Author: Chris Hall

Novelist, story writer, writer of just about anything for anyone!

The Beautiful Game?

Chris Hall45 Comments

© Ayr/Gray

She’s put out the snacks and brought his beer, chilled, in his special glass (one of them). More beers are in the fridge; she has a pie ready to warm for half-time – steak and kidney – his preferred.

Pre-match build up: pundits pontificate; re-runs, highlights, triumphs and near misses. There is success and then there is shame. Which will it be today? National Pride is at stake, for this is the World Cup.

As she sits, small and submissive on the far end of the couch, she plays a different commentary in her head. Missed penalties, own goals, bad decisions by the ref. The repercussions: cuts and bruises (hers); failure on the field reflected in domestic disappointment.

Predictions are favourable. The odds of a positive outcome are weighed in favour. She weighs up her own odds: win or draw 20 per cent, lose 50 per cent (the chances of a beating).

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Posted for The Unicorn Challenge, a magical challenge hosted by Jenne Gray and C E Ayr, where they provide a photo and we, in turn, provide up to 250 words.

Another Full Moon

Chris Hall53 Comments

Guzman Barquin on Unsplash

previously

The full moon leaked across the balcony as the red-head woman looked out into the sky; suddenly she saw Joan, Francis and Scatty, who were hovering on broomsticks: ‘one for you too,’ said Scatty, ‘they are all made with hardwood and jute, and strong and light,’ – ‘come on, hurry,’ said Joan, ‘time to party – we are going around the moon – you’ll see,’ and off they go.

They were flying down the Seine and then the ocean appeared, ‘let’s go to New York,’ shouted Francis, ‘you can see the Café and Bistro, and I think you’ve been there haven’t you?’ – ‘well, kind of,’ muttered the red-head.

They crossed the water keeping with the moon, and then they landed: ‘well,’ said the red-head, ‘I’m going in and quickly skirted around the room,’ – at that moment, the Bartender was wiping a cloth on the sparkling table, as she looked up and smiled, and Mimi also waved happily as she when back to the kitchen; ‘I think I got away with that,’ muttered the red-head.

‘Come on let’s fly to the West Coast; here’s the bridge now, and let’s sit,’ – then the red-head woman hugged her warm fabric as she watched the moon rising again.

But now it’s time to go – and this is the clever bit… ‘widdershins, widdershins, widdershins’ shouted Scatty.

***

Did she fall asleep? thought the red-head… did she dream all of this? but no; she looked in her pocket – it was a napkin from SSC&B!

next episode

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Di of Pensitivity 101 – Thursday’s Three Things Challenge: CLOTH, FABRIC, JUTE

Denise Farley of GirlieOnTheEdge
Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt: DREAM

More #SixSentenceStories

Walking Boots

Chris Hall55 Comments

will he walk a thousand miles
as he climbs around the sea
and will he walk another league as well?

his boots are big and magnificent
as he strides over mountains and lakes
and then the pinnacle arrives…

but what more can he achieve?

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Image credit: Karsten Winegeart @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a pair of hiking boots suspended in the air. They both are facing in different directions and it seems as if they are worn on feet attached to invisible legs!

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #250 photo prompt.

What do you see # 250 – August 19, 2024

Rare Books

Chris Hall41 Comments

Aliis Sinisalu on Unsplash

previously

The red-head woman had woken up, had thrown off her quilt, stood up, walked across and opened the handle into the little kitchen where she spooned some strong coffee into the jug, as it percolated; she stared out into the grey and dank morning, it was wet, very wet, completely different from yesterday.

She got dressed quickly, drinking her coffee, and as she sat down with the three new and ancient books that she had only just bought from the bookseller, she opened all of them.

The first thing she realised was that all of them were in English (phew), and the second thing she realised was that she had known right from the start, these were written about Joan of Arc, Comte de Saint-Germain, and Scáthach: her three friends (and vampires) Joan, Francis and Scatty.

She delved down, looking around all of them, piecing and putting markers everywhere, what seemed particularly interesting was that the two historical tomes were similar, but the folklore one was poles apart; but everything was good.

Then she remembered about the little book which she’d found – the one in the safe; she would get that now.

Meanwhile, it was all very well to read these old books but the red-head woman still needed to hatch a plan (and soon, and then stick to it) since she had little dosh left after doing everything else, but it was raining so hard, like cats and dogs, it was better to stay at home, just for now.

next episode

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Di of Pensitivity 101 – Thursday’s Three Things Challenge: HANDLE, STICK, POLE

Denise Farley of GirlieOnTheEdge
Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt: HATCH

What a vista!

Chris Hall55 Comments

Walk up this beautiful alley
so fragrant, fulsome and vivid,
washed with umber and white-lime walls
as marigolds and cyclamens bloom.

The steps are worn and warm as well,
as we weave around the village,
and then eventually we’re here.
The vistas are magnificent;
we look out to see for many miles
and we wish we could stay forever.

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Image credit: Sig- Sigmund @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a view of an alley where stairs lead up to a house. The stairs are decorated with planters where different flowers are flourishing. There is a huge vine hanging from the side wall. The whole look is of a well-used and aged home.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #249 photo prompt.

What do you see # 249- August 12, 2024

Oh, the Olympic Games

Chris Hall58 Comments

Edin on Unsplash

previously

The red-head woman had been still smirking as she got into the taxi, she had rather a lot of euro coins as earlier she’d won at table-football with several people in the lounge in the Hotel St Germain, and she’d pocketed it them in her big bag, meanwhile the helpful concierge had been dialling one of the taxi ranks from the lobby.

