there, too!
#13 – Burden
“No! ” James was angry now. Why did she keep saying that? Why did she keep insisting?
Frail fingers reached for his, grasping: weak like a child. Her pale grey eyes were begging.
“Stop it, Mother. Please,… just stop.”
A machine whirred and hissed as the old woman struggled to speak. James closed his eyes, a tear spilling against his cheek.
The forms he clutched crumpled in his fist.
“I never loved you.” Her thin voice was desperate. James turned and arranged the flowers in the vase.
Without another word, he dropped the ruined forms into the trash.
(c) Tim Austin, 2016. Photo by Daan Stevens on Unsplash
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This story is powerful to me personally for many reasons. I apologise if it causes any upset in the reading – this is the kind of thing that occasionally swims in my head.
A massive thank you to Emma Wallace – a kind and very beautiful soul – for suggesting this word. If you’ve a word that you’d like me to turn into a story, pop it in the comments or tweet it to @timaustin2k using the hashtag #onewordonestory.
Come back tomorrow for “Archive”.
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