Howard Halsall

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2020

Stories (125)

125 Stories

6166 karma pts

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“A Question of Satisfaction” by Howard Halsall

Submitted to Contest #62

By 1859, Captain Trueshott had defended his wife’s honour so many times she invested in a pair of duelling pistols for this purpose. The days of the flintlock were ending, but as a weapon of choice for the habitual duellist, it was second to none. Agatha chose a pair of beautiful handmade weapons presented in a plush velvet-lined oak box. The 10-inch pistols fired large, heavy lead balls weighing half an ounce that travelled around 830 feet per second. They could therefore inflict severe wounds over the 30 paces between two adversaries. Desp...

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“Game Face 2040” by Howard Halsall

Submitted to Contest #61

It’s an hour after curfew when Zak hears tap-tap-tap on his window. He tilts open the wooden slats to see a heavy rubber gas mask. A thick gloved finger points to the casement lock. Zak pulls up the blinds and swings open the hinged pane. Joe lowers his bulky rucksack onto the bedroom carpet and tumbles through the opening. Zak adjusts his spectacles as he scans up and down the street. In the still night air they hear the splat, crackle and pop of police RT. A neighbourhood patrol car is approaching. Zak lowers his head and flashes of blue l...

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“Salty Tales From Seaview Terrace” by Howard Halsall

Submitted to Contest #60

On the first floor landing, Sammy and G.G. pull on the hoist ropes while Pops pushes the canoe up the stairs from below. A paraffin lamp in the stairwell casts flickering shadows of three figures on the flyblown plaster walls. The rising waters have compromised the coastal flood defence across the road. A furious storm and high tides have caused a surge of water during the late afternoon. It’s a perfect storm or, as Pops would say, “an imperfect storm” depending on which way you look at it. In the morning, Pops had told Sammy that they wer...

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“No Place Like Home” by Howard Halsall

Submitted to Contest #59

The ward was quiet except for the agitated drone of a distant floor-polisher and the peal of a telephone bell. Charlie raises himself up on his elbow and unravels the bandage from around his head. The car accident is a vague memory but one thing is for certain, he won’t entertain another bowl of lukewarm oatmeal this morning. He needs to leave, and he’s spent his waking hours plotting an escape. The best time to depart is at the shift change in ten minutes. There is always a period of confusion and adjustment as the n...

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“Pride Comes Before the Fall” by Howard Halsall

Submitted to Contest #57

It’s been three hundred and fifty years since I approached a bank for a business loan. “Please come through and take a seat, sir.” “Thank you, miss…?” “No, I’m Mrs Walukunga,” she says. “The manager will see you shortly.” I nod and take a seat. This office is less formal than I’m used to. “Meanwhile, I’ll take some details and ask you to sign and date our product disclaimer.” She passes me a document and with my ink pen at the ready, I prepare to sign it. &nb...

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Author bio

Howard Halsall is a night owl and father of three currently living on England’s northwest coast. In addition to reading and writing fiction, he enjoys cycling and playing the piano. His view on life is: “keep it simple.”

Winning 1 story 🏆

Contest #136

Cigarettes: A Romance – read story

Shortlisted 3 stories ⭐️

Contest #257

His Big Break – read story

Contest #233

Auld Hornie’s Wirk – read story

Contest #192

Moving Mum – read story