Play On...

By Beaten Track Publishing

Beaten Track authors present Play On...
A Valentine's Day collection of short stories, poetry and prose, inspired by the songs of ABBA.

After the 80s Party - Bob Stone
Dancing Queen - Elizabeth Corlett
Does your mother know - A. Zukowski
Dolce - A.M. Leibowitz
Hustle and Hart - Alexis Woods
I’ve Been Waiting for You - Dawn Sister
Lay All Your Love on Me - F.E. Feeley Jr.
Nina, Pretty Ballerina - Debbie McGowan
So Long - Ashley Corlett
The Bucket List - Caraway Carter
The Song of King Kong - Al Stewart
The Visitors - Neptune Flowers

• Language: English
• Publisher: Beaten Track Publishing
• Release date: Feb 14, 2019
• ISBN: 9781786453174

Book preview

After the 80s Party

Bob Stone

Are you asleep?

Whu—?

Are you asleep?

Was. Not now. What’s up?

I can’t sleep. I was wondering—

What?

You know in ‘Super Trouper’? What’s she doing in Tesco?

What’s who doing in where?

You know how she sings that she called him last night from Tesco? What was she doing there?

It’s not Tesco.

Yes, it is. It’s in the song.

No, it isn’t. It’s Moscow.

It’s Tesco. Look it up. Have you got your phone?

I’m not looking it up now. Do you know what time it is? What would she be doing in Tesco?

That’s why I wondered. I just thought maybe it was like a Tesco Express at a service station or something.

It’s not Tesco. They didn’t have Tesco Express in the 80s. It’s Moscow. Listen to it again. Tomorrow, though.

*

Why’s she calling from Moscow?

She’s on tour, isn’t she? She’s on tour and lonely and she calls him. He comes to the next show. That’s why she sings that it’ll be different when she’s on the stage tonight.

But wasn’t she married to one of the guys in the band? He’s already there. Why did she need to call him?

It’s not really her. She’s playing a character.

Moscow’s still a long way to go, though, isn’t it? That’s love, isn’t it?

Depends where he is. If he’s in Sweden, it’s not quite so far, I don’t think.

Oh yeah, they’re Swedish, aren’t they? Is Sweden near Moscow then?

Think so. I don’t know. You know what my geography’s like. Can we go to sleep now?

Yes. Sorry. It was a good night, though, wasn’t it? Didn’t think I’d enjoy an 80s night that much, but it was good.

Yes, it was.

State of you in that wig. You don’t suit a mullet.

I haven’t any intention of getting one.

That’s good.

*

Would you do it for me?

Do what?

If I was a famous singer and I was on tour and called you, would you come?

’Course I would. Except that you couldn’t call me.

Why not?

Don’t you remember? When we got that new contract for our phones and they asked if we wanted international calling? You said no because we never go abroad and it was a waste of money.

Well, if I was a famous singer, I’d be able to afford it, wouldn’t I? I’d need to be able to call home when I’m on tour.

You probably wouldn’t call anyway.

Why not?

You’d be too busy having fun with Robbie Williams and all them.

No I wouldn’t! I don’t even like Robbie Williams. He’s a dick.

You’ve got one of his CDs.

Only the swing one because the songs are good. He’s still a dick.

Is that it? Can we go to sleep now?

Yes. Sorry. Night night. Love you.

Love you too.

*

Is that your phone? What are you doing?

Nothing.

You’re looking the words up, aren’t you?

It’s Glasgow! It isn’t Tesco or Moscow. It’s bloody Glasgow.

Well, I knew it wasn’t Moscow.

It definitely wasn’t Tesco!

Night night. Love you.

Love you too.

*

Are you asleep yet?

Nearly. What now?

You know Paul Young? Why does he say that every time you go away you take a piece of meat with you?

***

Read more on Bob Stone’s blog: https://bobstone189.wixsite.com/bobstoneauthor/blog

Dancing Queen

Elizabeth Corlett

Watch that female go

Dancing

She likes to party a lot

Does your mother know?

—A love song for Blue

A. Zukowski

You tell me I am hot.

I think you are teasing me. You say your name is Blue and you like