Short Stories

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.

Killing Time

/ Steve Lakey / 4 Comments

9-nine-mm-pistol-and-ammo                                       Photo: 9 Nine Mm Pistol and Ammo. alex grichenko

 

With the best of intentions, he went back and shot Hitler – then the Soviets overran Europe.

He killed Oswald, but another sniper shot Kennedy.

Now he doesn’t care about outcomes. Just the killing.

 

This story is for the Trifecta Challenge: 33 Words inspired by the Rolling Stones’ classic ‘Sympathy For the Devil’.

The Fall

/ Steve Lakey / 4 Comments

100 Word Challenge

This story is my contribution for the ’100-Word Challenge for Grownups’, (100WCGU) from Julia’s Place. The prompt is “Fall”.

Click here to find more details. Please read the other stories in this challenge, by clicking here and following the link.

 

I blame myself. I never thought Jane would be the one to fall. I thought maybe my eldest daughter, April would. She’s always been the “nervous” type, who worries about anything.

But it was Jane. In and out of that psychiatric unit for two years. She had electro convulsive therapy, and that helped. It took a small part of her memories, but maybe she’s better off without some of those.

After the fall comes the long slow climb. She’s not there yet, but one day I’ll get my daughter back.

She may stumble, but I won’t let her fall again.

Time and Tide

/ Steve Lakey / 4 Comments

100 Word Challenge

This story is my contribution for the ’100-Word Challenge for Grownups’, (100WCGU) from Julia’s Place. 

Click here to find more details. Please read the other stories in this challenge, by clicking here.

This week’s prompt is: …as the world turned…

As a young man, Bill had always wanted to have Millions in the bank and live the good life, in a mansion by the sea. Most of all, though, he wanted to leave a legacy for his family.

Poor Bill, being the dreamer he was, never got those business ideas off the ground. Having an ordinary job made him feel like a failure.

Time went by, as the world turned…

Now Bill’s retired, he spends lovely long weekends with his wife and grandchildren, in their caravan by the sea.

Little Maisie asks, “Grandpa, are you rich?”

“No, but today I feel like a Millionaire.”