Barbara Eustace

“The 51st Way To Leave Your Lover” by Barbara Eustace

You’ve decided. You’ll leave her. But how? The lyrics of the Paul Simon song go round inside your head as you try to decide how to make this happen. It had all started so well, this relationship. You’d thought this is it, she’s the one. But these past few weeks had been – well… You can’t put your finger on it, but she’s changed. Gone is the happy, beautiful young woman you’d fallen in love with, and what a struggle that was. You tried, really you did, after so many failed relationships to not fall for this ...

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“A Different Kind Of Mischief” by Barbara Eustace

Submitted to Contest #87

The chill wind blew from the north-east. Prestwick ignored the wind even though he felt the cold more than he should. It’s what was expected. They all stood in their allotted places as their chief rallied them to go out and cause mischief. Last year he’d been eager. This year he just wanted to stay behind and sleep the day away. Speech over, everyone began to move out. Feet tramped over the familiar grey earth. Where they were headed would not be grey. It would be all shades of colour. Some would go to...

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“Knowing Benedict” by Barbara Eustace

Submitted to Contest #82

We met one cold January morning in the library. He was looking for a copy of a historical text, and I knew I had seen it on the next shelf. I remembered because I had questioned at the time who had put that book there. I didn’t think it would be one of the many librarians on the campus, they’re usually so efficient about that sort of thing. Probably, I had thought at the time, some careless student who had taken it to study and once finished, replaced it on the nearest available shelf, such was their haste. So why not put the ...

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“The Nay-Nay” by Barbara Eustace

Submitted to Contest #78

Connor Blackwater peered into the box at the creature inside. “What is it?” he asked. “Don’t know son,” replied Uncle Bart. “I was hoping you’d tell me, you being such an expert and all. All I know is it’s injured, needs help.” “Bartholomew Grigson, what’ve you brought him now?” “Oh, hi Shona. Just telling young Connor here, it’s something I found injured by the side of the road while passing through Idaho. Middle of nowhere, no idea where there were any vets, so brought it back for Connor to nurse back to health.” “...

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“Costigan Hill” by Barbara Eustace

Submitted to Contest #77

Ronald Hope stood outside the crematorium on the fringes of the gathered family. It was a cold, bitter day, the sky matt grey, the chill wind blowing from the north-east. His breath came out like so much smoke from a chimney. Just like Ted’s breath had always been, Ron recalled. All those cigarettes got you in the end, didn’t they. He stamped his feet, rubbed his hands against his arms. The problem with funerals were they expected a certain level of decorum.  His good black shoes couldn’t take his thick, warm so...

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“The Case Against Mr. Wolf” by Barbara Eustace

Submitted to Contest #76

"Date 27th June 2018, time 15:00 hours. This is D.I. Horatio Badger accompanied by D.C. Candice Owl interviewing suspect one Mr. Colin Wolf." "Suspect? What am I suspected of doing? Do I need a lawyer?" "Do you feel you need one?" "No, but if I’m suspected of something, shouldn’t you read me my rights?" "Let’s get on, shall we. Mr. Wolf, can you please confirm you name, address, date of birth." "Colin Wolf, 15th March 1990." "And your address?" "No fixed abode. You should know that; it’s your investigation last autum...

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“The Sixth Angel” by Barbara Eustace

Submitted to Contest #75

It had been a busy week for Isaac and he was ready for a break when Gabriel poked his head round the door. “Got a job for you Isaac,” said Gabriel, in a tone that meant it was probably a difficult one. Isaac sighed inwardly. As an angel he was not allowed to show intolerance, however small. “Gabriel, how can I be of help?” “Monica Price. It’s her time. Do you think you could deal with it?” Here’s the details. He left a file on Isaac’s desk and walked out before Isaac had chance to question him further. Isaac picked u...

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“Strictly Between You And Me” by Barbara Eustace

Submitted to Contest #74

So another season of Strictly Come Dancing comes to an end. That’s Dancing With The Stars to those of you in the good old US of A. It’s not been the same this year, what with the pandemic. There were fewer contestants, a much-reduced audience, all with strict social distancing and masks, and the contestants could not commiserate with the losing contestant each week. No hugs, no fond farewells. And there was no Bruno this year.  Okay, so he was there, and every week he joined in the other three judges, Craig, Shirley ...

