Story so far ~ Professional assassin Helena is in Barcelona on a job. At the last minute within feet of the target she receives a text message. There’s been a change of plan. Read On……. Helena drained her glass and with the caution of years of experience slipped it into her bag as she moved…
With one professional and practised sweep of her grey eyes Helena checked out the VIP lounge at Barcelona airport then lowered herself into one of the smart leather chairs. She sat well away from everyone else and sipped her strong espresso. No one noticed the business woman in her navy suit. But if they were…
You sent four officers to my place of work to summon me to your place of work. You are the Chief of Political Security, part of the Secret Police. I am sitting opposite you now in the police station. Your chair is higher than mine, you look down on me. In this grey room across…
Different Ways of Killing Trilogy Part 2 That’s what you told me. You told me each smell came in a box and that I had to work hard to find the correct label; to put the correct label onto the right smell before the line moves on. Three seconds, you said. Three seconds to open…
Different Ways of Killing Trilogy Part 1 “Yeah, I know, I know…” The door’s open so Christina must be in, she thinks. “I know…” Keys in one hand, Polly pushes the fob deep into her jeans pocket and heaves her bag from elbow to shoulder. “I know…” her mobile is locked to her ear. “I…
Original Susan Tate Illustration by Michael N Green Susan Tate entered Canterbury Cathedral through the south doors. People had come from all over the county for the carol service. Above her, spotlights illuminated the intricate vaulted stone roof, picking out the richly painted bosses. Down the side aisles the brass candelabra glinted, throwing out…
I had the house to myself, Jemma and Fiona were at school and Tom was still away with his regiment. This was our first home, we’d been married for ten years but always lived in quarters – adequate, but no matter how hard I’d tried they’d always felt like they belonged to someone else. “I…
Opening the door I gaze at the gleaming white tiles. Their starkness and cleanliness reassures me. I am glad I chose this flat with its oversized bathroom. After months away – in a small room with only a minute utilitarian shower cubicle to wash in, it’s good to be home. I had almost forgotten how…
The bell rattled as Carol opened the door. Inside, the teashop was dimly lit but not in a gloomy way. In one corner stood a stove. It gave off a crimson and orange glow which warmed the whole interior. If she squinted she could make out five or six tables. As her eyes became accustomed…
Original Susan Tate Illustration by Michael N Green Susan’s feet hurt. Why had she decided to wear those new shoes to work? She could not think. Come to think of it, why had she bought them in the first place? She knew why – they had called out to her ‘buy us, we are…
The Casket of Fictional Delights newsletter delivers the latest brooch of the month, new stories and other Casket news.
No spam, ever – and we never use your details for anything but sending your newsletter. You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us.
Follow on Instagram
Text & stories © Joanna Sterling
Stories © various authors
Editing by Joanna Sterling & Alyson Faye
Audio by Menna Bonsels
Brooch photography by Mark Colliton
Website by Brighton WEBtech