Deborah Mercer

“The Nice Boy” by Deborah Mercer

Submitted to Contest #3

THE NICE BOY    “But Ellen, he seems like such a nice boy!” I supposed that Mrs Sullivan (whom I was now allowed to call Sandra which, oddly, seemed less awkwardly intimate than the Auntie Sandra of my childhood – though of course, she was no relation at all). It would be unfair to say that she peppered her speech with the catchphrases of 70s comedians intentionally, but she would not have gone out of her way to avoid them.     It would be very easy – and perhaps not entirely inaccurate ...

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“Telling Stories” by Deborah Mercer

Submitted to Contest #3

TELLING STORIESDiane checked the email, over and over. She sometimes teased her colleague at the insurance office, Monica, who was one of life’s “checkers” and said she was borderline OCD. Monica generally made one of two replies, or at times both – if she were, so were a great many of the icons of the arts and sciences (which was undeniably true) and that it was better to check properly than to face the consequences later (which was also undeniably true, though she had only once sent an email to the wrong recipient – yet!).&n...

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“ Candle in the Dark” by Deborah Mercer

Submitted to Contest #2

CANDLE IN THE DARKThey have let me keep the candle. Oh, of course I’m not allowed to light it. Even if someone visiting me (if anyone ever did, apart from Frances) managed to smuggle in a lighter, or a match, then I don’t for one minute doubt, some sensor, or some surveillance, would immediately set off an alarm that reverberated through the whole building. Or on second thoughts – maybe not. They wouldn’t want to cause panic. It would probably just sound in the relevant room.    But they let me ke...

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“The Phone-in” by Deborah Mercer

THE PHONE-IN    Holding a radio phone in on discrimination was always a tricky business. It was the kind of subject that even programmes and presenters who prided themselves on being frank and fearless still approached with a degree of trepidation. Live radio and high emotions can lead to words being spoken on air that should not be, no matter how frank and fearless you are and encourage others to be.    If anyone can handle it, Andy can, his colleagues agreed. Andy Whitmore was one of t...

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“Pie-Crust Promises” by Deborah Mercer

Submitted to Contest #1

PIE-CRUST PROMISES“I hope you’ve not put too much store on Mark coming, Mother,”    Oh dear. It’s “Mother”, not “Mum”, thought Louisa. That meant she was either in trouble, or Eleanor wanted to make sure she understood the importance of something, or sometimes both. She supposed it served her right. When her daughter was growing up she had always said “Eleanor” rather than “Ellie” in such circumstances. The irony was, she now only answered to Eleanor anyway.    She’s such an ol...

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“The Official Birthday” by Deborah Mercer

Submitted to Contest #1

THE OFFICIAL BIRTHDAYThis is my official birthday, Dora decided.     Many a child has wished that, desperate to persuade their parents of the brilliance of the idea, once they have discovered that the Queen celebrates such a day.    But Dora, everyone who knew her agreed, was no longer a child.    Many an adult has wished that, though often adding, aloud or in their wistful, half-humorous thoughts, unless it meant them growing an extra year older.    But Dor...

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