In that farm

December 17, 2025 Chris Hall33 Comments

‘So here he is,’ grinned the red-headed woman, as all of them got out of that wonderful limo; she walked up to him, offering a firm handshake: ‘such a pleasure to meet-and-greet you, the amazing Inspector Clouseau,’ as she smiled radiantly.

The Inspector Clouseau was wearing his usual trenchcoat, it was very cold and he had been stomping around for a bit, but it was clear that he had been thinking thoughts though; although it seemed he wasn’t going to share much at the moment.

The farmer appeared, he was wearing his work jacket blues, with his beret up top and his wellington boots, as he mumbled to himself, ‘such a shame, such a devastating calamity, even though I’m often shunned, since not many people like to look after snails, but what a waste… and money, so much money.’

‘We mustn’t give up yet,’ said Francis, ‘since those jewels must be somewhere, and you, Monsieur Farmer, you shouldn’t succumb with despair yet; I’m sure these things are connected, don’t we think?’ – all of them agreed, as they began to walk around the place, especially all those sheds.

‘See that channel,’ said one of the gargoyles, ‘no, not that way, look the other way, over there,’ – ‘oh, I see, I can see a dip,’ – ‘okay, lets go have a little look,’ – so both of them set out across the last shed, while bickering a bit, as usual.

‘Hey, everyone come here, look what we have found, you’ll be stunned at this!’

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Di of Pensitivity 101 – Wednesday’s Three Things Challenge: STUNNED, SHUNNED, SUCCUMB

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

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All back together!

December 10, 2025 Chris Hall46 Comments

Paris Photographer – Louis Paulin

They had been singing for ages and loudly too, the songs, the lyrics and the melodies were all off key, but none of them cared, since this was a great outing; they hadn’t been all together for such a long time, more than half a year, but time is a strange idea if some of this lot are immortal.

Mr Cushing was driving, as always, in his purring limousine, and The Old One sat next to him; they had both been living in the south of France – very clement and useful too, since they both love going to the Cannes Festival and hang out with the hoi polloi (not).

Francis was sitting in the middle row, he had been reading the newspapers avidly, almost desperately to find anymore news about those jewels which had been stolen from the Louvre; it was only he who wouldn’t sing, while his wife, Joan, and her best friend Scatty, were clapping their hands on the other side and singing their hearts out.

The two gargoyles sat in the back and looked out in the rear of the car, eager to see a particular police car, since Inspector Clouseau could be just behind them.

The red-headed woman had been moving around in that gorgeous long car, talking to all her lovely friends; she was very keen to see what would occur, and she shouted: ‘we must be almost there at that farm.’

And a moment later she grinned: ‘it’s that it… all those big sheds.’

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Just in case you’ve missed this lot, here’s a bit: https://lunas-online.com/2025/01/30/back-on-the-road/

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Di of Pensitivity 101 – Wednesday’s Three Things Challenge: SONG, LYRIC, MELODY

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

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Escargots?

December 3, 2025 Chris Hall51 Comments

Paris Photographer – Louis Paulin

The red-headed woman had been feeling rather pensive as she continued to listen to the two friendly gargoyles, while she rummaged in her big bag.

‘As you know we had enlisted several clever animals for a while, although sadly they have moved on to another case, we believe,’ – ‘not surprising though, since they are jet-setting animals who solve crimes all around the world,’ as the two of them grinned to each other.

‘You know there are still protests around the Louvre,’ said one of the gargoyles, ‘since so many very exquisite jewels had been stolen, and they are still mostly missing, so it’s vital that we stay in touch with Inspector Clouseau, you must know him surely,’ as the two of them looked at her; she affirmed.

‘So what are we going to do now?’ asked the red-headed woman, as she opened her notebook and clicked her retractable pen; while the two gargoyles looked at their phones, and a moment later they both said: ‘ooh, breaking news… look.’

They all craned over to read what it said: “Thieves have stolen a huge amount of escargots in a farm quite near Paris, they broke into the farm buildings overnight a few days ago; now the officers are on the trail…”

One of the phones pinged, it was Inspector Clouseau who said: ‘it’s a decoy, I’m sure – never mind about those escargots, but those fabulous jewels, they will be hidden in some very strange place – they will reappear, mark my words.’

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Di of Pensitivity 101 – Wednesday’s Three Things Challenge: ENLIST, PROTEST, VITAL

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

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What’s been happening?

November 26, 2025 Chris Hall45 Comments

Paris Photographer – Louis Paulin

The red-headed woman was tired, since it had been a long day, and it was very late now, she hadn’t seen her friendly two gargoyles, which was rather sad, but as she was about to turn in, she saw them.

She motioned a hand from her little balcony as the two gargoyles circled and landed; she thought how graceful they were – always on the move, and very mobile considering what they were, although only very privileged people would see one moving, never mind two.

