Night-time Weather (Tales from the SSC&B)

February 20, 2025February 27, 2025 Chris Hall51 Comments

The red-headed writer, aka the Raconteuse, had left the Six-Sentence-Café-&-Bistro, as she walked through the slush and wintery rain; she had another rented place now, she had got a bargain and it’s right on the top floor, not far from here, and also not far from the Bartender’s pad.

The wind was picking up now; she began to hurry, while tightening her overcoat, and keeping her big bag close; she could hear a couple of yobs yelling, they were getting nearer, but she was here now, swiftly opening and closing her door.

She hurried up all six floors, it was certainly making her fitter; she unlocked her door, taking off her big bag, removing her coat, and kicking her shoes off, as she padded over to her very messy table; she looked out at the nearest window, while the night sky groaned and moaned.

She pulled out her smartphone, it had a new ring, not sure how it happened though; she’d heard two pings just now: one was from the Bartender explaining about something the tall, thin man had said, and the other was about another great friend, who knows all things about weather.

She returned to the table, looking around to find her many notes about weather, and she also needed her notes about the skies, the clouds and the rainbows, this can be awesome; she opened her laptop, waking it up, now she dived down to continue to write.

And yes, she talks to herself… but who doesn’t?

next episode

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Di of Pensitivity 101 – Thursday’s Three Things Challenge: WRING, YES, YOB

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

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A Happy Writer (Tales from the SSC&B)

February 13, 2025 Chris Hall39 Comments

Johannes Plenio on Unsplash

The red-haired woman, aka the Raconteuse, had been writing furiously on her laptop in her usual place in the Six-Sentence-Café-&-Bistro; she worked on her latest series, it was almost finished, and she was thinking that it was really rather good – for example, who would think to make up such things like vampires and gargoyles, and even a fictional woman who looks rather similar like herself?

Earlier she had cast over the deli menu, the usual combinations – sandwiches, salads which are seasonal, but the best of all are the bagels, made by Tom each day, he has made his perfect niche making the best food around.

The Raconteuse had eaten very happily while Tom had been hovering around, trying to read what she had been writing on her laptop; she’d had several coffees through the day, as well, but now Tom had now finished for the day.

The bar was becoming busier, but at least she’d finished what she was doing; she sidled up to the mahogany bar, to smile and talk to her favourite Bartender: ‘I’d like a nice long G+T please, will you joint me – but of course you will have a VAT, unless you might make it later?’

They both grinned together, while the Raconteuse dropped a couple of notes – ‘here’s my tip, but now, if you’re not too busy can you tell me something; what could I write next time? I was thinking about the seven seas, it could be delightful, do you think it would work?’

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Di of Pensitivity 101 – Thursday’s Three Things Challenge: MAKE, MENU, NICHE

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

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Ah, Paris

February 6, 2025February 6, 2025 Chris Hall40 Comments

Paris Photographer – Louis Paulin

previously

A new day, thought the red-head woman, as she sat up in her bed, then got up and quickly threw some clothes on, she stared out, then opened her tiny balcony: what an odd smell, almost rank, she thought, but still nothing to worry about, unless it got worse.

She had wondered where her good friends, the two gargoyles, had gone from the roof just next to her garret, because yesterday they had slept there, since they had been rather woozy then, maybe that’s why it was a bit whiffy… oh, but here is a note on the table – lucky it didn’t blow away.

The two gargoyles had basic hand-writing, it was good enough; the red-head woman started to read.

This is for you, as we saw from the roof, we could see Mr Cushing and The Old One looking over the lovely city, while they were listening to rather loud music, but then Mr Cushing said that would be no problem he would run The Old One back to his ancient pile in Orleans – so there you know, all right xxx

ps: the three lovely vampires had been very busy all night in the cemetery and now they were snoozing like the dead (we are giggling)!!
pps: we will be back though… soon, but in the meantime the two of us will be watching the football – a crunch match on Saturday.

The red-head women smiled, although something was niggling in her head still, but she couldn’t get to it.

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Di of Pensitivity 101 – Thursday’s Three Things Challenge: BASIC, CAUSE, CLOT

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

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Back on the Road

January 30, 2025February 6, 2025 Chris Hall40 Comments

Kalina O. on Unsplash

previously

Mr Cushing had opened all the doors on the limo, as everyone piled in the seats, he looked up along the road to see some awkward customers who were coming very much nearer; it was time to close the doors and go – ‘I will drive like the wind now,’ he said.

The two gargoyles were slightly inept as they climbed into the back, although granted they were careful not to damage the upholstery, but they were a little woozy, since they had drunk rather a lot of the special cocktail made by Mr Cushing.

Scatty lay down, staring up to the panoramic roof, where the huge moon and all the lovely stars stared back; while Joan and Francis were having a little smooch.

