Tuesday Tales - PHONE ~ ~ #Tuesdaybookblog #Books

 

Welcome to Tuesday ... Welcome to Tuesday Tales ...

Time for a new story. This one has no title, yet, and has been on the back burner for a few years now. I think I posted one or two excerpts, but I felt lost in the story at some stage, so hopefully with prompts and some feedback I might finish it.

Today's prompt is: PHONE

Enjoy - and feel free to leave a comment. And don't forget to click the link below to go back to the main Tuesday Tale site for more stories by very talented authors.

Anyway, now I’m in this massive aeroplane en route to Germany. In all fairness, flying isn’t all what it’s cracked up to be. We’re not even half way and my bum’s sore, my head aches, and I’m bored out of my brains. Even the latest blockbuster on the small screen in front of me can’t hold my attention, and I’ve seen most of the TV series that often I can talk along with them. Even the excitement of sitting right next to the window feels silly now. As far as the eye can see are only sky or clouds. Initially breathtaking, now more on the boring and I don’t really wanna know what’s beneath me side of thoughts.

“Excuse me,” I say quietly to the nice looking lady next to me. “I’m sorry, but–”

I make a motion saying I need to get something from the overhead locker and she kindly moves her legs. Unbelievable, that there are people out there liking this experience. I’ve had enough already!

Anyway, I move awkwardly around the lady, who desperately tries to keep that smile on her face as I step on her feet at least twice, but in the end, I do get what I was looking for in my bag “up above”.  My phone .... And Grandma’s diary. Time for a bit more snooping.

The nice flight attendant gets me something to drink and a snack as I try to get the hang of reading the old German again. As I grab the water, I glance past the lady next to me and see the guy across the aisle staring towards me. Instinctively, I look around, but no, he’s really looking at me. A smile tugs at my lips when I see him smiling at me.

“Where are you heading?” he asks as the flight attendant moves on.

I lean forward and the nice lady next to me leans back. Her smile saying everything. Everything as in, Yeah, he’s cute!

“I’m heading to Frankfurt,” I reply.

“So am I,” he says, his smile turning into a grin.

And then we get interrupted by a long line of people coming past. I patiently wait, as one person after the other moves past, my head bobbing from side to side desperate not to lose eye contact. But it’s near impossible. Itching to talk more to the guy, I keep glancing over again and again, but then I try to settle my nerves by focusing back on the book.

I had no idea “human traffic” can be so intense on a flight.

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Tuesday Tales - Picture Prompt ~ ~ #Tuesdaybookblog #Books

 

Welcome to Tuesday ... Welcome to Tuesday Tales ...

Time for a new story. This one has no title, yet, and has been on the back burner for a few years now. I think I posted one or two excerpts, but I felt lost in the story at some stage, so hopefully with prompts and some feedback I might finish it.

Today's prompt is a picutre

Enjoy - and feel free to leave a comment. And don't forget to click the link below to go back to the main Tuesday Tale site for more stories by very talented authors.

So, Mum died a few weeks back and now I’m stuck on this massive airplane with Grandma’s diary in my bag. It’s kind of weird snooping in Grandma’s deepest thoughts and feelings, but in a way it’s fascinating going back in history. Hey, but not only going back in history, but also to a different continent. 

Mum was born in Germany, but left in her twenties and came to Australia. Quite a journey those days, and she’d told me a lot about it. Kind of scary actually to just leave everything behind. I mean, after all there was no internet or the chance to quickly call home to say Hey everyone I’ve arrived and settled in this super tiny town of Beauty Creek. No, those days you had to write the old fashioned letters and wait a couple of months for a reply.  

Yes, Beauty Creek in Tasmania is the place I was born and grew up. The name says it all, beautiful scenery along a small creek. We lived in a small house, but it was all we needed. I still remember the little patio entrance at the front and this massive brown door hidden away in the corner. Such a beautiful place. And Mum always said it very much reminded her of her home in Germany. The forest as well. It was full of deciduous trees with their leaves falling in autumn in herald of the coming winter. I loved walking along the path with her, gazing at the leaves above that had changed their colour from green to a burning red or dying yellow, or down on the ground, crackling under our feet. However, the creepiest part was, when she tried to make the sound of the wind rustling through the trees.

