Barbara Burgess

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jul, 2020

Stories (56)

56 Stories

1579 karma pts

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“Grandad's New Toy” by Barbara Burgess

Submitted to Contest #54

“Hello, is that you Adam?” “Yes Granddad. What’s up?” “Nothing my boy. Nothing at all. It’s just that I’ve, um, gone and bought myself a computer.” “Hey, Granddad, well done. So, you’ve caught up with the times at last?” “Now don’t be cheeky lad?” “Just joking Granddad. How’s it going?” “It’s not. That’s what I’m phoning you about. I need some help here.” “What do you mean it’s not going Granddad?” “I mean the screen, if that’s what you call it, is completely blank. I’ve plugged it in at the mains, but nothing’s happening. Ju...

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“NAN TO THE RESCUE” by Barbara Burgess

Submitted to Contest #53

Mum has a habit of booking holidays without anyone else knowing. She said it was a long time since we’d all spent a week together including Nan. A cottage on the Norfolk Broads was her choice this time. It has eight bedrooms, she said, so we could all be there and share.I hate sharing. I loathe crowds. When our whole family is together it becomes a mob. Auntie Jessica often refers to us as ‘the mob’ when she talks to Dad on the phone. I also resent Nan being invited along.Our family is huge. Dad has four kids from his first marriage-thr...

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“What Not To do with Olive Oil” by Barbara Burgess

Submitted to Contest #53

I can’t tell you how many times someone has asked me about the scars on my skin. The blobs, patches and discoloration.I don’t mind telling them because I really haven’t got a clue as to why I did it to myself. Yes, I admit it was my fault and I should have had more sense, but at the time, for some reason, I didn’t.I’d been listening to mum and dad talking about their holidays with nan and granddad. Their childhood and the things they did that people don’t do any more.They used to spend a week at the same B & B each year at Bognor. They’d...

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“Missing - Presumed Dead” by Barbara Burgess

Submitted to Contest #52

“Jack? Is it you? Is it really you? We thought you were dead!”“It’s me alright Lisa. Alive and well, though sometimes I think I’d be better off dead.”“You can’t say that Jack. Here let me take a look at you.”Lisa placed her hands-on Jack's shoulders and looked him up and down.“You’ve lost a great deal of weight, for sure. Where on earth have you been these past five years? Why have you suddenly turned up in town? We had a funeral for you. Missing, presumed dead, they said. We had a ceremony.”“I know, Lisa”"You know? How? If you knew the...

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“Here Come The Scones” by Barbara Burgess

Submitted to Contest #52

“Hi.”“Hello.”“Is this seat taken?”“No.”“Mind if I sit on it? I much prefer the shade.”“Me too.”“Is this your first cruise?”“Yes. Well no, really. I should be on another one.”“You’re on the wrong cruise?”“No. I’m definitely on the right cruise. I just chose not to go on the other one.”“Oh, where was that one going?”“To Alaska.”“A bit different from the Caribbean then?”“Yes. You could say that.”“I’d say a lot different. One place is hot and the other, I guess would be cold. Especially up on deck. No sunbathing like today.”“Yes, you’re right.”“...

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“April Fool's Day” by Barbara Burgess

Submitted to Contest #51

What surprised Brenda the most was the dark blue of the door. Somehow, she was half expecting to see faded yellow and flaky paint. The piece of brown wood still nailed along the bottom. Someone had kicked a panel in one night. The two red steps where the colour tried desperately to peep through the grime now shone brightly.  Someone must clean and polish those steps every day, she thought, from her vantage point across the road. The brass doorknob appeared golden against the dark front door. The sun always rose on this side of ...

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“THE PUDDLE DIPPERS ” by Barbara Burgess

Submitted to Contest #51

"Hi Dad, can you look after Arianne today for me? Work phoned. They want me to attend a conference as the boss has called in sick." "Yes, no problem Vikki." "Great Dad. I'll be there in about thirty minutes? See you shortly." Vikki put the phone down, stood at the mirror, tidied her hair and checked her makeup. "Are you ready, Arianne? Take your hiking boots with you. I'm sure Gran and Granddad will want to go for a walk in the woods." "Okay Mum. Won't be long." Ten minutes later eleven-year-old Arianne came skipping downst...

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“Going Solo” by Barbara Burgess

Submitted to Contest #50

I didn’t need the alarm telling me it was five am. Sleep had not found me at all, apart from a few minutes when I had a nightmare. A dream about swimming in an outdoor pool and then suddenly the water all draining away. Me still swimming as if in treacle and waking up with a pool of sweat on my chest.The image in the mirror opposite my bed didn’t look like me at all. Some white-faced, red-eyed ghost had slipped out of my nightmare and was staring back at me.Placing my head in my hands, I sobbed. Why was I putting myself through this -again?F...

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“BEGGARS CAN'T BE CHOOSERS” by Barbara Burgess

Submitted to Contest #49

“Are you ready yet?” “Won’t be long.” Sally picked up the dog lead, her coat and placed her walking boots by the door. She stood at the bottom of the stairs, listening for movement. There was none. No good calling out again or shouting as this always had the opposite effect. She decided to wash the breakfast dishes. The dog sat by the front door in anticipation. Sally stroked her and told her it wouldn’t be that long before they were off on their early morning walk. Sally had bounced out of bed and looked out the window at the mornin...

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“LAURA'S LONG DISTANCE LORRIES” by Barbara Burgess

Submitted to Contest #49

“Hello. Is that Mr. Hammond? Barry Hammond?”“Yeah.”“Ah, Mr. Hammond, It’s Laura from Laura’s Long-Distance Lorries. Can I call you Barry, Mr. Hammond?”“Yeah.”“Ah, well, um Barry, I just received your application form this morning to join our marvelous team of drivers. I must say you’ve had an impressive amount of experience according to your cv. Been driving lorries for ten years, I understand. That’s just what I’m looking for here at Laura’s Long-Distance Lorries. Someone with considerable expertize. Is there anything you would like to ask ...

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“THE NUN'S STORY” by Barbara Burgess

Submitted to Contest #49

Right from the start the room appeared claustrophobic. It made me more nervous than usual.  White ceiling. Green walls. Everything else brown. Bodies everywhere.  I pushed myself into a space on the dark wood bench. Its high back more reminiscent of a church pew than a waiting room. It dug into my shoulder blades and the back of my head annoying the hell out of me. A dentist’s ploy to make you so uncomfortable you do not fill up his waiting room on emergency treatment only mornings. The bench seats took up three of the fou...

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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