Local Characters

“Flood”: a 50-word story. Humpbuckle Tales 48

Bruce Louise , , , , , , , , ,

Louise stands ancle-deep in soapy water cursing her husband.

Too tight to pay a plumber Gordon said he’d fix the washing machine himself.

“Job done!” he proclaimed before leaving for work.

The river running through her kitchen tells another tale.

Louise is late and her favourite shoes are ruined.

…

This is the forty-eighth story in the series of Humpbuckle Tales. Each story is precisely 50 words long. They are meant to be independent stories, but if you read them all you will find each one adds another piece to the puzzle – there is a bigger story that is being told.

This story was first published on my Hive blog (@felt.buzz) and you can find all the stories on the @humbuckletales Hive account.

Hive is a blogging platform that rewards posts in a cryptocurrency (Hive).

You will find over 70 more Humpbuckle Tales on the @humbuckletales Hive blog (so this blog is about 6 weeks behind)

On Hive I publish 12 stories per week (Monday to Saturday one story per day and then six 50-word stories in one post on a Sunday).

On HumpbuckleTales.com I also publish 12 tales a week but at a different schedule (and about 6 weeks behind): 2 Tales every day, Monday-Friday and 1 Tale on Saturday and 1 Tale on Sunday.

You can watch the author read the first 22 Humpbuckle Tales on YouTube or you can listen to it as a podcast.

Written by Bruce Arbuckle (@felt.buzz on Hive). Find the latest in the Humpbuckle Tales series on Hive

“yoga stretch” a fifty word story. Humpbuckle Tales 47

Bruce Judy, Louise , , , , , , , , ,

Louise is worried about Judy. She’s distracted at work and has dark bags under her eyes.

“Come with me to yoga,” Louise pleads. “It will do you the world of good.”

Judy shakes her head

“I’m busy.”

Louise wonders if Judy is on drugs.

If so, they clearly aren’t helping.

…

This is the forty-seventh story in the series of Humpbuckle Tales. Each story is precisely 50 words long. They are meant to be independent stories, but if you read them all you will find each one adds another piece to the puzzle – there is a bigger story that is being told.

This story was first published on my Hive blog (@felt.buzz) and you can find all the stories on the @humbuckletales Hive account – at the time of posting this I have just published Tale number 100. On Hive I publish 12 stories per week (Monday to Saturday one story per day and then six 50-word stories in one post on a Sunday).

You can watch the author read the first 22 Humpbuckle Tales on YouTube or you can listen to it as a podcast.

…

Written by Bruce Arbuckle (@felt.buzz on Hive). Find the latest in the Humpbuckle Tales series on Hive

Better as friends 6: it’s hard getting by (Humpbuckle Tales 46)

Bruce John , , , , , , , , ,

John sits on the bench overlooking the churning battleship-grey sea below.

“It’s hard sometimes,” he says. “You are my only true friend. “

Kipper whines. Perhaps in agreement, more likely because he wants to walk or play ball.

John hasn’t heard from Janey for months.

She’s not returning his calls.

…

This is the forty-sixth story in the series of Humpbuckle Tales. Each story is precisely 50 words long. They are meant to be independent stories, but if you read them all you will find each one adds another piece to the puzzle – there is a bigger story that is being told.

This story was first published on my Hive blog (@felt.buzz) and you can find all the stories on the @humbuckletales Hive account – at the time of posting this I have just published Tale number 99. On Hive I publish 12 stories per week (Monday to Saturday one story per day and then six 50-word stories in one post on a Sunday).

You can watch the author read the first 22 Humpbuckle Tales on YouTube or you can listen to it as a podcast.

…

Written by Bruce Arbuckle (@felt.buzz on Hive). Find the latest in the Humpbuckle Tales series on Hive

Better as friends 5: morning traffic (Humpbuckle Tales 45)

Bruce Janey, John , , , , , , , , ,

John weaves his way through the morning traffic on his second hand bike when Janey calls.

He’s been expecting it, ever since Janey brought Brad to meet him, but it still bites when she tells him she’s engaged.

“I’m happy for you.”

It isn’t a lie.

He’s sad for himself.

…

This is the forty-fifth story in the series of Humpbuckle Tales. Each story is precisely 50 words long. They are meant to be independent stories, but if you read them all you will find each one adds another piece to the puzzle – there is a bigger story that is being told.

This story was first published on my Hive blog (@felt.buzz) and you can find all the stories on the @humbuckletales Hive account – at the time of posting this I have just published Tale number 98. On Hive I publish 12 stories per week (Monday to Saturday one story per day and then six 50-word stories in one post on a Sunday).

You can watch the author read the first 22 Humpbuckle Tales on YouTube or you can listen to it as a podcast.

…

Written by Bruce Arbuckle (@felt.buzz on Hive). Find the latest in the Humpbuckle Tales series on Hive

Better as friends 4: second attempt (Humpbuckle Tales 44)

Bruce Janey, John , , , , , , , , ,

“Let’s try again,” Janey says.

John has been living in Humpbuckle-on-sea for six months and he loves and hates it in equal measures.

“I love you, Janey,” he says. “And that’s why I’m telling you no. We work better as friends.”

Janey pouts but John knows she’s relieved.

…

This is the forty-forth story in the series of Humpbuckle Tales. Each story is precisely 50 words long. They are meant to be independent stories, but if you read them all you will find each one adds another piece to the puzzle – there is a bigger story that is being told.

This story was first published on my Hive blog (@felt.buzz) and you can find all the stories on the @humbuckletales Hive account – at the time of posting this I have just published Tale number 87. On Hive I publish 12 stories per week (Monday to Saturday one story per day and then six 50-word stories in one post on a Sunday).

