David Nutt

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Feb, 2021

Stories (42)

42 Stories

669 karma pts

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“Listening to one side of a conversation” by David Nutt

Submitted to Contest #250

Listening to a one side of a conversationIt was one of those late spring days in Paris, clear blue skies and a warm southerly breeze. The trees had lost that virgin green of the early spring and were in full splendor heralding the summer. I was sitting on a cafe terrace admiring the view. From what I saw from the people passing it appeared this summer was to be the year of shorts, long and daringly short. Without warning my little haven of peace was disturbed by two young women that took seats just behind me. Even before they started talking...

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“Amazing.......from despair to the joy of life” by David Nutt

Submitted to Contest #249

Amazing…... from despair to the joy of living There he was tap dancing in a pair of work boots with steel toes and metal under the heels. First it started by a seductive rhythmic tapping sound on the tiled floor of the bar. The sound picks up pace with a haunting beat. He then jumped up on a stool and performed a few taps as though he was beating on a drum. In a quick move he transferred to his feet tapping to the bar counter dancing with amazing skill amongst the beer glasses. He stopped at the far end. The crowd cried out for more. He came...

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“Art in all its crazy forms” by David Nutt

Submitted to Contest #239

Art in all its crazy forms I had a very unusual up-bring. Let me explain. I was born to parents that were well known portrait painters. In fact to be more precise the definition would be traveling portrait painters. By the time I was born their mood of lifestyle had proved quite successful. That meant they regularly traveled between New York, London, and Paris. They could afford keeping an apartment in each capital and renting a studio when required. They were well known in each city and in fact had a waiting list of clients anxious to hav...

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“Man's thirst for dominance and space” by David Nutt

Submitted to Contest #238

Man’s thirst for dominance and spaceThe date was 4th August 1914 a warm, dry and sunny day. Nature was asleep under the summer sun, the farmers’ animals throughout the countryside like the human population were enjoying a lazy day. Then came the news that the British prime minister had declared a state of war with Germany. It seemed as though that precious isle set in a silver sea was covered by an electric storm that propelled the population into the unknown with such violence that took the peoples’ breath away.Two days later I called three...

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“I love running in the forest.....but” by David Nutt

Submitted to Contest #235

I love running though a forest…….but This is a story about running through a forest, one of my great pleasures. A sad and disturbing event happened some years ago that until now has prevented me from continuing enjoying that pleasure. It was on one cold winter’s night I decided to discuss the matter with one of my closest friend, Henri. We were at my country house sitting in front of the fire enjoying a superb Calvados. I asked Henri the following question. “Have you ever been faced with a dilemma that has had serious repercussions on your l...

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“Alcohol....glorious alcohol” by David Nutt

Submitted to Contest #233

Alcohol…..glorious alcohol I certainly would not say I drink to the state of being often drunk. An alcoholic maybe. I looked up the definition of an alcoholic in the dictionary. A person who is unable to give up the habit of drinking alcohol very often and in large amounts. This definitely applies to me, my only bone of contention would be the definition of large amounts. It was nearly the end of the year. Christmas had passed with all the family present. Great feasting, plenty of booze, high spirited singing, a good and happy time was ...

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“Hope” by David Nutt

Submitted to Contest #231

Hope On my desk lay the file of Michael Headstone, a new recruit that had recently joined our magazine empire. I quickly read his engagement summary. Recruited from Cambridge, Honors in English literature, 24 years old, single, first job, born in Taunton. I picked up the intercom and asked my assistant, Margaret, to ask Headstone to come and see me. Ten minutes later he sat before me. He was a tall young man with blue eyes, a generous mouth and freckles on his face. His long ginger hair was swept back from his forehead and tied in a ponytail...

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“The answer to an unhappy marriages” by David Nutt

Submitted to Contest #230

The answer to unhappy marriages  I sat there in a particular somber mood. I had to admit I was comfortably installed in the club saloon of British Airways waiting for the Barbados flight announcement. My wife had recently died under what the police thought might be suspicious circumstances. All this interest in her death was due to the fact she was a well known London socialite. She came from an extremely wealthy Texas farming family. The family had found sizable oil deposits on their lands. After several weeks of tedious investigation ...

