Colin Devonshire

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2019

Stories (125)

125 Stories

1505 karma pts

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“Curtains Open” by Colin Devonshire

“By the sound of it, we have a full house.” “What do you mean, ‘by the sound of it’, how can you tell from back here?” “Experience, my dear boy,” Georgie Boy panted. Years of beating the boards told him. He had lost the status of leading man a year ago, now, he was one of the cast. Did he mind? Yes, nobody wants to get older, especially when looks fade. As hard as he coloured the grey, another hair fell out. The new leading man had been picked, not because of his acting skills, which were okay, but because, he looked the part. That, a...

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“Ta” by Colin Devonshire

“Thanks a lot,” Jazza said to himself, he was unhappy with his bosses comment, even less happy with her suggestion. His latest task was handed via email which ended ‘my office door is open’. The other reporters hid their grins behind papers. He trudged towards the door at the far end of the building. It was tough getting his work permit, now it seemed even harder keeping it. He was stumped. His boss was the editor of a provincial newspaper. Jazza was only the second non-Thai journalist working for them. To gain the work permit, he needed to ...

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“The Good Old Days” by Colin Devonshire

“Back in my day, we didn’t accept any bad language. On our black-and-white tv, they hinted at foul jokes without saying the bad words. Adults would get the point without upsetting the children,” granddad said, before drifting off in another nap. I loved granddad; it was always fun to be with him. He showed us paper and pen games, sometimes with one or two dice. Nothing electronic. My brother, John, and I grinned and nodded at each other. John like his phone games more but would always join us, laughing and fooling around. We messed about wit...

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“Did You Hear?” by Colin Devonshire

“Listen…” Tom tilted his scared and misformed head until his ear rested on his shoulder. He smiled, a crooked grin, he was happy. “Listen to what? All I can hear is the distant rumble of thunder and the occasional crack of lightning.” “No, it’s nearer. Listen.” Tom’s changed ears and shoulders. Brian hated it when his brother did that. “You look madder than normal,” he whined. “I may be mad, but at least I can hear.” Brian smiled down sadly and moved behind Tom, he started pushing the wheelchair towards their home. It start...

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“Change” by Colin Devonshire

“Today’s the day I change,” I said to myself. Swinging my right leg and booting Mrs Ricketts’ gnome from the front of her pristine garden. I chuckled as it smashed in the road. Her front door opened, and she came out waving her walking stick shouting and calling me names you don’t expect a woman of her age using. It made me laugh as I jogged backwards, waving my middle fingers at her. I guessed she knew what it meant.  I tripped and fell backwards over an overfilled shopping bag by the bus stop. The owner was not happy. I turned and ran...

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“Is everything Ready?” by Colin Devonshire

“Everything was ready for the ritual. What have you done?” Mr Kirkwood asked. “Sir, I don’t feel right about this,” Khun Daw answered. “You may not, but I am the General Manager of this hotel, and if the owner’s wife wants a, eh, different party to celebrate, eh, her special day. Well, we do our best. Okay?” “Sorry sir, not okay, I am Thai, and we don’t celebrate death like this.” “The owner and his wife are Thai, I believe they know what they require. Rearrange the ritual or hand in your notice.” “But, I’ve got a new baby and a mortgage.” “...

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“I SAID NO!” by Colin Devonshire

“And no, you cannot go out tonight!” “But why?” “Because tonight is Halloween.” “That’s why I want to go out.” Young George, known as Bestie to his many mates, and his mum, Petra Best, had this argument annually. This year George, was a teenager. Today, 31 St of October, he had turned the grand old age of thirteen. Thirteen years ago a heavily pregnant Petra, was attending a ‘service’, deep into the woods. George decided the time was right to pop into the world. He was not due for another month. The forest surrounded the small...

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“Are You There?” by Colin Devonshire

“Hey, where did you go?” Sam banged his phone on the counter. He listened and stared at the Android. “Hello, are you there?” He looked around, hoping someone, anyone, could help. “Now what?” He asked the ceiling. The plaster above and the screen in front, blank, had no answers. The patrons of the upmarket coffee shop were unaware of Sam’s daily drama. He felt like throwing the cheap unit across the room. The people on the next table read his mind, they hid behind menus. A limp smile calmed them. “Phone’s not working,” he said, shaking it wil...

