Six short shorts by Emma Harding

These six super-short stories were inspired by the Novel in 25 Words competition run by Bath Spa University.  Let me know in the comments if you have a favourite, or maybe reply with a short short of your own! 

Another shot

The striplight flickers, goading his nascent migraine. Hailing the bartender again, he rereads the note. Someone joins him at the bar, but it’s not her.

Guilty

You’ve got to admit it though, that what he did must surely, whatever your conscience tells you, mean that two wrongs do make a right. 

Silence

Should she say anything? Would she be believed? Who would even listen to her? People knew, of course they did. But no one spoke up.

Faux-pas

‘Well, I ask you!’ Delphinia said, with not a little conviction. ‘What did she think would happen after she’d come in something so completely outré?’

Risky business

The boats are back. All but one. They wait, pray, search. Silently, they give thanks that their own are safe. The boats return to sea.

Moving on

Season’s on the turn. You can feel it. A little colder, the light fading. A final flourish but the end’s in sight. Time to go.