Helen A Smith

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Oct, 2022

Stories (36)

36 Stories

3508 karma pts

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“Confronting The Elephant ” by Helen A Smith

Submitted to Contest #259

For too many years, Johnny had been the elephant in Scott and Ellie’s marriage. The lurking shadow preventing honest conversation, always the one who came before. Yet somehow, they papered him over, the man between the cracks.“Johnny.” One day, out of the blue, Ellie tentatively raised his name as if testing where it might land. For Scott, hearing it was like being thrown in the wake of a tsunami. By then, Ellie was in the last months of her life and reshaping boundaries.“What are you going to do about Johnny.”Scott didn’t know what to say t...

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“Rollercoaster ” by Helen A Smith

Submitted to Contest #258

Rollercoaster The bus was crammed with young women pressed against the windows waiting for their first glimpse of the base. As the driver drew close to the drop-off point, nineteen-year-old Lottie opened her compact, and made last-minute adjustments, not forgetting to apply another layer of the aptly named Strawberry Potion to her already glossy lips. Earlier, she’d sneaked out of her home in a village less than five miles away. She had told her strict church-going parents she was staying over to watch tv with an old school friend...

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“After Amy” by Helen A Smith

Submitted to Contest #255

TW. Mentions of abuse.There are as many forms of grief as there are love.My first real hug came when I was forty-nine. Before then, I had closed myself off to human affection and hugs were things to be endured. I’d never hugged anyone or allowed anyone to hug me in a meaningful way; when my children were babies I held rather than hugged them. But before you condemn me, I need you to know I’m not some kind of cold-hearted monster. I brought my children up well. They were clean and well fed; I provided for their physical needs, mostly without ...

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“Rumours” by Helen A Smith

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #254

OAKWOOD FOREST, 1350.Like any right-minded boy of nine and a half, hadn’t Tom always dismissed the rumours as unbelievable? Too good to be true.“Stuff and nonsense,” his mother said firmly. “You are to ignore them.”“But what if they are true?” He’d asked her this more than once.“They are not true.” She shook her fist to emphasise the point. “You must stop your foolish chatter, Tom. There have been no sightings and even if there were, the king has forbidden such talk. Haven’t we enough troubles, without adding to them?”“But…”“No ifs and no bu...

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“Never Let It Be Said” by Helen A Smith

Submitted to Contest #252

TW: contains descriptions of gore appropriate to the sixteenth century and there are references to miscarriages. A king does as he pleases and anyone who disagrees is a fool.Wolsey, my lord chancellor, who the pope made cardinal, erred in being too slow to deal with “the king’s great matter” which was how the need to legitimately free myself from my first marriage became known. Thomas More who I promoted to the same position, forfeited his life when he put conscience before obedience to the crown. When Thomas refused to take the oath of succ...

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“The Road Ahead” by Helen A Smith

Submitted to Contest #249

TW: mentions a child’s death.This isn’t happening to me! When I’m not pacing the waiting room, I’m riveted to the flashing text highlighted in yellow against the black background. If I carry on like this, I’ll get a crick in my neck. The station notice board, technically known as the split-flap display, alerts me the 7:54 train, final destination Kings Cross, has been cancelled due to shortage of train crew. Can you please explain why there’s not enough train crew? Did somebody decide to pull a sickie at the last minute? Just my luck that th...

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“The Mound Of Nu” by Helen A Smith

Submitted to Contest #245

Until air, moisture, earth and sky emerged out of the deep, a formless mass existed that looked a bit like a pyramidal mound. It was called Nu. At some point in the mists of time, the sun rose like a goose breaking through the still waters to spread its life-giving light to the earth. In ancient myths, Ra was the Egyptian sun god, the creator of all that followed.Without creation, we do not exist. If we do not exist, what is there?^^^As priests, everything we do, every act and speech we make, every ritual and spell we perform is designe...

