Time to drift free

‘You’re just going to let things slip away?’ Jason lifted the suitcase onto the guesthouse bed.

‘They’ve been slipping away for years, dear. It’s time to drift free.’

‘But what about me?’

‘You’re twenty-two; you expect me to stay with him for your sake?’

‘No, for your sake. Mum, do you really want to start over again?’

‘The reward for years of unhappiness is not more of the same’

‘No. But maybe … you used to be happy.’

‘Used to, but not anymore. This is the only way I might be again.’

‘And Dad?’

‘It’s the same for him, dear.’

 

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Second shot

‘Would you like a sample, Sir?’ Heidi waved the perfume bottle.

‘Wow, Helen Jacobs,’ the American boomed.

‘Heidi. How can …’

‘I always wondered … You were terrific in After the Storm.’

‘I don’t know …’

‘And here you are, working in an airport shop! So?’

‘Please, people are staring.’

‘So they should; you should have been a star.’

‘Clearly not.’

‘Look, I’m making a series for Netflix. You’d be perfect for the mother.’

‘I sell perfume.’

‘You’re an actor between jobs.’

‘I don’t ...’

‘And you’ve just landed a job.’

‘Is this a prank?’

‘This is a second shot.’



A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Inner beauty

As Tom bounded up Sylvie scanned the room looking for an exit.

‘Wow! You were magnificent.’

‘I’m not joining your team.’

‘I bet your husband hasn’t won an argument since he met you!’

‘Besides not having a husband, I don’t live my life as a debate.’

‘But you have it to an art form! It’s beautiful. You’re beautiful.’

‘According to Twitter I’m a dishevelled version of Susan Boyle.’

‘I’m talking inner beauty!’

‘So, I …’

‘I’m trying to give you compliments here.’

‘What do you want, Tom?’

‘D’you fancy dinner?’

‘…’

‘Wow, struck dumb! But do I want the riposte!’

 

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

This is the end

Matt toppled a pile of books onto the floor.

‘Just, stop.’

Chess pieces flew from their board.

‘I need this to end.’

‘What?’

‘Us. This. Whatever this is. I love you, but I hate myself when I’m with you.’

‘Huh?’

‘I need to love, even just like, myself. This … this is too self-destructive.’

‘You just said you love me.’

‘It’s not a healthy love, Matt. It’s all lies and silence and walking on eggshells. All we do is fight, sulk, kind of make-up, then repeat. It’s not good for either of us.’

‘Carrie?’

‘Sorry, Matt. This is the end.’

 

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words

Can't take any more

Ciara watched her father slide onto the floor.

Conor cannoned through the front door, halting at the sight of the prone body.

‘What’s up with Dad?’

‘Mum’s asked for a divorce.’

‘What?’

‘She said she can’t take any more.’

‘More of what?’

‘Exactly.’

‘Huh? Dad’s been having an affair?’

‘He’s way too boring for that.’

‘But what about us?’

‘We’re to stay here for now.’

‘Mum’s left?’

‘She’s staying with Sheila.’

‘She didn’t even wait to say goodbye?’

‘It just happened. He asked for the remote and she asked for a divorce, then left.’

‘But she’ll be back?’

Ciara shrugged.



A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

That'd be a first

‘Jack, I like you. I could get serious about you, but you need to know that I was wild in my twenties; I’ve no idea how many men I’ve slept with. I’ve been the victim of revenge porn. I’m all over the frigging internet and you can never get rid of that shit. I had a kid, but she died. Leukemia. I’ll never get over it. I can be a bitch at that time of the month. If any of that’s a problem then let’s end before we start.’

‘I’d like to get serious too.’

‘Really? That’d be a first.’

 

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

More than off

‘You sure this is the right place?’ Harry asked.

‘Right street and number,’ John replied.

‘Something feels off.’

‘Just keep the engine running and ring me if you spot trouble.’

John stepped from the car, his younger brother in tow.

Harry watched them enter the house.

He caught movement in his peripheral vision.

A side window shattered.

The car lurched forward as two vans turned onto the road.

Harry mounted the pavement, accelerating, but lost control.
The car careened across a front garden, the airbag popping as he slammed into a wall.

‘More than off,’ he muttered before blacking out.

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words

Ordinary life

“There had to be more than this ordinary life.”

Carter looked up from the note and stared at the crashing waves.

‘Do you think he did it?’ McManus asked, rummaging through the pile of clothes. ‘Or he’s faked it?’

‘He’s out there in the riptides.’

‘How can you be sure?’

‘Because this isn’t an ordinary note. He’d had enough.’

‘You can tell that from one sentence?’

