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The Casket of Fictional Delights

Brooches Podcasts Stories

Smoke Screen

by Kate Lewington

Flash Fiction Amusing, Comical

She dashed around the house. She was in the kitchen, then up on the landing and in the bathroom in under 15 seconds, sprinting like a runner.
“Keys.” she screamed at her husband. He rocked their infant son, looked at her a little dazed.
“Where are you taking off to?” he asked.
She tore at her hair.  And once again she tossed cushions in the air and peered behind them.
“Well?” her husband said standing beside her.
“I need some things from the supermarket,” she told him, emptying her handbag on the floor. “Oh alright, I’ll go, I’ve my keys,” he replied.
“You do?  Where?” Her eyes shone as her head jerked up to focus on him.
“Pocket.” He twitched his hip. She patted his pockets and triumphant tinkled the keys. She kissed their infant son on the forehead and grabbed her handbag. Not waiting to gather up the contents she had tipped on the floor before heading for the door. She hurled herself into her husband’s car, shaking as she rooted the keys into the ignition.
She leaned low over the steering wheel, searching for a suitable spot to stop.  Gasping as she opened the door. She unzipped the compartment in her handbag. Her hand trembled as she ripped out her lighter and a packet of cigarettes. Calmer already she placed a cigarette in her mouth and lit it. Sighing with relief as the drag took hold she leant her head on the steering wheel.  She really should give these up.

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About Kate Lewington

Katie is currently studying at college. She spends the rest of her time searching for a job although she is often distracted by the blank page and all of the ideas in her head clamouring to get out. She lives in Hertfordshire. This is her first published piece.

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2 responses to “Smoke Screen”

  • Ross says:
    November 6, 2015 at 1:16 pm

    A little too much angst, even for the most addicted smoker. And wouldn’t her husband mind the smell in his car? The main question for me, though, is why she didn’t just go into the garden. Punctuation and grammar needs a bit of work too – perhaps ask someone to proof read; it’s all too easy to read a piece over and over and miss something that a fresh pair of eyes will spot right away.

    Reply
    • Joanna Sterling says:
      November 7, 2015 at 6:21 pm

      Thank you for your comments. Punctuation rules are far more flexible than they were 40 years ago, especially in the modern genre of flash fiction. After careful editing the final version is agreed with the writer.

      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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