Both of them grinned, then one of them said, ‘let’s get a photo quickly, all of us, say cheese,’ – and a moment later they all crowded together on that rather new smartphone, ‘that’s nice, and don’t forget some suitable hashtags.’

‘So did you? I mean that daring heist in the Louvre,’ asked the red-headed woman to the two of them; – they both grimaced and said at the same time, ‘if only… imagine that, but no, not us.’

‘Well, I guess you wouldn’t have done a photo just now, know of course not, you would be hiding, wouldn’t you,’ – ‘correct,’ said one of them, and continued, ‘but there might be a reward, and that would be good, wouldn’t it, don’t we think?’

‘We have also had a few good thoughts about that,’ said the two gargoyles, ‘you see, we have been trailing several leads, including that Inspector Clouseau, and also a couple of clever animals – a cat and a panda; what do you think about that?’

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Di of Pensitivity 101 – Wednesday’s Three Things Challenge: MOVE, MOBILE, MOTION

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

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How lovely to be home…

November 21, 2025 Chris Hall45 Comments

Paris Photographer – Louis Paulin

The red-headed woman had been in various places in France, enjoying the cafes and vineyards, and also managed to get a bit of money on the side, since she had to earn a living in some way or another – a hustle here and a hustle there, but at least her lovely ruby red ring had been fixed.

She was so happy to draw up in her little red car to look up to see her attic apartment in Paris; she parked her car several streets away and hurried to buy some things.

She went to the nearest small supermarket, threaded her way to the counter where she would find a few things to keep her going – a baguette and a squishy cheese and a carton of fava beans which she would cook with some butter and garlic, very tasty.

She walked up to the top floor, unlocking her door, dumped her big bag on the table, then opened her double French doors, how lovely to be home; she had idly thought about the two gargoyles since she always enjoyed their company.

She had been perusing on her smartphone to see what had been going on over those last few months and, of course, the main story had grabbed her the most had been the Louvre Museum in that amazing dare-devil heist and all those gorgeous jewellery stolen, almost to order, she’d thought; could it have been the two gargoyles who had a hand in that heist?

But surely not!

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Di of Pensitivity 101 – Friday’s Three Things Challenge: COURTER, BEANS, THEAD

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

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‘What’d I Say’ (Tales from the SSC&B)

November 12, 2025 Chris Hall54 Comments

William Bereza on Unsplash

The red-headed writer (aka la Raconteuse) was in her tiny apartment, she’d finally finished her crossword in her folded broadsheet newspaper, noticing that she had ink on both hands.

She mused as she wandered into her kitchen, while she cleaned her hands, and then brewed some more coffee; she had many diverse tastes and interests, in fact, she always had, although her favourite hobbies were her writing and reading.

A few minutes later she brought her coffee into the living room, putting it on the coffee table where she picked up her latest book – The Weight of Snow and Regret by Elizabeth Gauffreau.*

She held the book unopened for a moment: the front cover was beautiful, like a picture of snow – the perfect time to read in the winter, the book itself was quite heavy since there are many wonderful words, so she opened the book, removing her bookmark – she’d had this for years, a little cheshire cat in metal, she put it down – now it was time to read.

La Raconteuse was engrossed in her book apart from playing the CD by Lightnin’ Hopkins, since he was in that book; she continued to read for more than an hour, but now she was hungry.

It was almost lunch-time as she ventured out into the wintry day, it looked like it would snow soon, as she dodged the cars and taxis as she walked across the streets; at least it’ll be warm in the Six-Sentence-Café-and-Bistro, as she quickened her step.

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*I have been reading Liz’s book, and here she is on WordPress – https://lizgauffreau.com

**Do see this on Goodreads – The Weight of Snow and Regret by Elizabeth Gauffreau.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/228398641-the-weight-of-snow-and-regret

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Di of Pensitivity 101 – Wednesday’s Three Things Challenge: DODGE, DIVER, DINK

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

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Fireworks? (Tales from the SSC&B)

November 5, 2025 Chris Hall50 Comments

William Bereza on Unsplash

What an interesting time the red-headed writer (aka la Raconteuse) and Reena had, and they were hoping that both of them could meet again, and soon, especially since the usual suspects – meaning the Proprietors (plus a few hangers on – the clever ones) might learn a little bit of business between all of them, since Reena has great acumen.

La Raconteuse mused to herself as she crossed the street, as she glanced at someone’s newspaper – that date: 5^th November – it was bonfire night; not that many people in the city would even know anything about it, but for her, she would always remember what happened since she originally came from the UK.

Ah yes, Guy Fawkes, such an important time and date (for us); she thought for a moment, this is the way it goes:

“Remember, remember the 5th of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot;
I know of no reason
Why the gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!”

La Raconteuse was almost into the Six-Sentence-Café-and-Bistro, although she was still muttering to herself; she’d almost collided with the tall, thin man and the Gatekeeper, who were about to smoke together by the steps, as they each opened a flame on their exquisite zippos.

