Barbara Burgess

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jul, 2020

Stories (56)

56 Stories

1579 karma pts

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“Charing Cross” by Barbara Burgess

Submitted to Contest #64

“Bye honey, love you lots, take care.” “Bye Mum, we’ll phone or text at each stage of our journey.” “Take care of her Harry.” “I will, Mrs. Bagshaw, um.. Mum.” Harry chuckles. “It sounds so strange calling you Mum.” “You make such a lovely couple, now get on that train and get on with your honeymoon.” “Come on Anne, I’ll help with the luggage.” Harry heaves the two large rucksacks onto the train, stacks them in the luggage rack and searches for their seat. “3A and 3B, here we are Anne. You sit by the window and wave to your Mum.” Anne raises...

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“The Ghost Who Couldn't Frighten People” by Barbara Burgess

Submitted to Contest #64

Jan sat on her bed snuggled up with her duvet wrapped around her and her book, Dracula, opened at Chapter 1. She began to shiver, even though she felt warm. She took her cup of hot chocolate from the bedside table and began to sip it as she read. She tried to convince herself that she wasn’t in the least bit afraid even though the hairs on her arms were standing on end and she hadn’t even got to the bottom of the first page! Before she could continue reading, she thought she heard a creaking noise coming from the corner of the bedroom. Don’t...

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“James' First Year” by Barbara Burgess

Submitted to Contest #64

James hated having to wear a red sash to indicate he was a newbie at St. Thomas’ Boarding School for boys. He felt as if he had been singled out by some kind of spotlight above his head. Like a police helicopter shining its beam on an escaped criminal. As it was, he felt trapped, nowhere to go, no one to run to when he felt down. He walked the long corridors staring at the floor, not wanting to annoy any of the other boys. He’d seen how the long termers treated the newbies. Taunting, teasing, bullying. “Hey fatto, want some chocolate?” He fe...

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“Em and The Blue Fairy” by Barbara Burgess

Submitted to Contest #64

Em picked up her mobile and sighed. “Emily, have you still got your light on. It’s time to drink your milk and get to sleep. I don’t want to have to come all the way up there now do I?” “No Mama and yes Mama, I’ve had my milk and turned out the light.” She picked up the glass of milk and immediately put it back down again. “Goodnight then and I’ll see you in the morning for breakfast.” “Goodnight Mama.” Em put her mobile on the bedside cabinet, switched on her torch and continued reading. Em loved to read about fairies but her latest book wa...

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“Flying South” by Barbara Burgess

Submitted to Contest #63

Sarah looks perky this morning. She’s sitting on that high branch over there singing her dawn song. I bet she feels the same as I do that it’s about time we flew south. The wind is getting up, the temperature has dropped considerably. We cannot stay here much longer, or we will freeze or starve to death. Each day has shown fewer insects to eat. Each day there are less of the gang around. Ah, she’s fluttering her wings I’d better stretch mine too. And we’re off, flying high up into the clear blue sky and catching the South Wind. Oh, it feels ...

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“Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B” by Barbara Burgess

Submitted to Contest #62

“Where am I?” She said as she tries to lift her head.“You’re in hospital my dear.”“But how did I get here?”“A wall collapsed during the bombing last night. You were brought here, along with six others in the horse drawn ambulance.”“My head hurts and I can’t feel my legs.”“You’ve had a bad blow to the head and I’m afraid your legs have suffered some damage. Here, take your medication and I’ll get the doctor to come and visit you as soon as he can.”The nurse helps her lift her head as she sips her medication.She glances across at the bandaged ...

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“Meg to the Rescue” by Barbara Burgess

Submitted to Contest #60

“Mum.” Paula called out. “What is it?” “I’m going for a run on the hills.” “Isn’t it a bit late in the afternoon for that?” “I won’t be long. I’ll be back before dusk, anyway I’m taking Meg, she can look after me.” “All right then but do be careful.  I’ll order a pizza when you get back and we can watch a movie.” “See you later Mum. Come on Meg, let’s get your collar and lead on.” Meg wriggled with anticipation as Paula placed the collar around her maned neck. Outside the fresh scent of salt and seaweed had drifted in on the sea breeze,...

