S J Warner

A year after the funeral I returned to the flat. The floral wallpaper had been hacked off, parquet flooring bleached, all evidence of past life extinguished. Yet I could still hear the sinful delight of Gran’s laughter as she slid her crimson stained fingertips down the frosted windowpane. #WriteCBC

Well done Mike!

Margate, Easter 63. Eve’s eyes always sparkled back then, even in the rain. She felt guilty about being there. He felt like he’d stolen the crown jewels.

Alb goes to show her the photo, but then remembers what happened when he tried to wake her up. Probably best to call the doctor now. #WriteCBC

Summertime Bear
#dogs #dogsofbluesky #labradors

As students we first met at the Ashmolean, but fell in love at the Tate. Engaged at the V&A, then honeymooned at the Louvre. Our first born Tom adored the Natural History Museum. Lucy favoured Science. A lifetime of art and artefacts. So how did we end up at Tussauds’ Chamber of Horrors? #WriteCBC

Alice's Adventures In Wonderland

HARD ❌

Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank, and of having nothing to do...

EASY ✅

Alice was bored shitless. She dropped some acid. Wow!

Before I can mutter a word, he’s strutting down the hallway. I follow the chemtrail of his cologne and find him taking photos of the kitchen.
‘What exactly…’
He flicks an estate agent’s card across the table.
‘Didn’t your wife tell you? She’s gone. Wants the place on the market, ASAP.’ #WriteCBC

Thank you!
Bear is nearly six months old.
Here he is at eight weeks.
And another of him now...

This is Bear

#dogs #dogsofbluesky #labradors

I gazed longingly into Iffy’s eyes and caught sight of my own reflection. My face was a picture of utter contentment. I knew then that this was the friend that I had been longing to find.
‘But I’m only a figment of your imagination,’ she said.
‘That doesn’t matter one bit,’ I smiled.
#WriteCBC

‘Hold me.’
Your tiny fingers clasp my thumb as your tears trickle down my neck.
‘I’m scared.’
Uncertain how to reply, I try to clutch you closer to my chest.
‘It’s the bad man. He wants to take me.’
I shiver helplessly, remembering how you were stolen away some five years ago this night.
#WriteCBC

Mother led me through a labyrinth of shadow-steeped corridors, past grim portraits, and her collection of stuffed poodles. Eventually we descended into the scullery where bubbling cauldrons of bleach stung my eyes. ‘This is where bad boys go,’ she said, before slamming the door closed. #WriteCBC

The hallway clock ticks pleasingly but the chime arrives nineteen seconds late. Scuffed parquet flooring. The Queen Anne console table fails to gleam. But then I am enchanted by an overzealous use of chlorine bleach – a sweet reminder of my golden age – and I know I will be satisfied here. #WriteCBC

Thank you, Kate.

Thank you @cbcreative.bsky.social for last week's #5ActFestiveStory and #WriteCBC throughout the year. I've had a miserable time recently with the sudden loss of my beloved black Labrador Oliver. Taking part and reading everyone's entries has helped put a smile back on my face.

The door swung open and there was mum, hand in hand, with a man Ella barely recognised.
‘What’s going on?’
‘You thawed his heart,’ said mum.
‘Yours too, dear,’ he added.
Both smiled, sheepish smiles.
Ella gazed into the flames, wondering if life would ever be the same again. #5ActFestiveStory

Ella glanced at the fire, but it was all too late. A bitter cloak of iciness shrouded her body and stole her last breath. But then, just as her eyes were closing, the flames raged. ‘Get away from my daughter,’ said her mother, who was now dressed from head to toe in fiery gold. #5ActFestiveStory

Well done, Kate. You deserve this!

Good luck!

The moment they left the house Ella slipped on the ice. When she opened her eyes, there was a figure casting a white shadow over her. His eyes were silver. Teeth like icicles.
‘My name is Jack Frost. Your blood shall be ice.’
Ella turned to her mum, but she was no longer there. #5ActFestiveStory

‘No one,’ said her mum, swallowing. ‘Put it on the fire.’ The moment Ella did as she was told, flames spat, coals cursed, and the room filled with green smoke. And there, sat alongside her mum, was a sharp-eared elf with a singed hat. Her mum swallowed again. ‘Ella, meet your pa.’ #5ActFestiveStory

Zoe recognised that handwriting anywhere – all curves and loops – but it couldn’t be so. Daddy had been gone forever now. She flipped over the postcard. A star filled blueberry sky glittered above a city made of ice. Even as her fingers ached with cold, Zoe knew what she must do. #5ActFestiveStory

Really looking forward to this year’s #5ActFestiveStory and meeting up with fellow #WriteCBC fans at our new home. For those who haven’t taken part before it feels like being seven years old again and waking up on Christmas Day morning and finding a bulging stocking at the foot of the bed.