Colin Devonshire

“Really?” by Colin Devonshire

“The traffic gets no better, I see, rot tit!” Philip Rinn said as he walks into his new office. “Oh?” Anong said. “Oh, what?” Philip asked. “I must have made a silly mistake when I typed up details of your interview in London.” “How so? You type up information on all the staff?” “Yes, it is company policy. It said on your info sheet that you cannot speak Thai and that you have never been here before.” “I see, let me clear that up. I learned a few words of your beautiful language, and I’ve never worked here. I came for a holiday once. I ...

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“To Write a Wrong” by Colin Devonshire

“Yes, yes, I’m coming. But, I must finish this first,” Geoff said. He grabbed an A4 sheet from his printer, balled the paper and missed the bin. “I’m sick of waiting for you. I’m going now.” Cyn, Geoff’s girlfriend, shouted from the bottom of the stairs.  In the tiny second bedroom, Geoff was studying the ceiling for the umpteenth time that morning. He slammed the laptop shut, there was an unwelcome sound from the aged machine. “Christ, what now?” He was scared to open it. “I’m going this minute,” Cyn screamed, the front door creaked as...

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“Dead, Dead! Dead?” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #105

“We’re sitting here like idiots. There must be something we can do?” Giles said. Elbows on knees, chin in palms, the same stance as his two best friends. Giles was the thinker of the three, if anyone could resolve this situation, it was Giles. “How long have we been sitting here? Seems like ages?” Roger asked. He relaxed, and stretched his back, remaining seated on the boulder. “We can’t wait here forever. Won’t someone come and get us?” John moaned, he yawned, stood and walked around the rocks. It was dark, not pitch black, but gloomy, and ...

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“See You Later” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #104

“Are you coming tonight?” Jake asked. He guessed the answer but didn’t want to hear it confirmed. Johnny turned with a smirk and that ‘you’ve gotta be joking’ look. “Come on, it’ll be fun.” Knowing it wouldn’t be fun for his best mate. A garish purple and green taxi pulled up. The window lowered. “Where you go?” The driver asked in his best English. Jake looked at Johnny. “Well?” “You go on. Maybe I’ll join you later,” Johnny answered, pushing his mate into the cab. They had been putting in the hours, selling non-existent shares in non-exist...

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“Twisted Fate” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #103

“I’m going now. To Thailand I mean, I’m going to find him,” said Arthur. “You are as mad as our son,” said Mildred. “Our son is missing for God's sake.” “Not according to the Embassy in Bangkok when you pestered them.” “We have not heard from him for one year. No Christmas cards, no birthday wishes. And you say he’s not missing?” “This morning you got an email, from him, so what’s the panic?” said Mildred. “That email was sent one year ago. It was the same one we opened exactly one year ago. Don’t you think that’s strange?” “Okay, but before...

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“Dad's Gone” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #102

“Oh, mum, can’t I watch TikToc a little longer?” asked Patsy. “You’ve got school tomorrow. After this long break, aren’t you excited to see your friends? I want you asleep before I leave for work.” “You’re leaving me alone tonight?” “Darling, you know I must go back to work. You are a teenager now, not a baby,” said Hathai Chantawan, Patsy’s mother. Chantawan was not her legal name. Fifteen years ago she had married a foreigner, taking his name, Peters. It was thought better in her job to use her maiden name. “But mum?” “Don’t but me. I’m ne...

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“Mirror, Mirror...” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #101

“Jen, your breakfast is ready. Do you want it down here, or shall I bring it up?” “Thanks, mum, can I eat it here?” Mrs Perks tightened her cheeks, forced her eyes to brighten. A thin smile battled its way across her mouth as she entered the girl’s bedroom. “Here we are, darling. Oh, you are not in bed?” The bed was patted firmly as the tray was slid across the bedside table. “Come on, Jen, away from the mirror. Put the brush down, you’ll wear it out.” The girl was gently led back to bed, settled with a pillow propped against her back. A stu...

