Lace but tatty, sadly

March 27, 2026 Chris Hall71 Comments

Photo Prompt © Sandra Crook

That tatty lace was once so pretty. It covered those tall windows, and the light would shine brightly in the early evening.
The sun still smiles, but there’s no-one to see it here in this house.

Then the house was a home.

The walls and the doors were painted in rich and bold colours.
The garden was glorious with many exotic flowers, bushes and vegetables. And beyond, those magnificent trees would often seem to sing.

But that was a long time ago.

Would you see a ghost sometimes?
Would you hear a strange knock in the night?
Maybe? Maybe not.

~~~~~

Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

27 March 2026

She is an artist, and a good one, she thinks…

March 13, 2026 Chris Hall63 Comments

Photo Prompt © Lisa Fox

It was the opening exhibition, and she was a teensy-weensy nervous. She was wearing her good clothes (for once), and she had her best beret on her bonce (naturally). She held her champers while holding her pinkie out to look posh, as she helped herself with some dainty morsels.

It was terribly busy as everyone slowly milled around the various interesting (and uninteresting) paintings. It was always nice to see other artists, and many knew each other.

Then there was a loud couple of claps.
An art critic appeared.
There was a silence for a moment.

And the winner is…

~~~~~

Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100 (Not counting the lengthy title)

13 March 2026

Very modern, isn’t it?

March 6, 2026 Chris Hall67 Comments

Photo Prompt © Roger Bultot

‘That’s odd.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Well… look.’
They both stopped.

‘It’s a new building.’
‘So?’
‘All those structures feel unreal.’
‘What??’
She continued to stare. ‘Definitely peculiar.’

‘But I wonder whether we could get a coffee there?’

They walked up to the building, but then they were both stumped.
‘There’s no doors.’
They peered into the coffee area, although there was no coffee brewing.
‘I don’t think they are real people. They’re definitely busy, but I’m sure they are all bots and artificial cloning things.’

Suddenly all the windows became opaque.
‘More than weird.’
‘Let’s back away… and quickly.’

~~~~~

Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

6 March 2026

A sunset surprise

February 27, 2026 Chris Hall70 Comments

Photo Prompt © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

‘Aliens? Can’t be.’
‘What d’you mean?’
‘Oh… nothing.’

They stood together watching another glorious sunset, and saying nothing for several minutes.

‘So why did you mention aliens?’
‘Whoa. Look.’ She pointed her finger as a bright light zoomed across the sky.
He said nothing.
‘Didn’t you see it?’
‘Nope.’
‘Hmm,’ she huffed.

She was still looking around the sky, when another one happened. ‘It’s that little bright green light again.’

But then it dawned on him. ‘Our son’s sitting just inside. He’s playing with a laser pointer pen and it’s green.’
‘Well, at least he’s stopped doodling on our walls!’

~~~

Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers
Genre: It’s been one of those weeks.
Words that Don’t Particularly Count: 100

27 February 2026

Barbeque?

February 20, 2026 Chris Hall50 Comments

Photo Prompt © Lori Wilson

Barbeque? Well, not usually called it here. We prefer the word ‘braai’.
But it’s just a way to say, ‘howzit’.

It’s time to open some beer… naturally, and to make sure all the meat is arranged around the grill, since everyone has something different.

The women have brought salads and stuff. They’re already ‘skinnering’ (gossiping), and very happy with that. Now it’s the perfect time for ‘sundowners’ for the girls… some lovely white wine – and chilled.

Route 66? Almost. This is Route 62!

Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

20 February 2026

Park place

February 13, 2026 Chris Hall49 Comments

Photo Prompt © David Stewart

She had been moseying along that long sidewalk, since she had little to do that day. The street was wide and very, very straight, as she continued to walk on. There were trees on the left and trees on the right, and they had been planted for some years.

She almost felt that she should hug a tree.
But that would look daft.

A little later she entered the park there.
There was a handy bench not far, so she sat down.

Opening her big bag, she took out her writing book and a pen.
Then it became a poem.

~~~

Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

13 February 2026

An interesting apartment

February 6, 2026 Chris Hall57 Comments

It was my first pad, and for the first time it was just me on my own.
Rent, of course, but not too expensive. Well, it was pretty tiny.

Partly furnished, all old stuff, but usable.
A single bed, a little rickety. A big cupboard, a dressing table (hideous), and a chest of drawers.

I’d a beanbag and a couple of big cushions, my clothes and bedding, my books and the darling record-player, plus some albums.

On the landing there was a shared kitchen and bathroom.

The first night, I’ll never forget that.
I woke up.
A ghost appeared.
Perfect.

~~~~~

Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers
Genre: Memoire
Word Count: 100

6 February 2026

Retro cake

January 30, 2026 Chris Hall61 Comments

‘Look at that wonderful cake,’ she said.
‘Nice,’ he said.
‘Right in the middle of that excellent cake shop.’
‘I realise that.’
‘It’s gorgeous… three layers, lovely, and it looks rather retro.’
‘It’s big.’
‘It’s just that… well, I was thinking, you know…’ as her voice trailed off.
He said nothing.

‘Are we moving to the next shop?’ he asked.
‘Oh no, not quite yet,’ as she lingered. ‘We could have an anniversary treat… it’s just a little bit early.’

‘Yep, that’s what we should do.’
She opened the cake shop door.
He followed her.
‘It’s flower power, isn’t it.’

~~~~~~~

~~~~~~

Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers
Genre: Hysterical Non-Fiction
Word Count: 100

30 January 2026

Precocious, she was…

January 23, 2026 Chris Hall54 Comments

‘I want to go on the dodgems. The bright purple one looks best.’
She grins, looking to her older brother. ‘Pretty please?’ As she jumps up and down, then waves her little hands.

‘You’ve got the money, haven’t you. And I’m sure we’ve enough.’
She wheedles her older brother. And it always works.

‘Look, it’s stopping.’
She grabs his hand and almost drags him over to the pretty bright purple bumper car.

She jumps in. She’s always the driver, even though she can only just reach that pedal. Then he pays that tall guy, and they are off. Broom, broom!

~~~~~

Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers
Genre: Memoir
Word Count: 100