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Colin Devonshire

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2019

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137 Stories

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Not Long Now

PATRICK WALKED AT a gentle pace, there was no rush. He knew he was lying to himself. He lengthened his stride. He was on a footpath between paddy fields. Most of his neighbours grew rice. A few enjoyed the peace of countryside living without the need to work. Others, like Patrick, worked online and braved the twenty-minute run into Bangkok when needed. Patrick and his wife had differing dreams. He loved quiet, and she loved city lights. To live in the fields is considered a backward step for a Bangkok bar girl like Nong Moo. Moo lived the go...

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A Sign Of Refrain?

NAKED SHOULDER MUSCLES twinged as Jeff stared into the dark night ahead. He peered up at the stars, no answer bounced down at his balcony. He grunted and studied the full moon, but still no response from the heavens. His girlfriend lay dead behind him. ‘Sorry,’ he whispered. He jumped across her body and hopped to the bedroom. ‘Where did she put my clean clothes?’ He opened drawer after drawer. ‘At last,’ he grunted. Clean boxers, and fresh Levis, both pulled out and sniffed at. Then a pristine white shirt dangled in front of his nose. Ear...

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The Night Market

‘Where did Conny go?’ asked Mark. ‘No idea, he just up here and went,’ said Pete. ‘He did the same last night. What is going on?’ Their food arrived simultaneously: a plate of crispy pork from the stall they were sitting at and a less spicy bowl of noodles from next door. Smiles from the stallholders and customers as the plates slid across the table. Pete could eat chillis like a Thai, but Mark struggled with anything hotter than ketchup. ‘How is your room?’ asked Pete. ‘Fine, same as yours I guess?’ ‘The hotel is great value, okay, not on ...

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Red Car

‘YOU’RE BETTER THAN THIS.’ ‘Yeah. Then what?’ ‘Sports writer for some local rag? Come on,’ Bert, the night editor said. ‘I’ve been scribbling about the local football all day. Now, I’m waiting for our local cricketing hero to score a few runs in Australia. Four in the morning in London, and it rains in Sydney. I’m knackered and have wasted my time, our star player is in the pavilion drinking tea.’ said Rick. They both laughed. ‘If you worked for a decent paper they would have flown you out there.’ ‘Yes, but I work here with you darling,’ bot...

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Reflection

‘YOU MUST COME to my shop. And I mean, now!’ Reah said as she grinned into her mobile. ‘Why? You know I can’t afford anything in there,’ said Bella. ‘Come anyway. You will love this.’ ‘What have you got?’ ‘Come and see. I’ll even treat you to a coffee.’ ‘Big deal. See you soon.’ ‘Are you going to look for a job today?’ asked Bella’s mum as the front door opened. ‘Yes, Mum,’ lied Bella. ‘Don’t forget I need you to look after Gran later.’ ‘No, Mum.’ ‘Is that coffee ready, I need it.’ ‘Stressful at home is it?’ asked Reah. ‘Christ, if only you ...

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My View

‘HERE SHE COMES. Her long flowing skirt dances as the coming storm teases the edge of town. It is on its way. A woollen jacket’s large buttons are undone. But each half wrapped one side over the other and held in place by delicate pink and gracefully artistic hands. The right hand is caught in two minds as the wind tries to steal her blue and white cap. No chance, her mind and movement are far too quick.’ I knew she would be aiming for her favourite coffee shop. I’m already there. She won’t see me. The moment I dreaded has arrived, she kis...

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Why Were You There?

‘GREAT IDEA. We come out here in the freezing cold for what?’ asked Mandy. ‘Because I need you to see,’ answered Pippa. ‘See what? There is nothing out here.’ ‘Are you sure?’ ‘What are you talking about? I’m going back home.’ ‘Look again.’ ‘There is still nothing.’ ‘Now follow me slowly and quietly. There, through the branches, see.’ ‘Have you gone mad?’ asked Mandy. ‘Can you see anything moving behind that Robin?’ ‘I can see some smoke. Is that what you mean?’ ‘My God, it is not smoke. Can’t you see a face?’ ‘Have you been drinking?’ ‘Of co...

