Chuck 15 June 2014, 140 x 140,

 

Joseph had never seen a chuck like it before. Had it been scared or something? Its feathers were sticking out at odd angles and its eyes bulged. Then it started squawking and running frantically round the yard, as if chased by an invisible monster.

“It’s not one of ours, is it?” said Jen.

Joseph shook his head. No, he’d definitely not seen it before.  

“Do you think he’s come from the Dowden’s place?

“They’re not into chucks, are they?” They wouldn’t have a clue. In fact, they didn’t know much about anything. God knows why they’d bothered buying the old farm. 

Jenny moved towards the animal. “Poor thing’s scared.” She crept up to the chicken, caught it and picked it up carefully. “There now. You’re safe here.” 

She was good with animals. She’d soon have sorted out the Dowden herd.      

 

Trying out 14 June 2014, 140 x140,

 

His dad was waiting for him, just like he did every Saturday after training. Smart shoes. Businessman’s overcoat. Cigarette in his hand. Much more elegant than the other dads.

“You did good, son. You showed them who’s boss.”

“It wasn’t a match, Dad. Only a training session.”

“Just as important. Don’t you forget it. Are you in the team?”

He shrugged. He hoped so. But there was never a guarantee. You had to earn your place.

“You did your best, though?”

He nodded.

His dad slung his arm around his shoulders. “That’s my lad.” 

Dad sighed. “But is your best good enough?”

“I try, Dad.”

Dad nodded. “Yeah. Remember even if you don’t make it to the team, you playing your hardest makes them do better.”

He kissed the photo. He’d done his bit. Now he must wait and see.    

The Birds and the Bees? 13 May 2014, 140 x 140

What? Somebody had gifted him a flowering sponge plant? What was a sponge plant anyway? Somebody else had poked him. There were three friend requests and somebody called Alicia had changed her status. What was the point of this facewhatyoumathingy? It didn’t make sense to him. Then they’d said he should go on Twitter as well and tweet. That was for the birds wasn’t it? How would he find that?

“Just start typing it, in Dad,” said Rex. “The computer knows.”
That’s what scared him most of the time. How much the darned machine seemed to know without him having told it.

“I set up your account, Dad.” Rex leant over and typed something.
George’s face appeared on the screen. Three followers. And there on the right. Who to follow. Gloria Davies. Who’d have thought it?

Damn machine!

Bless it.

Trying out 14 June 2014

His dad was waiting for him, just like he did every Saturday after training. Smart shoes.
Businessman’s overcoat. Cigarette in his hand. Much more elegant than the other dads.

“You did good, son. You showed them who’s boss.”

“It wasn’t a match, Dad. Only a training session.”

“Just as important. Don’t you forget it. Are you in the team?”

He shrugged. He hoped so. But there was never a guarantee. You had to earn your place.

“You did your best, though?”

He nodded.

His dad slung his arm around his shoulders. “That’s my lad.” 

Dad sighed. “But is your best good enough?”

“I try, Dad.”

Dad nodded. “Yeah. Remember even if you don’t make it to the team, you playing your hardest makes them do better.”

He kissed the photo. He’d done his bit. Now he must wait and see.     

140 X 140 Credit 23 May 2014

“You wouldn’t be alone,” said the man at the bank. “We accept a new customer every four minutes.”

Reginald had been sitting at the customer service desk for at least eight. So, that was two more new customers then. Was he supposed to be one of them? 

“Don’t forget a credit card gives you extra protection. We’re liable if a sale goes wrong.”

There was that. The blue and white card with the gold chip did look tempting. He’d be able to pay for the holiday upfront. Maybe he’d get the kids some new things.  A nice evening dress for Sophia too.    

Then he remembered when the bailiffs came and took everything. They’d had to sleep on the floor that night. 

“No thanks. Now that I’ve got my credit record straight.”

The bank man sighed. No target meeting today, then.    

Pastry Cooks 7 June 2014

“So what does this do?” Meggie juggled the mouse so that the cursor wavered over the picture.  

“It’s just the file-name, Mum.”

“Oh, so why a cat-flap?” 

“It’s our cat-flap. I’m programming it so that only Mitzi can use it.”

“You’re programming it? You don’t know how to programme.” 

“Didn’t. Do now.” Alice looked up. “Mum, will you quit with all the questions. I’ve got to get on, you know.”

“And you say this is your homework?”

“Yes!” Alice threw her homework diary towards her. 

Meggie retrieved it form the floor and opened it. She read the latest entry. “Use your Raspberry Pi to help you invent a useful gadget for your home.”   

It sounded more like something you might eat for dessert.  “Custard tart for pudding?”

“Not hungry. I just want to work with my Raspberry Pi."