I really miss my mum.

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Tuesday Tales - SWALLOW ~ Where #Authors #Write to a #Prompt ~ #Tuesdaybookblog #Books

 

Welcome to Tuesday ... Welcome to Tuesday Tales ...

Time for a new story. This one has no title, yet, and has been on the back burner for a few years now. I think I posted one or two excerpts, but I felt lost in the story at some stage, so hopefully with prompts and some feedback I might finish it.

Today's prompt is SWALLOW

Enjoy - and feel free to leave a comment. And don't forget to click the link below to go back to the main Tuesday Tale site for more stories by very talented authors.

Placing the photo back into the diary I over carefully turned the pages. After all, this little book was almost twice as old as me. Then the name “Konrad” jumped out at me. Grandpa! I swallowed hard. It had to be him I thought. I blessed mum’s heart for teaching me the old German alphabet, Fraktur, which made the reading so much easier. I traced each line with my finger and within seconds I was completely engulfed in Grandma’s story.

“I received word from Konrad today. Finally the postman had a letter for me. I was hardly able to open the envelope my hands were shaking so much. It was wonderful to hear from him, but he’s doing it tough. He’s in Greece and it must be a beautiful place. They travelled through the Austrian Alps to get there. The way he described the mountains, the snow-capped peaks reflecting the sun, towering over him, it made him feel humble. The children loved hearing from him and him describing the scenery. They miss him. And so do I.”

Well, at least I think that’s what it says. I’m a bit rusty on the old German. But I’m sure my uncle Georg might be able to help me out. Only one more week until I will start my journey to where it all began.

Anyway, my name is Sadie. Yes, please spare me the old John Farnham tune, I’ve had it most of my life. Oh, don’t get me wrong, nothing bad about John Farnham, after all, he’s “The Voice”, right? But the Sadie comment does get a bit tiring!

So, Mum died a few weeks back and now I’m stuck on this massive airplane with Grandma’s diary in my bag. It’s kind of weird snooping in Grandma’s deepest thoughts and feelings, but in a way it’s fascinating going back in history. Hey, but not only going back in history, but also to a different continent. Mum was born in Germany, but left in her twenties and came to Australia. Quite a journey those days, and she’d told me a lot about it. Kind of scary actually to just leave everything behind. I mean, after all there was no internet or the chance to quickly call home to say Hey everyone I’ve arrived and settled in this super tiny town of Beauty Creek. No those days you had to write the old fashioned letters and wait a couple of months for a reply.

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Tuesday Tales - MIRROR ~ Where #Authors #Write to a #Prompt ~ #Tuesdaybookblog #Books

 

Welcome to Tuesday ... Welcome to Tuesday Tales ...

Time for a new story. This one has no title, yet, and has been on the back burner for a few years now. I think I posted one or two excerpts, but I felt lost in the story at some stage, so hopefully with prompts and some feedback I might finish it.

Today's prompt is MIRROR

Enjoy - and feel free to leave a comment. And don't forget to click the link below to go back to the main Tuesday Tale site for more stories by very talented authors.

I couldn’t believe it when I found Grandma’s diary in one of Mum’s boxes amongst books, magazines, records, and even a mirror, a few weeks back. It was a bit like a “wow” moment, and I remember staring at it for a while. A while that could’ve been a few seconds, or a few minutes. Who knows? I carefully touched it and gently traced the outside before I opened it. Wondering what I would find, or read, perhaps discover. Then I rolled my eyes, thinking, for God’s sake, it’s just a diary.

But it was Grandma’s diary! I think I was around ten or eleven when grandma died. We flew to Germany for the funeral. It was a big event, and I met a lot of people who introduced themselves as uncles, aunties, cousins, and the likes. I had no idea. Well, I was only little. Or young, even though little as well. So Mum hid this treasure from me all my young life. I’m not ten anymore, as you would’ve guessed. Yes, I have just turned thirty-one. Lost the love of my life, after we had been together for about three and a bit years, but most importantly, I lost my Mum. It took a while longer to accept those news. All of a sudden she was gone. No, it wasn’t cancer. It was her heart. Bang! One day she was happy, complaining I still hadn’t settled down, the next day – gone!