The taxi pulled out and it seemed very busy, she craned up looking around – and then it had dawned on her: she’d completely forgot about the Olympic Games in Paris, and it was already happening, it was so interesting and massive, and right here too (she’d been distracted for several weeks), but now she was very excited.

The taxi had drawn up, almost right at the door, as the red-head woman opened her big bag and digged deep into her compartment, unearthing her money and got rid of most of her coins; she gave him saying – ‘keep the change’ – while he grumbled and then smiled.

The red-head woman heaved up her bag and hurried up to the top of her tiny flat, she deposited her bag, then opened the little balcony; she saw the two gargoyles who were hovering over her, ‘can we come in?’ – she nodded.

‘We’ve been busy for the past two weeks, as we have a temporary job, helping the climbers in the Olympic sport,’ they started, and stopped…

‘Gosh, sorry, got to go, we’re going to watch the final of women’s beach volleyball (ooh)!’

next episode

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Di of Pensitivity 101 – Thursday’s Three Things Challenge: DIG, UNEARTH, INTER

Denise Farley of GirlieOnTheEdge
Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt: DIAL

One of the Gargoyles😂

Enigma: Take Two

Chris Hall52 Comments

she’s gold or bronze, but never silver
she’s a lion or a cheetah, not a pussy
she will never get old
her beauty will never fade
she’s always flourishing
her hair hangs down her face
creeping down over her eyebrows
forehead glistening with grace
she’s gold or bronze, and never silver
and she’s mine, always.

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Image credit: Engin Akyurt @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows the face of a woman, partly covered by her hair. Her visible face is covered in a glittery substance, her eyes are closed and there’s an enigmatic expression on her face.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #248 photo prompt.

What do you see # 248 – 5th August, 2024

At the lobby

Chris Hall59 Comments

© Ayr/Gray

previous

The red-head woman had her great big bag again, as she trudged around as usual; she had been walking around the streets of Paris, while her head was swirling still; where had she been? – she paused: she just saw a rather nice café, and the menu outside looked tempting; she sat down while deciding what to pick, and then she ordered.

On the other side of the street, she craned her head, looking at the rather magnificent and old hotel, and next door was a book shop, and she would have to go in.

After eating and paying, the red-head woman felt fortified, as she entered the book shop where there were so many books, from the floor to the ceiling; it was rather dark and dusty, but it smelled interesting.

The man appeared: ‘I will help you, I know exactly what you need – please sit down – I will track them down, very soon,’ and a moment later, the man had taken three books from the shelves, ‘I think that you want these, they are very old, and useful.’

‘I will also help you over to the Hotel Moderne, (now it’s known as Hotel St Germain, by the way), you’ll find out something else later there – trust me; but meanwhile go past the lobby and go into the lounge.’

And so the red-head woman had a great time, playing table-football and listening to the jukebox, while a young man mixed a cocktail for her – what could be nicer?

next episode

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Posted for The Unicorn Challenge, a magical challenge hosted by Jenne Gray and C E Ayr, where they provide a photo and we, in turn, provide up to 250 words.

Di of Pensitivity 101 – Thursday’s Three Things Challenge: PICK, MIX, TAKEN

Denise Farley of GirlieOnTheEdge
Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt: SWIRL

Dear Lake

Chris Hall60 Comments

Dear Michigan, Lake Michigan
look out to see
(although, it is a lake)

it is huge and deep
wide and broad
and beautiful.

The man stares out
as the sun goes down
it disappears completely

but the waves and clouds
are still there
and then the moon appears.

She bathes in the moonlight
and the man stands up
as they dance together

and then, tomorrow
she’s gone, and he sits again;
Dear Michigan, come back… please.

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Image credit: Tom Barrett of artwork; sculpture by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a sculpture of a man, made by welding alphabets together. The sculpture is located at Atwater Park, overlooking the lake. In the distance, you can see the sun setting over the water and a cloudy sky.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #247 photo prompt.

What do you see # 247- 29 July, 2024

And now…

Chris Hall59 Comments

 Rosalie Gdy on Unsplash

previously

It was a busy night with the various vampires who were drinking and singing, rushing around, jumping over the tables and running up and down on the stairs; although not all of then.

Joan had brought her husband, Francis, he had long, thick and jet black hair, a very dapper gentleman; next to him was Joan’s best friend, Scatty, she had bright red and spiky hair – just like the red-head woman – she grinned happily, offering a little cache of magic around the three of them.

The old vampire had only appeared just now, he had opened his kitchen so that nothing was hidden in the stores, although almost everything had been eaten already; he had thrown open the huge French doors and welcomed everyone – ‘do you love my outfit – so modern, don’t you think?’ – ‘which century was it’ – said one of them, as he giggled.

‘This is the 20th century: platform shoes, very wide trousers and a lovely shirt and lots of medallions (they’re real, by the way),’ as the old vampire started to dance.

Everyone joined in, as the party became even more raucous; a couple of the vampires started to eat just-dead rats and that was too much for the red-head – she swooned.

She woke up at noon, someone must’ve put her to bed, she looked out, everyone had gone, only her car remained; she ran down and out, looking up at the window, was it a statue? but no, it was the old vampire, and he waved.

next episode

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Di of Pensitivity 101 – Thursday’s Three Things Challenge: STORE, CACHE, HIDE

Denise Farley of GirlieOnTheEdge
Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt: PLATFORM