Mary and Me (1/3) By Leah Scarpati

(1/3), (2/3), (3/3),

The train station was full of children, a mass exodus of sorts. Some were crying, others were brimming over with the obvious excitement of their impending 'holiday'. A variety of ages, the children were all dressed in their best clothes and stood around on the platform with their boxed up gas masks hung over their shoulders and suitcases littered around with their names and destinations printed on them. 'Now you listen to me Billy,' his Mother said. Her voice wobbled a bit. 'Keep your eyes on Mary at all times. She's only little and you have to be a big lad and look after her.' 'Yes Mam,' he solemnly pledged, trying not to show too much excitement for his impending trip.

Photo courtesy Liverpool Record Office, Liverpool Libraries

A real train ride! He could hardly concentrate on his Mother's words as he watched the train in front of them. Some of the boys and girls from school were already climbing on board or being lifted on by a teacher. He wondered what it looked like inside? His Mother looked at them both and her eyes filled. She really should have prepared them both more, but how could she now? She didn't want to upset them. Billy stood, tall and proud, his little sister's hand clasped firmly in his. She'd managed to knit them both a scarf to ward off the September chill and she pulled Billy's up around his neck, ensuring his coat was fastened for the hundredth time today.

Photo courtesy Liverpool Record Office, Liverpool Libraries

He wore a cap that matched the colour of his overcoat and she had threaded a postal label on a piece of string through one of his button holes. She picked it up and double checked his details again. 'What's that for?' He asked, eying her suspiciously. 'It's to make sure you don't get lost.' She said, spitting on a handkerchief and rubbing at his cheek. 'Mam!' He struggled to get away from her and began to fidget impatiently. He bent down with his one free hand and attempted to pull up one of his long socks.

The new elastic in them was a bit tight and they were digging into his legs. As he moved, his gas mask knocked into Mary. 'Billy!' She whined. 'Now then my little lamb,' Mother bent down to survey her daughter. 'I don't want to go,' Mary almost cried, her bottom lip sticking out precariously. Her blonde curls were protruding out from under her hat and Mother tried to smile as she twisted one of the curls around her finger.

'Look at you! Mary, you are such a big girl!' She couldn't stop a tear from falling as she busied herself adjusting Mary's coat and scarf and checking her postal label too. Mary noticed this and placed a chubby index finger on her Mother's cheek in the path of the oncoming tear. 'Now, do you both remember what I told you?' She asked the children, quickly wiping the tear away with the back of her hand and trying to sound serious. 'Look out for Mrs Jones when we get there,' recited Billy, although he wasn't completely sure where 'there' was.

'Or a policeman.' Mary finished. 'Good girl! Now you both have your gas masks should you need to wear them and-' she was interrupted by the sound of a whistle blowing. A swell of panic and excitement engulfed the platform. Mother's heart was suddenly in her throat and she feared she couldn't speak.

Continued .... Next Page (2/3)

Fiction - Incident Number 33217 By Grant
	Colonel Hafetz strode purposefully down the hall of the Knesset. He gripped the attaché case firmly and braced himself for his meeting. A quick reveal of his ID causes one of two guards stationed to open the door and announce: 'Mr. Prime Minister, Colonel Hafetz.' Colonel Hafetz enters and a silent Prime Minister gestures him to sit. The Colonel places the silver case on the desk, unlocks it and turns it to Read more...

Fiction - 100 Words Competition - Summertime By Julie Hines

	The curtains of early darkness are drawn back for summer. Gardens become beautiful this time of year. Contrast of flowing colour. The fragrances of the pink Fuchsias draped in deep purple emphasizing their elegance. The Stock has a powerful aroma. Yellow Marigolds resembling regimented soldiers. Placing the bulbs into her basket, she made her purchase. Read more...

Fiction - Fiend By Jarrett
	It happened when I was only seven. They let their eyes off of me for only a moment and he snatched me away. I never saw them again. They are the only ones I ever loved. In fact, it was so long ago I don't even remember how it feels, and to be honest I don't want to; I'm sure it will only bring pain. I don't know why he did it. I'll never fully understand why he did, but I've come close. I guess like me he yearned for that same feeling so many people take for granted, love. Read more...

Fiction - Leonard By Frankie Lassut
	Ring ring, Ring ring ... Leonard smiled, and tubbed his hands together. He picked up the phone, and went into voluntary professional mode: 'Hello, Samaritans.' 'I've got nothing to live for. The credit card companies are threatening to take my house away to pay my bills, which they have piled the interest on. My wife got fed up of it and left with my children, and my firm has collapsed. I don't know what to do. Read more...

Fiction - One All By Mike Watts
	The knock on the door sounded official; usually callers just pressed the bell, but this morning, they didn't... Dean's heart rate moved up a notch. 'Who the fuck's that?' He stood up from the chair that he was slouched in and walked over to the window. Parting the curtains slightly, he observed two powerfully built characters standing there. One was holding a clip-board; his sleeveless arms were loaded with tattoos Read more...

