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The Casket of Fictional Delights

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The Glimpse

by Rebecca Peyton

Flash Fiction Bittersweet, Romantic

Hurtling to the surface from the depth of the Northern Line I think I’ve lost him. For a minute, everything contracts but my face, which contorts into a panicked, liquid misery.
But then I see him.
He’s crossing the road, heading away from his old flat. I skeeter through the traffic, maybe risking death, I have no idea. I skippety-skip-run to catch up and realise I’m far too close. My breathing is in my ears, pumping so loud he’ll hear it.
I drop back.
His hair is the same, even after all this time. It had seemed so on the tube but now I’m closer, my view is clear enough to be sure.
I’d like to get closer still but fear there might be some residual animal power which means a sibling would sense me.
Does he have a limp? He does. Is it his boots?
I want to ask but he turns his face to cross the road and I look away. I don’t want to know.
As he walks on, I focus on his hair. The warmth of a familiar safety spreads from my insides to my out and the hot overflowing of my eyes begins. I remember his hair, the feel and the smell of it. His calm-inducing eyes, his relaxed embrace.
A thousand childhood moments catch in my belly, ten thousand unanswered questions about these five-and-a-half years.
I am looking at him as the car backfires, gunshot ripping into darkness.
I am looking at him as his head flicks round towards the source and I stop.
Legs sickened. Gullet full. Heart defeated.
Why can’t it be him?

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About Rebecca Peyton

Rebecca is an actor and writer. She has performed her first play, Sometimes I Laugh Like My Sister, over 100 times touring the UK, Switzerland and South Africa. She is currently working on her new solo show, Do You Live Alone? She is published by Oberon Books. Rebecca Tweets @rebeccapeyton
Visit Rebecca Peyton on the web

You’ve reached the end of this story. Please do explore further. And if you’re feeling generous today, donate to The Casket and help keep the fictional delights flowing. Want to know when more stories arrive? Make sure you sign up for regular updates.

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The Casket is a platform for new, fresh and enjoyable short reads. We don’t receive any grants and your generosity helps us provide FREE accessible ad-free content. Any donation is hugely appreciated. If you would like to contribute, donate by PayPal by submitting your name and an amount.

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2 responses to “The Glimpse”

  • Drew says:
    February 13, 2015 at 12:13 pm

    Really powerful. The sense of longing and memory is very physical. Great stuff. Are there any more from this very talented writer?

    Reply
    • Joanna Sterling says:
      February 13, 2015 at 3:22 pm

      Thanks for your comment, there are no other stories by Rebecca Peyton at present. There are though many other good writers featured on the site.

      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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