Phone pas

The woman glares at me, like a foul smell has got under her nose, her look of disgust matching my bewilderment. 

I grab the ringing phone. "But I turned it off...." my voice trails away as I realise that I’ve neglected again to switch it off properly.  

“Dammit,” I whisper, embarrassed,  then look up. “Sorry, my mistake.”

Silent, she raises her hand as the light begins to glow red. Her scorn has barely faded, but her voice affects a veneer of friendly approachability as she starts to address her audience.

“Good morning,  and welcome to the show. My guest today…”

See more entries into the 100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups over at Julia's Place.

A recipe?

Start with an idea, and take a leap of faith. Free range is best; they leap further. Mix thoroughly with some aspirations, but trim to realistic sizes first.

Rinse a handful of risks. Discard any bad ones, leaving the good ones you’re prepared to take. Add them gradually whilst stirring. Use your judgement, and stop when you think you’ve added enough.

Add a dash of hope; for without hope, you will have nothing. Leave to rise until doubled in size. Bake until risen and firm, then cool. Top liberally with wisdom, then slice and enjoy.

Life tastes good, doesn’t it?

This is for 100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups at Julia's Place. This week, the prompt was "Take a Leap of Faith" in honour of  Leap Year Day. Also, if you're interested, why not join in with Feb29th.net today - it's a global blogging project to record this special day. 

Volte face

“You've changed your tune.” 

“Say what?”

“Last week, you were so positive. You were all over it, planning how we’d get there, what to wear, where to eat, that sort of thing. Now you’re not. What’s up? It’s all arranged.”

"Too much hassle. Having to choose an outfit, getting dolled up but looking a fright, begging someone to have the kids, having to go on public transport. And the cost!”

“I could drive us there and back?”

“And not drink?”

“Hmm, you have a point. So is that then?”

“Yes, go without me.”

“We can’t! It’s your hen night.”

Find more entries for this week's 100WCGU over at Julia's Place. 

Redemption?

It wasn’t my fault.

It was nobody’s fault. Put it down to the time of year, the post-Christmas blues kicking in when resolutions fail, realising that there is no New Year, New You and the disappointment in oneself that it creates. The disappointment that turns into self-loathing then into rage and loathing of others, when hearts turn from red to black. How ironic that Valentine’s Day is around the corner.

Oh no, it wasn’t my fault, wasn’t anybody’s fault. That’s how I choose to think of it. I have to.

Because that’s how I can head towards redemption.

This is a post for Week 30 of the 100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups. Find more entries at Julia's Place where you will also find the link to the children's challenge, which this week is the same prompt for both. 

Wednesday

Wednesday. This time, she would go.

She had promised herself many times that this would be THE time. The time she’d break free.

Each time, it hadn’t happened. Mollified by promises to reform, impassioned pleas to stay because he would change. He didn’t. It would happen again. She’d feel terrified and worthless. Lack of self-belief tied her to him like invisible thread. At first, it was beautiful, magical; now, it imprisoned her to a hollow life of desperation and failure.

Not this time. She had to go. She loved him but it was destroying her.

Wednesday. She’d leave then. Definitely.

Maybe.

Please do visit Julia's Place for more entries in this week's challenge, and whilst you're at it, why not visit the children doing similar challenges at 100wc.net? 

A conversation

"You know, you bought her what she needed."

He frowned. "Bought?"

"I meant brought. I always get those wrong."

"Oh. What was it?"

"When Dad died, she was lost. She needed company, someone to care for, someone to boss around..."

"She was good at that!"

A tear sprang from her eye. "She needed someone to share her life and her home. You gave her that."

"Listen, I...." he began.

"Don't," she interrupted. "I'm here to say thanks. Mum died happy. She knew she was loved. Even if we fell out now and then, I'm proud to call you my stepdad."

This is entry in this week's 100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups over at Julia's Place

The prompt this week was "... you bought her what.."

Hark the hungry diners sing

I'm having a go at Julia's 100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups. The challenge is to rewrite a favourite carol with the theme of a Christmas Dinner. I thought I'd give it a go, using one of my favourite carols, Hark the herald angels sing.

Hark the hungry diners sing

Hark the hungry diners sing

“Give us food, we’re all starving 

Increase our girth with turkey wild,

Sprouts and chestnuts over-boiled”

Joyful all ye eaters rise

Once you’re done, there’s more mince pies

Eat your fill and don’t complain

I forgot bread sauce again

Hail the choice not to have goose!

Hail the roasts of crispiness!

Have some more of your stuffing,

(Leave some room for the pudding)

Wild they pile their plates so high

Too much food, but eat they’ll try,

Raise your glass to Christmas cheer

Stuff your face, it’s once a year

Click on the badge above and find some more seasonal silliness from others.