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Short
Stories
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A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK
by Pat Hopper
Sophie’s husband had an accident in the middle of fitting the
kitchen: “It’s a nightmare. Kitchen units everywhere and
the water’s turned off…” Soon as her carpenter parent
is on the way. Again things are not all they seem.
Listen to an audio clip :
MP3 format(170K)
WMA Format (181K)
THE ONLY GIRL FOR ME by
Lynda Wakeling
It’s the office party; Kate, Head of Personnel meets Marc Reid,
a shy young man who does not fit in with his raucous office mates. What
a shame he is going home to a Mrs. Reid. (But she isn’t his wife!)
Listen to an audio clip :
MP3 format(266K)
WMA Format (278K)
A HOME IMPROVEMENT LOAN
by Nina Tucknott
With a bit of nudging from their toddler, Jake, Tim and Em decide to
have another baby. But there will be extra expenses. Tim seeks a Home
Improvement Loan for a family extension and, “Who says fertility
treatment can’t come under that heading?”
Listen to an audio clip :
MP3 format(248K)
WMA Format (260K)
A BRIEF MISUNDERSTANDING by Elizabeth Carr
If he does it once more, I think I’ll… Joanna is infuriated
by her husband’s irritating habits and is determined to have it
out with him. But he has some comments of his own to add!
Listen to an audio clip :
MP3 format(448K)
WMA Format (463K)
A DAY TRIP TO PARIS
by Joan Stanley
Ron’s country wife expects everyone to be up early and ready to
enjoy the day. Ron’s ideal day starts much later, and today the
children are quoting his energetic mother-in-law, Zelda, as the authority
on everything. Zelda took her grandson to Paris and now she promises
to take the much younger Poppy on a day trip to Paris. With the eventual
co-operation from a ticket-clerk the outing takes place, but Paris it
appears is not in France after all!
Listen to an audio clip :
MP3 format(578K)
WMA Format (595K)
THE ORANGE BANDANNA by
Pam Weaver
Cassie’s bizarre dress sense is a source of acute embarrassment
to her friends. How can they get Cassie to change her wardrobe? Romantic
ending.
Listen to an audio clip :
MP3 format(269K)
WMA Format (284K)
BIRTHDAY BLUES by Pam Weaver
Nicky is very upset; her husband has forgotten her birthday and she
thinks he is seeing another woman who he wants to introduce into their
act. “To stay at the top, you’ve got to stay ahead of the
game...” “Come on in, Phyllis!”
“Don’t you dare bring that trollop in here.” But Steve
wasn’t listening. He opened the lid and took out the life-sized
ventriloquist’s dummy.
Listen to an audio clip :
MP3 format(459K)
WMA Format (474K)
BUBBLE by Susan Wright
Nicola takes in two kittens, Bubble and Squeak. Rob is against the idea
and a bit jealous. That is not their only source of contention and he
walks out. When Bubble goes missing Nicola asks for Rob’s support
and a reconciliation ensues. A romance.
Listen to an audio clip :
MP3 format(180K)
WMA Format (190K)
GOOD GIRL by Joan Stanley
This amusing story looks at the special relationship between a tomboy
teenager and her lady-like great-grandmother and some generation differences.
‘I’m too old to ‘get with it’ now.”
“Not you, Gran, I bet you weren’t a square when you were
my age.” Remembering some of the antics she got up to behind her
chaperone’s back, Gran blushed…
Listen to an audio clip :
MP3 format(478K)
WMA Format (492K)
COUNTRY ROADS by Elizabeth
Carr
Driving home after evening class Helen found she was being followed.
Any moment the car following her would come alongside and force her
to stop and then… but it kept up the same steady speed behind
her. Was the car going to run out of petrol? Would she make it home?
Listen to an audio clip :
MP3 format(226K)
WMA Format (237K)
GREEN TEA AND WORMS by
Elizabeth Carr
This story is of a young woman who is irritated by her elderly, Chinese
neighbour’s need to chat when all she wants to do is relax after
work. Tonight the old woman has prepared a meal, and she feels obliged
to accept. Much to the young woman’s surprise she enjoys the meal
and invites the old woman back. Next time there would be no obligation.
Listen to an audio clip :
MP3 format(146K)
WMA Format (155K)
TERROR IN THE AFTERNOON
by Pam Weaver
Fear reigns in the street. Stacey is terrified of being caught as she
sees each of her friends being captured. The afternoon is a great success.
“This has been the most exciting Paint Ball attraction I’ve
ever been on.”
Listen to an audio clip :
MP3 format(217K)
WMA Format (228K)
COMMUNICATION by
Joan Stanley
Physicist, Mat announces to his senator, “We’ve received
signals, we’ve had a reply.” He is researching extraterrestrial
communication. Much to Mat’s disbelief his senator instructs him
to hush it up. Mat argues his point and agrees to check his facts. The
source of the signals turns out to be a much nearer to home.
Listen to an audio clip :
MP3 format(186K)
WMA Format (196K)
Listening
to the Audio Clips
You can listen live by clicking the MP3 format or Windows
Media Player (WMA) format link. In case of difficulty Right-Click the link,
save the file to
a local directory then Open once the download has completed.
A BRIEF MISUNDERSTANDING
and other short stories
A
compilation of fourteen amusing stories
involving
A Brief Misunderstanding.