The Unicorn Challenge.

A magical new weekly writing opportunity from her – Jenne Gray – and me.
Visit her blog every Friday to see the photo prompt, and post your amazing story in her comments section.
Or on your own blog, and stick the link down in her comments.
The rules are:
Maximum of 250 words.
Based on photo prompt.
That’s it.

To hear me read my story, just click here:

Father Figure

The girl, who’s maybe ten years old, slips into the cafe and sits at the table nearest the door.
She looks past me to where I can hear sounds of dishes being cleared.
After a few moments she lifts her hand, her face lighting up in a smile.
She is very pretty.
A figure in nylon overalls hustles past me towards her.
The outfit is shapeless and orange; the green panel on the back says ‘STAFF’ in white letters.
I see when she turns that she is probably the girl’s mother, with the same dark curls escaping from under the orange cap and the same stunning brown eyes.
She returns with a broom and sweeps briskly and efficiently, at which I lift my feet comically high.
The girl laughs, and I grin back at her.
When the woman asks if I’m finished with my tea, I mutter thanks, and she clears the dishes and the money.
‘I come here after school,’ the girl tells me, at which I half smile and nod.
Unperturbed at my lack of response, she launches into a long tale about her classes and after-school activities which only stops when her mother reappears and chastises her.
I smile more warmly now, and reassure her that her daughter is charming, which prompts her to recount her own tale of marriage, abandonment and general woe, ending with her contention that an impressionable girl needs fatherly advice.
I lean forward and address the child.
‘Trust no one,’ I say.