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    Open House
    Open House
    Open House
    Ebook87 pages1 hour

    Open House

    By Storm Cloud Publishing

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    About this ebook

    It’s Open House. The light’s on, the door’s open and the coffee’s hot. Come in, sit down, put your feet up, relax and indulge in a story or two.
    From the depths of outer space to the depths of the human soul, these writers explore common themes with unusual twists.
    An assortment of stories from an assortment of writers.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherStorm Cloud Publishing
    Release dateAug 16, 2017
    ISBN9781925285253
    Open House

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      Book preview

      Open House - Storm Cloud Publishing

      Open House

      Short Story collection

      Open House

      Copyright remains with the individual authors

      Published by Storm Cloud Publishing (2017)

      ISBN: 978-1-925285-25-3 Smashwords Edition

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient.

      If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, please go to Smashwords.com or any online bookstore and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the authors.

      Fiction: Short Story collection

      Contents

      Tales from the Moshpit

      Tree Spirit

      Keeper of Lights

      The Mailbox

      She Had to Lose it at The Astor....

      Forever and Always

      Finder Keeper

      The Naughty List

      Whose Death is it Anyway?

      About the Authors

      Storm Cloud ebooks

      Tales from the Moshpit

      Kelly Ambrose

      It was not until my mid thirties that I decided to ditch working weekends making Pizza for stoners. I had a dream of writing the next best seller. A novel that would take the world by storm, end all my money worries and make the reading world better for my insights and imagination. Two years into this dream and dead broke reality hit, and hard; suddenly a job in an office held much appeal. To write a novel takes time and effort. I had plenty of that, but a job puts food on the table and pays the bills. It was a no brainer really.

      My next dilemma was my mode of transport. I wanted a carefree experience, where I arrived at my destination stress free, not having to use the overdraft to pay for parking. I was naïve.

      Akin to a modern day Jane Austin, I dream of a time where manners and politeness exist, where my fellow oh so chivalrous traveller always gives the lady a seat, and travelling on the train was a joyful experience. After all, Ye Oldie Traveller never put a foot out of place let alone on the seat; they obeyed the rules. Dad was the only one who worked, Mum stayed at home and raised the kids and only journeyed to the City for something special, and the train was a luxury. On weekends, a trip on the train to go to the football, visit family or to go to the seaside was the norm.

      Imagine a shimmering January morning, I was dressed to impress, and filled with hope of a stress free commute. I board the train and think , This is not too bad, there are seats – the precious – and hardly a person around. I will be ok.

      How quickly appearances can change and that night, shoved under someone’s summer perspiration, I think, Oh this is not the best, but the work dictates that the trips must continue.

      Travelling in peak hour is somewhat like a moshpit at a rock concert. You arrive at the platform, your venue, and stand cheek and jowl next to other sweaty punters. Doors open and elbows out, you push through to get the best spot.

      Unlike those at Metal concerts, these punters are not polite; they have little understanding of personal space, and little concern for the show running on time.

      If, and this is a big if, the Rolling Moshpit is on time, buy a lottery ticket. Delays due to vandalism, are code for driver did not show up today or couldn’t be bothered. Train delayed due to persons on track – well they are just plain stupid and nothing I can think will change that.

      Something happens to me once I enter a rolling moshpit that piques my curiosity. My mind starts wandering with abject boredom. I insert them into story after unwritten story. I now know their foibles up close to another on the moshpit, provides great material for my writing.

      I could name the many characters that I see and, for the sake of brevity, I will name a few of my favourite moshpit characters. I am sure if you are out and about you will have seen these or may have some of your own.

      Lois. Lois is a loud talking phone sharer. She just makes my day, and her lack of any moral compass is a joy. Lois makes me feel that my life is complete, because everything in Lois’ life sucks: her sex life sucks, Mummy is not talking to her and her boss said that she sucks. The angry Lois’ are the best, like a fine lead singer they share everything loudly and proudly ensuring that every punter can hear.

      Bruce the backpack wearer. Oblivious to the world, Bruce pushes on like the force of nature that he is, his dirty sneakers wafting their fragrance from his pack. Like the child who hits you in the face when you’re asked to smell the cheese, Bruce is the short person’s nightmare; Bruce could break your nose with his bag

      Next arrival is Marvin the man spreader, my space has to be spread across two seats, this is because we all know that my package is bigger than most, and I don’t mean his bag. Whilst carrying such a package is exhausting, Marvin will pretend sleep and open an eye every now and again just to let

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