Meanwhile, Mr Cushing had been driving the limo, as it glided around the outskirts of Paris, it was almost midnight; ‘where should I drop you?’ he asked, ‘we are near Montmartre.’

Everyone suddenly sat up – ‘that’s handy… and of course, haunting time too,’ said one of them – as they all grinned, apart from the red-head woman, ‘I am happy to hop out, just here,’ as she took her big bag and her suitcase, ‘do you want to come too?’ – as the two gargoyles nodded their heads.

Back to the cemetery for us, as their little teeth became more noticeable; but then The Old One said: ‘Mr Cushing, shall we go up together with your limo, we will look down over the city while we turn up the volume.’

next episode

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Di of Pensitivity 101 – Thursday’s Three Things Challenge: GRANT, HAUNT, INEPT

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

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A Lovely Evening

January 23, 2025January 30, 2025 Chris Hall47 Comments

Kalina O. on Unsplash

previously

The red-head woman was elated as she slammed her cue down and laughed saying, ‘I’m the victor,’ as she turned around, but then she slipped and fell down, fortunately Francis was at hand, and he helped her up, ‘enough, let’s go.’

Joan and Scatty had already left, as they wanted to have a little swim in the clear river, they would take all their clothes off, skinny dipping was hardly a vice, but still they made sure there was no one around; they both jumped in, swimming and giggling, then they tread it water as they looked up to see the huge moon.

By now Francis and the red-head woman had been walking next to the river, they could hear the splashing from Joan and Scatty – ‘don’t worry about us,’ as the two of them waved back.

Said Francis, ‘let’s continue to walk, I feel I could speak a verse or two,’ as he started to utter eloquently: ‘by the way it’s from Shakespeare… of course.’

But the red-head woman had no truck in that kind of thing, as she hurried up to where The Old One and Mr Cushing were standing near the limo: ‘oh, that looks divine,’ as she licked her lips.

Mr Cushing had been busy mixing and blending a large pick-me-up, it was a special concoction, excellent for all of them (even the two gargoyles who had been bickering for almost an hour), ‘come everyone, enjoy, and maybe a bit of tripping too,’ as he winked.

next episode

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Di of Pensitivity 101 – Thursday’s Three Things Challenge: VICTOR, VICE, VERSE

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

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Day and Evening

January 16, 2025January 23, 2025 Chris Hall50 Comments

Kalina O. on Unsplash

previously

Everyone now knows that Peter Cushing was a great chauffeur: the Old One was sitting next to him grinning happily, while the two gargoyles were sitting backwards, being very careful not to scratch the upholstery, while looking around with their eyes peeled.

They had been in the lovely limo for several hours watching the many villages and little towns, since they were so much nicer than motorways, but now they were coming to a forest and it seemed right to stop.

‘So what’s here then,’ asked the red-head woman, as the two gargoyles proceeded to answer, while everyone else opened their doors and climbed out.

Scatty and Joan made a beeline to walk down to the river where it was clear and refreshing as both of them took a little sip, and a little more, where Joan explained that here in the cities, the water was often cloudy and opaque.

Meanwhile, Mr Cushing had been busy removing several deck chairs, a couple of small tables, and other useful things from the undercarriage of the limo; and soon Francis was happy reading another tome, while the Old One and Mr Cushing began to reminisce again.

Rather later, most of them went into the hamlet together, where they found a bar; but already here was the red-head woman who was in her element, she had been playing pool for more than an hour, winning everyone in sight, the next one, she said: ‘So pal, what do you think – double or quits, eh?

next episode

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Di of Pensitivity 101 – Thursday’s Three Things Challenge: OPEN, OPAQUE, OPAL

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

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Gassing in the limo

January 9, 2025January 16, 2025 Chris Hall51 Comments

Kalina O. on Unsplash

previously

They all piled into the limo; the two gargoyles bagged the back, Francis was happy to lounge on the third row, and Joan and Scatty sat in the middle; the red head woman was clutching her big bag, and The Old One sat almost at the front: now they were ready to go.

‘How long will this take?’ asked Scatty, ‘will we need a hotel, perhaps?’– ‘honestly, don’t be silly,’ said the nearer gargoyle, ‘I estimate it’ll take six hours,’ while looking around at the chauffeur.

But before the chauffeur could speak, The Old One said: ‘I know who you are,’ as everyone turned to look at him; meanwhile the other gargoyle said: ‘well, we thought he was an actor, right from the start.’

The chauffeur glided to a stop, then turned around taking his shades off; ‘I have been an actor for many years, and yes, I’m not able to do it anymore, I’m not dead, nor a vampire, no, I’m an immortal, but never mind that.’

