I bought more cards which were smaller and easier to slip into unsuspecting pockets or gaping bags. Within a month the carriage was renewed. Hairy necks were trimmed, body odours addressed, hairstyles renovated and a couple of the larger ladies seemed to be losing weight.
I didn’t think much about it when the atmosphere on the train started to become strained. We’re all a little reticent in these times, keeping to ourselves. It was only when I heard the footsteps behind me and felt the first pair of hands grab and push that I realised what was happening.
I suppose “lynching” would be the term for it. I’ll have bruises. I’m ignoring what they wrote on those ghastly notes which they pinned to me. People can be harsh sometimes. I think I may start catching a later train though.
Acknowledgements
4’33” Audio Competition
fourthirtythree is an audio magazine. Authors read their own stories, and you can listen to them at: www.fourthirtythree.com
1000words – Picture Prompt E-Journal
If a picture really does paint a thousand words, you can read them at 1000words.org.uk
Bad Language Competition
The group which gave us Manchester’s premier open-mic night give us their best flashes at https://badlanguagemcr.blogspot.co.uk/
FlashBang Crime Competition
Short and violent and online at flashbangcontest.wordpress.com
Flash Fiction South West Anthology
Flash Fiction World Competition
A whole world of flash-fiction? Yes, and it’s online at flash-fiction-world.com
Lancashire Writing Hub’s Competition
It’s Flash up North! lancashirewritinghub.co.uk
Once Upon A Time – Fairytale Competition
Like real fairies, this one is hard to catch, but the printed anthology will arrive soon. More information at both sjiholliday.blog.com and yearningforwonderland.blogspot.co.uk
The Word Counts Competition
A competition run by The Word Counts writing group, the Book-ish bookshop and the Abergavenney Focus.
Writing East Midlands Competition
Bringing word-based magic to the East Midlands at writingeastmidlands.co.uk