The Missing Sound

“What has keys but can’t listen to the beauty it unlocks? A piano” – Jarod Kintz

The old piano lay soundless, covered and almost forgotten. I had hated the sight of it after Geoff’s passing, but I could not bear to part with it either. Sometimes as I sat in our little sunroom, I could imagine his fingers dancing merrily along the keys and the soft tune would escape the walls, drifting out to that sunroom entrancing me. It had been his thing. Tinkering away. Capturing his anger or his joy, in simple melodic tunes. I missed those moments. I missed those rhythms. Mostly, I missed Geoff.

My entry to this weeks FFfAW challenge – This week’s photo prompt is provided by Mike Vore. Thank you, Mike, for our photo prompt! 106 Words this week 😀 – the story word limit is 100 – 150 words (+ – 25 words).

Click on the frog to see more flash fiction inspired by this great image

Related to Royalty

I’m related to royalty you know… well, maybe not royalty but certainly gentry.

My mother told me all about it when I was just a young calf.

I was so excited picturing my gallant grandfather galloping through lands and conquering unknown territory.

As I explore around our lands I think of him, he must have been tall and brave.

I keep any wandering peasants off our land – often it only takes a serious stare and they know they shouldn’t be there.

Sometimes a little charge towards them gives them the start they might need.

Sir Loin would be so proud of me.

My tongue-in-cheek entry to this weeks FFfAW challenge – This week’s photo prompt is provided by MajesticGoldenRose. Thank you!

Click on the frog to see more flash fiction inspired by this image

The Storm

The storm had grounded all planes.

People stood muttering to one another, some yelled angrily at the flight teams, some napped uncomfortably on the harsh metal chairs. It was during the chaos that Alfie escaped. Making his way down the restricted corridors, he couldn’t help his excitement. He had always been curious by airports, now he had a chance to explore. When the tannoy went off calling his name he ignored it. Eventually, he made his way to a doorway where an air hostess was announcing they had been cleared for flight – slipping his way past the queuing muttering people he moved down a long gangway. He stood with a large family, smiling at a boy about his age. The air hostess moved out the way to allow them all past and he found he was on an aeroplane, time to find a new hiding place. He fell asleep beneath a large holdall, waking some time later. He was excited to tell his family of his great adventure. He just needed to get home now.

Short fiction piece of 175 words for FFfAW challenge – This week’s photo prompt is provided by Dawn Miller. Thank you Dawn!

Click on the frog to see more flash fiction inspired by this image

One Day

The babysitter was asleep on the sofa, mouth hanging open, a slight dribble making a break down her chin. I crept quietly behind it then made my dash for the window, dropping to the floor then hid my tiny form behind the curtains. I stole a glance back to the sitter, she hadn’t moved. Taking it as a sign I raised myself a little higher until I could see out. My eyes soaked in all the flurry and excitement on the streets below, shimmering streetlight displays, late-night food sellers, market stall holders even a gang of bikers had joined in what seemed to be the after-dark party of my neighbourhood. How I longed to be part of the commotion. One day, when I am just a little bit bigger, no-one will be telling me bedtime.

Short fiction piece of 136 words for FFfAW challenge – This week’s photo prompt is provided by Sunayana with MoiPensieve. Thank you Su!

Click on the frog to see more flash fiction inspired by this image 🙂

Go on lad!

Jon stood on the sidelines watching. He hadn’t been picked, it was the same old story, the same old joke. He glanced over at his mother, wondering if she was disappointed. She sent him a smile and a thumbs up, perhaps he’d tell her he was too ill to come next week. The whistle blew and snapped him from his daydream. He glanced over to see his teammate on the ground clutching his leg. He felt a heavy hand on his shoulder and looked up at his coach.

“Go on lad! This is your chance. Go make us all proud.”

Originally written in response to FFfAW. Thank you Yinglan for the photo prompt for this weeks FFfAW’s Challenge – to write a story in 100-175 words (or less) using the above image..