I carefully open up the diary and flick through a first few pages. An old sepia coloured photo falls into my lap. It shows a woman with long hair. I assume it’s blonde, but it’s hard to tell with the lack of colours. The woman is smiling and squinting into the camera. She looks beautiful, even in the old-fashioned daggy clothes. I study the photo and notice she’s very skinny under the clothes. Her hair is tight up in a ponytail which hangs across her shoulder. She’s got beautifully shaped eyes and from the sepia colour I can only assume they’re of a darker colour in real life. Her smile is genuine and I wonder about the reason is behind the smile. I hold the photo a bit closer and notice some freckles on her face. I smile. Just like me. And then I turn the photo over and read in Mum’s handwriting: Hedwig Maria Stein. It’s my grandma! I turn the photo again and have another close look. Mum always said I reminded her of Grandma. Especially my eyes. So I assume Grandma had green eyes like me. I hold my hand over her eyes on the photo and check out Grandma’s mouth. It’d be nice to think I’ve got full lips like her. And I cannot believe what I’m seeing. I squint as I move the photo even closer. Grandma even has the small gap in her front teeth like me. Cool!

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Tuesday Tales - GRAB ~ Where #Authors #Write to a #Prompt ~ #Tuesdaybookblog #Books

 

Welcome to Tuesday ... Welcome to Tuesday Tales ...

I continue with  Rachel's story. I introduced her in "I think I love you", the third book in the "Australian Sports Stars Series". She's Sarah's sister.

When Rachel opens the door and finds the police standing in front of her door, she's scared of a repeat of the day she was dragged to the police station. Yet, the two officers only want information and ask her to stop by later that day. Worried, she calls Oliver, a good friend, but instead gets Matiu Afoa on the phone. Matiu is Oliver's Kiwi friend staying with him for a week. He's in Melbourne for a meeting.

Today's prompt is GRAB

Enjoy - and feel free to leave a comment. And don't forget to click the link below to go back to the main Tuesday Tale site for more stories by very talented authors.

She held his stare most likely wanting to see his reaction to her news. And in all fairness, it wasn't at all what he’d expected. Possibly — but then again he didn't know what he'd expected either, yet the mention of the word police threw him a bit.

"You're not a suspect, are you? “ He asked with a little jest in his voice not believing that was the case.

Her gaze went past him now as the shook her head. He cupped her chin with both of his hands, tilting her head towards him to see her eyes. Sadness had taken over and he could've kicked himself for his curiosity.

He drew a deep breath. “Sorry.”

She shook her head. “No. Don’t be. You did nothing wrong.” With a slight lift of her shoulder, she added, “We dated a very brief period of time before it ended. His name kind of left a sour taste in my mouth so I’m still torn between not caring and feeling sorry for him.”

Mat grabbed his wallet from the back pocket of his pants and retrieved one of his business cards.

“My number’s on here. Promise me you’ll call me if you need to talk.”

Rachel took the card, her hesitation obvious. “I’m fine,” she replied with a slight smile.

“Promise me,” he insisted.

“Yes, dad,” she mocked him. “I promise I will call you if for any reasons I will need to talk to someone.”

“’Atta girl.”

“But first let me win the lotto, because this would be an overseas call.”

A frown creased his forehead. “Paka!”

“Excuse me?”

He looked at her, initially not sure what he’d said, when he remembered his bout of annoyance was made in Maori. “Sorry. I try not to swear in English.”

Letting out a soft laugh, she simply nodded.

“Call through, and I return the call,” he suggested.

“I will, but honestly, I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

With no more words, she slid behind the steering wheel, and he closed the door. She drove off, leaving him staring after her until she was completely out of sight. A few seconds later, he headed the opposite direction and started to walk back to Oliver’s house.

Slowly, and with a constant smile on his face.

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Tuesday Tales: #Writing to a Picture Prompt ~ #Books #TuesdayRead

 

Welcome to Tuesday ... Welcome to Tuesday Tales ...

I continue with  Rachel's story. I introduced her in "I think I love you", the third book in the "Australian Sports Stars Series". She's Sarah's sister.

