Colin Devonshire

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2019

Stories (125)

125 Stories

1496 karma pts

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“I Told You I'd Remember!” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #76

“Beautiful day,” said Dr Pinkly. “I’m so glad you decided not to keep us inside today,” answered Pauline. “Sun shining, fresh air, what could be better?” he said. “I could name a few things,” she answered. “Please don’t think of this as part of your treatment. Relax and enjoy,” he said. “What? How can I think of it any other way? It’s not as if we could be mates, is it?” “My job is to make you feel better within yourself.” “And my job is to make you work for your money,” she laughed. They strolled on, bees were explor...

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“Before Yesterday” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #75

“Eighteen today? A big boy now,” said June. “Yes, mum, does that mean you’ll allow me out?”  “Jimmy, we’ve been through this. You can go out, you always could.” “I mean, on my own,” said Jimmy through clenched teeth. "Open your gift. Do you like it?” his Mum asked. “Thank you. It would be better if I had somewhere to wear it,” he answered, lobbing his new jumper onto the sofa. “Have you any schoolwork to catch up with?” “Most people my age have quit school by now. Why do I have to keep learning?” asked Jimmy. “We...

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“Day Nine” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #74

Day nine was Christmas Day, the family had all gathered; they decorated the table with holly and crackers. We were all smiling, Dad had been generous with gifts this year. Mum carried the turkey from the oven. Uncle Pete stood, pulled his Browning and shot his brother, my father. The bullet entered below his eye, killing him instantly. Mum dropped the bird and stood opened-mouthed. My sister screamed. Granddad pushed his chair back and started after uncle Pete. The door slammed. Uncle Pete fired the engine and screeched down the otherwi...

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“Beat Stops!” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #73

“Your seat, sir,” the air hostess cleaned some imaginary dust from its cushion. The passenger looked around before answering, “Thanks, I’d like to sleep, so no interruptions.” His crumpled Daily Mail hit the floor. The headline glared up at him, ‘Guitarist - Dead’. “I know you,” wailed a girl sliding into a seat nearby. Mr Giles Goodly tutted and glared at the hostess. The Thai Airways lady offered an embarrassed smile. “You’re the drummer! I know you. Why have you cut your hair?” she continued. The once bouncy black curls ...

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“What will? Who will?” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #72

“What? Who?” Budgie asked. “Yes, Mr Um… Budgie, it is strange, but I am only passing on instructions as requested by my client,” said Mr Paulson. “Just call me Budgie, everyone does, no need for formality.” “Um, no, I suppose not. Mr Kanom told me you are the man he wanted to turn his daughter into a ‘decent’ person.” “Look boss, I don’t know why I’m here, I came because I thought you wanted me to quote on a building job.” “My letter was quite clear, I needed to speak to you about a delicate matter,” said the aged lawyer. “...

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“The Sour Cake Murder” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #71

“I suppose you expect to win the Christmas cake competition again this year?” asked Patty, the radio newspaper reporter. “I don’t like to brag, but, well, you know. I am the best baker in the village, so, I guess I’ll win… Again,” answered a grinning Gino. The listeners did not notice the raised eyebrows of Patty and Steve, the sound engineer. “It is well-known you always add something ‘extra’ to your recipes? Can you tell our listeners, what it is?” “I could, but then it wouldn’t be a secret. Stupid girl,” said Gino, his grin tu...

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“God's Will” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #70

Denny ducked behind the stone column. He watched as the upturned cross impaled High Priest Drakker’s eyes.   “Both eyes, how the hell?” Denny asked himself.  The jelly and goo splattered the elaborate alter, it was black; the blood didn’t change the cloth’s shade. “Christ, it is like a kid’s Halloween party,” Denny answered himself as stones flicked behind him pinging of stone walls. Blonde hair matted with blood, Drakker’s wife raced to the rocky entrance and disappeared. Stones flew as flint zinged from the walls. Screams sp...

