Worthing Flash

 Six Months by Roberta Beach Jacobson Nobody mentioned all the doors would be locked, but Sarah sensed it from the moment the nurse left her alone. She's signed and dated the intake forms. Six months might feel like an extended stay. It would be summer before Sarah stepped outside again. She cursed the silence. Now what?

BBC News “ This is Radio Two. The BBC news read by John Thomas.” “ Good Morning. Following extensive public consultation, the government this morning removed the reigning monarch formerly known as King Charles the Third” “ Over to Robert Starling at Buckingham Palace.” “ Good morning, John. Mr Charles Windsor was arrested by officers from the Metropolitan Police in the early hours of this morning and he has been taken to what they describe as a 'safe palace'. “ An hour later, a chauffeur-driven limousine arrived at the palace to deliver a canary, who has been named as 'Binky'. Members of the public at the gates have been turning up dressed in yellow; some of them have had yellow face paint and hair dye too; as a mark of respect. The yellow flag is flying over Buckingham Palace for the first time. “ This will be Britain's first avian monarch. The closest analogy was when George the Third made his tree prime minister. The government has announced that the...

If you have had work published in another magazine, #worthingflash will happily publish it. Other magazines may have a different policy. As far as I am concerned, I am very pleased if #worthingflash writers are published elsewhere as well. Derek McMillan Editor #worthingflash

When the Clock strikes twelve at midnight’s hour   Each beginning leaves a spark Every spark becomes a flame Life is turning, slowly, softly As the years tick by the same   When the clock strikes twelve at midnight’s hour The year a brand new start Every promise feels more honest Every hope comes from the heart While the year is starting over Let it start with something true In the quiet of the New Year All my wishes turn to you   The world will hold its breath tonight In streetlights' silver glow There’s truth’s in words we never said And thoughts we’ve yet to know The future lives above our heads Like fireflies in the dark As the old year bids us farewell The new about to start We’re counting down the what’s and if’s And smile at faults we see All the broken resolutions Teach us who we’re meant to be Hands are cold, but hearts are warm As tomorrow comes in view A blank page waiting patiently For something bri...

TAKE DOWN (Response to Deposition by Pascal Möhlmann (2024) ) The painter said they had arranged the scene as he liked, "thank you very much", so the crew of his assistants emerged from the corners to take it down. It was a crucifixion scene, the cross made of two long panels of wood leaned against a horizontal rafter of the studio; another wood panel rested in front of them on a sawhorse where the main figure had stood. The arrangement resembled a giant painter's easel, the artist's attempt at an understated comment on his work. The crew took down the long panels of wood easily; none had been nailed to hold them in place. The young woman in the red sweat jacket, who'd stood on the cross, the two assistants lowered toward the floor. The woman descended stiffly, her head leaning on a shoulder, her neck strained from its long pose. But everyone was glad to see her coy expression despite the trouble. Her left arm that had been firm to the cross she held rigidly ...

Christmas in Nether Sodbury In Tesco, Christmas starts some time in September and seems to go on forever. The Christmas decorations start going up in Nether Sodbury at some point in November. The Mander family were traditionalists and only celebrated Christmas at Christmas. It is a time of games, presents and family rows. In fact, the games frequently ignited the family rows. "Simon has been stealing from the bank. He's always doing that," said Graham. "Now, Graham, you must give your younger brother a bit of leeway," said Mrs Polly Mander. From this, you might not have gathered that all of the children were in their twenties and perhaps Polly hadn't caught up with this development. Graham's sister, Sally, probably didn't help matters by giving him a clip round the ear. "Did you see that? Did you see that?" Polly was sick and tired of "seeing that" and decided to ignore the suggestion. There was then an extended inquest ...