Winter’s Child He had to wait for winter to arrive. Or so they told him. The summer, they said, belonged to others. He had to wait for the air to turn chilly and the wind biting; for the frost to form on the trees. Only then would it be his time. But the summer seemed … More Winter’s Child
Greeting the Four The seats had been placed with utmost precision: north, south, east and west, each one carefully aligned. Veraen nodded in satisfaction. “Anything else, Sir?” his assistant – Jaeden? Jened? – said, and he gestured in dismissal, shooing the man out of the sacred space. He’d spent too long in preparation to let … More Greeting the Four
The Lady’s Advice “You need to hold your head up high, child,” the lady said, lifting Gilli’s chin with elegant fingers. “Keep your spine straight and your shoulders back.” “I can do that.” “Act as if nothing anyone says or does bothers you. Confidence is essential. You must remain cool, calm and collected at all … More The Lady’s Advice
Victim? she felt sick seeing him there performing his songs as if he didn’t have a care in the world after everything he’d put her through everything he’d done to her and to those she loved seeing him so blithely carefree set her guts to roiling * she carried the knife in her bag for protection … More Victim?
Silenced It seemed an age since music had last filled Abigail’s home. The piano remained covered: its melodies smothered by leather; its keyboard untouched. But it hadn’t always been so. Once, joyous refrains had resonated throughout the building. Music had been her life. Her passion. And Robert’s, too. Their skillful playing had filled concert halls around the globe. Their life together … More Silenced
She loved to watch the unicorns as they took their ease amidst the meadow flowers. They shimmered with an allure that drew her eyes time and again. And if no one else could see them – well, that was their problem, really, not hers. This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales. This week’s prompt is … More Visions of Unicorns
Testing Times Gretnya gripped her husband’s hand, writhing anxiety choking her as the final calf was led into the testing area. Please, she prayed to any deity listening. “It’ll be fine,” Brindel said. “This time it’ll have worked, you’ll see.” The tremble in his voice contradicted the confidence of his words. She squeezed his hand tighter. The … More Testing Times
He’d spent too long reaching for the light – forever striving towards an unobtainable ideal. Anchored within the pitchy depths of perceived reality, nothing ever attained the perfection to which he aspired. But it was time for him to acknowledge: the light already burned within him, and it always had. This post is for Sonya’s Three … More Reach for the Light
He’d seemed like such a sweetheart. He’d brought her flowers, held her hand, and kissed her with a passion that whispered ‘forever’ into her dreams. But then he was gone, leaving nothing but the scattered crumbs of her broken heart in his wake. This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales challenge. This week’s photo … More Sweetheart
His life had been mapped out from the minute he’d been born. His parents had never listened when he’d expressed his preferences; they’d claimed to know what he needed in order to be successful. But he didn’t have to listen to them any more – his life was his own, and no one else’s. This post … More Career Choices
Puddle Splashing “What are you doing?” Mikey pulled a face. What a daft question. “I’m splashing in puddles, of course.” He was tempted to add ‘silly girl’, but Mummy said he should be nice, even when he didn’t want to be. “Why?” “Because it’s fun.” He leapt towards the next puddle. “Can I have a go?” … More Puddle Splashing
Happy Families It was supposed to be a celebration. David drummed his fingers on the tabletop as his siblings exchanged barbs. Couldn’t they make an effort to get on? Just one evening was all he asked for. But no – they couldn’t even maintain the facade of a happy family for a few hours. He gritted his teeth. … More Happy Families
He hadn’t intended to cause such an abysmal mess. It had just been a prank: just stupid, childish folly. But, as blaring sirens grew steadily closer, he knew he was in deep water – and he had no one to blame but himself. This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales challenge. This week’s prompt is by Sean Tan.
The End? “It’s finally over.” Jonin’s voice held a mixture of relief and sorrow as he gazed at the courtyard below. Helleni hummed her agreement. Leaning into his embrace, she watched in satisfaction as the final cobble was laid. Only they and the workmen were aware of the crypt hidden beneath the stones – and no word of … More The End?