When Rachel opens the door and finds the police standing in front of her door, she's scared of a repeat of the day she was dragged to the police station. Yet, the two officers only want information and ask her to stop by later that day. Worried, she calls Oliver, a good friend, but instead gets Matiu Afoa on the phone. Matiu is Oliver's Kiwi friend staying with him for a week. He's in Melbourne for a meeting.

Today's prompt is a picutre

Enjoy - and feel free to leave a comment. And don't forget to click the link below to go back to the main Tuesday Tale site for more stories by very talented authors.

It took all his courage, but he leaned in and gently touched her lips with his. Her soft breath touching his skin teasing his sanity. The taste of coke still lingered on her lips, and he was tempted to kiss her with all he had and all he felt at that moment. Even after sitting in the pizzeria for a couple of hours, she smelled like the ocean and earth blended. Images of the blue sea and the pacific ocean coastline shot through igniting feelings that had been dormant for too long. An undercurrent of attraction making him aware of how much he’d enjoyed their time together and how much he disliked to let her go already. He leaned back to meet her gaze and although pleased, it surprised him that she didn't move back or slapped his cheek. Unsure about the expression on her face, he was sure, though, there has no anger but a hesitant smile that spread across her face.

"Can't wait to see you again tomorrow.”

Her cheeks turned a soft shade of red.

"Will you be all right?” he asked.

Her eyes widened. "Because I've been kissed by a stranger?”

Not able to hold back, he let out a bark of laughter. "I’m good, but even I know a touch of my lips is nothing that moves the earth.” He paused watching her expression. "I meant in regards to what happened this morning.”

The long sigh she let out almost told the whole story and he wished instead of bringing it up he had kissed her again.

"Someone died under suspicious circumstances and the police came to see me this morning. I freaked out.”

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Tuesday Tales - HIP ~ Where #Authors #Write to a #Prompt ~ #WIP #Books

 

Welcome to Tuesday ... Welcome to Tuesday Tales ...

I continue with  Rachel's story. I introduced her in "I think I love you", the third book in the "Australian Sports Stars Series". She's Sarah's sister.

When Rachel opens the door and finds the police standing in front of her door, she's scared of a repeat of the day she was dragged to the police station. Yet, the two officers only want information and ask her to stop by later that day. Worried, she calls Oliver, a good friend, but instead gets Matiu Afoa on the phone. Matiu is Oliver's Kiwi friend staying with him for a week. He's in Melbourne for a meeting.

Today's prompt is HIP

Enjoy - and feel free to leave a comment. And don't forget to click the link below to go back to the main Tuesday Tale site for more stories by very talented authors.

From the moment Rachel walked into the restaurant, Mat had an inkling that she wasn’t gay, or a bitch for that matter. Not only did she look very attractive in her plain tight jeans and a simple white T-shirt but also her smile was genuine and bright, her brown eyes radiated peace and happiness — except when he’d asked whether she’d killed someone. Not for a minute did he believe, though, that she’d actually killed someone. Her demeanour said differently. Tilting his head slightly, he watched her avoiding his stare, biting her lips as she ran her fingers through her wavy brown hair, moving it all to one side.

“Bad?”

Finally, their eyes met again. “No. Not bad. A person I knew was killed and the circumstances… well, less than pleasant.”

“Accident?”

She snorted. “I’d say.”

“In a selfish way, I’m glad I’ve been able to put a little smile on your beautiful face.”

It didn’t go past him that her cheeks flushed a little, and he tried not to grin at the fact.

“We both have sisters. We both have Oliver as a very good friend. We like rugby…”

She laughed. “I know next to nothing about rugby. I know the All Blacks are from New Zealand and they won the world cup.”

“Okay, fair enough. But you like sport.”

“More watching than being active. I like the occasional swim.”

“Lucky me. At the end of the dinner I might be able to convince you to take me to a lovely beach for a swim.”

Now her laugh was half a snort. “Definitely All Black persistence.”

“Job?”

“Yes and no.”

He cocked a brow.

“I’m currently doing my Certificate in Massage Therapy. I work occasionally at the pub to get some extra cash.”

Taking a sip from his drink, he replied, "Massage therapy. Impressive. I might ask you to give my hips a little massage.”

“Not nearly as impressive as being a helicopter pilot,” she said, yet not looking at him.

