James Brook

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Dec, 2021

Stories (2)

2 Stories

40 karma pts

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“Waiting for Mr Smith” by James Brook

Submitted to Contest #127

Sensitive content warning: has themes of sudden loss, bereavement and mental health.There were three of them in Mr Smith’s outer office: Appleby (who had a gut feeling he had to see Mr Smith); Mrs Stuart (Mr Smith’s secretary, with a sharp nose, concrete hair and the absolute authority of those who are always right) and the pudgy boy with no name (Appleby hadn’t been paying attention).Mrs Stuart, in the manner of a queen graciously bestowing an undeserved favour, had informed Appleby the boy was Mr Smith’s son, but offered no further informa...

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“Angel” by James Brook

Submitted to Contest #124

At exactly the appointed time, the door rattled as she entered. Her eyes were moist, her mouth turned down, her tread heavy and slow. She sat on the table, pulled up the back of her shirt, and said I want you to remove this.  The angel was beautiful and surreal in blue and gold and red: the face was serene and blessed, the wings so finely wrought they seemed in flight. A wonder: the genuine work of an absolute master.    I took out my phone.Her voice was a command: no pictures. I put my phone away...

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Author bio

Born in 1945, I've been (along with many other things) a teacher, a sales rep, a scriptwriter and an IT consultant. Now retired, I live in my daughter’s converted garage with my dog, a big TV and a door I can close on the mayhem of grandchildren.