Pomp Idol

November 17, 2013November 17, 2013 / Steve Lakey / 8 Comments

Gerry, a Tower of London Beefeater, viewed her out of the corner of his eye. She looked strangely different from last time, but it was definitely her. That’s the third time this week. Maybe she was bored…

“Hi there young man! How y’all doing? I’m loving those Family Crown Jewels!” The accent was a wobbly Texan drawl. She tottered along in high heels and fur coat.

“You know I truly love everything about your British Royal Family. They would still be ours too, if it wasn’t for that little unpleasantness back in the Seventeen somethings. Poor old George. It was simply awful what those Yankees did!”

Gerry smiled as best he could.

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“Well, Gerald, it must be real tough on Her Royalness, being in the spotlight an’ all. You’d think she would want to have a few minutes peace when no one would recognise her. Maybe go out in disguise?“

Gerry turned away briefly before rolling his eyes.

“Damn! You know it’s me Gerald, you’ve known all along! Was it the entourage or the dogs that gave it away?” The accent gradually returned to it’s native Queen’s English.

“Fooled me again, Your Majesty.”

“Ha! Wonderful! See you tomorrow.”

This is my contribution to Sunday Photo Fiction, Hosted by Al Forbes. Click here for more details.

Click the logo to read the other stories.

Alley Inclusive

November 14, 2013November 14, 2013 / Steve Lakey / 16 Comments

Photo: copyright – Kent Bonham

The young couple sauntered out of the Hotel Splendide and found themselves in a narrow alley.

“Lee, let’s head up these steps, and see where they go!”

His smartphone compass was spinning wildly through lack of a signal.

“Forget it, Bianca, we’re out of Wi-fi range!”

“I could take some photos while we’re here and capture a bit of the local flavour?”

“Hurry up. It’s boring! Speaking of local flavour, I fancy a kebab. Take a few pictures for Facebook, then let’s go.”

They scuttled back into the hotel lobby, where their All-inclusive package was waiting for them.

This is my contribution for Friday Fictioneers 100 word challenge, based on the photo prompt, hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields.

To read the other stories click here.

No Grass in No Man’s Land

November 11, 2013November 11, 2013 / Steve Lakey / 5 Comments

(Christmas Day, 1914. No Man’s Land, The Western Front.)

Benson skilfully kicked the heavy leather football past his man, but an outstretched German boot caught his khaki shin. He fell onto the hard ground.

“Oi, Fritz!”

“Entschuldigung, Tommy!”

The laughing corporal helped Benson back to his feet, then offered him a swig from his hip flask. Not strictly within the rules, but well within the spirit of this impromptu kick about.

This England v Germany game was friendlier than most, helped along by the shared cake and alcohol. Helmets for goalposts. Men on both sides sang Christmas Carols…

Then officers barked orders. A bigger game was about to restart.

This is my contribution to 100 Word Challenge – Week 113, Hosted at Julia’s Place. Click the logo for more details. Click here to read the other stories.

Sail Away

November 10, 2013November 10, 2013 / Steve Lakey / 7 Comments

Photo: Copyright Al Forbes

Looking back, I hardly knew John Stimson. But he made me a little boat, and it will stay with me forever.

I remember him as an old, thin man with grey hair and a slight limp. He’d look down on me with a smile and ruffle my hair. John could often be loud and funny, but sometimes he would sit very quiet, or go and lock himself in his little garden shed. Sometimes we could hear him singing wartime songs to himself, as he made his model boats. He’d come out again when he was ready.

John was wounded in France in the retreat of 1940, and evacuated from the beach at Dunkirk. A small pleasure craft took him to a Royal Navy Destroyer, and then to safety in England. The physical battle with his wounds was soon won, but his mental war was never completely over.

I didn’t know his story until after he had gone. To me he was just Grandpa, but I’m proud to have known him.

(This story is fictional but is intended as a tribute to the men and women of the British Armed Forces who have given their lives to keep our country safe.)

Lest We Forget

This is my contribution to Sunday Photo Fiction, hosted by Alastair Forbes. Click the logo for more details.

Click the link here to read the other stories.

Old Rulers, New Rules

November 9, 2013November 9, 2013 / Steve Lakey / 10 Comments

Photo: Religious Statues Peter Griffin

Buddhist cosmology tells of Trāyastriṃśa, or the Heaven of Thirty-Three gods, which rule over the human realm. This weekend we’re asking for exactly 33 of your own words about a god of your own devising that shares heaven with the other thirty-two gods. Make it yours and have fun with it.

I’ve persuaded the other Rulers to modernise the rules: