The Burden – Friday Fictioneers

Posted on July 1, 2026 by ceayr
© Dale Rogerson

Friday Fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here.

Click here to hear the author read his words:

The Burden

I have something for you, my darling son, something no mother could ever wish on her child, least of all he who is cherished above all others.
I’ve carried it for so long, I’m weary beyond my years, and it must be passed on before I leave.
You might wonder why you, not one of your sisters.
They’re older than you, yes, and stronger, but with this they could never marry, have children.
You alone can bear it and survive.
Trust in our gods.
If this is your last memory of me, flower of my life, please don’t hate me…

Posted in Sound Bite Fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 33 Comments

The Low Road – Friday Fictioneers

Posted on June 24, 2026 by ceayr
© Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Friday Fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here.

Click here to hear the author read his words:

The Low Road

The highway is straight and empty, and very boring.
The sides drop down to a stony arid wasteland, not a good place to go.
I haven’t seen another vehicle in an hour, or about 70 miles.
I’m struggling to stay awake, but I have to keep going.
What I’m running from is even less palatable.
I won’t bore you with the details, but I’d rather walk across this desert than face it.
So I splash water on my face and glance in the rear-view mirror.
I see them, coming up fast.
Looks like I’ll be taking the Low Road home.


Note: Quick explanation for those of you not fortunate enough to be Scottish. The Low Road is the route taken back to Scotland by the spirit of one who dies abroad.

You might enjoy this version of the song.

Posted in Friday Fictioneer, Sound Bite Fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 29 Comments

The Clouds – Friday Fictioneers

Posted on June 17, 2026 by ceayr
© C. E. Ayr

Friday Fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here.

Click here to hear the author read his words:

The Clouds

‘The clouds,’ he says.
Kneeling on the street beside his broken body, I look up at the clear blue sky.
‘Not those,’ he points a wavering finger. ‘The clouds over their heads.’
Over my shoulder, I see staring faces.
There are no clouds.
‘I don’t see any,’ I tell him.
‘You will,’ he gasps, coughing blood. ‘When it matters.’
I can hardly hear him over the wail of the ambulance as it edges past the van that hit him instead of me.
‘Why did you save me,’ I ask him.
‘I chose you,’ he whispers.
‘Why?’
He dies without answering.

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The Divorce Lawyer is now an e-book

Posted on June 15, 2026 by ceayr

The Divorce Lawyer, the latest blockbuster novel from C. E. Ayr, is now available as an e-book.

This time it’s Tartan Noir!

C. E. Ayr, writing in his inimitable dynamic and incisive style, presents The Divorce Lawyer, a cynical, darkly humorous mystery thriller in the best traditions of Tartan Noir.

‘He is wearing sunglasses.
In Scotland.
In February.
Indoors.
His wife and I stare at him in disbelief.
He carefully looks everywhere except at her.
His lawyer, on the other hand, has his eyes fixed on my client.‘

And so it begins…

The Divorce Lawyer is a new direction for C. E. Ayr, author of the acclaimed Sensei & Vidock series.
It tells a tale of love and violence, loyalty and revenge, corruption and conflict – and let’s not forget the deaths – set mainly in Ayrshire and Glasgow.

The Divorce Lawyer is available here at Amazon minimum price (£0.99 or equivalent):
In UK: https://bit.ly/4eFiQch
In USA: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H4ML7MQC
In Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/095586089X
In Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0H4ML7MQC

The Brand of Scottish Literary Excellence

Posted in Scottish Stuff, funny and serious | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Graffiti – Friday Fictioneers

Posted on June 10, 2026 by ceayr
© James Pyles

Friday Fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here.

Click here to hear the author read his words:

Graffiti

The lane might be described as dingy, not the sort of place you expect a gentleman like me to be strolling.
It leads to Main Street, a broad boulevard, with the headquarters of the Far Right Alliance, the Think Tank of the folk with money who own the country, on the corner.
That’s my destination.
The graffiti, a colourful melange of tags and images, tells me all I need to know.
Exactly when the top men – and women – will gather there.
I heft the bag onto my shoulder, and smile.
Their meeting should go off with a satisfying bang.


