The day had finally arrived. The news spread quickly in Devon that the English Fleet had defeated the Spanish Armada, sending the Spanish ships staggering up the coast of Scotland and breaking up across the Atlantic. Sir Francis Drake’s heroism was solidified as word of his calm demeanor in the face of attack circulated. While playing a game of bowls on The...
"Remember to refill the water trough in the south pasture." "Well, thanks, Sis, I would never have thought of doing that for the thirtieth time in a row this month if you hadn't reminded me." The porch door banged shut so loudly behind Alec that the four women sitting around the porch table jumped. Vicky looked down at the table and the other three women sh...
I vacationed in a small fishing village on the gulf coast of Mexico a few times a year, back in my younger days. I was introduced to the place by a friend of mine and I won't say what village or exactly where because I don't want a flood of tourists there. That place was fifty years in the past or so it seems. Life was slow and having fun was as much of a wa...
A wild young redhead from suburban Detroit, Beth was determined to rebel against her strict catholic parents whenever possible. One particular point of contention was her Hispanic boyfriend of six months. Her parents had numerous issues about Miguel, from his age to the neighborhood he lived in; he was twenty-five and lived in a dilapidated area close to the...
As I stepped out into the street, the heat of midday hit me hard, immediately making it seem hard to breathe. I'd read about heat like this, but never actually experienced it until today. But I didn't care, I was finally here! "Kirsten, I can't believe you're wearing that sundress, don't you remember what they told us, you know, about what's considered acce...
"Boss?" "Ya?" "Got a minute?" "Yep." I smiled. Denise always called me boss, which I found funny because we were the same age and were co-workers at my old firm. She was my right-hand man or 'woman' and was the first person I hired when I started my own accounting company. She came with me from my old place and was an outstanding employee and friend. She...
Paul came into the bedroom with a smile on his face. "Jessica, we are going to celebrate your twenty-fifth birthday in our own pool this year!" I was surprised, "But we don't have a pool." I reminded him gently. "We will by the time your birthday comes around." I got excited, "Really?" "Yes, the builders will start tomorrow. The pool should be ready by t...
December, 1915 Paris, France Madeleine looked resplendent in her dark green dress, with the bright red corsage I had pinned on her breast. She looked very much in keeping with the holiday, which was the idea, since we were entering the ballroom at the Ritz Hotel, the same one where we had spent our wedding night, for the American Embassy's annual Christma...
"I'm gonna make a move mate." "You're going home?" Daryl asked, incredulously. "Nah, I'm gonna check out Diva. C'mon, it's dead in here." Daryl turned to the bar, his eyes feasting on the new girl. "I got things I wanna check out in here first," he replied, raising his eyebrows and nodding at the petite blonde. Pete shook his head, spoke sternly. "Be car...
Tracey at the Museum of Torture: Tracey sighed at the thought of another school trip with the unruly boys and girls of the Payne Academy, a private school that always reminded her of St Trinians. On this particular school journey, she and Mr. Chambers were in “charge” of the worst group of the lot, the 18 year old kids. The previous ones had been disasters a...