Steve Penn

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Feb, 2022

Stories (3)

3 Stories

66 karma pts

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“Why are all Budgies called Billy?” by Steve Penn

Submitted to Contest #139

“Straight back” she says while she clumsily marks the door jam above my head with her pencil stub. “There, you’re taller than your dad was at your age”. I turn and see the gouges and marks in the glossed white frame. The name ‘Derek age 9’ is just readable as well as Billy and Michael at various ages. Dad is a good inch below my mark and I imagine him standing here as proudly as me, maybe on tip-toes. I take a seat on the old kitchen chair and am studying the light gleaming through the net curtains when I’m drawn to the excited chirping next...

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“The Goddess Returns” by Steve Penn

Submitted to Contest #137

Acknowledging the waiter I raise a hand “Bocadillo y cafe por favor”. At the next table a woman wearing sunglasses gently tears a croissant into chunks and starts feeding some birds nearby; she seems to be in her element, clicking her tongue as they eagerly accept the offerings. I catch her fragrance as I sit down.Though it’s a rare and fine gift in life to be anticipating the first coffee of the day overlooking an early 13th century Gothic style cathedral; I am distracted. I take a quick photograph but I’m in that mood again, I can’t shift ...

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“Queenie” by Steve Penn

Submitted to Contest #134

Queenie’s stockings were smudged with coal dust as she trudged home with a bag of old newspapers. It wasn’t too far from the Ovenden’s; just a ten minute bus ride but she had to walk today. The snow was thick in drifts and the ice was black in places. She stopped every hundred yards or so to straighten out her back and breathe warm air into her red raw hands. Her little road was quiet except for the concerned faces appearing at the windows and the shuffle of her boots.She forced the door to her little terraced house with her shoulder; on the...

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Author bio

English teacher, musician, motorcyclist , traveller... I've loved writing since I was a kid, using Reedsy for inspiration to get back into it. All feedback greatly appreciated Much love x