Helen A Howard

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Oct, 2022

Stories (37)

37 Stories

3844 karma pts

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“The Wash” by Helen A Howard

Submitted to Contest #286

The envelope joined the pile gathering dust on Mike’s table. He would read its contents, but only after his run. He dreaded a confirmation that would seal his fate almost as surely as if he’d thrown himself off the rocks and plunged into the oblivion of a churning sea. But no. In spite of everything, he wanted to live.Besides which, Jeff would have expected him to fight rather than cling onto a past long since gone.There was no point running away from problems.But running away was exactly what he’d been doing – for months, even years now. As...

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“The Best Gift” by Helen A Howard

Submitted to Contest #284

Nothing is more challenging than the start of a new year when people have been clearing out their unwanted items after Christmas and the donations are piling into the charity shop filling up every inch of spare space. It’s not unknown for this state of affairs to continue even after we’ve closed when you get donors literally banging on the window demanding to bring in boxes of goods they can barely lift themselves. You’re expected to receive all this with a smile of undying gratitude, even though you’re desperate to cash up so you can get ho...

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“Full Circle ” by Helen A Howard

Submitted to Contest #282

I vowed I’d never return to this street yet here I am.With my mother’s soul hanging in the balance, the need to revisit has come swiftly like the blooming of flowers from a baobab tree at sunset. Or maybe I’ve lived too long in an emotional desert and am seeking resolution. A kind of remedy for my own soul’s pain. Even now when I think of mum, I think of a fighter. She’s always been a fighter. Or she was before her spirit got broken. I can only hope she’ll be drawing on that former resilience to aid her in the hardest battle. On the sh...

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“The Last Of The Snow Globes” by Helen A Howard

Submitted to Contest #281

Christmas is round the corner and I’ve never felt less Christmassy.Here I am surrounded by all manner of festive gifts and must-have seasonal cuties. The boxes of crackers may look appealing but seeing the person I want to pull them with is no longer around, maybe not so much.However, even I have to admit the very reasonably priced snow globes with their miniature snowmen in funny hats and colourful scarves, have a certain charm. One of the store’s best sellers, only one remains waiting to be shaken and given a good home.These new goods are ...

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“Labyrinth ” by Helen A Howard

Submitted to Contest #279

LabyrinthHalf man/half bull, he was the most famous mutant of them all. Asterion’s existence had come about when the Queen had mated with a beautiful white bull on the island of Crete. Regarded as a freak of nature, he was contained by the queen’s husband, King Minos, in a series of elaborate and confusing chambers constructed somewhere beneath the royal palace. The mutant’s prison became known as The Labyrinth.***On returning to their clifftop eyrie, the eagles deposited a sheep as a reward to Minna, the young dragon, for guarding their egg...

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“Long Shadow” by Helen A Howard

Submitted to Contest #279

At high tide, the late autumn sea swirls grey and menacing. As the sky turns twilight, it seems as if a giant has stamped along the main beach piling the shingle unnaturally high, but then Kevin recalls reading somewhere about stones being transferred from a quarry as part of a regeneration project. It’s been years since he stepped foot on this part of the coastline, let alone walked the length of its most recently built pier.In any case, such observations hold only a passing interest for a man haunted by another scene.Kevin is riveted by a ...

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“The Social Worker” by Helen A Howard

Submitted to Contest #276

The Social WorkerNames and places have been changed. Some who played a part in this are not included, but in essence this is a true story.Whatever I was expecting, Mrs Lauren wasn’t it. An older woman, well spoken, with not a hair out of place, wearing heels and a power suit, she didn’t fit my image of a typical social worker, whatever that was. The first time I saw her; I didn’t think she’d be much help.***A voice called from the half-open door where my favourite teacher Mrs Swanson was conferring with the school secretary.“A quick word, He...

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“Club Life” by Helen A Howard

Submitted to Contest #275

Club lifeTW: some swearing and mentions self harm.Aren’t you a bit old to go clubbing?Why do you say that?Well, look at you!What do you mean?You’re hardly love’s young dream!Maybe not, but…But what????But…But, but, but….Don’t be mean.Isn’t it time you started facing facts? You’re too old to be dressing like a…Like a what? What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?Wearing clothes that are meant for the young and gorgeous. Exposing your midriff. Tuck it in for fuck’s sake.Stop swearing! You know I hate it. Mum and dad hated it too. I like wearing the...

