Photo: © Sascha Darlington

 

The ‘Domesday Book’ brochure was glossy and slick. It promised an idyllic lifestyle that was out of this world. The prices were pretty astronomical too. This wasn’t an opportunity for the plebs – strictly for top-flight one percenters.

Twelve-year-old Duke liked how the pictures in the brochure came to life and the smiling people talked to you about their amazing Dome experiences. “Can’t we have one, Dad? My friends are gonna be so jealous!”

‘Slick Tony’, the grinning virtual salesman, appeared to be stalking them on every page with his annoying comments. “How’s your day going? You’re just the sort of family that will appreciate living in the Ganymede Dome Community. You’d be a real asset to the Jupiter Moons’ System. Remember, there’s no place like Dome Sweet Dome!”

Dad was reluctant. “I don’t know Duke. I’d like to check out the small print, but Perry, our Legal Bot, seems to be struggling with a mystery virus. And the half-price offer absolutely has to end today.” Tony gave a friendly warning that availability was strictly limited. But he was very sympathetic about the virus.

After an hour, Dad caved in. “Okay, Tony. Sign us up!”

*     *     *

The journey to Jupiter’s moon, Ganymede, had been magical. But being forced to work in the Liquid Iron plant was like a living hell.

Every few days they get to see Tony’s smirking image, promising them one day’s R&R at the relaxation domes. But they all need to work harder to earn the credits.

 

This story is inspired by the photo collated by Al Forbes of Sunday Photo Fiction, February 12th 2017.  For more details click the logo.

To view other stories written for this challenge, please click here.

 

Photo:  © J Hardy Carroll

 

“Hello folks. I’m Don Stop. Welcome to Big Don’s newly acquired Beautiful Bottle Shop. It’s gonna be the greatest shop anywhere.

It’s kinda quiet inside? I’m expecting my first customer anytime now. It’s quiet because folks are confused about some of the bottles on show. But the numbers shopping here will be huge! Don’t worry about that.

We’ve had some trouble with the green bottles. Terrible! I built a beautiful display wall and put ten green bottles on it. But one by one, they accidentally fell. Broken glass everywhere. Big danger! I’m gonna hand in all the green bottles and get money back on them. Even if the shops don’t give money back. You won’t see those bottles here for long.

I prefer to sell only local bottles, but if I have to have any from further afield, I’ll just order the clear bottles. These bottles are transparent – nothing to hide. They’re the best.

In fact, we’re already getting big, big numbers outside! Shouting and cheering. Walking up and down with their unofficial advertising banners ‘Stop Don’s Bottles!’ Of course it should be ‘Don Stop’s Bottles’, but who cares. They’re not the brightest folks.

Like I say, there’s only one thing worse than being talked about, and that’s being talked about and not selling anything. Period!”

 

 

This story is inspired by the photo supplied by Al Forbes of Sunday Photo Fiction, February 5th 2017.  For more details click the logo.

To view other stories written for this challenge, please click here.

 

 

Jim felt at the stitches in his forehead. He hadn’t slept for three days straight. It had been a crazy few days in Belgium with the lads. Now he just wanted to get them all home.

But he stalled their stolen butcher’s van just at the wrong time. Framed within the yellow hash marks, they had attracted the attention of a uniformed figure who gestured for them to pull off the road.

Jim ignored him, fired up the engine and sped off towards a quiet area near the sand dunes. He knew to leave nothing behind. Within minutes, they were on foot and their transport was a blazing wreck.

They walked quickly to the docks, sweating from the heat and the stress. It was organised chaos at the quayside. They joined the long queue as it shuffled forward towards the waiting boats.

“I hope you’ve pre-booked, Jim”, came a voice from behind, “I only travel First-Class!” Then they were all joining in, to ease the tension.

“When’s the bar open?”
“Tell them to be careful with my golf clubs!”
“I do hope we’re home in time for tea!”
“You should have organised this better, Jim!”

After three hours, they gratefully climbed aboard the ferry and were looking to grab a few hours sleep. In time, the harbour and coastline slowly disappeared from view.

Suddenly, the ship pulled hard to starboard, knocking many off their feet.

“Stuka!” The bomb was a near miss, sending a plume of seawater over Jim and his comrades. A few raised their rifles and fired in defiance at the retreating dive-bomber.

They had survived this time. But there were over seventy miles of English Channel between Dunkirk and Dover. And in May 1940, this was the most dangerous stretch of water in the world. Sleep would have to wait.

‘Lest we forget’.

 

This story is inspired by the photo supplied by Al Forbes of Sunday Photo Fiction, 13th November 2016.  For more details click the logo.

To view other stories written for this challenge, please click here.

 

(You can read how Abby’s story began here)

Hi! I’m Abby Downturn – a Lady from New England, living in a cottage in Old England. I used to have trust issues, but I’m feeling way better now!

I love the Olde English country palaces. Many’s the time I’ve had my nose pressed to the windows at Old Chuffing Hall. Until the injunction. Which was just a misunderstanding really.

Anyway, I managed to grab a few words with Lord Knows, the proprietor. And he only went and offered me a job in the Hall’s coffee shop! Said he appreciated my after hours service at the Red Lion Public House. I told him I’m not that kind of girl, and he laughed. I guessed it was the first time he’d done that in a while. He even lifted the injunction!

Anyway, during my lunch breaks, Knowsey, as I called him, started showing me around the Hall. I expected to be blown away, and I was. But it all looked tired, rundown and a little lonely. Since his wife passed, Knowsey has been hurting a lot, and this house has the scars to prove it.

So that’s why I became Housekeeper. To help get the place looking brighter. Eventually, he got the broken statue repaired. And Knowsey had a spring in his step, once more.

Then a lot of things happened, in a short space of time.

Knowsey’s money ran out – a huge tax bill threatened to bankrupt him.
The Hall was put up for sale. Old Chuffing Hall!
He asked me to marry him.
I said ‘I do’ and I did. Just a small, private function, with a reception at the Red Lion – 10% discount for former staff.
We rented a little cottage on the estate, while the house was being sold.

Then my trust fund was recovered!

So I bought the place. The ‘Whole Monty’, as they say. Once the Hall is renovated, we’ll be moving in. All a far cry from when I first moved over here and lived in an old caravan.

But sometimes a Lady Knows.

 

This story is inspired by the photo supplied by Al Forbes of Sunday Photo Fiction, 6th November 2016.  For more details click the logo.

To view other stories written for this challenge, please click here.

 

 

“And so finally, Fair Maiden, on this week’s ‘Out for the Count’, you also turned down a date with Contestant C – Frank, the ‘Green Machine’, from Bolton. Poor Frank! You said he was a bit too square for your liking, as he spends much of his time hanging around in science labs. The Nerd!

You also thought he was a control freak, as he likes to take full charge for 24 hours. But there’s no sparking this guy to life now. He also needs to get himself a better doctor – those stitches are brutal, man!

Off you go Frank, see ya!

So, Lady, you turned down our three eligible bachelors, which means you Held out for the Count!

And here he is, the ‘Vein Man’, Count Drac himself!

You, lucky lady, will be swept off your feet and taken out for a bite by Big Drac. He’ll come back next time and tell us all about it. A wink from the Big Fella there – he’s got something tasty lined up, no doubt!

So, we’ll see you next week folks, on ‘Out for the Count’, when DRAAAAAAC’S Back!”

 

This story is inspired by the photo supplied by Al Forbes of Sunday Photo Fiction, October 30th 2016.  For more details click the logo.

To view other stories written for this challenge, please click here.