Fiction - The Dance Of The Pheasodile By Tim Roux
	Chapter 1 I have to admit that I am in a bit of a predicament. I have regained consciousness to discover myself swinging upside down outside the plate glass window that wraps around the lawyers' office where my wife works - where she is a partner, in fact. I am bumping up against the pane as I dangle here. I can see several of the office staff taking pictures of me with their mobile phones, and feverishly distributing them somewhere over the ether. Read more...

Fiction - Conversation By Scott Rorrison
	Rome! Have you ever seen the Colosseum? Beautiful isn't it; how strange it is that things of immense beauty contain contrasting qualities. From the outside tourists marvel at the grand scale and arresting architecture, it is ideal for a photograph or postcard. Step inside, though, and a whole complexity of emotions will haunt the senses. Stand on the arena floor and wonder how many men and women have followed your steps into oblivion. Read more...

Fiction - 100 Words Competition - The Mother From Hell (following on from A Depressive and a Botched Suicide) By Laura Fry

	Outside, a woman in late middle-age tries to look through the large crematorium doors. Despite the November wind, she is dressed in six-inch stilettos, thin stockings and a tiny mini skirt which leaves nothing to the imagination. One mourner hears a sound over the music and makes her way outside, aghast. Read more...

Fiction - Loved Ones By Emma Williamson
	I remember the day my mother and father split up. All the family had gone out for the day with our parent's friends, Claire and Craig and their two daughters, Lauren and Molly. Me and my two younger brothers, Jasper and Cohen were in the ball pit with Lauren and Molly. 'Silver, drink!' Jasper announced, he was only 3 years old and hadn't quite grasped the concept of full sentences yet. Read more...

Fiction - What Colour My Dear? (Exercise in experimenting with different voices) By Michelle Dee
	"What colour my dear?" "Blue. Yes blue to match my mood." "Why so blue dear on such a promising day?" "Well I'll tell you. I have just this moment been turned down yet again for employment; that is the third this morning if you please. I am doomed never to find a suitable position. Read more...

Fiction - Replacing Sheila By Gary Clark
	She was a sorry sight Sheila, sat all day in a corner of the room, moving only occasionally to look through the window when the front gate rattled or a car door slammed. But it was never him and her watery eyes soon closed again, sadly, as she returned to her fitful dozing. Old age takes its toll on us all eventually. Poor Shelia, cast aside like an old Read more...

Fiction - Equus Mal-Amour By Frankie Lassut
	Every time Roger fell out with Trudy, he took it out on Selina. Saturday nights were the worst. Roger and Trudy would go out pubbing, Selina would of course stay at home, dreading the unhappy couple returning at 12.30 - 1am. It was always the same. Selina would hear them coming up the lane. "Don't you fuckin deny it! I saw the way you looked at her!" "Oh, stop being so fucking stupid! Read more...

Fiction - 100 Words Competition - Sundog By Amanda Lowe

I have my yellow boots on to walk the dog who is scratting at the door, he knows it's time to go. Outside, he's running ahead like a mad thing as my yellow boots squelch flat fields, left foot, right foot. Striding along the bank, lost in thoughts, I stop and gawp at a sundog, reflection of the sun in the sky. The sun and its doppelganger side by side, striving to outshine each other. Read more...

Fiction - The Lie of the Land By Steve Rudd
	So I ran. I ran, and I ran, and I ran. Nothing means anything when eagerly anticipated phone calls never come. All those wasted Sundays slumped beside the phone add up. Ah, heartbreak. You've got to hate it. But you've also got to take it. The hardest thing of all is resisting the urge to break the ice, to ring first, to put words into your mouth Read more...

Fiction - Too Late To Call By Sarah Ann Watts
	The bus pulls out of the station. I check my watch - I am not too late. I close my eyes, pretend to sleep. The witching hour is yet to come. I told you I would be home by midnight. You like to know where I am. I tell you I can protect myself and you shake your head in doubt. 'Be careful. It isn't the same world.' I laugh at your fears and paint my lips and smile. Read more...

Fiction - The Day By Danny Swain
	Ray turns the CD player off as he answers the phone. The sound of waves crashing against a beach fills his ear. Jenny wipes the plate and puts it on the draining board. A man appears at the kitchen window. Benjamin pulls the car into the drive and gets out. He hears a noise in the garage. Mary locks her front door and buttons up her coat. Read more...

Fiction - Blood in the Bath By Leah Scarpati
	It was Halloween night and the weather suitably matched the mood of the evening. Like a parody of a horror film, the wind howled at forty miles per hour, blowing the dried up autumn leaves up into mini tornadoes down the deserted and dimly lit street. The odd raindrop fell from the sky, threatening to pour down but unable to carry out the threat to its full potential. Read more...