On cue, every year, the migration occurs. When the last humpback breaches the waves and the final tail slaps the water, it begins. And the warmer it gets, the more they come. Hands shade squinting eyes as the adult homo sapiens squeeze out of SUVs carrying surfboards and kayaks. The young are camouflaged behind bulgingContinue reading “The migration”
This short story was inspired by Wavelength, an original artwork by Miriam Shilling as part of the 2025 Eurobodalla Literary and Art Salon. ‘People are like water; eventually, they find their level.‘ This is my dad’s advice whenever I vent my frustration about the latest antics of Abby. My youngest was born a day afterContinue reading “Wavelength”
The low hum of conversation greets me as I push open the door. Then I’m hit with the unmistakable scent of lemon. ‘Good morning, ladies,’ I call to five women perched on battered armchairs and crammed side by side on a faded couch. Dragging a hot-pink shopping trolley, I navigate past walking frames and overflowingContinue reading “The Self-Saucing Cookbook”
‘You know Larry the lawn mower man saw a shark bite a seal in half out there,’ Kate hears as she emerges from the surf. ‘You love telling me that, don’t you Gordon,’ Kate laughs as she strides up the beach, sand squeaking under her feet. Barking and tail wagging, her cocker spaniel Charlie, rushesContinue reading “Memories”
Artwork: Tea for One by Eraine McArthur The following short story was created for the Eurobodolla Writers 2024 Literary Salon and was inspired by the artwork Tea for One by south coast artist, Eraine McArthur. 11 11 Numbers. They mark significant milestones like birthdays, marriages, anniversaries and even death. Numbers represent wealth and some peopleContinue reading “11 11”
I’m not sure what it is about crime scenes but I always get hungry at the most inappropriate moments. The growling emanating from my stomach is so loud it breaks down the frosty exterior of the middle-aged, gruff forensics officer taking photos of a discarded red stiletto, half empty bottle of white wine and bloodContinue reading “Can I have noodles with that?”
Bill let his eyes wander over Elsie as she lay beside him reading her latest Mills and Boon. Whisps of grey hair framed her face and the hands that cradled her novel were mottled with age spots yet he thought to himself, she’s as beautiful today as the day we first met over 75 yearsContinue reading “Shame the Stars”
With a deafening bang, the balloon popped. Blue confetti fall like sparkling rain. My dad fist-pumps Jacob. Mum’s nails dig into my arm. Jacob’s parents pump our hands.
Waves pummel the beach, lashing the sand as the sea rushes to claim me. I squeal and race up the steep, winding path to the cabin. As I scramble to the top of the cliff, black clouds open and lightening streaks across the sky. “Maggie, Maggie,” my mother demands, her voice carried away by theContinue reading “The Secret Keepers”
Claire’s knees scream in protest; the cold concrete unforgiving. Groaning, she stands and pulls three stacked shoe boxes toward her. Envelopes and papers fall out as she stumbles backwards, her foot hitting the edge of an old rake, its handle falling forward and clunking her on the head. “Ouch,” she cries, rubbing the spot atContinue reading “Thirty reasons why”