Mat became more and more intrigued about her. Her shy nature, the self-doubt that shone through when talking about herself, and the hesitation to tell him more about the person she was.

“Born in Melbourne?”

“Yes, born and raised in Melbourne. You?”

“Born in Auckland, moving to Queenstown soon.”

“North or south island.”

“Auckland is north, Queenstown south.”

“New Zealand must be beautiful. I’ve never been there.”

He grinned, knowing too well, she’d changed the subject away from her again.

Mat didn't push it any further and started telling her about New Zealand, a subject he loved dearly and could’ve talked about for days. He enjoyed her company, her interest in most things, and the way she soaked up each of his words.

A couple of hours later, Rachel checked the time and said, "I'm really sorry, but it's time for me to go, but Oliver mentioned a barbeque tomorrow at his place. Will you be there?”

Mat nodded. "Wouldn't miss it for the world.”

They stood, and he went to pay for the dinner before he joined Rachel outside.

"Can I walk you to your car?”

She let out a soft laugh. "The car is right there," she said pointing at a red little car only twenty metres up the road. He groaned inwardly knowing his time with her was over soon. Placing his hand on the low of her back, they started walking the few metres in silence. Once they got to the car, Rachel dug in her bag for the keys and then pushed the remote to unlock it.

"Thanks for a nice evening,” she said just above a whisper. “It was just what I needed after a shitty day.”

It took all his courage, but he leaned in and gently touched her lips with his.

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Out now – and free for KU subscribers

Tuesday Tales - MIRROR ~ Where #Authors #Write to a #Prompt ~ #WIP #Books

 

Welcome to Tuesday ... Welcome to Tuesday Tales ...

I continue with  Rachel's story. I introduced her in "I think I love you", the third book in the "Australian Sports Stars Series". She's Sarah's sister.

When Rachel opens the door and finds the police standing in front of her door, she's scared of a repeat of the day she was dragged to the police station. Yet, the two officers only want information and ask her to stop by later that day. Worried, she calls Oliver, a good friend, but instead gets Matiu Afoa on the phone. Matiu is Oliver's Kiwi friend staying with him for a week. He's in Melbourne for a meeting.

Today's prompt is MIRROR

Enjoy - and feel free to leave a comment. And don't forget to click the link below to go back to the main Tuesday Tale site for more stories by very talented authors.

"It’s what I am. I’m proud of what I am.” Mat took her hand into his. “Tell me what upset you this morning.”

The waiter brought their drinks, and she slowly removed her hand from his. “How about we order dinner?”

They did and for a brief moment their conversation shifted to Oliver and how each of them got to know him. Mat told her a mirror story of Oliver’s about meeting in the U.S.A.

“I’d love to go to America one day,” she said with a sigh.

“It’s a great place, but it’s not NZ,” he replied.

“Oliver told me your dad used to play rugby.”

He nodded. “He was an All Black.”

“Why didn’t you follow in his footsteps?”

Raising a brow, he leaned back to let the waiter place their meals on the table before he replied, “Everyone expected me to be like my dad. I wanted to be me.”

Rachel took a piece of her pizza, pondering about his statement. And liked it. For so long she’d believed that because her mother had failed in her marriage and most of her jobs, she was destined to do the same. It’s only been the last few months that she’d realised what she was because of her own doings.

“And what is it you do?”

“I’m a helicopter pilot.”

“Holy shit,” she exclaimed. “That’s not even close to rugby.”

He laughed then took a sip of his drink before he said, “What about you?”

“My life’s boring. Not much to tell.”

He chuckled. “Boring? I have a feeling it’s quite the opposite. Come on, let me be the judge of it. I know nothing about you, except your brother-in-law is a soccer player, which means you have a sister. Something we have in common.”

“You have a sister? Younger or older?”

A grin spread across his face. “Nice try.”

“Okay, here’s the short version. Apparently Oliver has a barbeque tomorrow and I’d like for you to still talk to me.”

Lifting his knife, he jokingly asked, “Killed someone?”

She shook her head, avoiding his gaze.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him placing his knife on the table before he rested his elbows on the table. “The trouble this morning?”

Nodding, she bit her lower lip nervously worried he’d judge her. She wasn’t ready, yet, to not see him again.

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Out now – and free for KU subscribers