Published in About Me Stories·PinnedMember-onlyAbout Me — Patsy CollinsThe travelling writer — Before I do anything else, let me tell you about my free short story collection Not A Drop To Drink. You can download it from Amazon or Apple here and from other retailers here.About Me5 min read
Published in Writers’ Blokke·1 day agoMember-onlyA Brave FaceAn 800 word story — Katy put her name down for the allotments the day her parents said they were selling the family home. The small patch of ground wouldn’t be as good as the huge garden back home, with its ancient apple trees and kitchen garden, but it would be better than nothing. That…Fiction4 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION·3 days agoMember-onlyThe First Time I Saw AmyA 700 word story — The first time I saw Amy she was being carried. Nothing odd about that; we were both babies. It feels like I’ve always known Amy and everything about her. No, it’s more than that. Destiny or something. Oliver Spring melting the heart of Amy January, that’s how it’s supposed to…Fiction3 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION·Sep 18Member-onlyBird WatchingA 1000-word short story — Hayley clicked the remote to start the nature DVD again. Usually, the gentle sound of wood pigeons cooing comforted her. Today it was making her cry, but crying was all she felt capable of. Silly really; there was nothing for her to be sad about now. Pigeon had been her…Fiction5 min read
Published in Writers’ Blokke·Sep 16Member-onlyPeace CottageA 1,900 word story — Richard left his car in the convenient off road parking space and looked over at Peace Cottage. The place had definite kerb appeal. It sat well in the rural surroundings but wasn’t too prettily twee. Solidly constructed from bricks and slate, no thatched roof or whitewash to cause maintenance problems…Fiction8 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION·Sep 14Member-onlyCamelliaA 2,000 word story — Alex studied his reflection in the mirror; pretty good. His suit was perfect, his shave close, shoes and hair both gleaming. He tugged gently on his sleeves to ensure they were exactly level. His mum had sometimes teased him for preening. “Like a bird, Mum? No, I’m more of a…Fiction9 min read
Published in Writers’ Blokke·Sep 13Member-onlyPayback TimeA 1200 word story — “The lad on holiday, is he?” Malcolm, the warden, asked me. We looked at the weeds on Ian’s normally immaculate allotment. I shrugged. “He didn’t say anything about watering and I usually do it for him when he’s away.” “Not like him to let weeds grow and there’s beans need…Fiction5 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION·Sep 11Member-onlyFirst ImpressionsA 1,200 Word Short Story — I loved the beach early in the morning. I had the place to myself except for the turnstones at the water’s edge, gulls wheeling overhead and occasional joggers. They ignored me, which was exactly what I wanted them to do. I used to like people noticing me, but that changed…Fiction6 min read
Published in Writers’ Blokke·Sep 7Member-onlySafe As HousesA 1000 Word Short Story — Number 27 Hawthorn Crescent is, I suppose, not much of a house, but there’s no chain and the asking price is surprisingly low. A glance at the glossy sheet of paper supplied by the estate agency makes the property sound enticing. It lists reception rooms, a modern kitchen and bathroom…Fiction4 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION·Sep 4Member-onlyMad As HellA 600-word short story — Her head tilted to one side, she scurries down the narrow street towards me, shouting angrily at no one. “Leave me alone.” She looks back over her shoulder but there is nothing to see. Her miss-buttoned jacket does little to protect her from the damp, penetrating cold. The scarf that…Fiction3 min read
