1 day agoMawnFlash Fiction — A new version When I moved to Edinburgh twenty years ago, I formed the opinion that people here were less hostile to foreigners than down south. There, strangers did not smile at this dishevelled brown little old man as our paths crossed. …Florist3 min readFlorist3 min read
1 day agoThe StradivariusFlash Fiction — Geoffrey who played his violin under the Telfer Bypass in Fountainbridge, rain or shine, was clearly a virtuoso, and it was said that he had once been a leader of the Scottish National Orchestra. …Antique3 min readAntique3 min read
5 days agoKindness 1Flash Fiction — Spontaneity I rented a very small attic room in West London, and when A moved in with me, it was seriously under-equipped for the two of us. A sizeable area had been set aside for cooking purposes. Basically all we had was a bed, a sofa, a table and a…For Want Of A Nail2 min readFor Want Of A Nail2 min read
5 days agoKindness 2Flash Fiction — Elegant Kindness We had seriously rich neighbours. Probably the most important textile merchants on the island, with outlets in three cities. And I was so proud that I was friends with their youngest son. The fact that I went round shoeless and with holes in my shorts did not seem…Rich And Poor2 min readRich And Poor2 min read
5 days agoKindness 3Flash Fiction — We lived in Port-Louis, but I went to school in Curepipe, a twenty- minute walk to the railway station plus a seventy-minute train ride. Times two for the return trip. I found this terribly adventurous, and as a result what I was supposed to learn at The Royal College became…Naturak Kindness2 min readNaturak Kindness2 min read
5 days agoAn Unkindness of CrowsFlash Fiction — An unkindness of crows! This must be the second crassest misnomer. (The first is calling earth dirt). When I was in Nigeria, crows regularly landed on my spacious grounds, and made such a racket that I took great dislike to them. One day I was in my kitchen cooking when…Misnomer2 min readMisnomer2 min read
5 days agoDog in the ParkFlash Fiction — He often went for a walk_ he called it a jog_ in The Meadows. It is a much treasured possession of the Edinburgh community. At any given moment of the day, from before dawn to midnight, there are hundreds of people taking advantage of this green oasis. Above all, it…The Meadows3 min readThe Meadows3 min read
Mar 22Love and FriendshipFlash Fiction — I received the news of Dom’s death with a mixture of sadness and joy. He had been my best friend since we were toddlers, but I discovered not so long ago that I was in love with Denise. I had applied for a job in Edinburgh because of him, and…Platonic2 min readPlatonic2 min read
Mar 21Lamb KormaFlash Fiction — I think I fell in love with her name first:Minakshi. I knew the family wouldn’t be too happy, me seeing a Ghora, a white boy, but I really liked Tom’s smile. I had to work hard to convince myself not to pop the question. I am 22, just graduated, and…Graduation2 min readGraduation2 min read
Mar 20Divorce PetitionFlash Fiction — Thank you, your honour, for giving me the opportunity to sum up my case. I have always loved Suzannah, and will always, but life with her has become impossible. We fell madly in love as teenagers, got married in our late twenties, and had a marvellous idyllic life until our…Love2 min readLove2 min read
