Estelle Westley

“Riverman” by Estelle Westley

Submitted to Contest #98

The Riverman had lived on the shores of the river all his life. He knew about the bird life that existed in the surrounding forests. How they mated and how they cared for and fed their young. He knew about the life cycle of the trout that his father had so loved to fish for. He could sit for hours and watch his father move his trout rod back and forth in the air and then gently let the line stretch across the water, tempting the trout to come after the flies that they had patiently tied the night before. Great discussion went into what t...

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“Against All Odds” by Estelle Westley

Submitted to Contest #95

Lilly looked down at Jake's still handsome face. He lay on his back, knees pulled up, eyes closed, and just a hint of a smile touching the corners his mouth. They had opened a bottle of Chardonnay to enjoy with their cheese and crackers and now Lilly was sitting with her back against the trunk of the huge oak tree where they had spread their picnic blanket. She was quite content as she picked up the last strawberry in the punnet, then her mind drifted back to the conversation with her mother that morning. It started with Lilly in her...

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“Dancing In The Woods” by Estelle Westley

Submitted to Contest #87

"Morning young lady and what is your name?" Abigail froze. Who said that! "It's me, Emma, and don't stand on me and break a wing!" Looking up at Abigail, with very big eyes, was Emma. Adorable in her green pointed hat, dancing and twirling in front of Abigail. She couldn't stand still. "Has the cat got your tongue, young lady?" Emma carried on. Abigail could not grasp what was going on. Am I dreaming? Am I really seeing this? Hearing this? "I'm sorry, I didn't see you. My name is Abigail." she felt silly and looked around to...

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“The Red Bus” by Estelle Westley

Submitted to Contest #86

Has lockdown made me lethargic and lazy. Has lockdown taken away my joy and energy. Lockdown is not normal for mankind. I was basking in the sun as these thoughts ran through my mind. It was about a week ago that the announcement came that international travel was once again to reopen and as an avid traveler, my first thought was Great, now is the time to decide when and where to for the next trip. That was a week ago and I have made no attempt to even Google or page through my numerous travel magazines for my next adventure. Why&nbs...

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“My Coalition” by Estelle Westley

Submitted to Contest #81

Lacy looked much older than what she was. In fact, she felt much older than what she was. What had happened these eighteen years for everything to be so drastically different now. When Robert had asked to marry me all those years ago, I was on cloud nine. There were great expectations of the life ahead with wonderful dreams. A house where Robert would come home to each evening. Two rosy cheeked kids - one girl and one boy of course - laughing and running to their Daddy who embraced them and showered them with kisses. The aroma of a fine dinn...

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“What Is Freedom?” by Estelle Westley

Submitted to Contest #78

"I am here under lock and key and the world looks down on me, so why do I not feel the chains." Jamie Wright was serving a ten year jail sentence. This was year number six. He looked around his cell. Just the bare necessities. He lay down on his bunk with fingers entwined behind his head. Seven years ago my life had been so different. There were parties and girls any time of the week. Always noise. Always busy wheeling and dealing. Always on the move. Lilly would get so annoyed with me when I was late and didn't even get to kiss the...

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“Oh Jack!” by Estelle Westley

Submitted to Contest #77

"Gaby, Mum asked me to go up to the cabin and check that all is good for Christmas but I have a deadline to meet...." "Oh I know what's coming, you want me to go up to the cabin and I bet you it's not a deadline you have to meet. It's a new date that you have. I can sass you out very quickly big brother." Gaby laughed. "Not a problem Jack, I could do with a weekend away in peace where I can do some work. The cabin will be ideal. Unlike you I do have a deadline to meet!" She felt a rush of excitement as she put down her phone. What a p...