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A Fat Zero

'OH, CHRIST,' Bertie screamed as he tumbled head-first between packed tables. 'Sorry, I'm so sorry,' he said, repeatedly pulling himself onto his feet. Diners brushed noodles from their clothing. Bertie was lucky; he would be mopping up blood from a punch on the nose in England. Here, people accepted accidents and a refreshed bowl of limp noodles. His shirt smelled like a filthy kitchen after a night shift. He wrung cold soup from the once crisply ironed cotton. It was no longer the pristine white as it was when it came from its box that mor...

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Best Mates

'HOW COME WE are meeting in here?' Alex asked. 'What? Not good enough for you?' Grimsy answered. 'I thought we had moved on a bit.' 'Who ordered the full brekkie?' asked the cafe owner, slapping a greasy plate in the centre of the table. 'Mine's a coffee. The food is for him,' said Alex, pointing across the table. 'Just because you wear a suit now, you can eat here, with me, you know.' Alex snorted and studied the sausages and the rest of the stuff he wouldn't feed his Alsatian. His coffee arrived in a chipped mug, filled to the brim. 'W...

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Thailand's Finest

‘I’VE BEEN SITTING here for ages. What are you doing?’ said Will. ‘I’m on my way. Who is with you?’ ‘No one, who would be?’ ‘I can hear people,’ said Anna. ‘Well, you would, wouldn’t you? There are other customers. Do you think they open up just for me?’ ‘It sounded like you had a girl there.’ ‘A girl pushed her way past, is that what you mean?’ ‘You said, “Sorry” in a sweet way.’ ‘I’m losing my temper and won’t be so polite next time. If you take much longer, she’ll have finished her drink and come past me again.’ His wife, Anna, got the me...

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New Staff?

Can they resist darker impulses? 'ALL THE GIRLS here fancy him, even the married ones,' Peggy nudged the new girl. They both slyly giggled. 'So, is he the boss, or what?' Sandy asked. 'No, nothing like that. He is only one step up the ladder from us.' 'I wish I could afford clothes as classy as his,' Sandy said. 'Yeah, I know what you mean; he's the same each day, immaculate, clothes, perfect manners, the lot.' 'But?' 'He is not interested in any of us. Jessica fancied him, but she left.' 'Oh, gay, is he?' 'We don't know, but I don't think...

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Do Not Touch!

'WOW, DAD, WHAT have you got?' asked Louise. 'Do not touch. I am going out; no one or anything touches that. Hear me? I mean it.' 'But, Dad, what is it?' 'Never you mind. Come on out of my office, please.' Louise was looking over her shoulder as Dad marched her to the door. The lock clicked as Professor William rushed to his car. His daughter pressed the handle down, and sure enough, it was locked. 'Whatever was that?' she wondered as she pressed her school friend's number. 'Pete, come over as soon as possible and bring your Dad's "special" ...

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Running At Eighty

'DO YOU RUN every day?' asked Pippa. 'Yes, young lady. Why do you ask?' said Fred. 'I've seen you run down this street many times.' 'I like to run early in the morning at first light or night as it gets dark. It is cooler, and you must look after your body when you get to my age.' 'You look in pretty good shape. Can I ask how old you are? In Thailand, it is common to ask that, but I know you foreigners can get touchy.' 'Your English and knowledge of "Falang" traits are excellent.' 'Can you speak Thai?' 'No, a few words only. You asked my age...

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A Message In A Shadow

'WHAT DO YOU reckon this is?' asked Rita. 'Oh, Grandma, what are you talking about?' said Gung. 'Ever since your Dad brought me to live with you, weird things keep happening.' 'No, they don't. It is you. Do you miss England so much that you are making up stories?' 'No, dear, whenever I'm alone, something odd happens. True, things like that didn't occur so frequently in London.' 'Maybe, London is so noisy? Now you live by the sea, we get peace, a restful quiet and that freaks you out?' 'Oh, darling, it's not that. I have had some odd experien...

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School Upsets

"Buri Ram Farmer Upset with School Board". The national paper's headline jumped from the front page and slapped Simon's face. A farmer lives with his wife and daughters in the northeastern region of Thailand known as Issan. Rice farming has been a way of life for generations. Many families, including Simon's Thai family, rely on the land for their livelihood, and the rice they grow is a staple food in the region. But for one rice farmer from a small village outside Buri Ram, a recent incident involving his daughter and the school board lef...

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