‘It says it all. There has to be more to life than this.’

‘You’re not going to follow him in are you, Sarge?’

‘No. But there’s no harm wishing for a life less ordinary.’



A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Son

Richard glanced over at the boy, who was staring intently at a videogame.

His eyes tracked back to the report. 99.98 percent match. The boy was definitely his.

He’d found him waiting outside the apartment, along with two suitcases, a box of books and toys, and a DNA test. The note simply said, ‘I need you to take care of your son.’

He was still mulling over the identity of the mother. Trying to explain to the wrong ex-girlfriend might cause further headaches and set a rumour-mill spinning.  

And what was he meant to say to the boy? To Marie?

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Defensive wounds

‘She stabbed herself.’

‘In the neck?’ DS Branigan leant over the body.

‘Yes.’

The man was sitting on the edge of the sofa, staring at the floor.

‘And her hands and arms?’

‘She slashed them.’

‘Before or after she stabbed her neck?’

‘I … I don’t know.’

‘She cut both hands but there’s barely any blood on the knife handle.’

The man stayed silent.

‘You were arguing?’

‘No.’

‘The neighbours heard you.’

‘She was upset. Suicidal.’

‘And you let her get a knife?’

‘I …’

‘You stabbed her. The hands and arms are defensive wounds.’

‘No.’

‘That wasn’t a question.’

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

The last step

Anthony turned to face the river, clutching the railing at his back.

It somehow seemed inviting, the moonlight shimmering on the eddies.

He lifted a foot, leaving it hovering.

‘Is that really the answer, son?’

‘Probably.’

‘What about your parents?’

‘They won’t give a shit. I’ve failed all of their expectations.’

‘I sure that’s not true. And your friends?’

‘What friends?’

‘How about I be your friend then?’

‘No thanks.’

‘I’m a good listener.’

Anthony stared at the quick moving water.

‘Come-on, son. Climb back over.’

Anthony looked back, held the old man’s gaze and let go of the bridge.



A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Prick

‘I don’t understand what the problem is?’

‘You!’ Jane whirled to face David. ‘You’re the problem.’

‘I’m the problem?’

‘You’re a self-centred prick.’

‘Is this still about your birthday?’

Jane shot out her hands; David flew backwards off the towpath, landing with a splash.

‘Jane set off without a backward glance.

‘Jane! … Jane!’

She ignored the frantic splashing.

‘I can’t swim!’

Jane turned, hands on hips.

‘Jane! Help!’

‘Put your feet down and stand up.’

‘Jane!’

‘Stand up.’

‘I can’t swim.’

‘But you can stand.’

‘I’m ... drowning.’

‘I’m not jumping in. Stand up. That’s it.’

‘I …’

‘Prick.’

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Different worlds

‘Let me get this straight. At school, she wasn’t your equal so you rejected her. Now she’s a famous actress and you’re a university researcher with a shitty wage you rejected her again because she’s surpassed you.’

‘That’s not what I said. I …’

‘That’s the essence of it.’

‘We live in different worlds.’

‘But both times she asked to be with you. It was her that asked again, right?’

‘I’ve fucked up, haven’t I?’

‘Duh! You over-think everything. How do you really feel about her?’

‘That she could do better than me.’

‘Not you, her.’

‘She’s … lovely.’

‘Idiot.’

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Whatever it is

‘I don’t believe it,’ Lorna stepped back. ‘When were you going to tell me?’

‘I … I don’t love her, I love …’

‘I saw you, Tony. Kissing her.’

‘It didn’t mean anything, I …’

‘Don’t. Just stop with the lies.’

‘Lorna, please. You have to listen. I …’

‘Stop. This … whatever it is, is over.’

‘Lorna.’

‘I want you to go.’

‘It’s over with Liz. I’ll get a divorce. We can …’

‘You’re not listening. I can’t be with a … a cheat.’

‘I can explain.’

‘No … no you can’t. You were cheating on her and me.’
 

 

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

I'd sooner not know

‘So, what do you think of him?’

‘Who?’

‘Simon, who else?’

Cally shrugged.

‘That’s it?’

‘That’s all it can be.’

‘It can be whatever you want it to be.’

‘I think you’re forgetting a few things.’

‘Such as?’

‘The age difference. That I’m a single mum with two kids. His opinion.’

‘He’s clearly smitten with you.’

‘It’s just playful flirting, nothing more.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘The other two issues don’t go away and I’m not interested in a fling.’

‘Maybe he’s not either.’

‘We’ll never know.’

‘At least give yourself the chance.’

‘I’d sooner not know than be hurt again.’

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.