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“It's Not About The Money.” by Estelle Westley

Submitted to Contest #76

"Marcus! Marcus! Have you ever seen anything as beautiful as that walking through this work place of ours." "Where? What am I not seeing that is so beautiful?" "Sit down. Don't make it that obvious, now slowly look towards your left. The tall brunette with the sexy black dress making her way to Mr. Wilsons office. She strides through us minions as if she owns the place." "Well, Dale, if she owns the place she can come and give me instructions any time. I will even work overtime with a smile." ------------------- "Good morning Mr ...

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“The Phone Call” by Estelle Westley

Submitted to Contest #75

"I'm going to call my sister today!" Sandy thought if she said it out loud it would make her more determined to take this step. She scrolled down her contact list for her sister's number. No! I wouldn't know what to say, it's been twenty five years, will she just cut me off or she might not even answer her phone. She put her phone down and decided to make herself a cup of coffee first and think of how she would start the conversation. I need the caffeine. Sandra's mother had passed away twenty five years ago and would not have been ...

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“Emma's Bucket List” by Estelle Westley

Submitted to Contest #74

It was nearing the end of 2019 and it is was time to make those dreaded New Year's resolutions. After a morning of wracking her brain Emma sat down at her dining room table, opened her journal, picked up her pen. "Not this year!" she states out loud. This year I will make a bucket list to work towards. Not those silly - I'm going to loose 10 kilos by end of February or I'm going to write a thousand words every day for my book or even the silliest one I made a few years ago, I am going to run a marathon this year. This was silently to h...

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“Maybe” by Estelle Westley

Submitted to Contest #73

Leila's office was stifling hot and it was only eleven in the morning. She hated the air conditioner but it was time to switch it on again for some relief from the heat. If I leave at twelve I'll be there by six thirty and everyone will be so busy with dinner preparation, I will just be able to blend in without too much of an ado. She was looking forward to having some time away from all the paperwork and clients that keeps her busy throughout the year but not sure about this trip back to her tiny hometown in the Karoo. It has been ten yea...

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“Take A Chance” by Estelle Westley

Submitted to Contest #72

Still not comfortable with herself in this situation, Kitty looked out the window of the coach winding it's way along the beautiful coast line. The setting sun playing with colours on the water all the way to the horizon. She should have been in her element to experience this but not Kitty. This was the first time she did anything as adventurous as this. And on her own. Kitty was thankful that the seat next to her had stayed empty. At least she did not have to take part in any idle chatter with a stranger. I do hate wasting time on no...

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“Coconut Chocolate Balls” by Estelle Westley

Submitted to Contest #71

Grandma Griffiths was sitting at the kitchen table amidst a hive of activity. "This is going to be a surprise Gran," Said Sue. She was one of the tween twins busy measuring coconut into a cup. "Mum told us how you always made these Coconut Chocolate Balls for the family at Christmas time. She has safely kept the recipe that you gave for the Coconut Balls in her old recipe book and we will follow it to the last detail." "Who still keeps a hand written recipe book?" asked Liza busy opening the tin of condensed milk. "Do you know, Gran...

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“Mabel” by Estelle Westley

Submitted to Contest #64

First days can be so unnerving, especially your first day at high school and your first day at boarding school.Lucy was very excited to be at such a prestigious school. She was looking forward to making new friends. This was a whole new chapter of her life unfolding.The assembly hall was a hive of chatter and laughter. Old students were reuniting with hugs after the holidays and new students were trying to fit in. The house mother, Mrs Murray, took to the stage and a silence ascended on the girls. The girls had the utmost respect for Mr...

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“It's A date - Part Four” by Estelle Westley

Continued From: Part One - M & M Part Two - Jealousy Makes You Evil Part Three - Can You Keep A Secret With the Bistro closed on a Monday, Mae always made a point of switching off altogether and making it her relax day. She had slept in for a while but then decided to take a slow drive down the coast to have lunch at a new takeout in Victoria Bay. Exploring the coast and sitting somewhere on a beach always felt soothing, yet exhilarating. The new takeout had hamburgers that had to be eaten by hand. The sauces dripping down your fi...

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