Rebecca Detti

“chewing the fat” by Rebecca Detti

Submitted to Contest #276

‘Morning honey’ ‘Oh, Morning boys’ I said to my gym buddies, Richard, Mark and Alan. All three chaps were retired and the fittest looking septuagenarians I had ever seen. Seriously athletic.After the school run, I love nothing more than going to my local council-run gym, the 'Better gym'. What a great name. It definitely does what it says on the tin as my dad likes to say. It felt like such a release getting back into the gym after years of disjointed exercise that comes with having a baby and not putting yourself first, but I was ...

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“Mum friend” by Rebecca Detti

Submitted to Contest #276

I clearly remember the first time I met Helen.I'd been completely out of breath, tongue almost hanging out like a Labrador Retriever trying to sweat, while walking up the three flights of stairs to the room of doom. Who puts an antenatal class on the third floor? Tell me who? And also get your lift fixed!! Even my seven-month-old bump looked like he wanted to make an early exit. I'd picked up my husband, Kieron at Stonegate train station near our home in Ticehurst and we had driven the fifteen miles to Tunbridge Wells for an evening of chat ...

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“Always look on the bright side of life ” by Rebecca Detti

28 December, 1991Burscott Farm, CornwallDear Aunty Pat (Or should I say ‘Fat Pat’ as Dad refers to you, but I didn’t say that.)Mum said I had three choices: Pick up the phone and say thank you for my Christmas present;Go and see you and say thank you for my Christmas present;Write a note to say thank you for my Christmas present.I clearly chose the latter as I’m not picking up the phone as it’ll be just so awkward. I’m not being funny, but I don’t know anything about you, and you don’t know anything about me which is clear from the...

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“Familiar interruptions” by Rebecca Detti

Feeling like a bomb disposal expert attempting to avert a loud explosion, I walked slowly into our living room and shut the door. My fear wasn’t that a bomb would explode, rather that our 7-year-old son would rise from his slumber being the light sleeper that he was. Since Oscar was a baby, I had asked friends and family to do the most revolting things like not flushing the toilet if he was asleep in the neighbouring room. I lived in fear that the slightest noise would trigger an eruption not dissimilar to that seen on many a volcanic island...

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“Letting go” by Rebecca Detti

‘Morning mum’ I said creeping around the door of my parent’s bedroom.‘Morning darling. Would you like a cup of tea?’‘Ooh yes please. How many have you had so far this morning?’‘Ooh I think number three. I drink too much tea. It's hard when your fathers alarm goes off at 530am so he can lycra up and go for a cycle before heading to work.’Mum and Dad ran a book wholesaling business which dad had started on breaking away from his father's business and make it on its own. He'd creating quite a niche for himself in the trade, and I hadn't known a...

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“Rebellious hope” by Rebecca Detti

Submitted to Contest #251

How do you do it? Said night.‘How do you wake and shine?’‘I keep it simple,’ said light.‘One day at a time’Lemn Sissay, from Let the light in, a collection of morning poemsMay 2024It was Saturday night, and I was sat next to my Aunty Dee in the Parkhouse Centre in Bude, Cornwall waiting for the poet Lemn Sissay to come on stage. A few months before, my aunty had mentioned his name, that he was coming to the Bude Literary Festival programme and would I like to go.‘Oh yes please, I haven't heard of him but always up for a night out.’‘What do y...

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“Didn’t you have that conversation?” by Rebecca Detti

Submitted to Contest #250

I can’t believe it’s been twenty years since we lived here.I’m standing outside our first home together. The wisteria cascading down the elegant Georgian block of flats on Sandwich house, Sandwich Street in Bloomsbury. Funny even saying it again now and I want to refer to it as Sesame Street as we used to. Looking up towards the third floor, I can see the wall at the back of our bedroom in our old flat, number 83. I remember the first night we slept there:'What was that?''It was the underground bun.'I shouldn't have been surprised that I cou...

