Claire Tennant

“NO TIME FOR REVENGE” by Claire Tennant

Submitted to Contest #68

It was twenty-four years since she had seen it but it looked exactly the same…creepy. An old double bricked manor house converted into a convalescent home, but instead of promoting good health, there was something sinister about Chadwick. Even now, Moira could feel the chilling tentacles of despair, of fear and repressed emotion, even from the comparative safety of the road. The climbing roses once a feature of beauty now a tangled mess hiding cracks, insects and most likely vermin. It was a sad reflection of a bygone era; of ...

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“DEALING WITH DORA” by Claire Tennant

Submitted to Contest #67

 “As I see it, life will never improve until you face the fact that it does not owe you anything; you are not royalty, you don’t have servants at your beck and call.” Amy’s voice was firm “even royalty treat their servants with respect, otherwise, there will be none all round.” Amy did have a little satisfaction in seeing Dora’s discomfiture, but she had seen that look before, many times, in different shades, with or without the smile but always there. Dora simply could not be trusted. Over the years Amy found that the rambl...

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“ THE THIRTY YEAR GUILT” by Claire Tennant

Submitted to Contest #66

It is not often that I get nervous, but then it had been a long time since I sat waiting to be interviewed. I looked up at the others in the room, as I turned the page, of the only magazine available. I assumed these busy beavers were the staff. Glancing back, I stared at the picture on the page; it was of a young girl with a pretty smile. I did not read the blurb so I did not know whether it was an article or an advert, I simply stared at the photo, mesmerised. The young girl could be no more than ten.  She wor...

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“CAN I JUST STAY WITH YOU?” by Claire Tennant

Submitted to Contest #65

It was late in the afternoon, and the noise was deafening. I looked out the window. Children and teenagers running up and down the street in various degrees of dark coloured spooky clothes; their faces masked, or alternatively, streaked with obvious signs of makeup, most likely using every bit of the glamour enhancer their mothers possessed to play a part. Lanterns, some with cobwebs others encased in pumpkins or skins, brooms and spikey hats. Oh yes, the joys or horrors of October more specifically the 31st of October. I...

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“YOU WOULDN'T BET ON IT” by Claire Tennant

Submitted to Contest #64

Drew sighed. He really hated boarding school but conceded there was no alternative for him. It was approaching the midterm long weekend, in November. For many of the boys at Strathfield Academy, it was a day off with nothing to do. Some would go home for the long weekend; most would stay and whittle the time away. This year the music team had decided to make the most of the extra days and rehearse: the intention was to perform a concert at the end of the year. If not otherwise occupied with music, it was expected that you were...

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“JUST A SPECK OF GREEN” by Claire Tennant

Submitted to Contest #63

Intro: By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. Burnished gold, ember red, delicate brown and just a speck of green. My favourite tree, an enormous silky oak has surprised me again. I stand with a kind of reverence, as I go down memory lane. Whatever our problems, the oak tree is a constant reminder of strength and beauty.  All my troubles seem to melt when I see her. She is back to her old ‘mother hen’ tricks, and I respond as of old, with adoration. I had grown up with that tree. In those early days, the gar...

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“OF TIME AND SPACE” by Claire Tennant

Submitted to Contest #62

This little story is designed for a laugh in the midst of troubling times, set in Melbourne Australia  2020 2468 Somewhere in the Heart of Disaster Drive A Now Laughable City, 3---, Australia Dear Mr Parker, (or do you prefer Nosey?) You have found and are reading the thoughts of a woman persevering with the unforeseen circumstances evolving from a worldwide disaster affecting my chosen home.. Whether brought about by climatic change, ignorance, Divine warning, arrant stupidity, or some evil power; to this date, no one knows ...

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“THE SPICE OF LIFE” by Claire Tennant

Submitted to Contest #61

The show was about to start; a concert in which my daughter at both the planning and performance stages was heavily involved. It had been my intention to enjoy this with a friend, but sadly she was unwell and as a result, there was an empty seat beside me, which, given my love for music did not upset me unduly.  I glanced at the programme not recognising the names, save of course the chief accompanist, Sally. At twenty-five, Sally was shaping up to lead a second life; but that I mean her day job was in reception, but she did a...

