‘Set,’ yells the starter. I raise my back knee off the track, coming up into position. In the next lane, Ben does likewise. Maybe if he beats me, he’ll have the confidence to finally ask me out. Not that I’ll compromise my principles to give him an easy win. Bring on the pistol. Afterword The […]
‘You promised me marshmallows.’ Her pink gumboots squelch in the mud. ‘We’re almost there.’ I avoid a patch of deep water. ‘The whole plant’s edible.’ ‘Marshmallows aren’t a plant, silly.’ ‘Here’s one.’ Pale flower clusters top soft-haired stems. Given her expression, I’m glad I packed the confectionery—once made with this plant’s root. Afterword The mission:
Our captain’s trying to run us aground; I can’t wait. Starboard ripples announce our target. The depth sounder pings. Before long, the tide beaches us on our very own (temporary) island studded with starfish. I sink my bare feet into smooth sand, cricket bat in one hand and picnic hamper in the other. Afterword The
As I enter the kitchen a pancake peels from the roof, falls like a defective hoverboard and splatters upon the wooden floor. Cracked eggs litter the bench. Flour covers the floor. Smoke claws at my eyes and throat. A disaster zone. And in its centre, Sally twitches. ‘Mum, bot’s on the blink again!’ Afterword The
With a sizzle, the sparkler ignited. A dazzling shower of light illuminated his birthday cake. Susan’s smile shone brighter still. As she placed his cake before him, he stole the sparkler and carved three words in the air. Words he’d tried and failed to say for the first time yesterday: I love you. Afterword The