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“Let's blame grandpa” by Rebecca Detti

Submitted to Contest #242

‘Good morning darling’‘Oh, morning mummy. How are you, daddy, and Ella?’‘Yes, we’re fine thanks. Just been for a walkies with Ella and I’m sure we’ll be out again soon. Maybe a stop at The Old Boot on the way back this time.’‘Oh mummy. Well don’t say too much. You know what you’re like after a snifter or two.’‘I don’t know what you’re implying darling. I am the soul of discretion.’‘Mmm yes I’ve heard that one before.’‘This is very different. I have to say I just didn’t think your brother’s relationship was going to pan out with Donna kebab, ...

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“Sister Sister” by Rebecca Detti

“The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together.'William Shakespeare, All's Well That Ends WellDear Reader,I find myself tangled in the yarn of life and wondered if I could seek your good advice? You all seem like a sensible lot with lots of worldly experience. My husband is completely sick of hearing me go on and on about the matter. The last time we spoke about the subject he simply said, ‘Look darling, they’re both attention seeking c**ts. What more is there to say?’'Helpful' I replied. 'Perhaps a job in the diplomatic co...

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“The drowning woman” by Rebecca Detti

Submitted to Contest #240

It was September 1989. I was drowning in my huge new school uniform. I know a lot of parents buy a few sizes up to save money but is a sack appropriate for a first day at school? I exaggerate slightly. I was wearing my XL Navy Blazer with the school crest ‘Veritas’ embroidered on top of my non-existent right breast. My Navy V-neck jumper hung past my waist and my ridiculously long navy skirt was a tripping hazard. I remember standing for assembly in the main hall next to a girl called Denise. She had latched on to me right away, but she seem...

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“A spell on you” by Rebecca Detti

Izzy pulled up outside her gym, savoring every last sip of her latte. She couldn’t really be bothered to do another session at the gym after a hectic week at work, running the family holiday let business and running the family. Her mum was always on her case ‘you do too much, pass some stuff over to him.’ It really grated that her mum referred to her husband as ‘him’. Oh, the joys of family politics. As she slowly edged herself out of the car and into the gym, she thought of a funny line she had heard Jilly cooper say a few years before at a...

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“A thing for you” by Rebecca Detti

Submitted to Contest #237

2000I first heard about Chris from my then boyfriend Luke. Luke and his college friends enjoyed affectionally berating each other and so I heard plenty of stories about Chris and his awkward loss of virginity with a girl who subsequently followed him around college as well as lots of other unsuccessful attempts with the ladies.After graduating with a 1st and commendations for his biology degree from Christ Church college, Oxford, Chris had ‘fucked off to Africa’. I think Luke was incredibly envious that Chris had escaped the ‘real world’ and...

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“Kray-zy in Love” by Rebecca Detti

Submitted to Contest #236

‘Oh, hello stranger’ bellowed a familiar voice as Tilly made her way around the maze of book displays in her favourite bookshop in town. The book selection was ok, a bit too mainstream for her liking but the café was pretty cool and the waft of grinding coffee beans was the ultimate pick me up.‘It hasn’t been that long but give me a hug gorgeous’ Tilly sank into a huge hug from her friend Vicky.‘Vic, where on earth did you get this coat? You look like Elizabeth Taylor and why is your make up always immaculate?’‘Well it kills the time, shoppi...

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“And the Gold Medal goes to the Queen of diplomacy.” by Rebecca Detti

Submitted to Contest #235

Clara wasn’t sure how it happened but each morning, without fail, she would wake a few seconds before her seven-year-old came bolting into her room. ‘The Usain Bolt of seven-year-olds’, as she and her hubby Toby referred to Elliott. It was almost as if she had an inner alarm clock calling out ‘brace brace’ before impact. As this happened, she always remembered the supportive and reassuring words of her colleague, Kelly, before she helped her into a taxi ahead of her maternity leave. 'You'll never sleep properly again love, you're fucked...

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“Feels like home” by Rebecca Detti

draft ‘Mummy, how old were you when you went to Shebbear College?’‘I was sixteen darling, but Uncle Jimmy went to Shebbear at the same age as you.’‘Do they have lots of toys?’‘yes, lots of lovely toys and lots of lovely fields for you to run around.’‘yay.’ George then continued to play with his paw patrol toys in the back of the car.Rebecca’s husband Glenn turned to her, ‘you're very quiet…for a change.’‘Ha! Yes, my tummy feels a bit odd. I guess I feel a bit nervous which is strange. All those thoughts and feelings of being sixteen and the ...

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