Valerie Preston

Author on Reedsy Prompts since May, 2020

Stories (123)

123 Stories

2183 karma pts

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“Forgiveness” by Valerie Preston

Submitted to Contest #79

I had no idea who it could be – someone who doesn’t realise I’m teaching, although I was told they did say it was important. At least I know it’s not about Lily as she’s in this school too. I quickly walked along the corridor passed the Principal’s office and into the foyer – the sight of the grey walls and floral carpet as enticing as ever. My feet wouldn’t move once I had rounded the corner – I tried to step back as if perhaps she would disappear if I did. I don’t know what I wanted to say but no words would come out anyway. The years hadn...

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“So We Are Old Fashioned - Who Cares” by Valerie Preston

Submitted to Contest #78

Dear Susan. Sorry for the late reply. I’ve been in hospital for the last two weeks with a stupid chest infection. Honestly I can’t believe how many I have had in the last year. Remember how I told you the specialist wanted to do ‘invasive’ tests on me, well he still does, but I’m not having any of it! At my age! Anyway forget about that…how are you doing now? Did you get my card? The mail is so unpredictable these days. I know you will be very lonely without your beautiful dog but at least he wasn’t in pain when he died. Remember that corgi ...

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“A Forced Reflection” by Valerie Preston

Submitted to Contest #77

A Forced Reflection “And don’t forget this little ‘holiday’ is for a reason Abby. You need to think about things – your behaviour, attitude to others, especially your mother and me, and just your overall behaviour. You know we love you and this will be for the best”. Abby’s dad started to walk towards her to give her a hug before leaving but before he reached her, he got told…. “Don’t think you can hug me when you’re leaving me in this Godforsaken place, and all on my own. What if something happens to me? It will be your fault. I don’t know...

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“Be Kind Tell White Lies” by Valerie Preston

Submitted to Contest #76

Be Kind Tell White Lies “I’ve got no friends and nobody likes me!” Well that’s not actually true. I like you”. “Yes but you’re my mum. You’re supposed to like me”. She replied. “Not all parents like their children” Jennie’s mother continued. “I had a friend when I was young and her mum and dad couldn’t stand her. They were horrible to her and she went off to live with her Gran”. “Yes but Mum that’s unusual isn’t it?” Jennie replied. “I’m just saying that if you didn’t like me, who would? I just don’t understand people and especially the on...

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“Ten Fleeting Seconds” by Valerie Preston

Submitted to Contest #74

Ten Fleeting Seconds We had to play outside for nearly the whole day when we were children. “Can we come in Mum?” we would ask and the short reply was “No off you go and find something to do”.  So we would find something to do. We would all go down the steep dirty track, racing to see who got there first, pushing and shoving and laughing until we reached the bottom. Deidre was always last and we would call her a rude name relating to her size – she would always cry and we would then call her a ‘big fat baby’ and start splashing at the e...

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“Burnt Offerings” by Valerie Preston

Submitted to Contest #72

Burnt Offerings “Who is he?” “My Uncle Robert. I first met him when I was a young girl. We all went on a safari to Africa and he was already living there. He was quite an odd man really, different, but very kind. And he absolutely loved Africa, the savannahs, animals, and just the culture of the country. My dad, your Grandad, told us that his brother was extremely rich from oil – I don’t know if he found oil or worked for oil companies or anything about how he actually made his money”. “Did he always live in Africa? How come I’ve never hea...

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“Sweet Love” by Valerie Preston

Submitted to Contest #71

“What do you mean he has a new pie for sale? What kind of pie – sweet or savoury?” “I don’t know what type it is. I just saw the sign, that’s all”. “Well go back and sneak in the shop and find out. I need to know”. Tommy got back on his bike and pedalled off as fast as his little legs would go. He parked his rusty old steed down the road a bit, under a tree and scurried off to the bakery. He waited his chance and when a rather large lady pushed her way through the old doorway he snuggled up against her legs and went in too. “Hello Mrs. Patte...

