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Colin Devonshire

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2019

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134 Stories

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Cheers, God

“I am a lucky boy. We have a strong Wi-Fi connection today. I can watch my favourite series.” “That’s great, you enjoy it. Do you want a cup of tea?” “Thanks, mum, I’d love one, with a biscuit or three?” “One biscuit, watch your weight,” mum said. “Ow, go on, let’s agree on two?” Since my accident, I had played no sport. I did watch the football. Does that count as exercise? Five minutes later she carried in a tray with a plate of biscuits. She expected a smile. Instead, I smashed the teacup, saucer and cookie piled plate. Knocked cleanly fr...

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Here I Am

The bus rumbled like an empty stomach. We missed the bus stop by ten yards. It did stop. I got off alone. I didn’t wave; I trundled on; I had a hand-drawn map; it was damp with sweat, was it the right place? I thought so. She told me her farm would be easy to find. There was nothing here. Miles of green paddy fields. Or were they her farm? People with hunched backs picked at the water, lifting, stabbing, planting. One after the other, head turned and peered at me. Should I wave? Head down I trudged on. At last, buildings came into view. An e...

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Solid

“So, what do you think of the new house?” “It’s old.” “Yes, but look, character dribbles out of the teak.” “Has it got Wi-Fi?” “Not yet, but soon, the engineer will fit it, he’s booked. Relax.” Austin couldn’t wait to leave central Bangkok. His girlfriend, Hathai, was not so sure. She had been born in the city, schooled in the city, all her friends and family lived in the city. Now she was going to a ‘hick town.’ “Petchaburi is not too far, we can drive back any time you want,” said Austin. “It’s two hours away.” Petchaburi c...

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Snowed-In

“You have got to be joking?” “No, I mean it, we are stuck.” “You are telling me, I’ve travelled all this way. Bought loads of clothes, learned how to ski, used up two weeks of my holiday time, and now we are stuck in this room?” “It is not a room it is a chalet.” “Whatever. I would rather be working in my air-conned office than stuck in ice and snow.” He had plans when they returned. Beam was far from beaming. She grew up in Bangkok; she had finally gained a degree in accounting. Her father promised her a holiday, anywhere she fancied. She c...

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Tea Junction

“I’m gasping for a cuppa,” said Angie. “We will not have your usual,” Suk answered. Angie was the new girl at Pert Exports, she brewed the office tea. That wasn’t her job, she was head of international sales. But, as the new girl, she made the tea. Suk was the daughter of PE’s owner. She ran the show. “Today we are going out for our afternoon ‘cuppa’, I’m taking you to a tea shop. Okay?” Suk led Angie by the arm to her chauffeur-driven BMW. “Where are we going?” “We are going to Yaowarat Road, Bangkok’s Chinatown. They know abo...

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I Don't Know Why?

“I don’t know why, but I get a funny feeling when I’m near her,” Chas said. He was sitting looking at his shoes. Not that his shoes were anything special. Scuffed school footwear. “Yeah, I can see it in your face,” Patsi answered. “You fancy her, you've got no chance!” Patsi, was Chas’s oldest friend at the school, his only friend. He and his family had moved from London to Thailand a year ago. He had struggled with his Thai tones, the other kids giggled. “No, I don’t. There is something about her.” Patsi looked at her shiny shoes. “Forget h...

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Happy New What?

“Happy New Year!” he shouted from the hole in the broken glass of the 30th-floor condo window. Fireworks exploded below, rockets screeched around. His sarcasm was wasted on the heavy Bangkok air. He turned and saw her stooped, broken and bent across the dining chair, knees on the carpet, stomach and chest flattened on the seat, her head hung uncomfortably as if watching her thighs under the cushioned seat. Her long dark hair dragged on the ground. Her slim arms were pinned by her ears, wrists bent, one hand clutching at something hidden in h...

