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The Casket of Fictional Delights

Stories Brooches

Blue for a Boy Pink for a Girl

by Joanna Sterling

Flash fiction Amusing, Playful

Oh honestly TS, how did you do that? Another nasty gash, I don’t know – you’ve been in a fight haven’t you? I’ve told you before not to mess around with the neighbours, that Eliot next door plays rough. You’ll have to go down to the surgery. I am not having it getting infected like last time. You know what a fuss you make about taking tablets. Oh just get in so I can do the clasp up. How else are you going to get there? I am not going to carry you.

No, I don’t know whether you will have to have an x-ray or stitches. But I can tell you now, you will get an injection. Please don’t cry, I know it hurts.

She told you not to rub or scratch it. Yes she did – don’t give me all that flimflam. What am I going to do with you? They gave you this special thing to wear, but it doesn’t fit properly and just makes you awfully unsteady. You won’t keep a bandage on – I tried that the last time you got into a fight.

I’ve been to Mothercare. Had terrible trouble finding something in your size. The shop assistant said this was the smallest. Now don’t sulk, it’s an all-in-one sleep suit, I can cut a bit off the arms and legs so it will fit you better. I said don’t sulk. White is a neutral colour, be grateful – it could have been pink or blue. The assistant asked was it for a boy or a girl. I told her it was for my cat. She looked at me most oddly.

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About 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.

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News

New Flash Fiction for March

Coming in March a new flash fiction by Fanni Suto  ‘Night Wait’ a restless and melancholic little tale.  In the meantime why not check out  some of Fanni's earlier Flash Fiction published on The Casket of Fictional Delights ‘Fires of Autumn', ' The Girl with Pearls in her Eyes', 'Rain of Thought', 'Summers End' and 'Darkest before Dawn'.

Fanni Suto's Flash Fiction stories

Competition

2018 Competition Winners Announced

The 2018 Flash Fiction Competition - WINNERS ANNOUNCED

This year’s winner is Rosie Garland with her story ‘Speaking in Tongues’  ** CONGRATULATIONS**

2nd Sync by Mark Farley; 3rd Floating by Mark Farley; 4th 1-2-5 by Gina Headden

Bikini by Sherri Turner; The Plughole Picker by Susan Carey; Serendipity by Sandra Purdy; Bombs, Lilies by Jason Jackson

Competition Results

Tweetings

  • New #FlashFiction for Friday by #Writer @rebeccapeyton 'The Unbiddable Hand' an optimistic and reflective tale #reading https://t.co/Hh6aXIy36D https://t.co/t8uAGN21M9, 20 hours ago
  • Arrived today from America ~ exhibition catalogue from The Metropolitan Museum of Art Chanel exhibition in 2005 by the late great Karl Lagerfeld #Chanel #karllagerfeld… https://t.co/rdhDc1Zqgn, Feb 20
  • Song Bird brooch/pendant by Carlo Giuliano after Burne Jones #beautiful #brooch #art #jewellery #wanttoown @ Tate Britain https://t.co/EqntgqCgEV, Feb 19
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Audio Stories

Prefer to listen? - from the beginning The Casket of Fictional Delights has specialised in producing high quality audio recordings of short stories and flash fiction compilations. The audios are recorded by actors and voiceover artists and produced by a professional studio manager ensuring we maintain a consistent high standard. I’ve chosen three to highlight the variety and quality of work we have to offer - visit our Audio page for more. I hope you enjoy listening to them.

Casket audio highlights

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Text & stories © Joanna Sterling 2019
Stories © various authors
Audio by Menna Bonsels
Maintained by Brighton WebTech
Brooch photography by Mark Colliton