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The Casket of Fictional Delights

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Unbreakable Bonds

by MP Kenny

Flash Fiction Bittersweet, Sad

This was the fourth time this week. Her finger slipped in and out of the ring in her pocket, her thumbnail running along the curve. She felt the familiar lurch in her stomach. Her eyes filled with tears blurring the scene in front of her. She moved to the bench beside the bus stop.

Once seated, she pulled the ring from her pocket. The edges of the stone rubbed against her fingertips. She had spent the days after his death waiting for someone to tell her it was a joke. A road sign had fallen on his car. She was embarrassed telling people how he had died. Crueller, was the anger she felt towards him for having such a stupid death.

But then she would remember his tenderness. She had ignored the sneers and whispers of others. He had loved her. It was in his touch, how he held her. She knew by the ring she now clasped in her hand. He had wanted to marry her. That shut them all up. There was no other woman, only her.

Nevertheless she needed money. Their little boy was starting school. She sighed, raising her eyes to the sky. A whispered prayer moved her lips. She would get it back; she just needed the money immediately. She would buy it back in the next few months. She stood resolutely and made her way to the shop.

The pawnbroker took his time examining the ring before giving her a price.

‘No, its worth much more than that,’ she said her eyes closing.

‘Love, it’s not a real diamond. It’s not worth more than thirty quid and that’s my final offer.’

She opened her eyes and suddenly began to see.

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About MP Kenny

MP Kenny has lived in Dublin all her life. She works with children with special needs in a primary school. Her short stories and flash fiction have appeared in journals in Ireland, the UK and Mexico. She was longlisted for the WoW award 2016. She is currently in the throes of editing her second novel.

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Sending

2 responses to “Unbreakable Bonds”

  • Sajjad Amin Bangash says:
    March 20, 2014 at 8:18 pm

    I am Sajjad Amin in Dubai and I am an aspirant writer by myself. In addition, I teach students creative writing. I liked her writing and it was beautiful. So much to learn from.

    Reply
    • MP Kenny says:
      March 20, 2014 at 9:55 pm

      Thank you so much for your kind words Sajjad, I’m touched and honoured by your comments.
      MP Kenny

      Reply

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News

Christmas is Coming

We are gearing up for Christmas here at The Casket.  We have two stories by Morgan Parks  in December

A Bigger Tree Each Year

Lucky Elf

And the Brooch of the Month comes from Estonia.

Don't to forget to let us know what you think of all our stories and our brooches  @casketfiction.

 

Check out other short stories on The Casket of Fictional Delights

The Goldsmiths' Fair

Journeys through Jewellery

Rue Pigalle designs women-only trips around the world, for intimate groups of art, jewellery and culture lovers.  Isabelle describes herself as having three passions; jewellery, art and craftsmanship. She takes her clients on journeys of discovery around the world, destinations include Paris, Barcelona and New York.  There are trips to London planned in 2020 and as a prelude Isabelle asked me to write two pieces on this year’s Goldsmiths’ Fair. Followers of my Brooch of the Month blog will know I regularly visit and shop at the Goldsmiths’ Fair, so I was delighted to take up the challenge and report back all the highlights for readers of Rue Pigalle.

Goldsmiths' Fair Week One

Goldsmiths' Fair Week Two

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Text & stories © Joanna Sterling 2019
Stories © various authors
Audio by Menna Bonsels
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