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Never Never

“As they say, ‘Better Late Than Never’, whatever that means?” Alfred said to his wife. He wasn’t sure if she understood. She gave no sign. He hoped for a smile, even a glint from her sightless eyes. He could wish. His memories drifted back to their wedding day, all those years ago. “April 1st, 1962, it was sunny and warmish for the time of year. Why did we get married on All Fools’ Day? Her father suggested it, I remember,” he muttered to himself. “He never wanted us to be wed. Silly old man, he didn’t understand us.” Alfred sat down on the ...

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Found

“I’m serious, my granddad found my dad.” “What are you talking about?” “My granddad was in Burma with the Chindits during the war.” “What are the Chindits?” “Were, you mean, they were called ‘The Forgotten Army’, because they used to get lost behind enemy lines. My granddad was sent to India, but soon, off he went to Burma to fight the Japanese,” Chop said, he looked up dreamily, remembering the man he adored. “Anyway, what do you mean he found your dad?” Chop’s best friend asked. “My dad was found walking alone in the jungle, he had burns a...

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Curtains Open

“By the sound of it, we have a full house.” “What do you mean, ‘by the sound of it’, how can you tell from back here?” “Experience, my dear boy,” Georgie Boy panted. Years of beating the boards told him. He had lost the status of leading man a year ago, now, he was one of the cast. Did he mind? Yes, nobody wants to get older, especially when looks fade. As hard as he coloured the grey, another hair fell out. The new leading man had been picked, not because of his acting skills, which were okay, but because, he looked the part. That, a...

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Ta

“Thanks a lot,” Jazza said to himself, he was unhappy with his bosses comment, even less happy with her suggestion. His latest task was handed via email which ended ‘my office door is open’. The other reporters hid their grins behind papers. He trudged towards the door at the far end of the building. It was tough getting his work permit, now it seemed even harder keeping it. He was stumped. His boss was the editor of a provincial newspaper. Jazza was only the second non-Thai journalist working for them. To gain the work permit, he needed to ...

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The Good Old Days

“Back in my day, we didn’t accept any bad language. On our black-and-white tv, they hinted at foul jokes without saying the bad words. Adults would get the point without upsetting the children,” granddad said, before drifting off in another nap. I loved granddad; it was always fun to be with him. He showed us paper and pen games, sometimes with one or two dice. Nothing electronic. My brother, John, and I grinned and nodded at each other. John like his phone games more but would always join us, laughing and fooling around. We messed about wit...

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Did You Hear?

“Listen…” Tom tilted his scared and misformed head until his ear rested on his shoulder. He smiled, a crooked grin, he was happy. “Listen to what? All I can hear is the distant rumble of thunder and the occasional crack of lightning.” “No, it’s nearer. Listen.” Tom’s changed ears and shoulders. Brian hated it when his brother did that. “You look madder than normal,” he whined. “I may be mad, but at least I can hear.” Brian smiled down sadly and moved behind Tom, he started pushing the wheelchair towards their home. It start...

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Change

“Today’s the day I change,” I said to myself. Swinging my right leg and booting Mrs Ricketts’ gnome from the front of her pristine garden. I chuckled as it smashed in the road. Her front door opened, and she came out waving her walking stick shouting and calling me names you don’t expect a woman of her age using. It made me laugh as I jogged backwards, waving my middle fingers at her. I guessed she knew what it meant.  I tripped and fell backwards over an overfilled shopping bag by the bus stop. The owner was not happy. I turned and ran...

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Is everything Ready?

“Everything was ready for the ritual. What have you done?” Mr Kirkwood asked. “Sir, I don’t feel right about this,” Khun Daw answered. “You may not, but I am the General Manager of this hotel, and if the owner’s wife wants a, eh, different party to celebrate, eh, her special day. Well, we do our best. Okay?” “Sorry sir, not okay, I am Thai, and we don’t celebrate death like this.” “The owner and his wife are Thai, I believe they know what they require. Rearrange the ritual or hand in your notice.” “But, I’ve got a new baby and a mortgage.” “...

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