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“Sharla” by Barbara Burgess

Submitted to Contest #59

Sharla hurried through the narrow pedestrian precinct of the town she'd moved into that morning. At nine o'clock, the shops were opening, sellers in the market sorting out their wares.The stallholders greeting their neighbours and empty crates slamming against the ground made for various sounds that echoed off the tall buildings around the market-town square.A cold wind whipped through the scene, sending discarded drink cans, scraps of paper, and empty boxes dancing along the pavement.Sharla pulled her long woollen scarf higher up around her...

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“Harry's Hell Hole” by Barbara Burgess

Submitted to Contest #58

Harry sat alone in the main office of The Brag newspaper, the glow from his desk lamp amplified the darkness surrounding him. He gazed out the window at the neon city below, his eyelids feeling heavier by the minute. Knowing another strong cup of coffee was not an antidote for lack of sleep he decided it was time to pack up and leave. He gathered together the files he’d been working on and with his forearm brushed them into his bag, zipped it up, put on his jacket and headed for home. Each bulb in the long corridor leading to the elevator au...

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“It's Win, Win” by Barbara Burgess

Submitted to Contest #58

Bret stood by the basement elevator, his finger hovering over the up button. Discreetly he watched Mrs. Montgomery get out of her car and reach over the driver’s seat for her handbag and some files. He amused himself by thinking how shapely her legs looked in high heels and how her hips swayed rhythmically as she walked toward him smiling.“Mr. Sheridan isn’t it?”“Yes, Mrs Montgomery. I’ve pressed the button.”“Oh, well we’ll probably have to wait ages, she sighed, “the lift has been very temperamental of late. I see you managed to get here be...

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“Dying Wish” by Barbara Burgess

Submitted to Contest #57

“I’m writing my will out Donna.” Veronica sat at her dining room table her arthritic fingers struggling to hold the pen. I placed her spare door key on the table and pulled up a chair alongside her. “Would you like me to help you? Although I guess I’m not supposed to look at what you’re writing.” I said. “No, that’s all right. You can look, so long as you’re not a beneficiary. I’m trying to decide who should inherit half my house. I could offer it to you. I’m not sure what to do with it.  I’m certainly not letting my sister Mavis have i...

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“Still Waiting” by Barbara Burgess

Submitted to Contest #56

Jenny and I had been seeing each other for over three years when finally, she agreed to let me meet her family. But if I’d known how the day was going to turn out then I might have left them all as anonymous beings in the background.We were invited to Sunday lunch and arrived mid-morning. I parked the car in the sweeping driveway of the large, Tudor style country residence. It’s got to be at least six bedrooms, I thought as I gazed up at the impressive, vine covered walls. The garden was immaculate. I thought of the humble terraced house of ...

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“The Tigers” by Barbara Burgess

Submitted to Contest #55

My brother’s toys were always better than mine. He had an electric train set. It was enormous. Dad built it for him. It filled our conservatory. I loved to watch the trains go around, through the tunnels at each end, past the two stations either side and back around again. Roger, that’s my brother’s name, used to stop the goods train and fill it up with coal, hay bales and cattle and then move the various trains into their sidings. It looked so much fun.I wasn’t allowed to touch it. I did once, when everyone was in the garden and the train d...

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“Kevin” by Barbara Burgess

Submitted to Contest #55

“Can you keep a secret?” My sister Sarah asked as she stuck her head around my bedroom door. I looked up from trying to concentrate on my school homework and replied, “Of course, I can,” while thinking, I know you can’t, or you wouldn’t be telling me now. “What’s it about this time? Sarah was always confiding her and anyone else’s secrets in me and then she’d generally spread them all over Facebook, while telling me not to tell anyone!“It’s about Mum.”“What about Mum?”“I think she’s having an affair.”“Don’t be daft. What on earth makes you t...

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“BRIAN'S BIG DAY” by Barbara Burgess

Submitted to Contest #54

“Hello Brian and Emily. Welcome to the show-Second Chances. Has everyone been kind to you in the green room?”Brian and Emily nodded in unison.“That’s great. Now I just want to introduce myself to you as your host for today’s show. I’m Peter Hammond and I’ll be asking all the questions today. I’m sure my staff have explained most of what it’s about to you already and I’m sure you’ve also been watching the show. It’s a great show and very high up in the rankings for audience views. Now Brian if you would like to stand over there on my left. Em...

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Author bio

I have been writing poetry and prose since I was about ten. Beginning by submitting my work to local newspapers. I have published two poetry books on Amazon. I have also written some songs and done well in competitions with them. I continue to write each day and particularly enjoy short stories. www.barbaraburgess.co.uk