Just inside Tom grinned, ‘look what I’ve made – it’s almost a sparkler,’– he also came from the UK – as he lit two matches on a tiny cake, ‘we will enjoy, won’t we,’ as they both blew the two matches out; ‘let’s remember Guy Fawkes… in a good way!’

For information: The Gunpowder Plot – UK

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Di of Pensitivity 101 – Wednesday’s Three Things Challenge: BONFIRE, SPARK, FLAME

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

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Almost Halloween… (Tales from the SSC&B)

October 29, 2025 Chris Hall42 Comments

William Bereza on Unsplash

The red-headed writer (aka la Raconteuse) had been munching her snap, crackle and pop for breakfast, she ate rather quickly, then dumped her bowl in the sink, and stuffed the box into the cupboard; ‘it’s going to be busy,’ she grinned to herself.

She had several messages to do, and then she hurried down the six floors holding her usual big bag, she opened the main door and felt the cold breeze outside, but at least it wasn’t wet, as she made her way to the Six-Sentence-Café-and-Bistro.

Even as she walked through the streets, she could hardly miss all this nonsense around, almost every house had at least one pumpkin or ghost on their stoops; she’d even craned her head right up to see what looked like a couple of witches on the roof with their broomsticks.

It was still pretty early as she entered the lovely Café, and what a great atmosphere it was; she could tell that Mimi had a big hand in making the place look really rather spooky; there’re pumpkins galore, little glowing lights around the walls and even tiny bats on the tables.

La Raconteuse removed her big bag and her coat, shoving them into the back of the bar, while looking around to find something useful to do – polishing perhaps, as she grabbed the first thing she found.

A moment later Tom appeared from the kitchen, ‘trick or treat,’ he grinned; ‘oh, by the way there’s a new guest arrived,’ he pointed, ‘it’s Reena.’

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Di of Pensitivity 101 – Wednesday’s Three Things Challenge: SNAP, CRACKLE, POP

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

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Still in the Manager’s Office (Tales from the SSC&B)

October 22, 2025 Chris Hall55 Comments

William Bereza on Unsplash

Picking it up from last week with Clark… this is the SSC&B

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The red-headed writer (aka la Raconteuse) had been miles away as she thought what had been occurring, partly since she had drunk too much coffee and eaten some nice pastries (both delicious) since the Bartender and Mimi had brought both to the Manager’s Office, but also she’d been mulling since it seemed that she might get away with talking about that certain note.

Fine and dandy, she grinned to herself as she watched Tom taking everything from the Manager’s Office and to the kitchen; he muttered to Mini, explaining that he would make a large spice cake for afternoon tea.

La Raconteuse returned to watch as the tall, thin man had a quick conversation with several people including Ms Strome and her uncle; it seemed that they were going back to the main part of the Bistro, as if some particular boot was on the other foot, as one might say, as la Raconteuse arched one eye up, although the tall, thin man was definitely staying, sprawling in the great new chair.

The Gatekeeper had been surveying the room, listening to what had been said, but then he walked back to the mantelpiece, and turned his back, looking at that mirror.

La Raconteuse joined him: ‘don’t you remember what was there before?’ – ‘sorry, I don’t,’ – ‘but look, you can even see where it was, it was more than a yard and a half longer… you really don’t remember?’

La Raconteuse smiled, ‘that was a painting, I wonder where it went?’

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Di of Pensitivity 101 – Wednesday’s Three Things Challenge: FOOT, YARD, MILE

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

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A little squashed… (Tales from the SSC&B)

October 15, 2025 Chris Hall49 Comments

William Bereza on Unsplash

‘Well this is a bit of a pickle,’ muttered the red-headed writer (aka la Raconteuse) as she squeeze between Mimi and Tom on the chaise-longue; a moment later they all needed to stand up, rearrange the pretty throw, since the chaise-longue had had better days, and was rather coarse to sit on it without it’s throw.

It seemed there was going to be some kind of announcement, although no-one seemed particularly interested to move any kind of motion; there was some hint between Ms Strome’s and… what was his name..? – la Raconteuse closed her eyes, trying to remember his name, as she cursed herself.

She opened her eyes, ‘it’s not helping,’ while Tom grinned back at her – ‘you know what I am going to say,’ – ‘hmm, what?’ – ‘at least it’s bigger on the inside than on the outside… you know, like Doctor Who,’ as Tom giggled; la Raconteuse rolled her eyes.

She looked across the room where the Gatekeeper was standing with one elbow on the mantelpiece; she caught his eye, making a quick gesture – nothing more required since they had known each other for long enough.

Moving on, whilst crossing her legs and clasping her knuckles, she looked up to the tall, thin man who was perched on the handsome desk; he glanced around the room as everyone turned to him and stopped talking.

La Raconteuse thought to herself, there would be several options, she was sure, but what course might she take? – and what would he utter?

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