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“You Call That Fun?” by Colin Devonshire

“You wanna do something fun?”  “Yeah, I’m bored, what have you got in mind?” The boy’s school was about to break up for the long annual holidays.  “You two at the back, stop talking. If you’ve finished your exam, sit quietly until time is up.” Mr Jacobs said. Further disturbing the unfinished papers. “Wanker,” mouthed Geoff. His best friend, Mart, snorted. The snort shifted to full laughter as Geoff was pulled out of the exam room by his ear. A bell sounded, pens were retired, except for one girl’s that kept scratching until grabbe...

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“Deadly Head-Trip” by Colin Devonshire

"This is my worst nightmare." Chaem Choi looked at her body, it appeared she had been dipped in the sea. She squeezed her long hair, a small puddle formed on the tiled floor, like a puppy’s pee. Her bed was drenched, she dropped her quilt and pillows to slop quietly next to her drenched pyjamas.  “What the?” she said, brushing dampness from her arms, she tenderly fingered the cuts and bruises on her wrists. “That was some dream,” she muttered, as she tipped the mattress angled against the wall, then pushed the windows fully open, hoping...

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“We Need Rain” by Colin Devonshire

“Get up! What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Puyai shouts as he shakes his daughter. “Dad, it is hot, what do you want me to do?” Manao ducks as a stick whistles over her head.  “This farm will die if you don’t help me.” This time the stick clipped her above the ear. Blood dripped. She ducked and ran for the shed. “What can I do? We have no water and no seeds. Stupid old man,” Manao regretted she had said that. Then wiping away the blood, she regretted nothing. “Come out of there, let me teach you a proper lesson.” Puyai banged on...

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“And You Said” by Colin Devonshire

“Time for bed, young lady.” “Ow mum, it’s too early,” answered Maew. “You have exams tomorrow, only two more days, then you are on holiday, and you can stay up later. But not too late, like last time.” “That wasn’t my fault, Granny forgot to look at the clock.” “And you forgot to tell her your bedtime.” “Yeah, yeah, I’m sorry.” “Forget it. What do you think our new neighbours will be like?” “Don’t know mum, I hope it’s not the man I saw there last Wednesday.” “Why?” “I didn’t like the way he looked at me.” “The agent told me an Englishman ha...

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“Thumbs Up” by Colin Devonshire

“Christ Almighty, look at this rain, it hasn’t stopped since I left Bangkok, and it’s getting worse,” said Arpa to the mirror. She grabbed the steering wheel tighter as the truck behind her flashed its lights. “What’s up with you?” She screamed as the vehicle sped past, hitting a deep puddle overloading the hire car wipers.  Calming down, she flashed at a car coming towards her, “Bloody idiot, turn your lights on.” At four pm and dark already, the cloudburst followed her. Other drivers had slowed, and their headlights were on. She felt ...

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“After Work” by Colin Devonshire

“You look happy today?” said Busabong. “Yeah,” answered Mark, “I always look forward to Thai religious days, tomorrow is the start of Buddhist Lent, which means I’ll be happy for the long weekend.” “Why? You’re not Buddhist, or are you thinking of becoming a monk?” she asked, giggling. “No, that will never happen, I’m not religious at all.” "Then why will you enjoy this weekend more than others? Not because you can’t buy alcohol I’m sure?”  Mark’s colleague was sniggering behind her slim hands. She knew Mark drank too muc...

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“Torched” by Colin Devonshire

The lanky palms swept the top of the cracked tiled roof. A frond whispered its way to the parched grass. “Oh, be careful that just missed you,” Justin said, pulling Mondtree back. The pull became a hug. She shrugged him away, tutting. “Not here, not now,” she said. He led her to the wooden steps to the porch. “Nung, song,” she counted. “Nung, song, sam, si,” two steps, and four paces to the door, she said. “I don’t like even numbers.” Justin flicked through the brass ring of twenty-six keys, he knew how many, Mondtree had told him. “It must ...

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Author bio

Born in England, a long time ago. Living in Thailand and loving it. Started writing novels after my stroke, well, there wasn't much else I could do!