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“Dinner for Two?” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #100

“Morning dear, you are up early. Your coffee is cold, let me make you a fresh one.” She flitted across the kitchen and clicked on the kettle. One mug, two spoons of instant coffee, grabbing a carton of milk from the fridge, slopping a dash plus a splash into his favourite mug, the way he likes it. The kettle popped. A quick stir, and served in front of him the earlier cold mug hit the bubbly water in the sink. “Toast?” she asked. “Peanut butter or Marmite, or would you like both? I’ll do that, you enjoyed it last time.” She placed a knife an...

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“Blue Pyjamas ” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #99

“Come on young man, time for bed.” Mum called me from my newly decorated bedroom. The sun was disappearing behind our garden’s lonely apple tree. I padded barefoot from the bathroom, proud of myself. Two days running now, I have brushed my teeth all by myself. “There’s a good boy, let me see.” I opened my mouth wide. The minty smell of Colgate escaped, causing us both to grin. “Good job. Do you want a story?” I handed her my Rupert The Bear Annual, battered and old. It was my dads. I not only loved those stories but more much more. I could r...

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“The Links” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #98

“Guys, something is not right,” Mac said. He was hopping from leg to leg, scratching his hair. “What is up with you?” Drew asked. “I don’t feel right. It's as if someone is poking my brain. There is something I should know, but don't. I know that sounds crazy.” “What’s the matter? We are tucked away, hidden behind the fifth green. Our parents believe we are camping, which we are. They don't know we will have guests. What they don't know and all that stuff. Everything is fine. Especially if the girls turn up,” Drew said, smirking a d...

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“Peachcroft Woods” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #97

“Go on, get it. What a baby!” said Perks. “Go on then you get it,” said Gums. “I’m not getting it, you kicked it, you fetch it!” ordered Smithy. I looked at my friends. No one budged. Myself included.  We all lived on a council-run estate, some of our families bought their home, some chose to rent. It was a great little place to grow up in. But, a change was coming for us. Next term we would be moving to senior schools. But for now, we were enjoying our last summer holiday, all our mates at the same school.  You entered our estate ...

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“The River of Jewels” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #96

Gordon jumped off the train, alone as ever. The ticket collector looked him up and down, taking the sweat-damped piece of paper. He nodded forward as his passenger strode towards the exit of the throbbing station. From the end of November to the beginning of December, Kanchanaburi celebrates River Kwai Bridge Week, at the same time the Red Cross is hosting a fair. Perfect for Gordon’s needs. He checked into The River Flow guest house. “I booked six months ago. Mr G. Bank,” he said at the desk. The pretty young lady flicked through several le...

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“Oh, To Have a Choice!” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #95

  TW: attempted suicide, drugging “You’ve got it all. Why look so miserable?” asked Micky. “I’ve got a lot on my mind.”  “You’re worried one girl will find out about the other,” laughed Micky. “Yeah, I guess it could be worse,” said Jones. The two men had been friends since junior school. Both unmarried and set for life financially. Micky earns a packet on the stock market. His Cockney accent is no handicap, no one hears him buy or sell. Jones, has a relaxed life, he has told no one where his money comes from, nobody asks, even Mic...

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“Silly Sarah” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #94

“I suppose you want me to take your dare now?” asked Pete. “Oh, yes, I think it is fair to ask, don’t you? I completed your quest?” answered Si. “I only dared you to break the principal’s window. Which you did, but you used Snotty Gibson’s ball to do it. Brilliant!” “Yeah,” laughed Si. “He’s in big trouble, too. The head has called his father and asked for a meeting tonight. Both of them will have his guts.” When Pete controlled his laughing fit he said, “What is Snotty going to do to you when he finds out it was you?” “He won’t because I’ve...

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“Beltane Belt” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #93

“Okay gang, it’s three AM, time to go!” Janice shouted as she turned off the overloud hip-hop racket. “Great party, thanks,” waved the cheeky guest, Janice couldn’t place her. “Glad you enjoyed it.” “Who is that girl?” asked Podge Roberts. “I’m not sure, I think her mum is a new member?” “I guess we’ll soon find out. A good long sleep, and then our all-nighter for Beltane. Great idea we all enjoyed it, and our parents thought it was a clever plan too. A double win,” Podge said. Podge had fallen for Janice the first moment they met at last ye...

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