Photo: © Al Forbes 2014

 

“Police has asked me to say a few words.

Before I do, I don’t see why I’m taking blame for it. It’s really all our Derek’s fault.

Derek has never been brightest star in galaxy. He knows it. Even Sheila, his Mam knows it, but she won’t hear a word against him. Because, what he lacks in brains, she says, he makes up for in ‘good-natured enthusiasm’.

Fair dues, Derek would do a favour for anybody. He always does as he’s told, and was hardest working Class V Junior Technician on starship Prometheus. They said so. But I doubt he’ll keep his job after this.

I mean, when you’re told to flush a baby Alien creature out of airlock, surely there must be a good reason for it. But no! Too much for him to bear, the soft lad. Now he’s really done it this time.

He secretly brings that creature back home in a glass bottle that wasn’t fit for purpose. I thought it was one of those lava lamps at first. More fool me!

Then Sheila starts screaming! Ahhhhh, she says, Ahhhhhhh! It starts moving and wriggling, it does. Quick as a flash I’ve took it to bathroom and flushed it down WC. I thought that was the end of it. But then Derek finds out and says we have to tell somebody. 

Now they’re calling it an environmental hazard. Apparently, if you live anywhere near Mansfield, you’ve got to be very careful when you, you know, go!

So if you’ve got one of these Alien things in your plumbing. Don’t try to tackle it yourself, leave it to the experts. Let Coppers handle it. Thank you!”

 

This story was prompted by Sunday Photo Fiction, August 24th 2014, hosted by Al Forbes.

For more details, click the logo.

To read the other stories in this challenge, click the Blue Frog!

 Photo: © Al Forbes 2014

 

Jimbo wasn’t a very happy boat. In fact most of the time, he felt sad.

He didn’t like being so little. He was jealous of the bigger boats. They got all the fame and attention. Even the ones that sank. Especially the ones that sank! But not poor Jimbo. He had been overturned many times, and no one thought to make a film about it.

This weekend, was the last straw! All Jimbo heard about, was people talking about the big ships that sailed over to Normandy, seventy years ago. How they, even at risk to themselves, carried the brave men that freed a continent, and saved the world. The best that Jimbo ever got to do, was get rowed up and down a safe, man-made lake. Big deal!

But then Jimbo overheard something that completely turned him around. He heard about the bravery of lots of little boats four years before Normandy. They went over to France and rescued a battered army, that lived to fight another day. So, if it wasn’t for the little boats, the big boats couldn’t have done their thing.

Jimbo realised that because of the brave boats, big and small, people were free to row their boats and paddle their own canoes. Or just mess about on the water.

And then he didn’t feel sad any more.

 

This story is intended as a tribute to all those who risked their lives, to fight for the freedom we enjoy today. Their sacrifice is not forgotten.

 

The picture prompt is from Sunday Photo Fiction: June 8th 2014, hosted by Al Forbes.

Click the logo for more details.

To read the other stories written on this prompt, click the blue frog.

Photo: © Al Forbes 2014

 

Yes sir, I thought that the name Ahab Smerk was a bit fishy. I met him on a boating holiday in Wales. But he was a smooth operator – craftily introducing his business proposition to me over a complimentary Scampi and Chips.

As I wiped the tartare sauce from his glossy brochure, I could see that Smerk was deadly serious. He was looking for some investors interested in a little offshore action. ‘Smerk Leisure Park at Sea. All the profits are Tax free!’

It did seem ambitious, but there were photos of the Rollercoaster being towed into position. At least that’s what he said.

But when I mentioned that some of my colleagues at the Tax office might be interested in this venture, and he upped anchor and slipped into the sunset.

The thing was, he left all of these Share Certificates and Literature behind. And it seemed a shame not to sell them, just to the diners in the café, initially.

Then things really took off. Pretty soon, I’d set up a stall on the seafront at weekends. Not a bad place for a shell corporation!

But the tide soon turned, and I was left high and dry. Those pesky investors scuppered the deal.

So, Judge, if you’ll show me some leniency on a first offence, I can give you some sound tax advice. And I might let you in on another sweet deal I’m working on.

 

This story is prompted by Sunday Photo Fiction: 18 May 2014, hosted by Al Forbes. Click the logo for more details.

 

To view the other stories on this prompt, click the blue frog!

 

Photo: © Al Forbes 2014

 

Arthur North looked out of his shop window, and noticed a young woman in a smart business suit climbing out of a black Ford. She walked over towards his door. He rushed over, and opened it with a flourish.

“Hello, young lady! Welcome to Art N Antiques. Don’t get many of you City types down here. I bet you’re from one of those swanky Kensington galleries?” The woman smiled.

“You’re welcome to have a look around, Miss. In fact I’ve got a new piece you might like to have a look at. ‘The Blue Lady’, I call her.

“Here we are. It’s a bit too modern for my liking, but those high rollers in the West End will lap it up. I can see you’re taken by it. £500 shall we say? We do a Delivery service at cost price.”

The woman nodded silently as she walked around the shop, making a few notes. She appeared to be talking to herself. Within moments, two large men in suits casually walked over from the Ford and into the shop. They waited by the door.

The woman approached Arthur with a consoling smile. “Sorry, Artie. I’m one of the ‘Ladies in Blue’ myself – Detective Inspector Turner, Kent C.I.D. That artwork was stolen from outside the ‘Raisin D.’ Bar in Dover last week. As it turns out, you’ve got a few pieces that interest me. It’s okay, I can collect. Get your coat, Arthur!”

 

Story prompted by Sunday Photo Fiction, May 11 2014, hosted by Al Forbes. Click the link for more details.

To view the other stories in this week’s challenge, click the logo.