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Author on Reedsy Prompts since May, 2021
Submitted to Contest #247
Before World War II, life was relatively simple for Lorraine. As a woman, she was expected to find a man who could keep her to a standard deemed appropriate by her parents. The ‘happy couple’ would marry and, due to limited available contraception, almost immediately start a family. It was rare for women to still work after marriage. Instead, now that she was married, her full-time job was as a housekeeper, a wife, and, in a reasonably short time, a mother.Feeling that she understood her new role in life, she was surprised that everything co...
Submitted to Contest #242
Emma was a single woman in her early 40s who adored art galleries and museums. For her, they represented sanctuaries where she could revel in solitude without succumbing to loneliness. The serene ambience of these spaces allowed her facial muscles to unwind from a week of stress and transformed her into a more radiant version of herself. As an independent soul, she relished mingling with others who shared her passion for art, enjoying the silent camaraderie of fellow gallery-goers. That spring Saturday morning, in bustling Central London, wh...
Submitted to Contest #239
Life had been good to Claudia. She’d never married or had kids but was friendly with her area's local children, neighbours, cats and dogs. She’d bought a cosy two-bedroom bungalow when she’d retired. Her tranquil property provided a peaceful sanctuary and was adorned with a quaint front garden enclosed by a low wall and a hedge. At the back of the property was a verdant backyard with many colourful blooms in large pots. Celebrating her 82nd year, Claudia's untroubled life was abruptly shattered when a misstep on a r...
Submitted to Contest #237
The Blind Date Becky pushed her way through the swing doors of the bustling open office she had worked in for the last eight years. Becky, a slim, good-looking woman, about 30 years old, is a proofreader for the renowned ‘Whiz - The Young Persons’ Lifestyle Magazine.’ “Whiz” had just received the Magazine of the Year Award (1982), and Becky, like all those who worked for the magazine, was justifiably proud of the achievement. In the 1980s, the magazine’s large office was mainly staffed by young, excitable women whose main goals in ...
Submitted to Contest #231
Hi Both,As the year draws to a close, it's that time again - time to jot down our resolutions. I'll be honest; I've never been too keen on this task. But this year, why not share my vision for a dazzling 2024 with you both?Resolution 1: Unleash the New MeReinvent me entirely. How hard could it be? Isn't that what resolutions are all about?Resolution 2: The Eternal Diet StruggleWhy is it that every New Year, I find myself chanting the same mantra - go on a diet? It's like my excess weight only becomes visible with the turning of the calendar....
Submitted to Contest #228
Lilian despised Xmas—the frantic rush to buy presents when the shops were teeming with customers. Navigating through the overcrowded shops, wondering what the hell she would buy. Each counter was knee-deep in potential customers, and given her petite stature of 5 feet, the whole experience was a daunting task. Once the gift shopping was complete, the next challenge would await her - boarding a bus or struggling to the underground train station amid bustling pavements outside the department store on Oxford Street. Th...
Submitted to Contest #225
Martha raced down the lengthy deserted corridor that stretched along the Relaxation floor of the Starship Enterprise. Usually reserved, she would timidly shuffle along, keeping her eyes glued to the floor to avoid any potential eye contact or smiles. As a Yeoman on the Enterprise, she was initially assigned administrative duties in the Canteen and Restaurant. However, seeking alleviation from the solitude of her cabin, she had taken on volunteer shifts in the Lounge Bar and the Karaoke Room in the evenings. At 26 years old, a sl...
Submitted to Contest #224
Early mornings at the CondoThe compound where her condominium was located was only a five-minute walk to the nearest shopping mall in an area that housed many cafes and international restaurants. It was a lively, enjoyable place in which to live. The pavements were squeezed tight with innumerable tourists from around the globe, and the cacophony of the various mother tongues could be heard in ebullient, loud tones. It was a happy, vibrant place, full of life—a blissful haven for Sofia as her encroaching sunset years began to b...
Submitted to Contest #219
Her face remained totally stolid as the Number 26 rattled towards her. Quite how it was possible to ignore the noise of squealing brakes and loud horns blaring, but the whole queue never flinched or reacted and stood as if made of stone, lost in their thoughts. Standing at an unprotected bus stop in a traffic-polluted, grey, cold, wind-blown street, Sylvie’s expressionless, dead-eyed face never changed. Glancing at the other individuals in the queue, she seemed little different from her fellow passengers: hunched, pinched and ...
Submitted to Contest #216
Well, what a surprise getting a text from Carole inviting me for a coffee. It was bizarre to get a text when we had only ever emailed each other, but an invite for coffee, as such, wasn’t a total surprise. Of all the things we two women loved, it was good coffee. I remember our relationship sparked because Carole shared an essay describing her love of coffee. However, it wasn’t just the text that I found strange. It shocked me that Carole had journeyed to Thailand from the USA and hadn’t thought to pre-warn me that she was com...
Submitted to Contest #214
They watched the sun slowly dipping, unaware of the darkness gradually enveloping them. She could feel the comfort of his warm body sitting close to her despite their bodies not being close enough to touch. As she took one more deep, satisfied breath, she almost sobbed. If only she could stay here forever. She looked around and thought about the idyllic eight days of her holiday. The location, stunning amenities, hotels, and restaurants had all been fantastic, but the next day, it was time to go their separate ways until the next...
Submitted to Contest #213
‘Make sure you bring some paper and a pen’, said Lynne. We were off to a fortune teller called Ada. I always thought fortune tellers were rubbish, but Lynne was convinced they could predict our future events. I was in my early 20s and a dedicated people pleaser, and if Lynne wanted to have her palm read - well, so be it! ‘Why do I need paper and pen?’ I asked, confused by this request. It turns out I was supposed to listen carefully to Lynne’s reading and report precisely what the fortune teller had said. Lynne said that Ada ...
Submitted to Contest #204
Sharon was a tall, well-proportioned, stunning attractive woman who had recently arrived in Fort Worth from Hereford in the Texas Panhandle. She had met Phoebe one evening in a popular bar near the Stockyards where most of the cowboys went. Phoebe saw David chatting to the slim, sexy woman tossing her mane of thick, luxurious hair around, ensuring she was noticed by half the bar as soon as she had entered. ‘Damn’ thought Phoebe ‘c’est la vie.’ During the evening, David wandered over to say hello and brought the girl he was wi...
Submitted to Contest #193
This story mentions sex. The city Nathan and Heather lived and worked in had an international airport a mere 5 miles from where they lived. After a careful discussion, it was decided an airport only 5 miles from the office was not a good bet. There was instead an airport approximately 50 miles away - surely no one from the office would go there! Heather’s sister knew she was having an affair, and Nathan had recently moved in with her. The elder sister Bonnie had been having a sneaky affair for the last eighteen years and w...
Submitted to Contest #192
‘Oh look, here she comes. Look at the way she waves to ‘mummy’. Do you think she’s quite normal?’ The girls stood at the street corner in their school uniforms hitched, pulled, and twisted to try and make them look appealing, sexy and fashionable. They stood around looking at her as she ran past them in her little girl’s dress, too neat, too clean, with her beautiful, youthful skin and short shiny hair. The girls, treading on their cigarette butts, with their spotty complexions and long dull-looking hair, uncombed and...
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