You can watch the author read the first 22 Humpbuckle Tales on YouTube or you can listen to it as a podcast.

…

Written by Bruce Arbuckle (@felt.buzz on Hive). Find the latest in the Humpbuckle Tales series on Hive

Better as friends 3: late breakfast (Humpbuckle Tales 43)

Bruce John , , , , , , , , ,

Over brunch, two weeks after the accident, John announces he’s found a job by the coast.

“I’ll come too,” Janey says, but both of them know it’s the guilt talking. She’d hate living away from her London friends and family.

Their already fraught relationship couldn’t survive.

They split up, amicably.

…

This is the forty-third story in the series of Humpbuckle Tales. Each story is precisely 50 words long. They are meant to be independent stories, but if you read them all you will find each one adds another piece to the puzzle – there is a bigger story that is being told.

This story was first published on my Hive blog (@felt.buzz) and you can find all the stories on the @humbuckletales Hive account – at the time of posting this I have just published Tale number 86. On Hive I publish 12 stories per week (Monday to Saturday one story per day and then six 50-word stories in one post on a Sunday).

You can watch the author read the first 22 Humpbuckle Tales on YouTube or you can listen to it as a podcast.

…

Written by Bruce Arbuckle (@felt.buzz on Hive). Find the latest in the Humpbuckle Tales series on Hive

Better as friends 2: something good has begun (Humpbuckle Tales 42)

Bruce John , , , , , , , , ,

Three years ago John almost died.

Driving home late, after an argument with his girlfriend, he hits a patch of black ice. Losing control, the car skids into a ditch.

A tree branch smashes through the windscreen, an inch from his head.

Waiting for rescue, John decides to make changes.

…

This is the forty-second story in the series of Humpbuckle Tales. Each story is precisely 50 words long. They are meant to be independent stories, but if you read them all you will find each one adds another piece to the puzzle – there is a bigger story that is being told.

This story was first published on my Hive blog (@felt.buzz) and you can find all the stories on the @humbuckletales Hive account – at the time of posting this I have just published Tale number 85. On Hive I publish 12 stories per week (Monday to Saturday one story per day and then six 50-word stories in one post on a Sunday).

You can watch the author read the first 22 Humpbuckle Tales on YouTube or you can listen to it as a podcast.

…

Written by Bruce Arbuckle (@felt.buzz on Hive). Find the latest in the Humpbuckle Tales series on Hive

Better as friends 1: boiling over. A 50-word story (Humpbuckle Tales 41)

Bruce clifftop, Humpbuckle Places, John , , , , , , , , ,

John doesn’t originate from Humpbuckle-on-sea, a fact he’s reminded of, whenever he proposes a change the locals don’t like.

“It wouldn’t work. Not here. You don’t understand, you’re not Humpbucklen.”

“It makes my blood boil,” he complains to his dog.

Kipper – Humpbuckle born and bred – just stares back.

…

This is the forty-first story in the series of Humpbuckle Tales. Each story is precisely 50 words long. They are meant to be independent stories, but if you read them all you will find each one adds another piece to the puzzle – there is a bigger story that is being told.

This story was first published on my Hive blog (@felt.buzz) and you can find all the stories on the @humbuckletales Hive account – at the time of posting this I have just published Tale number 76. On Hive I publish 12 stories per week (Monday to Saturday one story per day and then six 50-word stories in one post on a Sunday).

You can watch the author read the first 22 Humpbuckle Tales on YouTube or you can listen to it as a podcast.

…

Written by Bruce Arbuckle (@felt.buzz on Hive). Find the latest in the Humpbuckle Tales series on Hive

“it’s hard to get by” a fifty word. Humpbuckle Tales 40

Bruce Holbert , , , , , , , , ,

Raising four kids alone, back then, Holbert’s mum had it tough.

But she was inventive.

Coal was expensive during the hard winter months so she’d buy lots of odd shoes, at jumble sales, for pence.

They burnt surprisingly well.

The house always smelt kinda funky.

But Holbert was rarely cold.

…

This is the fortieth story in the series of Humpbuckle Tales. Each story is precisely 50 words long. They are meant to be independent stories, but if you read them all you will find each one adds another piece to the puzzle – there is a bigger story that is being told.

This story was first published on my Hive blog (@felt.buzz) and you can find all the stories on the @humbuckletales Hive account – at the time of posting this I have just published Tale number 73. On Hive I publish 12 stories per week (Monday to Saturday one story per day and then six 50-word stories in one post on a Sunday).

You can watch the author read the first 22 Humpbuckle Tales on YouTube or you can listen to it as a podcast.

…

“Morning Traffic” a 50-word story. Humpbuckle Tales 39

Bruce Gilham, Gilham's Flat, Molly , , , , , , , , ,

Through the grimy window, Holbert hears morning traffic.

“Is Gilham’s flat always this… messy?” He hopes his disgust is hidden.

“First time I’ve been here,” Molly says, pulling on rubber gloves. She bends down and begins to pick through the trash.

Watching her closely, he begins the search for clues.

…

This is the thirty-ninth story in the series of Humpbuckle Tales. Each story is precisely 50 words long. They are meant to be independent stories, but if you read them all you will find each one adds another piece to the puzzle – there is a bigger story that is being told.

This story was first published on my Hive blog (@felt.buzz) and you can find all the stories on the @humbuckletales Hive account – at the time of posting this I have just published Tale number 72. On Hive I publish 12 stories per week (Monday to Saturday one story per day and then six 50-word stories in one post on a Sunday).

You can watch the author read the first 22 Humpbuckle Tales on YouTube or you can listen to it as a podcast.

…

Written by Bruce Arbuckle (@felt.buzz on Hive). Find the latest in the Humpbuckle Tales series on Hive