I lifted a forkful of scrambled egg to my mouth. Just as I liked them. Firm, rich, a hint of salt and parmesan. I looked across at my wife. “Not bad, eight out of ten.” She feigned hurt. “What’s wrong, no serenade or silver service?” “Can’t leave you with nowhere to go, that’s what it … Continue reading Some Otherwhere, Some Otherwhen
Category: Short Story
Finding Them
The café was nearly deserted, resting between early morning workers and the lunch time blitz of tired shoppers. It was my time, those few hours where a quiet table could be had and I could linger over a cup or two, watching the world float by without the waitresses shuffling me along for better paying … Continue reading Finding Them
Bacon and Butter
I got this thing for butter. Real butter. Not the mass-produced stuff out of Rochedale but the boutique, Sorrell melt in your mouth handmade creamy delight. It’s expensive and the job don’t pay well but I’m careful. I budget to the last few cents, take out the home loan, utilities and petrol before I see … Continue reading Bacon and Butter
Inzali Ariba
The air conditioner howls, it’s only twenty-five celsius outside but it needs to be eighteen here, on the edge between comfort and freezing. Can’t relax, be comfortable, let my mind wander, be in discomfort. My pills knock me out for eight hours at a stretch but in the greyness hides danger. The numbers, I must … Continue reading Inzali Ariba
Lines
Thursday, it always seemed to be a Thursday. Not that Schilling noticed at first. All he could muster was to fall out of bed into his clothes, stroll zombie like to the bus, grunt at the driver and then slump into a seat until the express jolted to a halt. A semi-comatose shuffle through the … Continue reading Lines
Time In Lieu
Erica was impressed. “Three weeks? Three whole weeks! How’d you get that approved?” “It was easy, I’ve been saving for two years so I’m owed.” Janice leant closer. The tea room was less crowded than usual but still the hubbub of voices made normal conversation difficult. “I’ve also got some time in lieu so I … Continue reading Time In Lieu
Dream a Little Dream of Me
Penny gazed out the window, down the river past the boats and seagulls to the East China Sea. Keelung’s Harbour View Hotel wasn’t that bad a place to find yourself stranded in for a couple of months she mused. Stan’s employer was paying for it and, as far as getting out of Detroit in winter, … Continue reading Dream a Little Dream of Me
The Queue
It was nearly 9am as Kynn woke in the doorway and, accompanied by creaking joints and falling dirt, stood up shaking the night from his coat. Too old, too cold and too long without sustenance he thought. He slowly picked his way along the alley between overflowing garbage bins, pools of rancid water, and occasional … Continue reading The Queue
Transition
One Atop the rise the Southern Lord cast his gaze to the camp of the Lord of All Lands, his opponent. He fancied he could see him smiling, self-satisfied. As well he should be as this, the fifth day of battle, belonged to him. The featureless plain between them, barely a half hours ride across, … Continue reading Transition
Still Waters
W.H. ‘Bill’ Fells surveyed the placement of the dowel in the lathe and smiled. Just starting two weeks holiday he was looking forward to taking some time, just a little, for himself. Precious time it was given that his job - although not being terribly demanding - left him drained and listless by the end … Continue reading Still Waters