The Old One almost shouted: ‘you’ve been in many, many Dracula films haven’t you – and rather raunchy back in the day, but my favourite film (two actually) was the Doctor – you were Doctor Who.’

‘Oh yes,’ as he smiled back, ‘I remember that machine… the TARDIS, great wasn’t it,’ then The Old One added, ‘I had a bit part, I was an extra in that, I was a Dalek, no speaking part but I was very hostile and menacing… oh, happy days!’

next episode

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Di of Pensitivity 101 – Thursday’s Three Things Challenge: HOTEL, HOSTILE, HONEST

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

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Let’s go to the fair

January 2, 2025January 9, 2025 Chris Hall48 Comments

thank you, Misky

previously

Scatty had been waving a flyer about the fair, while running around from bedroom to bedroom, ‘come on, it’s only in the next town and we’re able to get there very easily – come on, a lovely fair – there will be all sorts of things… who’s in?’

‘What a wonderful idea,’ said The Old One, ‘I wear such style, of course, boot and suit required, don’t you think?’ as he began to hum.

Joan was also up for this, ‘I do hope they have dodgems and I’m great at playing catapult… come on, Francis, you’ll come, won’t you?’ as she looked down, but he was still reading, while lying on the chaise-longue.

He craned over to see the flyer, ‘give it to me,’ as he slowly sat up, ‘see the date… it was last week – it’s already gone,’ Joan and Scatty stared at it, ‘daft, both of you,’ said Francis.

‘Just as well,’ said the red-head woman, who had been packing everything into her big bag, plus a small suitcase which contained various goodies, ‘time to go back to Paris, anyone else?’

The two gargoyles had been busy using their phones, since it seemed that everyone would like to go back to Paris: they shouted, ‘the limousine would be arriving shortly – the car, the man and the dark shades… and here it is,’ the two of them said to each other, ‘he looks very familiar… isn’t he an actor?’ – ‘but I thought he was dead, still nothing new there!’

next episode

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Di of Pensitivity 101 – Thursday’s Three Things Challenge: ABLE, ACTOR, AFT

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

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Are we playing?

December 26, 2024January 2, 2025 Chris Hall50 Comments

© Ayr/Gray

previously

The four vampires – Joan, Francis, Scatty and the Old One, the two gargoyles plus the red-head woman had been having a whale of a time for several weeks in that wonderful chateau, although some of them were becoming rather restless.

Georges, the manager, was also becoming a little fraught; he had been walking around the market earlier, where he happened to look up and who did he see, these two gargoyles were watching the game of boules just behind the high wall next to the chateau: I admit this crowd are more than weird, they are completely loopy but what can I do? (he thought).

Francis were still very happy reading all those beautiful books in the library, but he was not alone; Joan had read ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ by Charles Dickens and it was the second time too, but this time she felt it was less interesting and she read it half-heartedly now; instead she was looking out from the window, daydreaming about something else.

The Old One had been wondering what to do next – another movie or maybe Joan, or even the red head woman, could play Scrabble with me.

But the red-head woman had other plans.

Scatty had joined the two gargoyles on the tall wall; she watched the game for a bit, ‘boules, I can watch or not, not my favourite though, but look at this… admission is just 10 euros, shall we go?’ – the two gargoyles started to grin, ‘why not?’

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: ALONE, HALF-HEARTED, DAYDREAM

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

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Our Little Lockets (Tales from the SSC&B)

December 18, 2024 Chris Hall39 Comments

previously

‘Do we remember what we did… that beautiful day, and night, when we saw the Harvest Moon,’ said the Raconteuse, – while Mimi said, ‘of course, it was us and Jenne,’ as she clapped her hands, – then the Bartender said, ‘later we came home where we found our silver boxes and our little lockets.’

Mimi held up her locket, while the Bartender held out her hand, ’I made it into a ring, nice, isn’t it?’, as the Raconteuse gently opened the small box; but then the Bartender froze for a moment, as Ms Storme lunged at the box, ‘give me a look, won’t you?’

‘Wait, just a moment,’ said the Raconteuse, ‘there’s no locket, but here’s a letter from Jenne – she says she’s gone to pastures new, also Mr C. E. Ayr, and the two of them do the Unicorn Challenge, jolly good,’ – ‘I would agree,’ said the tall, thin man, who winked.

He continued to pose a question, while the Gatekeeper looked on, and Hūnga barked; ‘my idea is that Ms Storme should take over the reins, what do you think?’

Everyone seemed to be happy with that, so that was that; Ms Storme and the tall, thin man suddenly needed to be elsewhere; while the Gatekeeper and Hūnga, will be elsewhere too, and later they will look up, since there’ll be a tiny nick over the moon.

‘And as for me,’ said the Raconteuse, ‘I’m going to dip into this book, in fact, it was partly written by me.’

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