Marie Maher

“Old House” by Marie Maher

Submitted to Contest #234

I gazed up at the old house, which lay mellow in the morning sunlight, its ancient walls covered with ivy, and I wished with all my heart that I could turn back time. From far overhead came the raucous cries of the sea-gulls as they circled in their endless quest for food, while in the background was the ever present surge of the sea, and I remembered. At the landing window I looked out and sighed with pleasure. ...

9 likes 1 comment 1

Read story

“Dryad” by Marie Maher

Submitted to Contest #205

We were outside, in the garden, when it happened. I remember it was dark, though the moon was fat and bright. “Reggie” I said softly, and moved forward to take his hand. I felt some remorse, it was true. He was so dull, so hopeless, so wrong for me. But still, I was sorry for the hurt I was about to cause him; yet the excitement inside me was bubbling, raising higher in my breast, threatening to spill f...

12 likes 1 comment 1

Read story

“Clara Belle PI” by Marie Maher

Submitted to Contest #204

The stagecoach pulled up in a cloud of dust, the coachman reining in the steaming horses with an oath. He jumped down, spat, and opened the stagecoach door. “Ma’am,” he said, his moustaches quivering appreciatively. Clara Belle descended into the arid atmosphere of Gorey Creek, a dewy rose in a desert. A lady of some twenty-five summers, her glossy chestnut hair was swept into a knot at the nape ...

7 likes 0 comments 0

Read story

“Friends Forever” by Marie Maher

Submitted to Contest #202

 FRIENDS FOREVER ‘So, Rhoda, what do you think I should do about it?’   Karen was sitting opposite her friend at the patio table, and was waiting anxiously for her reply.   Rhoda, as usual, was comforting.   ‘Well, I shouldn’t get too upset. Girls have these friendships much more than boys. She’s an only child as well, which makes her more susceptible.’   Abby, Karen’s four-year-old dau...

8 likes 0 comments 0

Read story

“Wrong Number ” by Marie Maher

Submitted to Contest #115

WRONG NUMBER     Mary picked up the phone. She’d try just once more to get the right number. However, just as she was about to do so, it rang. Rather unnerved, Mary said “H…hello?” “Hello?” Well, it’s a woman’s voice, Mary mused. At least that was alright. And someone of the correct age group, by the sound of it. “Hello?” said the voice again (it really sounded very nice, thought Mary) “Is Jul...

11 likes 2 comments 2

Read story

“Clara Belle PI” by Marie Maher

Submitted to Contest #96

The stagecoach pulled up in a cloud of dust, the coachman reining in the steaming horses with an oath. He jumped down, spat, and opened the stagecoach door. “Ma’am,” he said, his moustaches quivering appreciatively. Clara Belle descended into the arid atmosphere of Gorey Creek, a dewy rose in a desert. A lady of some twenty-five summers, her glossy chestnut hair was swept into a knot at the nape ...

11 likes 1 comment 1

Read story

“Dip, Dip, Dip.” by Marie Maher

Submitted to Contest #95

Jane was walking slowly down the aisle to the mellifluous strains of ‘The Wedding March’, and she knew she had to make a decision fast. The guests were waiting expectantly in the pews as she reached the altar. Inexorable panic, slowly rising into the back of her throat, threatened to choke her. She felt hot; the palms of her hands were sweating as they clutched her bouquet. It was made up of her favourite flowers, roses ...

7 likes 0 comments 0

Read story

“Mae Flower” by Marie Maher

Submitted to Contest #86

“OK, so my parents, who I admit should have known better, decided to christen me May. I can hardly help that, can I? I did the only thing I could do, which was to change the ‘y’ to an ‘e’. Yes, I know it’s still pronounced ‘May’! What’s wrong with Mae Flower? Oh, well, if you don’t want to take me on, that’s your loss, not mine!” Mae switched off her phone and gave a little scream of exasperation. “Mum an...

17 likes 0 comments 0

Read story

“REPAIRMAN” by Marie Maher

“What a view!” Carly’s voice cried enthusiasm. Her new husband, Aldo, hurried to the window, and they both exclaimed at the vast concrete panorama far below. It was the year of The Mighty Lord, 2993; they were young and very much in love, and going to spend the rest of their lives in Aldo’s native Italy. However, Carly’s parents had objected. “What about our future grandchildren?" Carly’s mum had wailed....

1 like 0 comments 0

Read story

“Valentine v Cupid” by Marie Maher

Submitted to Contest #81

Kate stared at the woman opposite. The blonde hair looked stylish and the make-up was perfect. Her eyes assessed the slim figure, chic in a little black dress, sharp heels and the latest jacket. She looked so sassy that Kate couldn’t believe she was seeing her own reflection in her bedroom mirror. She spun around to view her rear.  Wow! She was going to stun everyone, and just wait till James saw her! Kate had wa...

12 likes 0 comments 0

Read story

“Dip, Dip, Dip.” by Marie Maher

Submitted to Contest #66

           Jane was walking slowly down the aisle to the mellifluous strains of ‘The Wedding March’, and she knew she had to make a decision fast. The guests were waiting expectantly in the pews as she reached the altar. Inexorable panic, slowly rising into the back of her throat, threatened to choke her. She felt hot; the palms of her hands were sweating as they clutched her bouquet. It was made up of her favou...

13 likes 0 comments 0

Read story

“Friends Forever” by Marie Maher

Submitted to Contest #64

 FRIENDS FOREVER ‘So, Rhoda, what do you think I should do about it?’   Karen was sitting opposite her friend at the patio table, and was waiting anxiously for her reply.   Rhoda, as usual, was comforting.   ‘Well, I shouldn’t get too upset. Girls have these friendships much more than boys. She’s an only child as well, which makes her more susceptible.’   Abby, Karen’s four-year-old dau...

9 likes 1 comment 1

Read story

“The Case Of The Black Beast” by Marie Maher

THE CASE OF THE BLACK BEASTIt was a filthy evening in mid-November and Holmes accosted me as I returned from seeing a patient on the Marylebone Road.“Can your partner take your patients tomorrow, Watson?” he asked. “We must catch the early express to Edinburgh.”“I have nothing urgent, anyway. You have a case, then,” I added.“Yes, I’ll supply you with details on our journey. You should get your packing done. Don’t forget your service revolver,” added the great man, ominously.Holmes had booked two first-cl...

1 like 0 comments 0

Read story

“DRYAD” by Marie Maher

Submitted to Contest #5

We were outside, in the garden, when it happened. I remember it was dark, though the moon was fat and bright. “Reggie” I said softly, and moved forward to take his hand. I felt some remorse, it was true. He was so dull, so hopeless, so wrong for me. But still, I was sorry for the hurt I was about to cause him; yet the excitement inside me was bubbling, raising higher in my breast, threatening to spill from my mouth and eyes and ears like white hot lava.Reg saw it in my face and recoiled. Shock replaced suspicion on his shriv...

3 likes 0 comments 0

Read story

“A Day In The Life Of Heaven, PI.” by Marie Maher

Submitted to Contest #3

Thursday 05-30Knock, knock, knockin’ on Heaven’s door.              That’s what’s playing on my radio as my alarm goes off. And actually, I ought to have a sign outside my office door to that effect. People ought to come knocking. After all, my charges are very reasonable; and divorces, debts owed and missing persons found are all catered for. And, yes, even missing animals. Mike Heaven PI will take anything on.     ...

2 likes 0 comments 0

Read story