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“A PAGE IN TIME” by Claire Tennant

Submitted to Contest #60

It was midday, though you would not know it as Carly ventured out complete with her mask on, to purchase stamps and post a card. Yes, it was the era where social media and email allowed fancy cards to be sent via that source, but Carly knew her little niece would get a kick out of receiving a printed card for her birthday; hopefully before or on the day not after the event, instead of getting the card via her parents’ social media page.  The job done, she walked a little farther wishing she could take the mask off and breathe ...

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“THE PLACE WE CALL SOMEWHERE” by Claire Tennant

Submitted to Contest #59

I stepped off the bus after three long hours of travelling. The view before me was a pleasant scene. It was somewhere between a Hollywood film and a normal “non-crazy” dream. The warmth of the summer sun, on my back, the fragrance in the air, was somewhere between percolated coffee and rose bushes: no need for despair. I followed the crowd as it too relaxed in this place we called somewhere. Blue skies with fluffy white clouds in the unnamed town of nowhere.  Our steps took us down a path unfamiliar yet enchanting. G...

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“THE BACK OF BEYOND” by Claire Tennant

Submitted to Contest #59

Herbert Shanks better known as Bert was a simple man who liked the simple things. He had never been a scholar but had worked in a number of jobs; therefore, the expression “Jack of all trades; Master of none” suited him down to the ground. A loner, he preferred a little company occasionally; his constant companion being Lucy, a toy poodle with a heart as big as the ocean and devotion that astounded him. Together they were on a mission to see the family in the back of beyond. Bert was uncertain how long it would take to reach it: the cou...

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“JUST ANOTHER WORKING DAY” by Claire Tennant

It began as a fairly ordinary working day, way back when life was simple and cappuccinos were served only in Italian cafes and restaurants. Holly parked the car and got out. Her sister Sue emerged from the passenger side door and checked her watch.   Good. Plenty of time to get ready for action. Both ladies walked to the back of their little ‘workhorse’, emptied the boot of stock, and entered their home away from home: a cosy little shop which when you opened the door each morning, greeted them with the aroma of ground co...

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“THE 'P' WORD” by Claire Tennant

Submitted to Contest #58

It was a Friday evening, Jean unlocked the entrance door of the shopping centre, clad in the uniform that would keep her safe. As a cleaner, she may easily be unsafe, for life had changed so much and precautionary measures were of necessity, drastic. The place was eerie. The lights were dimmed for some reason, yet she had a job to do power deficiency, or not. She sprayed every door and polished each pane of glass, on all shopfronts; washed the floor, normally a difficult task. She conceded it was much easier with no furniture ...

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“THE SPARROW INHERITANCE” by Claire Tennant

Submitted to Contest #57

Introduction: Sparrow House had been built in the early 1900s, by an entrepreneur with a yen for landscaping. He had the reputation for being as the villagers would say “a bit of a lad.” Some said he reminded them of Scottish hero, Prince Charles Edward Stewart also known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, but when he, the entrepreneur, heard, he laughed at the comparison, for in his eyes the Scots ‘would be’ royal was a failure, whereas he, Richard Albert Stanley, was a success. He worked hard, and as a bachelor saved the money he earned s...

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“WHERE THERE'S A WILL...” by Claire Tennant

Submitted to Contest #57

Mr Edmund Stanley looked over at his solicitor and smiled. He drew on his cigarette and laughed quietly but with mirth. Raising the hand that held the cigarette above his brow, he scratched gently, heedless of the smoke, intent on conveying a message, that could not be misinterpreted. “Well, that ought to do it, Sam. I’m glad you didn’t try to persuade me to relent on my gut feelings. Olivia would be horrified were she still on this earth. Still, there is nothing to stop me allocating my assets the way I please.” he drew on the c...

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