Her nightmare was always the same. The table was set and decorated, but something about the scene felt wrong… Only the sound of the doorbell caused realisation to strike – Mother was coming to dinner, and the tablecloths hadn’t been ironed! This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales challenge. This week’s photo prompt was … More Recurring Nightmare
“None of them knew I was there, under the bridge, but I heard everything.” “And…?” “Yes. I’ll testify. He did it. He killed them all.” Character count: 134 This post is for Kat Myrman’s Twittering Tails prompt. I’ve never taken part in this challenge before, but I loved the photo prompt and was inspired. For … More Twittering Tales: Witness
Time to Leave The boats were full, despite the lateness of the day. Ingrid paused, her foot poised on the gangplank as she looked back at the town. Her throat tightened as tears threatened to fall. How could she leave? The place was central to all of her memories: she’d married Jimmy in the church on the market place; … More Time to Leave
“You shouldn’t have abandoned the flag,” Mikael said, his voice an angry growl in the blood-soaked twilight. Raen looked from their celebrating opponents, who remained unaware of their presence within the trees, to his friend who nursed injuries that could have been so much worse. “It was either lose the flag or lose you,” he … More Fallen Flag
Unexpected Consequences Adrugian gazed wearily over the arid landscape, the insistent beat of the sun sapping energy he could ill afford to lose. He knew the villagers below didn’t understand why he traipsed so often to the heights. He’d seen the looks they exchanged. He’d heard their snide comments. Unfortunately, the truth was something they … More Unexpected Consequences
For a time they’d shone brightly, the sparks flying between them igniting passions that burned with fierce abandon. But such a blaze could never last. Now, from the ashes, they had to build a new life – though whether together or separate had yet to be decided… This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales. … More Sparks
Light and Dark Tammy hummed a tune as she walked, contentment a pleasing weight on her shoulders. Home’s warmth drew her onwards. Until light shattered the darkness. She stumbled back, shielding watering eyes. Her throat tightened with sorrow. She’d known the summons would arrive someday – but, so soon? How could she leave everything behind? She wasn’t ready… … More Light and Dark
He’d wanted a picture-perfect life: a happy family and well paid job with all the perks. Instead, young voices argued yet again while bills piled high. He sighed as gentle hands massaged the stress away, accepting reality – his life might not be picture perfect, but he wouldn’t change a thing. This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales … More Picture-Perfect
Preservation Loreli scratched at her temples where the threads made contact. After nearly twenty years of treatment she should be used to the sensation by now, but they still made her skin crawl. After all, while she knew she’d visited the clinic for years, it wasn’t as if she could really remember it… “How much longer?” she murmured. The doctor would hear, no … More Preservation
It had been a long week – a long year, even – and she needed something sweet to brighten her day. The stacks of colourful confections were enticing. So too was the man behind the counter who served them with a smile and a wink: yes, something sweet, indeed. This post in for Sonya’s Three Line … More Something Sweet
Time to Reconnect She hadn’t written to them in far too long. Back in the early days, Felena had penned letters weekly, though each one had simply been added to the stack in her drawer. Eventually she’d forced herself to stop. She’d needed to move on. It was now over a decade since anything had actually been delivered to the … More Time to Reconnect
His memories crowded close: an impenetrable barrier denying access whilst holding him back from the world. But he was sick of being imprisoned by the past. Caed knew it was time to tear down the walls – from their rubble he could build a marvelous palace in which to celebrate a bright future. This post in for … More Walls
There were times when Sylvina felt like merely a figure in a dolls’ house, her whole life dictated by the whims of others. But enough was enough. She refused to be merely a decorative toy any longer – it was time for her to take control of the game. This post is for Sonya’s Three … More Dolls’ House
Sometimes he could feel her lips upon his, a caress so familiar he expected to see her when he opened his eyes. They used to joke that they needed each other more than air. As he gasped for breath, feeling closer to her than to his mortal flesh, he wondered if they’d been right. This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales. … More Breathe You In
