Norbert’s Marvellous Book Emporium was the most magical shop on the high street. Every day, children lined up outside, waiting for their turn to step inside and discover new adventures. The shop was always busy, and there was a buzz of excitement in the air. It has been three months now since the for-sale sign went up. Norbert had noticed a woman sitting on a bench across the street. She came every day with her sandwiches and a flask, watching the shop with a smile. Norbert

Freddie saves Christmas.   Freddie was feeling anxious, and he knew something was wrong. “Mum, Mum, He needs my help, I have to go,” he shouted, but his mum wasn’t listening. Freddie had heard his brother talking about Norbert’s Marvellous Book Emporium and decided to go with or without his mum. Freddie’s mum was not sure about this, but she went along. Packing in his bag some sandwiches and a drink, they set off. Opening the door to Norbert’s Marvellous Book Emporium, Fr

Norbert arrived at his shop at 7.45 as he did every weekday. Today was different, it was snowing, yes, the first snow of the year and with an icy wind blowing up the high street, making it difficult to walk in a straight line. Outside the shop was a young girl looking through the window, her hands firmly stuck in her pockets, and a scarf wrapped around her head. “Good morning,” said Norbert. “Good morning,” the young girl said, her teeth chattering. “Are you OK? Would you l

Jonny and Mable had heard about Norbert’s Marvellous Book Emporium from their friends at school. One Friday after school, they had told their parents they were going to each other's houses to study. Instead, they decided to visit the magical book shop. Jonny wanted a book about sea adventures, but Mable knew exactly what she wanted and went straight for it.   Norbert, the shop owner, was standing behind the counter. He wore a funny costume of baggy trousers, shoes that curle

Enola enters Norbert’s magical bookshop and finds her friend Emma in distress; they are both transported into a story to help Robinson Crusoe, who is injured after a storm. Enola solves jungle riddles and rescues Friday from a cave. With everyone safe, they repair the shelter and return to the bookshop, ready for their next adventure. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Her shoes skidding on the worn floorboards,

As Enola walked through the doorway, a gentle bell rang overhead. The scent of aged paper filled the shop, and specks of dust drifted lazily in the air, only noted by rays of the fading Sun. Bookshelves towered towards the ceiling, with book spines glimmering softly as though they pulsed with life. She could hear them saying, “Pick me, Pick me.”    Displayed above the counter was a sign:  "Each story takes you on an adventure—make your choice carefully."  Norbert, the sho

The prompts were: Regent, Metallic, Rhombus. Lucy departed from the railway station, confident that she had packed everything necessary in and on the trailer hitched to her electric bicycle. She carried water, food, additional water, two spades, a small pick, a metal detector, and, naturally, all her camping gear. According to her information, a rich vein of gold lay just a few feet underground, accessible to someone with the right skills and equipment. The journey to the s

Three Prompts - Tin, burn, moon. The Moon Girl Janet had always dreamed of travelling to the moon. As a child, she would gaze at the silvery disc through his bedroom window, tracing the craters with her finger and imagining herself bouncing across its dusty plains. She crafted rockets from tin cans, cardboard, plastic bottles—anything he could find. Then, she would launch them from the garden with a burst of imagination. Janet’s dream lingered through the years. As an eng

WPC Sally Mac was showing her colleague into the building. "I hear the body was found here," the woman in front said, in a low, raspy voice. The Detective didn't look at the WPC, but at the floor. Then at the windows, all three vacant of glass or curtain and two without frames. Where bramble and honeysuckle had taken root, a broken bulb dangled on a twisted cord from the ceiling. Life had long since left the old, prefabricated building. A small tremor shook through her, vis

The prompt was a Bus ride, and A Stranger   -------------- Everyone who rode the number 8 bus in the evenings knew the man with the holdall, though few knew his real name. Arthur. Each weekday, like clockwork, he boarded at Victoria Station at precisely 6:32 p.m., always getting off at the Dog and Duck Pub in Clifton. He was a fixture: same seat, same posture, clutching his holdall tightly, eyes fixed ahead, never acknowledging a soul. But on Monday, June 7th, s

The prompt featured a Banshee during a thirty-minute writing session. ---------------------------- The banshee screamed, and the night fell silent. A chill ran up Bella’s spine as she stood at the edge of the woods, unmoving. The silence was oppressive, not peaceful, and heavy enough to make her skin prickle. The villagers of Dovedale recognised that sound; it meant someone would be taken before dawn. Bella’s lantern flickered, casting uncertain shadows. She felt the s

The Prompt was Robot, Japan, Doctor.  The Malfunction of AR-7 AR-7 was an Android, made of smooth, durable metal, with articulated joints for flexibility and movement. His humanoid form has a recognisable head, torso, arms, and legs, with proportions similar to those of a human. He was a typical domestic robot, assisting Hana, a senior Doctor at Tokyo General, with household chores and maintenance, following programmed routines without emotional engagement.   In the bustl

Today’s Prompts were a list of songs from the Nineties, I picked – One from 1994   After the catastrophic event that turned the world...

Helen and I were on a Cruise Ship, in the Crow's Nest, having a nightcap. I heard one of the bar staff asking a passenger if he was ok....

This week's Prompt: Your Last Day at Work. Today's job was easy. It was easier than the one before. On receiving the job, Phillip...

This week's Prompt: Trouble at the Zoo.     A humorous courtroom drama unfolds in a zoo, where Sammy the Snake is accused of robbery....

DCI Bardsley Book 1. A Manchester Cop on A Caribbean Cruise                         Bardo, as he was known by everyone at the station and...

This week's Prompt: A Hidden Door, Secrets. Sue moved a box marked Bedroom to get the one she was looking for. It had Kitchen Appliances...

This week's Prompt: Two Teapots.   Jess was sitting in the car with a face on. “Do I have to?” she asked. “Well, no,” her dad replied,...

This week's Prompt: Someone reports a crime, and they are not believed.   “Well, I'm sorry, ma’am, but I don't know how to deal with...