PLEASE NOTE:
I have never believed that violence is the answer to political disagreement, but I confess that the cretinous bully currently ruling the USA gives me pause.
As Uncle Bob says, Everything is Broken.
If my words offend you, please feel free never to visit my blog again.


Posted in Friday Fictioneer, Sound Bite Fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , | 32 Comments

Negligence -Friday Fictioneers

Posted on May 27, 2026 by ceayr
© Lori Wilson

Friday Fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here.

Click here to hear the author read his words:

Negligence

I see them, heads close, giggling, looking into the lingerie shop.
Terry, my fiancé, and Julie, my best friend, my soul sister.
I head back to our shared apartment, our girl cave, and search for the rat poison.
I want revenge.
Minutes later I realise I’m overreacting, we’ve been discussing my forthcoming wedding – and honeymoon – as women do.
She’ll be helping him choose something sexy for my birthday next week.
I start to laugh at my foolishness, knowing I can trust both of them with my life.
Crisis over.
But how will I explain to Jules about her dead dog?


Posted in Friday Fictioneer, Sound Bite Fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 35 Comments

Limpy and Blind – Friday Fictioneers

Posted on May 20, 2026 by ceayr
© Lisa Fox

Friday Fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here.

Click here to hear the author read his words:

Limpy and Blind

Neither could be described as attractive, both looking as though in need of a closer acquaintanceship with soap and water.
Known locally, perhaps rather unkindly, as Limpy, with her walking-frame, and Blind, with his dark glasses and white stick, they were always together, often drinking coffee outside the boulangerie.
Until one day she was alone and, when asked, spat ‘We’re through.’
Being seriously deficient in any social graces, he was generally considered no loss.
Then, for the first time, red-eyed, broken, sobbing, she spoke to me.
‘I love him. I thought it was forever.’
I had no words of comfort.

Posted in Friday Fictioneer, Sound Bite Fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Shadows – Friday Fictioneers

Posted on May 13, 2026 by ceayr
© Fleur Lind

Friday Fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here.

Click here to hear the author read his words:

Shadows

Lingering in the shadows.
That’s where I feel most comfortable.
No, safer, I think I mean.
I find bright lights disconcerting.
They make me feel exposed, naked, vulnerable.
Funny thing is, I don’t have much to hide.
I’m not a bad person, although I admit to the occasional dark thought.
And, although thoughts aren’t a crime, at least not yet, I never share them.
Or my reminiscences.
My past is my past, of no concern to anyone else.
If I do choose to stumble through memories, it’s when I’m alone.
I’m a private person.
With memories lingering in the shadows.

Posted in Friday Fictioneer, Sound Bite Fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 34 Comments

The Light – Friday Fictioners

Posted on May 6, 2026 by ceayr
© Roger Bultot

Friday Fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here.

Click here to hear the author read his words:

The Light

I lie awake in the dead of night, eyes closed, listening to the sound of nothing.
I’m at peace.
Then, behind my eyelids, I see, far in the distance, a bright light.
The light at the end of the tunnel, I consider briefly, before, in a moment of panic, forcing my eyes open.
I’m suddenly aware that it was another, very different light, the one that heralds the end of life.
I’ve never felt that I’m afraid of death, but I believe that I haven’t yet finished the things I want to achieve here.
I sigh.
I’ll soon be ready.

Posted in Friday Fictioneer, Sound Bite Fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 27 Comments

Birthday – Friday Fictioneers

Posted on April 22, 2026 by ceayr
© Lily

Friday Fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here.

Click here to hear the author read his words:

Birthday

Sometimes life can be confusing.
You waken, restless, your sleep was unusually disturbed.
You realise that today is a birthday, one you’ll never forget.
The birthday of one of only three people in the world you love unconditionally.
The one who, for reasons you don’t fully understand, no longer speaks to you.
All three live in different countries, different worlds from you.
You ponder your life.
Regrets?
Unlike Piaf, some.
Guilt?
Hmm…
You sit in the warm morning sunshine on your balcony, gazing out over the Mediterranean.
Your eyes drift to your phone.
You consider the time difference.
Oh well…

Posted in Sound Bite Fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments