Lost Out West

Posted on 19 February 2026 | 20 comments

Great looking picture of Shellys Cafe, I wonder if they do hot, soft pancakes. Thank you Rochelle for this week’s challenge, and thank you to Lori Wilson for the photo-prompt.

BERJAYA
PHOTO PROMPT © Lori Wilson

Lost Out West

I gently shook Eileen awake.
Why have we stopped?

You’re kidding. It’s been four hours driving, I need a break.
I feel like a pancake and eggs over easy and black coffee.
You’ll turn into one, why not try something else.

We pushed through the diner door into the cool interior.
We waited.
Where is everyone? Eileen looked through the back.

Through the windows in the street.
Two gunslinging cowboys were facing each other, ready to draw.
High Noon.

Eileen came back. Where is everyone?
We watched, incredulous. Was this for real?

The jukebox played Rawhide.
You folks want coffee? 

20 Comments

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The Long Walk

Posted on 13 February 2026 | 17 comments

I have added my story to the Friday-Fictioneers pile. Thank you for the challenge, Rochelle.

BERJAYA
PHOTO PROMPT © David Stewart

The Long Walk

Where are you, Li Hua?

Just outside the wall.

You’re late.

I can’t find the entrance.

I told you. Point 6364 and use the code. You do have the code?

Yes. That’s 500 metres away.

We leave in two minutes. Run!

Please wait. Li Hau dashed into a sprint along the Long Walk Boulevard.

She found the gate; keyed in the code and burst into the courtyard.

The TARDIS began flashing blue.

Oh No, she shouted, hammering on the box.

I’ve brought the Mi Tao peaches. She screamed.

The door opened. My favourite. The Doctor smiled.

Where to now?

London.

17 Comments

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Spinster Sisters

Posted on 04 February 2026 | 40 comments

Like clockwork the Friday-Fictioneer challenge becomes a regular beat in my life. Thank you Rochelle for hosting the challenge.

Also, thank you to Jennifer Pendergast for the photo-prompt. Who is responsible for clearing the steps, the stairwell looks slippery and dangerous. Best to stay indoors for now.

BERJAYA
PHOTO PROMPT © Jennifer Pendergast

Spinster Sisters

The Scotty whined and pawed at the door. 

Normally, Albert would come across from 54 to take the dog for a walk.

Afterwards, he would stay for tea and play cards.
He won’t be coming. Damn. Sandra slapped down the Jack of hearts. 
She put on her coat. ‘Come on then, five minutes. It’s bitter outside.’

Dorothy told everyone; Albert had left to live with his daughter in Arkansas.
Sandra did not trust Dorothy’s lies and her ‘secrets’ about Albert.

Back from her walk, she lifted fish from the freezer and screamed.

Staring at her was Albert’s frozen smile.

Dorothy!

40 Comments

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Hippy Days

Posted on 29 January 2026 | 30 comments

This week’s picture for Friday-Fictioneers reminds me of the Hippy Days of the sixties. At the time I was a small child at school. However, we saw the hysteria of the Beatles, and ant-war parades and lots of music festivals.

Thank you Rochelle, click on her name to join the 100 word challenge.
More stories to read at Friday Fictioneers

BERJAYA
PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Hippy Days

Happy birthday Gran.
Just a reminder of your happy days in the sixties.
You told us so much about the CND parades and the antiwar marches.

Also, all the fun you had travelling, visiting the music festivals.
Gran you had such a wonderful time.

You are all so kind, you are the lucky ones, my little darlings.
But I failed?

No, no Gran, we all love you. You are our Hippie Gran.

Yes, I was wild. Anti-establishment and perhaps daft stunts.

Gran, you were young with something to say.

Who listened? Nothing has changed.

Not true Gran, you did well.

30 Comments

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Taming Men

Posted on 22 January 2026 | 29 comments

Everyone enjoys a day at the fun fair, (take a full wallet), with the chance to win an oversized soft toy or a poor goldfish in a polythene bag full of water. I refuse to play for gold fish. The bumper cars are my favourite.

Thank you Rochelle for the challenge, a hundred words is no easy feat to cover all the fun of the big wheel.

More rollercoaster stories can be read by clicking on Friday-Fictioneers.

BERJAYA
PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

Taming Men

Cobra tightened the bull whip wrapped around her waist and stepped out of the caravan. She strode across the fairground; the iron heels of her cowhide boots clacking on the ground. She’ll sweet talk the stall holders to pay the increase she demands.

Her father once owned a circus with lions and elephants; those days have gone.

The fun park gives her the same thrill as taming lions; now she whips the idle into work with gentle persuasion.  No one talks back.

Loneliness pains her. She needs an obedient strong man.
Unlocking the handcuffs, she chased her latest wimp free. 

As an aside, my set of short stories in Who Killed Lilly-Anne is free on Amazon Kindle for the next few days.

Please note all the stories are truly fictional without reference to any real life events.

BERJAYA

Free on Amazon: Amazon UK or Amazon.com or

29 Comments

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A Guiding Angel

Posted on 15 January 2026 | 28 comments

I find the history of Cathedrals fascinating and in particular the lore and legends that exist. For instance, the story of how the Devil helped pay for the building of the Aachen Cathedral in Germany. In return for his cash he was promised the soul of the first person to enter the building once it was completed. The citizens tricked Satan by chasing a wolf through the front door.

Thank you Rochelle (click the name to visit her site) for this week’s challenge. Also, thank you to Jennifer for the photo-prompt.

More Friday-Fictioneer’s contributions can be accessed HERE.

BERJAYA
PHOTO PROMPT © Jennifer Pendergast

A Guiding Angel

The tour guide spoke of how a heavenly miracle in 1446 restored the windows after a devastating storm. Afterwards, congregations prayed in this Cathedral dome for forgiveness from their Saviour and safety from Satan’s devious clutches.

I felt a spiritual awe as her words echoed from the stone walls and was transfixed by how a ray of light formed a glowing halo over her head.

Afterwards, I asked if she would like a coffee, or even dinner.
She said yes.

I thought nothing of the two small bumps beneath her raven hair, until our children grew horns.

The little devils.

28 Comments

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Granddad’s Regret

Posted on 07 January 2026 | 37 comments

Sandra’s picture reminds of the mud pool I discovered in the garden of a house I rented. When I cleaned it out I found two small fish so afterwards kept the pool clean and fed them. The small pond also attracted frogs and hedgehogs who came to drink. I had turned the garden into a small refuge for visiting wild life. I was concerned for the fish when I left the house and wonder if they survived.

Thank you Rochelle for the writing challenge and thank you Sandra for the photo-prompt.

Read more stories from the prompt, HERE.

BERJAYA
PHOTO PROMPT © Sandra Crook

Granddad’s Regret

I had watched my grandfather fit the netting over the pond.
This was to stop the cranes and other birds from eating his prized koi.
My gran said it was to stop three-year-olds from falling in.

Years later, it was Gran who slipped on the path and crashed onto the netting fracturing her arm.

Her wedding ring had slipped from her finger while spreading aqua pellets over the water. Granddad would not stop laughing.

When she came home from hospital, she had a strong steel grill fitted over the pond.
To hide granddad’s bones and stop his soul from escaping.

37 Comments

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Wild Swimming

Posted on 01 January 2026 | 13 comments

Happy New Year to everyone.

Thank you Rochelle for the first Friday-Fictioneer challenge for 2026. Also to Lisa for her Photo-prompt.

More flash stories and contributions can be read HERE.

BERJAYA
PHOTO PROMPT © Lisa Fox

Wild Swimming

The frost melts by mid-day and after my trek a dip in the lake, breathing the pure country air, is just perfect.

In the water I enjoy how the cold stimulates an invigorating sensation on my skin as my heart beats harder to drive blood to my extremities. A feeling that stays with me for the rest of the day.

Old Bill, the Park Warden introduced me to wild swimming. At seventy; an ex-marine with a zest for life, and an attraction for lustful women.

Unexpectedly he disappeared.

Did he really drown?

On the Ponta-Rosa Ranch, Caroline is now smiling.

13 Comments

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Seagulls Drift on By

Posted on 19 December 2025 | 11 comments

Friday-Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle. Photo-prompt quote;

“This week’s photo is of silouhetted figures on the beach and in the water. The sun is reflecting off the water. There are wispy clouds overhead.” Quote

More stories HERE.

BERJAYA
PHOTO PROMPT © Peter Abbey

Seagulls Drift on By

Glowing in our happiness, exquisite gladness
And summer wisps are smiling in the skies.
Holding hands, bumping shoulders, softness
Of gentle touches, minds meeting through eyes.

White and worn by nature’s seamless caress,
Warm sand shifting softly beneath out feet.
To where long grass in hidden dunes form a nest.
We strolled entwined, engrossed in our secret.

In a sun-trapped hollow our hotbed of desire.
Burning bodies flare as passions catch fire,
Embraced in exhausted arms, we linger and lie.
A cheering audience of seagulls drift on by.

The laughing moon wakes us from our slumber.
Shall we call. Or will we write or even remember?

This moment of secret passion over.
Nothing said.

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Bric-a-Brac Romance

Posted on 11 December 2025 | 23 comments

Once more I pick up my pen to scribe an unlikely tale in response to Rochelle’s Friday-Fictioneer’s challenge. A novel in one hundred words. A thank you to Dale for another interesting photo-prompt, wherever it may be.

More stories from the Friday group can be read HERE.

BERJAYA

Bric-a-Brac Romance

On Sundays I offer bric-a-brac to curious explorers along the narrow alleyway.

Absently, she fondled the queen from the chess set.
Do you play? I offered her the king.
She smiled and showed me her wedding ring.

Next time she gently traced the cracks on a porcelain vase.
Does he buy you flowers?
She coughed.
I saw bruises edge out beneath her dark glasses.

Weeks later she came by. 
Her hair was loose and unkempt; she wore a ragged coat and scuffed up shoes.
She caressed and softly kissed the white knight.
No ring, just a smile.

Coffee? 
Maybe.

23 Comments

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