Clos de St Paul – Michael Barry – 2035 words (Romance)
She is determined to make a go of her newly inherited Burgundy vineyard after a bruising life as a glamorous playgirl. Men are well off the agenda. But there are definite problems with Clos de St Paul. A man who is both a wine expert and seeking commitment might just be a perfect choice.
Clos de St Paul
“Hi there” came a voice from the open winery door. Chrissie gasped, spilling some of the wine she was so carefully pouring into the vinometer under Michel’s critical eye.
When Chrissie’s father, Julian, had died, she had decided to continue running his winemaking business in Burgundy, even though she knew nothing about wine. It would have been easy to have just sold it and carried on living her accustomed playgirl life.
Download to read more
Coincidence – Michael Barry – 2580 words (Commercial)
When an older couple approach Ian to ask him if he’s their son, he is staggered. A few years later, he briefly meets his seeming twin. Staggered again, he sets out to find some answers, but when he succeeds, they are so far-fetched he can only deny them totally.
Coincidence
An elderly couple caught his eye. They were about a hundred yards away and walking towards him. Why he should suddenly notice them, he couldn’t say. Lots of other people were walking towards him along the Promenade as well. After all, Eastbourne in summer is just the place to go if you feel like strolling along a Promenade in the sun.
They were nearer now – and they were definitely looking at him. That is why he noticed them. As they came closer still, they huddled somewhat together, not quite talking to each other, but unmistakably sharing something. It chilled him in some strange, uneasy way.
Download to read more
Presence – Michael Barry – 1500 words (Humour)
Stan and Elsie may lead extremely conservative lives but Stan at least has welcomed their new wide-screen, all-colour, high-definition, auto-presence, bells-and-whistles, digital TV receiver with built-in recorder with open arms. But with technology this advanced a basic fault can have unforeseen, even fatal, consequences.
Presence
The first minuscule bubbles started to break on the tremulous white surface of the milk. With a surprising deftness matured through long years of practice, Elsie swept the non-stick pan from the ceramic hob while simultaneously switching it off. She stirred the contents into the two cocoa mugs and then immediately doused the pan under the cold water tap to pre-soak the milky coat sticking to the inside.
From the biscuit jar she extracted an attractive assortment, choosing carefully and making absolutely sure that she included Stan’s favourites, the crunchy ones with chocolate chips embedded in them.
Download to read more
The Club – Michael Barry – 1280 words (General)
When a young man confronts his prospective father-in-law in his prestigious club seeking permission to propose to his daughter, many ears are tuned to the ensuing altercation. He is a well-known Radical separatist, the Professor, a pillar of the right-wing Irish establishment – and demands a high price for his daughter’s hand.
The Club
It was daunting even for a self-confident young man, entering the hallowed portals of the Conservative Club. This was not simply because he was not a member, but rather more importantly because he was well aware that his own politics were of a significantly different hue.
He was directed to the Smoking Room and as he entered this inner sanctum, he found a number of members already entrenched. He had been here before of course, but nevertheless – it was still daunting!
Download to read more
