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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 rescue animals. Her fiction and poetry has been published in a range of anthologies, (Diabolica Britannica/Daughters of Darkness) on the Horror Tree, several Siren's Call editions, in Page and Spine, by Demain Press (The Lost Girl/Night of the Rider), in Trickster’s Treats 4, on Sylvia e zine and The World of Myth. Last year she had stories out with Kandisha Press, Space and Time's July magazine and Brigid’s Gate Press’, Were-Tales anthology. Her work has been read on BBC Radio, local radio, on several podcasts (Ladies of Horror and The Night's End) and placed in several competitions. She works as an editor for a UK indie press and tutors. She swims, sings and is often to be found roaming the moor with her Lab cross, Roxy.

Alyson Tweets @AlysonFaye2

She co-runs the indie horror press, Black Angel, with Stephanie Ellis Black Angel Press

Alyson has an Amazon Page

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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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Starting in June and through to the end of September  The Casket of Fictional Delights presents more Susan Tate adventures.  Enjoy following a year in the life of Susan Tate the quirky librarian who lives in Canterbury with her cat Charles Dickens written by Joanna Sterling, read by Menna Bonsels and illustrated by Michael N Green.

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Text & stories © Joanna Sterling 2022
Stories © various authors
Editing by Joanna Sterling & Alyson Faye
Audio by Menna Bonsels
Brooch photography by Mark Colliton
Other photography by Rosie Marks
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