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“In the picture ” by Helen A Smith

Submitted to Contest #244

Even without a date, you can usually tell the age of a photo from its condition, the print, and style of paper used. This one has a blurred at the edges sun-faded look about it.“That’s strange. I really don’t remember taking that photo. And would you believe it, I’ve gone and left my specs at home?”“You should have got that cataract fixed when you got the chance, Yvonne.”“I dare say.”The out of focus picture in question is of three women: one young, the other two middle-aged. It’s taken from a distance; you’d have to squint to see the three ...

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“Say It” by Helen A Smith

Submitted to Contest #238

I love sitting here with you. It’s such a peaceful spot with the bridge and the ducks 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 go and spoil things. What do you mean?Bringing a rat into it. I was thinking more of Monet’s bridge with the waterlilies under it. What did you do?Nothing. He just popped his head round. To say hello. Fortunately, by then I’d finished my sandwich. I shuffled my legs and off he sc...

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“Not Valentine’s Day” by Helen A Smith

Submitted to Contest #237

Dave’s ears were still ringing from the night before. He’d had less than four hours sleep after playing in his band and felt like death warmed up, but he knew once he’d showered, downed a strong coffee and eaten two slices of thickly buttered toast, he’d be alright.“Not too bad for forty-one!” Dave often conversed like this while studying his reflection in the hallway mirror. He tucked in his uniform. Other than a touch of bagginess under the eyes, his skin had remained smooth, and his thick brown hair was only just starting to recede. Any p...

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“The White Tower” by Helen A Smith

Submitted to Contest #235

TW: some sensitive themes.The envelope joined the pile gathering dust on Mike’s oak table. He knew he’d have to read it at some point, just not now. Although it had been months since his last run, he wasn’t going to allow anything to put him off. The letter was a confirmation of demands that would seal his fate almost as surely as if he’d thrown himself off the rocks and plunged headlong into a sea that would be close to freezing. Mike briefly imagined the churning oblivion. But no. In spite of everything, he wanted to live.Besides, Jeff wo...

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“Guy in Black” by Helen A Smith

Submitted to Contest #229

At first glance, it would be easy to mistake it for a gift store, rather than a busy charity shop. It’s the time of year when seasonal items that are new seem to take over from the goods the public have donated second-hand. There are bays of Christmas cards and shelves decked in festive gifts: glass globes containing snowmen in miniature hats and scarves adorn the shelves in various sizes, simply begging to be taken home and shaken; hot water bottles in furry covers with pictures of dogs, cats, reindeer, hedgehogs and other ‘cuties also shou...

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“The Artist” by Helen A Smith

Submitted to Contest #225

TW: mention of gore.His motley crew – that was how Mike thought of his students, would be joining him shortly. He turned the radiator up two notches in the attic room studio and covered over his most recent work, the one with the pet alligator swimming in the blue tiled pool. Nor exactly his best piece perhaps, but more than adequate for clients with a reptilian menagerie on the Costa de Sol, who in his opinion had more money than sense.The white sheets Mike had spread over the canvasses he’d been working on most recently, gave a faintly sur...

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“Mentor” by Helen A Smith

Submitted to Contest #222

TW: Some sensitive content.Mentors come in many forms and their influence can last forever. I always knew I’d meet him again. So, why am I so nervous?There’s a bite to the air the day before Halloween. Smoky fumes rising from decaying leaves pressed down by the tramp of countless feet, catch the throat with their pungent odours. Fortunately, the sky is clear and cloud free which is just as well because I’ve left my umbrella at home. It’s a blue and white spotted affair with a dainty handle which I bought specially. I had planned on wear...

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“It’s Not Rocket Science ” by Helen A Smith

Submitted to Contest #216

TW: possible sensitive themes.The shit usually hits the fan an hour or so after the shop has opened. On bad days, before then. On really bad days, it continues after we’ve closed. People keep donating, often bringing boxes they can barely lift themselves, and expecting you to express undying gratitude when you’re desperate to cash up and go home. We’re not saints here, even if we’re expected to be. Sometimes I can’t get the key in the lock because some bright spark has blocked the entrance with donations. They tumble onto the pavement as I t...

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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 belong to me.

Shortlisted 3 stories ⭐️

Contest #265

Bubbles – read story

Contest #254

Rumours – read story

Contest #177

There’s Always Monopoly – read story