"A notepad and pen sees the time spent delayed on a journey fly by"
The replacement bus would take at least an hour to arrive. The news hadn't gone down well—it was the middle of the night, and they were in the middle of nowhere. At least the driver said they could stay on...
"An early morning customer could be the captain on her voyage of discovery"
She emerged from behind the counter with his cigarettes and change. This daily routine allowed him to use the shop while his dog waited outside at the end of its leash. The scene amused those who had never witnessed it...
"the breaks in the journey are not designed to allow extra time for sightseeing"
A few hours after collaborating with Neil to develop her story, Sarah began to formulate her next plan. The lack of a deadline for the load she was delivering offered her some opportunities, but an unusual sense of guilt also...
"An attempt to take a nostalgic trip begins badly, but there is hope"
Having been let down by someone who had promised to give him a lift for a part of his journey south through France, Neil's thoughts turned to the question of what to do next, His trip was one he had...
"A friendly face appears when it is needed more than ever."
The constant stream of people seeking information was something she had come to expect. Their questions had changed little over the years. While the number of customers remained fairly stable, their expectations and lack of manners had become increasingly challenging.The...
"If it had happened yesterday, it would have been lost, but this was stored in the part of his memory that still worked"
Bureaucracy had enabled him to earn a living for over twenty years, but now, on the other side of the fence, it felt like a chore and one that he found exhausting.Her questions had a clear purpose, but he struggled...
On either side of the ocean, both took some time to catch up on their messages. As usual, Shiba had many to read, while Justin had far fewer. Among the messages, one stood out to Justin. He smiled, confident that...
"Someone has to answer the final calls and emails before the business closes"
It wasn't a big surprise when the news came; the business had been quiet for a long time. Agreeing to go down with the ship was an easy decision for Bella. A month's pay with very little asked in return?...
"The Time Has Come For Progress On Their 'Must Try' Lists"
His escapist writing had come to an end and a cool drink brought reality back into focus. The square wasn't particularly busy, but it had become noisier, as the three women who had arrived planned their next move.The loudly discussed...
"Bold may be beautiful, but the shy can fly too"
There are many ways people hide their shyness. Some methods are more successful and logical than others. Being introverted can also be situational. I saw that in myself.I travelled to many places people thought were dangerous. My choices seemed foolhardy...