I’m re-posting this because for some bizarre reason half of the post vanished. It’s now back with the full three lines it was meant to have! She’d thought he was her beacon, her guiding light through the treacherous shoals. Too late she’d discovered he was merely a will-o’-the-wisp leading her into dangerous waters. Now she stands … More Guiding Light
A Walk in the Park Jake stumbled along the familiar route, drawn to the warm light shining through his window. Home. He was nearly home. The chill air bit into his exposed arms, the thin shirt doing little to warm him, and he shivered. His thoughts skittered as his gaze caught on the trees lining the path. This … More A Walk in the Park
Second Thoughts Anxiety set her thoughts asway, her certainty vacillating as she gazed over the garden: this was insane… she wasn’t ready for such a change… but… but… She drew a deep breath. But she loved him, she couldn’t deny that he completed her, and tomorrow… tomorrow she would say, ‘I do.’ This post is for Sonya’s Three … More Second Thoughts
Unceasing Strife “Is that food ready yet, woman?” Julian sighed – here we go again. “It’ll be ready when its done. If you got off your lazy backside and helped out, maybe it’d be ready sooner!” Every day it was the same: Henry would snarl and Edna’ strident voice would rise in response. He’d found … More Unceasing Strife
He’d been standing in line, waiting his turn, for far longer than he cared to remember. The sign continued to blink idly in the distance; the column shuffled slowly forwards. Bureaucracy, it seemed, wasn’t just a problem in the land of the living. This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales challenge.
Each weekend they’d piled into the backseat, little ones on older siblings laps, ready for an adventure. It had been part of their family: the Flying Banana, the greatest car in the world. Which was why, despite being told it was only good for the scrapheap, the rusting wreck continued to sit in their garage – some day the banana would … More The Flying Banana
Susceptible Willow spotted the pair long before they reached her. The man was perfect, open minded and curious. The woman was more… problematic. She exuded confidence, carrying a fixed world-view that prevented any tampering to her thoughts. But the man was too good to ignore. “Come,” she whispered into his mind. “This way.” He stopped, his vacant gaze turning towards the doorway where Willow … More Susceptible
Captivated Raedan’s hands clenched around the gift box as he listened to the announcement. Lady Seleste had chosen her suitor. And it wasn’t him. Everyone else faded into insignificance as she glided across the hall. With each tilt of her head, each flash of a smile, she set his senses reeling. She’d captivated him from the first. Now he had one … More Captivated
They hide amongst the sunlit leaves, with only hints of movement to betray their presence. If you watch carefully you might see a darting shape, there and gone in the blink of an eye. But listen. You can hear them: the swish of fluttering wings; the pattering of tiny footsteps on branches. And there – the tinkling of … More Sunlit Leaves
She’d always said that she wouldn’t be put in a box and forced into conformity, that she wouldn’t follow their indifferent society’s path, only to be left feeling stifled and unfulfilled. So how had she come to this? She turned away from the window, from the view of coffin like apartments, and began to pack her bags – it … More Boxed
Wisps of Gold Emily stood beside the piled leaves, peering around the garden for any that might have escaped her notice. It had taken far longer than she’d expected to scrape the mound together, each breeze threatening to undo her work, but she’d been determined to gather every golden scrap she could find. “Well?” she called. “How’s … More Wisps of Gold
They huddle beneath the sheltering branches, hidden from view by tangled growth. Soon they’ll have to move – their pursuers won’t have given up so easily – but for now they sleep in restless slumber, recovering their strength for the struggle ahead. Their dreams are haunted by dark figures who laugh as blood cascades over a … More Trees
The place where you can find out what Lillie thinks
Looking at life through blue eyes
: around the world :
Looking into why we do the things we do (and some crochet) each Monday
Amanda Tuke - nature writer, urban nature champion & author of 'Wild Pavements: Exploring Britain's Cities with an Urban Naturalist'
A photographic journey.
Here and now, with all of it.
An Enchanted Place 