flash fiction – Paul Andrew Sneddon

The Work

The boiler sounded like a lung collapsing. My mouth was dry and the headache pulsed around my skull. I looked out in the darkness and back to my phone. 10:39am. No bars. Just the orange glow of the street light. I caught a glimpse of myself; the surface of the mirror shifted. The colours bledContinue reading “The Work”

River

Content warning: this piece contains themes of depression and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available:Samaritans — 116 123 (UK, 24/7, free)International crisis lines — http://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/ A story about survival. — Paul The wind cuts across the field.The old gatehouse shadowed against the dying sun. Not a soul here.Continue reading “River”

Night Shift

Eddie drove down the main road, music playing loud. He was sure he was the only guy in Ayrshire playing 90s rock down the back roads. Definitely the only one still using CDs. What was it they called his favourite bands now? Classic rock. Fuck off. Jean had been saying,“Why not just go the wholeContinue reading “Night Shift”

Two Ghosts

The waiter brought the mug from the front bar, just like the singer had requested: half full of white wine. The crowd was different through here, the buzz of the front bar seemed another world. He left the mug by the piano and smiled at the singer. She was sitting by the window, singing aboutContinue reading “Two Ghosts”

Seen

People walked past her without looking. Someone in the crowd bumped into her and just kept moving. She saw a wee cafe on the corner, pushed the door open and it was scotch pies and soup and warmth. A waitress walked by and smiled. “Hiya, just sit anywhere you like.” She took a seat nearContinue reading “Seen”