December 2015 – the end – Untitled by John Pilling

Untitled

by John Pilling

We were sitting at our usual table in the back of Benny’s coffee shop when Charlie looked around then leaning forward pulled a copy of our local free newspaper out of his breast pocket and passed it to me.

“Have a look at that mate “he said quietly.

“What am I looking at?” I said.

“Inside the front page…down at the bottom.” Inside the paper there were two articles, one a puff for our local garage and the other showing a happy looking family mother, father and two children standing by a pile of suitcases on some sort of dock with a huge ship behind them. The caption read “local family takes world cruise.”

October 2015 – new beginning – Bread on the Water by John Pilling

Bread on the Water

By John Pilling

“Cast your bread upon the waters

For you will find it after many days”

Ecclesiastes 11.

Conscious of a gentle nudge and a murmured “voting soon old boy,” Lord Shaw of Bryntiron opened his eyes and straightened up in his seat in the House of Lords. Smiling his thanks at the octogenarian hereditary peer sitting next to him he said.

“I was far away then…far away and long ago, when it all began.”

“Oh yes, I know that place” his neighbour said “I go there quite often myself, much nicer than nowadays.”

September 2015 – close shave – Razor’s Edge by John Pilling

Razor’s Edge

by John Pilling

Inspector Hayes of the Police public liaison branch replaced the telephone receiver with and blew out his cheeks with a sigh of relief, leaning back in his chair he stretched and yawned mightily.

“Thank the Lord for a good boss” he said “he’s going to take the press conference this morning, in the meantime you and I can get off home…with his thanks. Ye Gods what a night, spare me from another like that.” Sergeant Jim Ames seated across the desk across the desk grimaced.

“It’s not over yet Sir, not by a long chalk, when the morning papers come out the press will have a field day.”

July 2015 – broken bones – Viking by John Pilling

Viking

By John Pilling

“A male bonding exercise?”

“A three day bonding exercise” he said gloomily. “It’s the latest bright idea from the new general manager, he reckons it will help to foster a team spirit in the chambers…get us all singing from the same hymn sheet as he puts it.”

“But why you? I thought that sort of thing was usually reserved for the lawyers and management…you’re a clerk in the invoice room.”

“He said he’d booked something special that needed a specific number of people so he asked me if I would make up the numbers… I didn’t like to say no.”

Sadie looked at her mild, inoffensive husband with her usual mixture of affection and exasperation. Not liking to say no she thought was probably the reason he was still a clerk , but he’s a good kind loving man, I wouldn’t change him.

June 2015 – funeral pyre – Mr Oldham’s Solution by John Pilling

Mr Oldham’s Solution

by John Pilling

Mr Thomas Oldham listened politely to the young social worker explaining to him that things really couldn’t continue as they were. She fully realised, of course, that parting from his wife after some sixty years together might be a little hard at first but he must accept that she knew, from long experience in these matters, that it was the best thing for both of them.

In answer to his question, no she wasn’t married. She thought long term relationships tended to stifle personal development. Social services would find Mrs Oldham a place and be in touch.

* * * *

Mr Thomas Oldham listened politely as his doctor explained to him that things really couldn’t continue as they were. The deterioration was progressing quicker than expected. He would need to think about how he would manage.

May 2015 – hedge bottom – It Was Me by John Pilling

It Was Me

by John Pilling

“May I have a word sir?”

“Of course Ted, come in.” With some relief Chief Inspector Brian Ames pushed aside the pile of overtime dockets he had been studying and looked up at his deputy, Inspector Ted Harvey.

“How can I help?”

“It’s this murder case in Hanover Street sir.”

“Ah yes, bit of a feather in your cap that one Ted… a quick clear up like that, looks very good on the crime figures.”

“I suppose so sir… but frankly I’m not too happy about it, I think we could have a problem.”

“Really? In what way? I understood you’d obtained a confession and the killer has been charged and is in custody.”

April 2015 – lucky number – Biter Bit by John Pilling

Biter Bit

by John Pilling

The news ran round the complex like wildfire prompting expressions of disbelief and disgust.

“That’s the tenth one.”

“What the hell are they playing at?”

“In my day… ”

“Turning us into a bloody laughing stock.”

“Only ever cash.”

“Hmmm… clever that.”

“What if…?”

“Maybe we could…”

Later that day, seemingly at random, serious people began to drift towards the community room.

March 2015 – beautiful feeling – Bitter Sweet by John Pilling

Bitter Sweet

John Pilling

Carrying his breakfast cup of tea, Clarence Evans moved to the window of his upstairs council flat and stared gloomily out onto the wet streets. It was raining hard from a dark low sky and the few people about scurried along under umbrellas. Matching his mood, everything seemed tinted with grey in this third week of November.

Christmas in a few weeks he thought, that’ll be fun, Flo gone, Jim and his wife buggered off to Australia. They won’t be back for sure. Don’t blame them really, not much left in this country for them, low wages, jammed in with all sorts of folk, thousands more coming in all the time. Young country like Australia, plenty of space, lots of sunshine and beaches for the kids. His face softened momentarily as he thought of his three grandchildren.

February 2015 – high road – In Memoriam by John Pilling

In Memoriam

by John Pilling

“Jesus Christ,” the curse was jerked out of him simultaneously with his wife’s scream as they saw the flicker of movement in front of the car and felt the bang of the impact. Brakes locked, he fought to control a screeching slide stopping the car inches from the ditch buried in the grass of the wide verge.

“Stay here love,” he said, opening the driver’s door. Dreading what he would see he walked back to where a sprawl of long limbs lay twitching on the road, a young hare one side of its head swollen and bloodied. Kneeling, he removed his coat and gently wrapped the body in it before carrying it back to the car and the sanctuary of his wife’s lap.

January 2015 – left alone – Next by John Pilling

Next

by John Pilling

“Next.” I shuffled forward clutching my operation gown together, I was annoyed and determined to make the point to whoever was responsible..

“Name?”

“James Webster. Captain James Webster and I would like to speak to whoever is in charge here.”

“Your reason?”

“Well just look at me, I’ve been badly wounded, I don’t think it’s right I should have to queue in a corridor before my operation, surely I should have a bed?”

“Your comment is noted. Follow the yellow arrows through the door to your right.”

“But…”

“The door to your right, James Webster, you are awaited. Next.”