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

November 24, 2021 Bruce John fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

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.

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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.

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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)

November 20, 2021November 20, 2021 Bruce clifftop, Humpbuckle Places, John fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

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.

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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.

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

November 17, 2021 Bruce Holbert fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

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.

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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.

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

November 16, 2021 Bruce Gilham, Gilham's Flat, Molly fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

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.

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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.

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“Second Attempt” a fifty-word story. Humpbuckle Tales 38

November 14, 2021 Bruce Gilham's Flat, Holbert, Molly, Snump fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

It’s Holbert’s second attempt to gain access to Gilham’s flat.

He’s with Molly. She’s tasked with clearing the old man’s stuff so Snump can relet.

The landlord clearly doesn’t like the police.

The feeling, Holbert thinks, is mutual.

The flat is a mess.

Almost as though it’s already been searched.

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This is the thirty-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 – at the time of posting this I have just published Tales numbers 65-70. 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).

If you prefer the drip drip drip approach keep coming back here for one 50-word tale every day!

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

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“late breakfast” a fifty-word story. Humpbuckle Tales 37

November 13, 2021 Bruce Dave, Gilham, humpbuckletales, Psychiatric Hospital fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

Every day, following retirement, Gilham strolls along the clifftop path to the grounds of the psychiatric hospital, where he brunches on eggs in the Hope Cafe.

Dave – a long-stay patient – often serves him.

Over time, Dave opens up about his illness, its beginnings, who was involved.

Gilham listens intently.

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This is the thirty-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 64. 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).

If you prefer the drip drip drip approach keep coming back here for one 50-word tale every day!

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

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something good has begun” a 50-word story. Humpbuckle Tales 36

November 12, 2021 Bruce Judy, Psychiatric Hospital, The Pyschiatrist fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

Judy was raised to believe she is unlovable.

Her first hypnotherapy session with the handsome psychiatrist makes changes.

“Something good has begun,” she whispers.

He gives her confidence in herself.

But he makes her happiness contingent on loving him.

If she doubts him a wave of self-loathing engulfs her.

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This is the thirty-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 63. 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).

If you prefer the drip drip drip approach keep coming back here for one 50-word tale every day!

You can watch the author read the first 22 Humpbuckle Tales on YouTube or you can listen to it as a podcast. The 3rd author reading will be published on 15th November.

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“Boiling Over” a 50-word story. Humpbuckle Tales 35

November 10, 2021 Bruce Brian, Gilham fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

As a journalist, Gilham interviews many dangerous people.

Gang members, drug dealers, murderers.

Politicians.

There is a vulnerability in all of them.

But there is something within the fourteen year old boy, sitting beside his mother, that frightens Gilham.

An underlying rage that threatens to boil over at any moment.

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This is the thirty-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 61. 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).

If you prefer the drip drip drip approach keep coming back here for one 50-word tale every day!

You can watch the author read the first 22 Humpbuckle Tales on YouTube or you can listen to it as a podcast. The 3rd author reading will be published on 15th November.

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Swimming against the tide 6: Icon (Humpbuckle Tales 34)

November 9, 2021 Bruce Brian, Helen, Humpbuckle Festival, Jeff, The Old Dock fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

From the Humpbuckle Gazette:

Locals are shocked by the drowning of the town’s veterinarian, at the iconic annual festival.

Reports that Dr Simmons was high on ketamine, a horse tranquilliser abused as a recreational drug, have been confirmed by an anonymous police source.

He leaves behind a wife and son.
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This is the thirty-fourth 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 60. 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).

If you prefer the drip drip drip approach keep coming back here for one 50-word tale every day!

You can watch the author read the first 22 Humpbuckle Tales on YouTube or you can listen to it as a podcast. The 3rd author reading will be published on 15th November.

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Swimming against the tide 5: A good thing (Humpbuckle Tales 33)

November 8, 2021 Bruce Brian, Festival Pets, Jeff fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

Jeff looks old, tired, thin.

Brian can not believe his beautiful mother ever loved this shell of a man.

“It’s a good thing you are here,” Jeff says to his son. “I appreciate your help.”

Brian steals the keys to the drugs cabinet.

He supplies ketamine to the local dealer.

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This is the thirty-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 59. 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).

If you prefer the drip drip drip approach keep coming back here for one 50-word tale every day!

You can watch the author read the first 22 Humpbuckle Tales on YouTube or you can listen to it as a podcast. The 3rd author reading will be published on 15th November.

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