Holidays for Hounds

I paced back and forth.

How could she do this to me? Again?

I had used the biggest brown eyes I could manage. I had even let out the whimper that always got me the last biscuit.

But no, she had left me anyway. Holidays she called it! A holiday indeed! I have to share all my food and bones and belly rubs! Okay, that meant there were other woofs around to play with but that’s not really the point now is it?

In fact, it would serve her right if I sat at this exact same spot until she reappeared.

I could look so starved and tired she would never leave me again. Although I can hear biscuits being put into a bowl…and is that…yes it is…CHICKEN…with layers of gravy…Winner! Well maybe not the starve part, that would be silly.

But when she shows up I can just act really sad, let out that cry again and she’ll never have a holiday again.

Sounds like a plan. Anyway better go – it’s chicken time!

Image: Thanks to Yinglan

Story originally written for Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers (FFfAW) a flash fiction challenge with stories in 100-175 words (or less). Check it out for more fun flash fiction.

The Librarian

Layla looked around frustrated, but no-one was watching. She leant over his shoulder reading his notes. He was getting it all wrong. Groaning she swooped off and went in search of a better source for him. She knew this library inside-out and it bothered her that no-one ever listened. Blowing the dust from the bookshelf, she found the title he needed. Lifting it she made her way back to the table, dropping the book beside the lad. He would either accept her help or he wouldn’t.

Ben looked around the deserted library, he was sure he had heard someone sigh next to him but glancing up and down, no-one was there. He hunched himself back over his paper, it was incredibly tough. Minutes later, engrossed in his note-taking he jumped as a book landed heavily on the table. He spun around glancing nervously around the room, it was still empty. He stood up, packing his things hastily in his backpack, then glanced at the book “Women during the War”, it was exactly what he needed.

Library Photo courtesy of TJ Paris.png — Library Photo courtesy of TJ Paris

Originally Written in response to Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers using the above photo as prompt. Hope you enjoyed Ben’s ghostly companion. KL ❤

The Price of Fame

I once was a legend, a celebrity, in my own way.

Everyone wanted their photo taken with me.

Well, why wouldn’t they I was young and cute and smiley?

Exactly what the world would want to see.

Then complacency took over.

I was the norm, plain and boring just like all the others around town.

No-one took a picture with me. No-one even stopped to stare.

I just wanted to feel connected to the world once again.

So, I hatched a plan. It took a little help, but it was what I wanted.

I decided I would become as famous as Venus de Milo.

The only difference is she doesn’t have arms. Easy enough to fix right?

Well…

I might have misjudged the situation. Now people just think I’m broken!

Where is a stonemason when you need one?

Originally written in response to FFfAW

What are you waiting for?

I was at a crossroads in my life.

Should I stay with him? Did he want the same things as me? Marriage, kids, a house, a future?

It didn’t seem like it. He had his priorities and I had mine.

When he asked if we could talk. I agreed it was time to make that decision. Should I stay?

When I opened the door to the deserted restaurant my brain couldn’t comprehend what was happening until I turned around and saw him, down on one knee with a ring box open in his hands.

Happiness is worth the wait!

Restaurant Image provided by grahamisjustmyname

Originally Written for FFfAW – 63rd challenge.

An Ode to Bedtime

When you’re a child it’s such a chore to go to bed
It becomes the time to ask a parent all the questions in your head
Or request a storybook be read from end to end
Or a time to dress-up and play at make-pretend

Now I am all grown up Bedtime is such a treat!
You even get a rest for those precious party feet.
An afternoon nap is such an unexpected delight!
Especially if there is a party to attend that very night.

Even better is an early night, bath and book in hand
Unfortunately those precious nights are in short demand
So, if you get the opportunity savour it with delight
For there is a shortage in the world of those precious early nights!

Originally written to support the foot image above for the FFfaw challenge but I realised this doesn’t really fit the fiction guidelines. So borrowed the pic for todays Daily Post instead. 🙂