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“A life completey unexpected ” by David Nutt

Submitted to Contest #229

A life completely unexpected The hedgerows and fields were a seductive green color as I looked out of the train window as it trundled its way North. I had been away for four years living with a group of aboriginals people south of Ayers Rock not far from Alice Springs. I noticed the livestock, enjoying the lush spring grass. They seemed docile and tranquil so different, so different from the scorched barren lands of central Australia inhabited by wild animals. I was going home to see my mother, if I could call it that, as my home was now wit...

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“cheese” by David Nutt

Submitted to Contest #228

Cheese I had been invited to dinner to celebrate thanksgiving. I learnt many years ago that Americans aboard insist on celebrating this festival with the traditional dinner. I had no desire to go. Thanksgiving dinners of yesteryears were long buried in the past due to my advancing years. Nevertheless I had the annoying feeling that by refusing I would not only be upsetting my host but also it would be a slight to America that had been so welcoming to my family. The evening arrived. A taxi drove me to the address. There was much cheek kissing...

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“Fascinating but odd....you decide” by David Nutt

Submitted to Contest #216

Fascinating, but odd….you decide. The first Friday of the month heralded my monthly dinner at my club with my great friend Henri. This little ritual had been going on for the last twenty years, always enjoyable. We were both Judges on Her Majesty’s Court. Our conversation and discussions tended to be about what had happened in the courts over the preceding month. I had a feeling tonight my story would integrity and fascinated Henri. The dinner menu was excellent and during its consumption we spoke about the previous month's mundane court c...

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“A deal with the devil” by David Nutt

Submitted to Contest #215

A deal with the devil Boredom. Have you ever had a serious attack of this human failing? It’s like feeling all emotional and sensual sensations in your body have been poured out of you like water being flushed down the toilet. You feel empty without any interest or feelings in your surroundings. Enthusiasm and curiosity were emotions that belong to the past. Everyday is just an acceptance of your existence. I am 65 years old. I had recently sold my very successful pharmaceutical business for a handsome sum. One of the conditions of the sale ...

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“School.....I had serious reservations” by David Nutt

Submitted to Contest #214

School…..I have serious reservations School, school I even dislike the word. As for the meaning, it was for me the nearest thing to a prison, full of rules and regulations. Endless lectures spouted out by boring teachers. Lunches that I am sure have a life long effect on your health. Now my parents were sending me to a boarding school. All the glorious, free summer days were in the past. Today was my last before being shipped out to boarding school. The day was full of dark angry clouds. I use the words shipped out with the saddening thoug...

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“Dolls to London” by David Nutt

Submitted to Contest #208

Dolls to London Monday, with the sun playing hide and seek amongst the white billowing clouds. The phone rang as I picked it up and I looked towards the harbor. “Chef officer Paul Summers speaking.” “Ah! how are you?” “Fine Joe, but busy, we are expecting a large cargo ship arriving from China with a dubious cargo.” “It’s expected when? “ “I think in about four days it was delayed in Gibraltar.” “Good.” “What do you mean good?” “Well I have a favor to ask you. Could you go to London tomorrow for two days. The British have a serious customs...

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“Breaking free from only rolling cheese” by David Nutt

Submitted to Contest #205

Breaking free from only rolling cheeses Ladies and Gentlemen I declare the opening of the 197 edition of Gloucester Cheese rolling competition and afterwards I invite you to the European cheese fair. The duchess of Windsor has kindly agreed to open the proceedings. Let the competition begin. The duchess stepped forward and cut the ribbon holding back the competitor before they rushed down the hill. The cheeses were hurdled down the hill chased by their owners. The crowd roared, the chase had begun. There were many falls and many bruises. I...

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Author bio

I am English. Retired from an investment banking carreer living in Paris. I am in my 87 year living in our disturded world soon, no doubt, to fall off.