Helen A Howard

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Oct, 2022

Stories (37)

37 Stories

3681 karma pts

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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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“Just Say It” by Helen A Howard

Submitted to Contest #280

Just Say It Looks like we’re back in our usual spot. It’s been a while since we’ve sat here together.Well, after last time…Sorry about that. I’ll try not to put my foot in it this time.Sometimes, the things you say… you’re like a big elephant.I don’t mean to be.I know you don’t. Other than that, I love sitting here with you. It’s such a peaceful spot – what with the bridge, and swans floating by.Don’t forget the rats. There’s plenty of them about too. One scurried under this bench when I was sitting here on my own the other day.Trust you to ...

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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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“Dig Deep” by Helen A Howard

Submitted to Contest #267

Other than a faint glow coming from one of the back rooms, the town’s charity shop was in darkness, its front door firmly closed. Although it had opened in 1985, the building had been used commercially since the 1800’s when it had variously been a pharmacy, a bank, and a tavern.The shop was close to the river in Marpleton, a pleasant English market town which had once been home to a nearby priory. In ancient times, monks had wandered back and forth to sell their wares at a market which still existed in diminished form across the road. Regula...

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“Bubbles” by Helen A Howard

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #265

Bubbles.Sometimes try. To. Catch bubbles … tiny ones, they float above me. A soft pink ceiling seals me in. A kind of membrane. But where does it go? Where do I go?Very tired. I open my mouth. Yawn it all out. Bend my neck. It needs rest. Eyes heavy under lids. Closing them… so soothing. With them tight shut dark, I go to vanish. Back again on dream journey. Traveling, to where? Memories unfurl. I’m in the unknown. What? Is it?Fragments of life. Memories forming. Past is present. Present is past. I don’t know. Uncoiling. 🫧 🫧Sudden...

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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