Surrounded. The water was settling but her stomach still churned, along with her thoughts. What now? There had always been someone in the pond to tell her what she should do. And to sort things out when she didn’t get around to it. Now there was only Grandad, sitting beside her on the bottom of … Continue reading Pond People 14
Author: Cathy Cade
After a career in libraries, I began writing in retirement and have had writing published in Best of British, Scribble and Flash Fiction Magazine, as well as in the anthologies "To Hull and Back 2018 Short Stories," "Where the Wild Winds Blow", and "A Following Wind". My verse, "The Year Before Christmas", recounting the story of Emmie the Elf, is available from Amazon and Smashwords.
I plan to publish a collection of short stories later in 2019. Watch this space...
I live in the Cambridgeshire Fens most of the time, surrounded by flat but ever-changing fields. Other times I live across a garden fence from London’s historic Epping Forest.
Pond People 13
Decisions. All was quiet in the kitchen. Molly moved nearer to the three who had arrived in the bucket before them. ‘It’s Sylva and Walter, isn’t it? How did you get here?’ The water quivered around Sylva whose lustrous scales had dulled to leaden grey. It was the youngest of the three who answered. What … Continue reading Pond People 13
Oops Again
Apologies again to those who have received a link to an episode prematurely posted. Have you ever thought to yourself, 'Nearly home' when driving late at night and awoke to find yourself bumping the kerb? (Sadly, I have) This is something similar. I think to myself, 'I'll just schedule this and go and fix dinner.' … Continue reading Oops Again
Pond People 12
Setting Out. They were about to set off from the shallows. Molly was seated behind Flo and Grandad on the larger fish. She turned to watch as Eddy settled behind Flash on the smaller one. Behind them, someone in the garden was lowering a bucket into the pond until water flowed over its rim. This … Continue reading Pond People 12
Pond People 11
Goldie. Flash insisted that he would be well enough to compete next day. Molly was unconvinced, but she was over-ruled. The tournament was rescheduled for the following afternoon. Eddy won the sharpshooting prize. It was a popular win and Molly could sense Flash doing his best to hide his disappointment. He stood a little taller … Continue reading Pond People 11
Pond People 10
Prizewinning Shot. Molly launched, issuing instructions as she swam. ‘Both teams to the surface. Anyone who can shoot, drench that cat!’ What was she doing: giving orders as if expecting everyone to jump? And they did. ‘Shoot as hard as you can and as fast as you can. Aim anywhere. Just hit it!’ All around, … Continue reading Pond People 10
Living in a field
One of my East London primary school teachers told the class that the only place we could view the horizon as a complete circle was at sea. She obviously hadn’t visited the Fens. My husband, an ex-policeman, appreciates the silence here (when the banshee winds aren’t howling around the house) and often comments on the … Continue reading Living in a field
Pond People 9
Missing. Team members greeted each other under the reeds and told each other how nervous they were. Many supporters had arrived early to get a good viewing spot and now the younger ones were getting bored and making a nuisance of themselves. Molly checked in the last of her team and sent them to join … Continue reading Pond People 9
Pond People 8
Tournament. On the morning of the tournament the sky rippled blue above the pond. The water was already warming as Flash arrived on the back of a goldfish. This particular dodger-fish had decided it was easier to ignore its hitchhiker than to throw him, and they arrived earlier than expected. As competitors began to drift … Continue reading Pond People 8
Oops!
Apologies if you just received a link to a post that doesn't exist. Well... it did, but it shouldn't have been published yet. It now looks as if I'll have to draft it again. If I find out how to retrieve a trashed post and reschedule it, I'll let you know. On the other hand, … Continue reading Oops!