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“Unintended Consequences” by Barbara Eustace

Submitted to Contest #70

“Justin, Matt would like to see you in his office.” Justin hit a few keys on his keypad, got up eagerly, straightened his tie and walked briskly out of the small office that three of them shared. “Ooh, Justin, Matt wants to see you in his office,” mimicked Richard Fuller once Justin was out of earshot. “I mean, if there’d been a mirror in here, he’d have checked his hair before he went out.” “What’s your problem with Justin?” “It’s just that he’s a twat.  Always cosying up to the boss, trying to please, yes sir, no sir.” “He’s just...

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“Selective Memory” by Barbara Eustace

Submitted to Contest #69

How did he find you? You’ve been doing okay. Nothing spectacular, but it’s a life, your life, and you’re sorted. Job, place to live. Oh, and Joshua. Joshy to his friends. No dad on the scene, but you’re not the first woman to fall for the charms of a loser. Doubt you’ll be the last. But Joshy gives you a reason to be, and you’re better off without the loser. It was hard at first, but Joshy’s a good kid, does okay at school too. He’ll go somewhere, do something with his life, you hope. You were get...

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“A Different Kind Of Monster” by Barbara Eustace

Submitted to Contest #68

“Will it hurt?” Marcus, sitting next to Emmeline on the terrace, suddenly looked unsure. She took his grave cold hand in her small warm ones. “I don’t know. Possibly. But it won’t be for long, and then it’ll all be over.” “Forever?” “Yes.” “I wish I could kiss you one last time.” “You know I can’t allow that.” He bowed his head in disappointment. “But maybe I could kiss you.” And pulling her coat close around her neck, she put her hand on his pale face, pulled his head towards her lips, leaving a long, loving ki...

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“The Wide Black Yonder” by Barbara Eustace

Submitted to Contest #66

If Roderick Deschiens could have drawn breath at this moment, he would have taken a deep one. He was going beyond what any man had ever done in the history of mankind. Let’s face it, he told himself, you’ve been breaking barriers for the past fifty years or more. This was just one more. Except there would be no return from this one. Probably. And if he did return, what then? What was there to come back to? He had no family.  Tamsin had died five years ago, what was left of his own body had been switched off...

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“Changing The Past” by Barbara Eustace

Submitted to Contest #64

He’d hung there for many years on the old woman’s wall, handsome in his painted scarlet tunic, wavy hair, small moustache. A gentle face for a warrior, he carried his feathered hat beneath his arm, his sword at his side. He resided in his frame next to a picture of flowers. Not poppies, not roses, but red nevertheless. The colour of blood. He’d seen so much blood on the battlefields. The wall was in an out-of-the-way corner of the dining room and he couldn’t see much of the room itself. He could not see when the fami...

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“Autumn Treasures” by Barbara Eustace

Submitted to Contest #63

Everyone agreed that Rowan’s arrival had been a great addition to the coffee shop. Not that Bryony wasn’t nice, it’s just that she wasn’t – well – Rowan. “If only I was twenty years younger,” Margaret Deakins was heard to say to anyone who’d listen. And the rest, thought her friend Elaine Bishop, who at 73, was a couple of years younger than Margaret. But she too appreciated the vision that was Rowan, with his tanned good looks, his ready smile and a bottom that made any woman’s heart race as he moved back to the counter with an order. ...

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“Lived Well Life A” by Barbara Eustace

Submitted to Contest #62

I wake, though I cannot open my eyes. Everything seems so much effort. I draw breath. A butterfly hand takes mine. “Dad?” Who’s dad?  “It won’t be long now,” a distant voice says I draw another slow, painful, rattling breath. I don’t think I want to do that again, and as I let it out in one long, slow hiss, a voice says “Time of death, 09:36”.  I’m left thinking was that it? *** I wake. But I thought I’d died? Maybe that was someone else. Still cannot open my eyes, still difficult to breath.&nbs...

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