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“The Smoke” by Helen A Howard

Submitted to Contest #275

The SmokeLondon, 1941As usual, Bill woke at dawn and was driven out to his aircraft. The order to scramble had been given and he felt the familiar tug of fear and excitement. He checked his jacket pocket for the doll his sister had knitted as a lucky charm. She told him she’d made two dolls but his was the best. He felt the rough cloth and bumpy stitches, complete with tiny bag and hat, beneath his fingers, and smiled. The thought of his little sister’s face gazing up at him the last time they met, brought a lump to his throat. It gave him t...

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“Amber Eyes ” by Helen A Howard

Submitted to Contest #274

Amber EyesFor thousands of years cats have been teaching humans a thing or two, including how to live in the moment and when to let go.It was just after dusk when the cat tiptoed its way across the garden. Fur ruffled by a breeze blown in from the desert, it regarded the woman through languorous amber-gold eyes. Carrying a lantern, she trod the path cautiously, anxious to avoid the sting of a passing scorpion. The animal already knew she was special, but this marked her out as wise. The woman whose name was Zara made h...

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“The hour approaches” by Helen A Howard

Submitted to Contest #272

Turn over your shoes to stop the pixies and ogres walking in them. Shut the drapes so the moonlight doesn’t drive you mad.Keep your ladies of the bedchamber close for tis now you need them most.Gold and silver thread shimmer in my candlelit chamber. The figures of three noblewomen standing beneath a garden tree in the tapestry opposite feel as much part of me as the veins in my still slender hands. One holds a bunch of flowers, one carries a basket of eggs, and the third stretches out her hand to a pelican. Symbol of motherhood, it is said t...

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“Hmmmm…” by Helen A Howard

Submitted to Contest #270

INGREDIENTS FOR BAKED ALASKAYou’ll need two quarts vanilla Ice cream.Hmmmm…One quart sounds more than enough, let alone two. What exactly is a quart anyway? It sounds medieval. I’d better find out fast. Siri will know. Is it sad that I’ve become quite fond of Siri these days and sometimes feel like flirting a little? But then he does have a nice voice.Hey Siri.Ah ha. (What can she be wanting now?)You can make your own or buy it from a store if you prefer.In my case, definitely the latter. Even if it does feel a bit like cheating! Will R even...

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“Recipe For Romance” by Helen A Howard

Submitted to Contest #270

Sally strolled along the riverbank clutching a bag with smiley faces on it. She’d spent many hours exploring its paths with Roger, longing to break free of whatever was holding them back. If altering familiar patterns for something more than friendship would be like breaking a taboo, it also had the potential to be more rewarding.Sally had always been the ying to Roger’s yang. Or was it the other way round? When he’d moved away from their hometown after being headhunted for a job abroad, they’d kept in touch sporadically, mostly through What...

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“Ladybug ” by Helen A Howard

Submitted to Contest #269

To be taken in the context of the 1980’s when social attitudes were different, but human nature not so much.1981 Put me next to my sister Charmaine and I fade into the background. It’s a twist on ugly duckling/ beautiful swan syndrome. The fact I’m two years older only makes matters worse. I’m eighteen and Charmaine is sixteen. She’s everything I’m not. She has brilliant green eyes to my hazel ones, golden hair to my light brown, and a cheerleader figure. Oozing sexuality and confiden...

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“Past Imperfect” by Helen A Howard

Submitted to Contest #268

TW: mentions of mental and physical abuse.Bill sat bolt upright in the hotel bed, heart pounding to a familiar refrain. The dream had reasserted itself with a vengeance.From the moment he’d seen the updated list of people attending the conference, one name had stood out: Dake Scratchard was the name of the boy who’d haunted Bill Brown’s life more years than he cared to remember. Dreams fuelled by past memories disturbed his nights when equal amounts of dread and fear surged through his veins, rendering him helpless.As always, the nightmare w...

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Author bio

I’ve always enjoyed writing but in recent years it’s become a real release. Writing gives life meaning in a topsy-turvy world. I hope my stories can inspire others. Even when you feel discouraged, don’t give up. Keep writing and supporting other writers by commenting on their work. I’m learning so much from others reading and critiquing my work. It’s good to reciprocate. Copyright of my stories belongs to me.

Shortlisted 3 stories ⭐️

Contest #265

Bubbles – read story

Contest #254

Rumours – read story

Contest #177

There’s Always Monopoly – read story