Gloria’s Gifts

I must admit, I hoped Gran might leave me her jewellery. Instead, on her deathbed, she passed me a box with a shaky hand and said,

‘Melody dear, take this to Chris at Hedgehog Aid. Oh, and this is for you.’

Now, this did look interesting. An ornate gilt-edged diary.

            Her death was peaceful, or at least it looked that way from where we were sitting, on three wooden chairs dragged in from the kitchen. I was perched between my Mum and her estranged sister Alice, engulfed in their icy silence. The moment Gran passed, a warm glow filled the room, easing the tension and even some of the grief.

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A SPECIAL GIFT

Adam Taylor bounced out of the office, a ruggedly handsome man. His life revolved around getting that sensational story that would guarantee his fame and fortune. Life had other plans, he would become famous just not in the way imagined.

Adam had been working on something secretly for months. He was getting close and the lady Audrey, his snout,  promised it was the real deal, she had inside information. Walking to the quiet gardens in Kensington he smiled to himself. At last it was going to happen. He was writing the story in his head.

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The Gift of Kambo

Martha Ferris didn’t see herself as a bad person, never went out of her way to hurt anyone. She just made a point of looking out for number one and if that meant trampling on other people, too bad.

When money was tight, she had a trick to save on food bills. Namely pinching grub from the fridge at work. Taking pride in her quick sleight of hand, as she grabbed her can of coke, she’d shove Rachel’s mini sausages or Nigel’s rice balls into her handbag, but it was Holly Blackbone she loved to steal from.

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A Rapporteur on Fairyland Writes

There have been a number of striking changes in the parallel world known as Fairyland over the last century. Two have been a dropping of dress codes for fairies, and the admission of a number of affiliates, including fairy-adjacent beings and proxy fairies. This loosening of moorings can be illustrated by the raging controversy over Cinderella’s coach being formed from a perfectly edible pumpkin which led to the retiring of the title of Fairy Godmother.

Under new management, the Fairy  College has now abolished its single sex entry policy and welcomes overseas fairies with open arms and swelling coffers. This has led to a broader and more diverse approach to the curriculum.

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Prompt for February 2026 – The Gift

HOMEWORK for deadline Thursday 10pm, 19.02.26.

TASK: ‘The Gift’. Write 500 words or fewer about ‘The Gift’. Your story title isn’t included in the 500 words.

Homework to be in by 10 pm at the latest, Thursday 19th February 2026. (This time deadline will be helpful to both Martyn and Pat).

Meeting at 1.30pm, Sunday 22.02.26, Waterstones Bookshop, top floor [via stairs or lift], Oxford Street. Finish about 3.00pm.

Please send homework to Pat O’Connor, or message us via the contact page

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