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“Art for Art's Sake” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #69

“Dad, what are you doing?” Jilly asked. “That’s it, I’ve had enough,” said her father. “You have, what about the rest of us?” “I took over this shop from my mum, we had a thriving business. Now, its gone, the world has gone mad. I can’t get enough sales to pay for the expenses. Enough.” Jilly snatched the papers her dad had flung to the counter. “The rent has gone up, so what?” she said. “Everything has gone up, except sales.” “Dad, let me run the business. You can retire.” “No.” “Why not?” “You want me to tell you? Okay, look arou...

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“Songkhla Lake” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #68

Songkhla Lake “Here Comes the Sun. Watch this,” he whistled. The couple sat on a rock arm in arm. “Beautiful, you know I’ve never seen the sunrise like this in England?” “You mean not over a flat lake? You’ve seen it plenty of times, but over council house roofs.” “Yes, on my way home after a late shift at the hospital,” she laughed. “Not quite the same, is it?” “No dear, I feel a lot will change living here.”  “And just think, on your sixtieth birthday you celebrate by watching nature’s beauty in Thailand.” “Thank you, dar...

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“Missing, not missed” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #67

“The police don't fucking believe me!” “What did you tell them?” “What do you think? I told them what I saw.” Pub owner, Jimmy, scratched his unshaven jowls. The sound of scraping calloused fingers against a three-day growth was better than the sight of the fat chin wobble. His customer cringed. “Do you want another beer?” Jimmy pointed at Spike’s empty glass. “You don’t believe me either?” “Let’s just say, you and your mates have kept this pub running, by getting a few down your necks.” “Yeah, you’ll lose me as a cus...

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“Sweet Little Billy-Jo” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #66

“Where is my angel?” “Here I am daddy.” “Now, what are these police officers doing to you?” “Nothing, they are just asking me questions.” “Where is your mum?” “She is in there,” Billie-Jo points across the corridor. “She won’t be long, sir,” a policewoman said. “What happened?” “There was a nasty accident. Your daughter, uh, witnessed it. We need to ask her a few questions.” “Are you okay, princess?” Jack asked his smiling daughter. His darling daughter was thinking back, she was replaying the scene in her mind. “How can I dance with a boy i...

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“Romancing the Stones ” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #65

“Why did you drag me in here?” she asked while adding red to her lips. “A chance to be alone, why else?” Nathan fidgeted. “Christ, Nath, there are loads of parties we could go to.” “Yes, but everyone knows us. Here we can be together.” “What’s in your bag?”  Shirley looked at him and tutted. “This my dear is a tent, a heater, and a box of chocolates. What more do you need?” The tuts got louder. “I don’t suppose you have a five-star hotel in there, do you?” There was a break in the clouds, the full moon shined on them. The gravestones su...

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“My Sister the Dandelion” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #64

Write a ghost story where there’s more going on than it first appears. Out on the Moor. My Sister the Dandelion “I didn’t feel it, I didn’t hear it. I knew it was there. Like a dandelion seed floating by my ear. I sensed it.” Jim said to his sister. He expected no answer. A tear dropped, splashing closed eyelids. “I know you are here, I feel that too.” “Come on, Jim. Time to close the lid,” said the coroner, putting his arm around the boy. Jim’s mum eased him away from the polished wooden box holding his beloved sister. J...

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“SCRUMPING” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #63

Write about two characters going apple picking. SCRUMPING “I thought you were going to get me some apples?” Abby glared at her husband. “I am, give me a chance,” Andy tutted, “Can’t you see I’m busy?” “Put your betting slips away, and get outside, find me at least thirty cookers for my pies. And I mean now!” Andy ducked as a wooden spoon skimmed his head and thudded into the television. “And don’t forget a bag to carry them in. Unlike last time. Idiot.” “Bloody women,” he breathed as he searched for his...

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“Serve It With Floss” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #61

Write about a character who smells something familiar and is instantly taken back to the first moment they smelled it. Serve it with Floss by Colin Devonshire - colin@dark-novels.com “Hi, Mr Perkins, your father is in his room.” “Is he okay? No dramas?” “He is fine.” “Thanks, I’ll go and see him. Oh, my son is in the garden with one of your carers. Can you show him the way to his grandad’s room when he’s ready?” “Of course. Have a nice visit,” the nurse smiled and bustled down the corridor. “Hello dad, how are you feeling today?...

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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!