David Drew

Author on Reedsy Prompts since May, 2020

Stories (6)

6 Stories

157 karma pts

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“Plain sailing” by David Drew

Submitted to Contest #95

With his bulging eyes and greasy, straw-coloured hair, Ronald Hughes was in covert conversation with a small, asymmetrical man who wore large spectacles and had a browbeaten air.“I’m telling you, mate," he was saying, "the scheme can’t fail.”The two men sat in a dark corner of Montero’s tavern. The name of the small man was Oliver Bates, and he had never been to the pub before.“It’s like taking candy from a baby,” continued Hughes conspiratorially. “The surest way to five or six thousand pounds you’re gonna find. If you’re in, we can sp...

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“The honest journey” by David Drew

Submitted to Contest #94

I don’t smoke. But during my four weeks in Primrose Lodge, I spent many hours in the smokers’ hut. It was a small area, overhung by a tired and twisted oak, with some rustic benches and two or three smelly containers for stubbing out fags.Although I was one of a small minority of non-smoking, non-vaping addicts, “the hut” was (fumes notwithstanding) the best place to enjoy some decent company. It was always the spot where the conversation was most entertaining and where we could debrief after some heavy sessions of varied form...

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“Summer holiday, postponed” by David Drew

Submitted to Contest #53

Drip, drip, splat, drip.I hardly noticed the small, sticky puddle of mint chocolate at my feet as the last wilting remains of my popsicle melted into the sand. My father’s voice was almost inaudible over the terrible phone connection.“They’ve taken her in for a brain scan,” I finally heard him say. “Dad,” I interjected. “I can hardly hear you. The reception is terrible here. I’ll call you back in about 20 minutes, OK?”“What’s that?” came back his crackling voice. “I can’t hear you, Paul.”In frustration, I cut the call and...

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“Aunty Hestry comes to visit” by David Drew

Submitted to Contest #43

“Mom, I don't want her to stay with us!” grumbled seven-year-old Huon as he toyed with his tuna sandwich.“Yeah, Mom,” added his older brother, “the house smelled for weeks of that oil of indication!”“It’s oil of embrocation, sweetheart,” replied Mrs Dawson. “And you’ve never even met Aunty Hestry. It’s Aunty Agatha you’re thinking of.”“Two more different people you could not imagine,” mumbled Mr Dawson, talking with his mouth full, "And the smell of Aunty Hestry’s oil is the least of our worries!”“Now my love, that’s not true,” objected...

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“Captain Murray’s new pets” by David Drew

Submitted to Contest #41

My mission on the ESE Escapade was the most challenging experience of my life. And to be honest it was all rather unexpected, because nobody thought we’d find much life on the planets in Star System 25.My name is Dr Caelon Griffin. I am a medical officer serving in the Intra-Galactic Medical and Research Corps (IGMRC). After my internship, I was appointed to the ESE Escapade on its maiden voyage. What an opportunity! It was my first time on a ship of the Galactic class, never-mind such a fine one. It was also the first time I was traveling m...

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“The storm chasers” by David Drew

Submitted to Contest #40

The hot morning had become a stifling afternoon, oppressive and humid. A breeze had come up in the last few minutes, but it was still hot. In the parking lot of Luke's diner, under a large elm tree, Gavin Braddock sat on the front bumper of his truck, waiting. He watched a massive bank of white-grey cumulus building in the west. They grew inexorably, ever higher, rolling, tumbling, driven by a restless energy. The power of the impending storm thrilled him.Presently, a red Chrysler drove into the lot and parked opposite. The passenger was an ...

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Author bio

Scientist by day, writer of fiction by night, I delight in telling a good story. I also do lots of writing for my day job. But there's really no comparing writing from your soul, with publishing work in technical journals. I currently live with my wife and five young children in Cape Town, South Africa. Apart from a passion to write, I love to hike in the mountains and read excellent fiction!