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“The mistake that didn't matter in the end” by Valerie Preston

Submitted to Contest #70

THE MISTAKE THAT DIDN’T MATTER IN THE END “Look Rachel. It happened. It was a bit of fun and a good release for us after clinching that deal. End of story. It happens all the time. People have too much to drink and make mistakes. Just keep it to yourself and it will be alright. I promise you. Don’t make it more difficult than it should be. No one needs to know but us and I won’t be telling anyone.  I’ll see you tomorrow morning.  He lay back on the bed, perfect smoke rings gently floating up to the ceiling and he felt relaxed. Turn...

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“Ccoming Home” by Valerie Preston

Submitted to Contest #69

Coming Home When I was growing up I didn’t think I liked my family. I know it would surprise a lot of people to hear that said, not because you have to like your family, because if they knew my parents, they would understand, but rather from the point of someone saying it aloud. There were only three of us, my parents and myself. I was in a constant state of embarrassment. I suppose that from birth to when I was able to understand what was going on, it didn’t matter. I can’t even remember those years. I might have even enjoyed my childhood t...

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“We Won in the End” by Valerie Preston

Submitted to Contest #68

We Won In The End It had been twenty four years since she’d last seen it, but the place looked exactly the same. But like all of us, it had aged. Bricks needed a clean where the rain and damp over time had darkened them. Cream mortar in between was now grey, if there at all. Some of the red bricks had graffiti drawn on them, amazing artwork in bright colours some with the names of the taggers, and of course obscenities too! So much had happened in the last twenty four years. It was so long ago but in a way felt like yesterday. Suddenly...

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“I Can't Betray Anyone” by Valerie Preston

Submitted to Contest #67

I Can’t Betray Anyone Life just seems too difficult sometimes. I really don’t know what to do. There’s no one that I trust enough to talk to and then again I would feel guilty telling anyone else what I know. Right now I want the world to swallow me up, a big hollow black hole to appear and just as I go to cross the road when the little green man appears overhead, I’m gone. I want to have a stroke and lose my power of speech (Of course I will get well and then be able to talk again) I don’t want to have my faculties and be able to reason...

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“The Long Road” by Valerie Preston

Submitted to Contest #66

I looked across the room at my husband, the person who has been by my side through this long and difficult journey. Sensing I was watching him and thinking I needed something, he took two strides with his long legs and he was by my side once again. His strong, rough to the touch hands gently brushed away the stray strand of hair from my sweaty face. “Are you feeling ok my beautiful?” he asked quietly, his voice to me, as always, was soothing, velvety as a piece of creamy choc melting on my tongue. Dark blue eyes, pools of deep water met...

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“First Halloween Down There” by Valerie Preston

Submitted to Contest #65

First Halloween Down There I knew as soon as I stepped off the pavement that it would hit me. I just wasn’t concentrating on the busy traffic – my head was full of Halloween thoughts. I was day dreaming and picturing me as ‘The Daughter of Dracula’ in the dress that I had just finished sewing the day before, and thinking about how I was going to make the punch disgusting to look at but delicious to drink was a mistake. I just wasn’t concentrating on the road. Afternoon was running into evening and as the sun sank down behind buildings and ...

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“Scared to Death” by Valerie Preston

Submitted to Contest #64

The path was long and winding. “It has to be just around this corner” I offered, but I had thought that at least five times in the last twenty minutes.. It was growing dark and shadows lengthened across the dirt road from, thick trees growing on either side. Long spindly branches were waving us on, pointing us in the direction that we should go. Not a difficult task seeing as this was the only road for miles. Grasses swayed in the wind, the unlucky ones squashed as the tyres ran over them. Tim put the high beam on and a grey rabbit ran acro...

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“Autumn of Life” by Valerie Preston

Submitted to Contest #63

Autumn of Life By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. The paper would already be ash and once the leaves had burnt completely the rest underneath would go up in smoke. There would be no trace of anything and I would be safe. ‘Oh no’….”Hello Linda, Linda, where are you darling? Are you ok? I could smell smoke and got worried. I did call out but you obviously didn’t hear me. Where are you? What are you burning so early in the morning?” My helpful but sometimes nosey neighbour Mrs. Morcombe had walked through my house and out t...

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