Flash Fictionary Five-0

By Glen Barham MBE

Flash Fictionary Five-0

Flash Fiction is a piece of fiction known for its brevity. In this work of total imagination, the author, Glen Barham MBE, takes it a step further. Initially a 2020 lockdown project, this compendium has fifty stories, and each has exactly seventy-five words. No more, no less. The title doesn't count, and hyphenated words count as one.

Some stories tell everything, while others just scratch the surface and raise more questions than they answer. Meet Mrs Gillespie - the violin teacher, Bazza - the security officer, and Samuel - the research scientist, amongst others. You'll also find a fair few stories inspired by the difficult times brought on by COVID-19.

Can you write a story with exactly seventy-five words? Have a read and see if you're inspired to join in.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Glenfold Press
• Release date: Oct 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201888947

Glen Barham MBE

Glen Barham MBE is a retired public servant but continues to work as a British Sign Language / English Interpreter. He has some twenty-five years experience of public speaking and presenting. In this work of total fiction, the author takes a step into the wonderful concept of ‘flash fiction’, but with a very tight constraint; just seventy-five words. The title doesn’t count, and hyphenated words count as one. In fact, the exact number in this introduction!

Book preview

All Aboard

Black and white icon of train with train guard, flag and whistle.

All aboard! the Railway Guard bellowed as the train powered up, ready to leave.

David ran down the platform like his life depended on it. The convicted car thief had a bail appointment. Miss it and go back to prison. Full stop.

He missed the train! His heart sank.

Standing outside in the tree-lined car park, he viewed the rows of abandoned vehicles. It was a twenty-minute drive away.

What did he have to lose?

The Blade

Black and white icon of bearded man with a scar on his forehead and a sinister smile. He is holding a large knife.

Do you want some, do you? he snarled as he asked, a large blade held high glinting in the late evening sun.

No, no thank you.

Then what are you looking at?

Noth, nothing. I’m, I’m just taking a shortcut.

Michael hurried away as he heard those words again.

Do you want some, do you?

Yes, thank you. I’ll have a medium doner, salad, no chilies, large fries and a can of diet coke please.

Overseas

Black and white icon of the globe with an airplane circum-navigating.

Thanks to another damn lockdown, he hadn’t seen his younger brother for a year and a half.

He always travelled overseas to see him at least once a year. The separation was painful, and he just hoped for some normality to allow the visits to resume.

At this rate, he mused, "I’ll forget what