Joanna Sterling

Joanna writes short stories and flash fiction, has had her work published in a number of magazines and anthologies. She lives in London with her ever growing collection of Brooches.

  • New Message

    “Have you checked the messages this morning?” “No signal boss.  Joyriding around the mast again. Complete disregard for all the health and safety briefings.  One or two of the new recruits still haven’t passed their ‘Knowledge’.” “We have the new satnav to fall back on.  Our distribution windows are too tight for error.” “I’ll check…

  • Paper Cuts

    You start at the top right hand corner, taking your time to complete the tear to the bottom. Careful to fit in six tears.  Laying the seven strips in their individual heaps, contamination abhorrent. Once, you started on the left – you said it felt unnatural, disloyal. Flex, elongate the digits before you pick another…

  • Lady Elfleda

    I watched as the horseman rode into the Abbey complex.  A fine looking young man, riding proudly, his rank displayed on the polished trimmings of his large black steed.  Several of the Abbey community came out despite the steady drizzle, to view the stranger. “I’m looking for the Lady Elfleda,” he called out.  He was…

  • Home Time

    I’m waiting for the evening carer; it’s an agency these days.  I don’t know what time she’ll come. But you can be sure she’ll be in a rush, pulling on those disposable gloves making that smacking noise. Makes my teeth go on edge. I don’t like the rubber against my skin.  The one this morning…

  • Left Behind

    Are those the remains of the starter?  Urgh!  Hummus and garlic, if I’m not mistaken.  You’re using the paper napkin.  You didn’t even remember a pen.  Cadged one off the waiter.  Which one is the jotting about?   The comb-over in the corner? The fat legs protruding from the lycra mini skirt? The repeatedly licked full…

  • Dolores

    Let me introduce myself. I am Dolores. I live with Geoff at 7 Camellia Close on the outskirts of town. I spend my time in the front room positioned in the bay window. The front room is decorated in tasteful beige and pink striped wallpaper and a beige carpet which doesn’t quite match the wallpaper….

  • Ladies’ Day

    Original Susan Tate Illustration by Michael N Green   A sudden gust of wind caught Susan’s hat and it flew across the car park. She ran after it, hoping the cars coming in would not crush it under their wheels. With a swift movement she retrieved it and placed it back on her head, taking…

  • The Key

    I remember the day I found the little brass key. A nondescript thing. The box, on the other hand, was made of wood mellowed by time and hands. On the lid an inlaid mother of pearl oval with a circle of ebony at its centre. As a child I thought it was an eye guarding…

  • Christmas Letters

    November 1968 Dear Father Christmas Has it started to snow in Lapland? Mummy says it is cold up where you live. She also says if I am good I can ask for a special present to be in my stocking. Please can I have a dolls tea set so my friend Patricia and I can…