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The Casket of Fictional Delights

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Three Hundred Words

by Margaret Evans

Flash Fiction Amusing, Bittersweet

300 word writing competition. That’s what it says here in the paper, George.  Might give that a go.  Though that’s not many words. How can you tell a story with so few? And do numbers count as words?
300 words: more than a tweety, isn’t that what our Tracey calls them? And it’s longer than that Valentine’s card you gave me, George, ‘Roses are red, violets are blue, you talk for England but I still love you.’ You laughed so hard your dentures fell out, didn’t they George? Right into your chicken tikka masala. You had such fun fishing them out. Whiskers sniffed very suspiciously at your fingers then, didn’t you Whiskers? She’s purring in agreement. Can you hear her George? Drink your tea, dear. 300 words. Why, the Bible must have thousands… millions.  And Shakespeare. But there’s that theatre company, Reduction Shakespeare or some such that shortens his works. I like plays but you’re not keen, are you George? More into football and dominoes. Mind you, that’s how we met, isn’t it George? Dominoes.  Down at the Dog and Duck.  Love at first sight.  Oooh, big anniversary coming up.  Fifty years married this June, isn’t it George? Blessed with four girls, three of them married and six grandkids, all girls too.  Amazing. And with another on the way, haven’t we George? And now Whiskers completes our happy family. Got her from the Cat Rescue people, didn’t we George? Don’t let your tea get cold, dear.  Whiskers loves her Daddikins.  Always sitting in your lap, George. You say Whiskers doesn’t need to talk, she communicates so well without words, don’t you George? Anyway, where was I? Ah, yes, three hundred words. That’s not many, is it George? George…?
“Have you turned your hearing aid off again? George…?”

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About Margaret Evans

Margaret is an ex-Research Chemist turned Science Teacher, who has morphed into writer and artist. She loves baking, despite, or maybe because of the challenge of food allergies. She also loves playing hockey, tennis, the piano, her family and friends – but not necessarily in that order.

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Sending

2 responses to “Three Hundred Words”

  • Jane Austin says:
    February 12, 2016 at 5:55 pm

    Delightful, a story in a raindrop, I can just hear them!

    Reply
  • Katie says:
    February 13, 2016 at 10:11 pm

    A fun little monologue! Very amusing.

    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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