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Dominoes

by Alyson Faye

Flash Fiction Nostalgic, Reflective

I remember running to the Red Lion at teatime, skinny knock kneed limbs jumping oily puddles. Intent on my mission.
“Fetch your Da for supper lass.” Ma would flick her pinny at me to get me moving. I’d laugh and skip out of the way.
Da didn’t own a watch. He counted time in pint glass depths and the lengths of domino matches.
I would hear the hubbub three streets away. Then I’d glimpse the golden pools of light pouring from the pub’s windows.
In winter months I raced into those golden circles, drawn to their promised warmth, the roar of laughter and the smell of hops mixed with cheese and pickle sarnies.
Da was always hunched in the same spot by the fire. With Jacko snuggled at his feet. Da’s best friend in all the world he used to say ‘except for you lass.’
‘Yes and don’t forget the ponies.’ Mum would toss in her penny’s worth, all thin lipped and skewer eyed.
Wriggling through the sardine like crowd, a voice would invariably shout, “Oy Dan! Your girl’s here for you.”
Hot faced I’d push through the ashy smelling coats, navigating elbows and pint glasses.
I’d hear the click of the dominoes, then l would see Da’s huge hairy fists holding them. Finally I’d see his face, with its dark brows and serious frown. Framed by his cap.
“Hang on love.” He’d say. “This one’s a winner.”
“Ma’s waiting on yer, Da.” I’d jig around the table. Anxiety bubbling in my tummy.
Some glorious evenings Da would carry me home on his shoulders, laughing and swaying. The coins jingling in his pockets.
Other times, like a man of straw, Da would stumble through the alleys. I’d tag behind, picking up fallen bins and dropped dominoes.

 

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About Alyson Faye

Alyson lives in West Yorkshire, UK with her husband, teen son and four rescue animals. She teaches creative writing classes and works part time as an editor/proof reader. Her fiction has been published widely in print anthologies - DeadCades, Women in Horror Annual 2, Trembling with Fear 1 &2, Coffin Bell Journal 1, Stories from Stone, Ellipsis, Rejected ed. Erin Crocker) and in many e-zines, but most often on the Horror Tree site and in Siren’s Call. In 2018 her debut flash fiction collection, Badlands was published by Chapel Town Books. Her most recent publications include pieces in several charity anthologies from Things in the Well, Parallel Universe (Kitchen Sink Gothic 2) and Diabolica Britannica as well as from Gypsum Sound Tales. Her work has been read on BBC Radio, local radio, on several podcasts (e.g. Ladies of Horror), posted on YouTube and placed in competitions.

Alyson Tweets @AlysonFaye2

Alyson has an Amazon Page 


Visit Alyson Faye on the web

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One response to “Dominoes”

  • Melissa says:
    May 17, 2018 at 6:12 pm

    Creates a nice sense of atmosphere. Both warm and sad, I enjoyed reading this.

    Reply

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Everyone at The Casket is hoping 2021 will be a better year than 2020.  We have some great short stories and flash fiction lined up for your delight.  We kick of the year with a story by Lydia Unsworth “The Smallest Boxes” and then for Valentine's we have a story by Dylan Brethour which will also be available as a podcast. Later in the summer we have a new Flash Fiction Summer Collection which will be published online and as podcasts read by Menna Bonsels and Richard Hodder.  We hope you enjoy the stories we have for you and look forward to welcoming you back regularly.

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Text & stories © Joanna Sterling 2021
Stories © various authors
Audio by Menna Bonsels
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