Redoubting Thomas

/ Steve Lakey / 2 Comments

sand-bags Photo: Sand Bags by Peter Griffin

 

The Weather forecast looked grim. High winds and flooding across England. 

Thomas knew what to do. As a war movie veteran, he got his reluctant family organised.

“Right, we need to build two lines of sand bags to form a flood redoubt”.

No one seemed to know what a redoubt was, but Thomas wasn’t to be put off.

“We don’t have sand or bags, so we’ll have to improvise. Kids, I’ll get some soil from the garden, you bring me pillow cases!”

Mum collected a week’s worth of provisions.

They waited, as the clouds parted…

and the sun streamed through.

 

100 Word Challenge

This is my entry for this week’s 100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups from Julia’s Place. The prompt is the sun streamed through. Click here to view the other entries.

The Blue Bus

/ Steve Lakey / 3 Comments

Puddle Photo: Copyright kattermonran.com

 

Emma watched little Charlotte in her waterproof boots, splashing through the puddles on the pavement. Of course, she wasn’t so little these days. Another few weeks and she’d be seven.

After a few seconds in her own world, Emma realised the time. They needed to get to the taxi rank before the evening rush started. Without thinking, she took Charlotte’s hand and guided her daughter into Main Street. They rushed past the shops, Emma keeping her gaze straight ahead. Halfway along the street, she felt her hand being squeezed. Charlotte had stopped walking and was looking at the ground.

“Mummy, mummy. Can you see the bus?”

“Don’t be silly. There isn’t a bus on this street. It’s just for pedestrians.”

Charlotte pointed at the nearest puddle. “No, not on the street. In the water! I can see Granddad driving his big blue bus, and he’s waving at me!”

“Charlotte! You know Granddad has gone away to a better place. When I was your age, they said I had a over-active imagination. I must have passed it on to you.”

Charlotte shrugged.

Still in denial about her own abilities, Emma avoids looking into puddles. Sometimes she forgets, and sees the blue bus driving by. It makes her cry.

 

This is my contribution for Sunday Photo Fiction, hosted by Al. Click the link for more details.

Click here to view the other stories

Striking a Chord

/ Steve Lakey / 22 Comments

dismantled-keyboard Photo: Copyright – Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

 

An enthusiastic young copper decided to take his drug search a little too far. In the old days, Mick would have slipped him a financial sweetener – no fun having your door kicked in at 3am.

He’d been off the stuff for months, but being an ageing Rock musician made Mick an easy target. He would call his lawyer, if only he had the cash to pay him.

Mick can’t look at the photo of his shattered keyboard without shedding a tear. He still keeps it close, just in case he’s ever tempted to go back on the white powder again.

 

This my contribution to Friday Fictioneers 100 Word Challenge, hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Please click the link for more details.

View other entries by clicking here.

Silver Star?

/ Steve Lakey / 4 Comments

marathon-medal

Photo: Marathon Medal.  Marina Shemesh

 

Mason wasn’t known for losing, and that’s what getting the Silver medal was for him. He was firm favourite to add another Gold to his collection, but surprisingly was beaten to the tape over the last few yards.

He certainly wasn’t known for losing well. And yet here he was, congratulating his opponent and smiling for the cameras. Gracious in defeat, he announced his retirement with a gentle shrug of the shoulders.

Enter John King, a reporter determined to catch a falling star. He broke the real story: Mason’s connections with syndicates who had made a fortune from his loss.

 

This is my contribution to 100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups – Week #110 from Julia’s Place. The prompt was Silver.

100 Word Challenge

Beware the Gargle

/ Steve Lakey / 7 Comments

Gargoyle Photo: Copyright kattermonran.com

 

Another day, another dollar, with the Agency. They gave me a straightforward assignment – travel to a Country House pub in England, U.K. and plant a listening device in the main Dining Hall. It was one of those pubs in the ‘Red Lion’ chain.

We’d arranged a little ‘electrical trouble’ for them, and here I was, Mr Ken Speedie, of Speedie Electricals to sort it all out. Got into character with a false beard and stained teeth.

Well, all our new listening devices were out – it’s a busy time for us. So I ended up going in the safe for one of those bulky Cold-War era models. I know we’re not supposed to use them anymore, but the job needed doing.

As it’s not the smallest piece of kit, I found one of those big Gargles on the wall to fit it behind. Soon it was all done, nice and neat.

Don’t they say Gargles are to ward off evil? I guess I’m in the same business!

Then things went a bit off-message. Luckily, I’d driven a couple of miles away before activating the device. Unfortunately, it was one of those ‘Red Button’ models that if tampered with, self destructs and takes out a whole village. I blame faulty Brit wiring. Why did no one tell me they were on 240 volts!

 

This is my contribution for Alastair’s Photo Fiction. Please click here for more details and to read the other entries.