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Here it is, the last one of the year. I’ve put this piece and the others that I’ve posted this year, together in a little ebook on Amazon. It’s called 500 Wrds. Be warned this has a bit of black humour init, you may find it a little distasteful especially if you’re an animal lover. You have been warned…

The Christmas Jingle

‘I’m sorry, but it’s not the kind of thing we want to be associated with.’
Pete winced as he heard the refusal. Her principles would get this place closed if she wasn’t careful.
He heard the office door slam, and a large man came out, muttering to himself. Sighing, he stopped at the water cooler.
Pete went over. ‘Everything ok?’
‘No, I came here looking for a jingle for the Christmas must have toy, and she says no, because it’s bad taste apparently. It’s making shed loads of money though.’
‘Oh, right. Look I’m only freelance here, so if you want to meet me in the Coffee Hut next door in a few minutes, maybe it’s something I can help you with?’
Pete could feel the excitement rising in him. He wasn’t freelance, but he’d had his fill of writing jingles for washing powder, shampoo or coffee. He wanted something exciting, something big. Maybe this was it!
‘Well.’ The man said. ‘I need a jingle for Splattered Animals. They’re soft toys…’
‘Splattered Animals, I know what they are! They’re huge, all over the internet, the news, but your TV ad isn’t great.’
‘I know, that’s why I need a great jingle.’

That night, Pete was sat in his room, ready to create a jingle, only his mind was blank. He knew all about them; there were splattered hedgehogs, badgers, foxes, cats, supposedly killed by Santa landing his sleigh on them. Then there were birds, bats and owls that had been splattered by Santa’s sleigh as he was flying through the sky. No wonder they were controversial!
Then it came to him.
Jingle bells.
Jingle bells.
Santa’s on the way.
Can you see the animals,
that he’s splattered with his sleigh?
Hey!

Jingle bells.
Jingle bells.
Santa’s on the way.
Killing birds and bats and owls,
with that great big sleigh

On Monday morning he was sat in Prescot’s Toys, playing the jingle. When it finished, Pete waited for the reaction. Mr Prescot stood up, opened his office door, and shouted into the factory.
‘Tom!’
A guy of a similar age to Pete appeared.
‘Tom, listen to this.’
‘Play it again.’
Pete did, and this time he got the reaction he had been hoping for.
‘Oh, that’s bloody brilliant, we’ll take it!’
‘And don’t forget our agreement dad,’ Tom added in between laughs.
‘These toys were Tom’s idea Pete, and apparently there are plenty more where they came from. I agreed to set up our own in-house advertising if we found someone we liked. Looks like you’ve got yourself a new job if you want it young man?’
Pete beamed.

By lunchtime he was back at work, and she already knew.
‘Look Peter, you can’t just jump ship on a whim, what if it doesn’t lead anywhere?’
‘The only place that’s going nowhere is this place.’
‘I can’t believe you’re being so ungrateful. I gave you a chance.’
‘I’m sorry, but it’s time to fly the nest. And mum, Merry Christmas.’

Here it is, Dark & Fluffy II.

https://read.amazon.co.uk/kp/embed…

I’ve also just published the 5 flash fiction monthly pieces that have featured here this year. The ebook is called 500 Words.

As promised, Dark & Fluffy II will be available this week. It is being uploaded for publishing as we speak (type!). Look out for offers on D&F I if you haven’t read that yet.

The sea cave was their safe place, and the most dangerous place she had ever spent time in, but then she supposed the setting only added to the excitement. Unlike her, the man lying next to her had the sea running through his veins. He had been born in this coastal town, he worked on the sea and was the most exotic man she had ever met.
She had only been in the town for a few days, having come with the sole intention of marrying. Her father had arranged an alliance between her and the Lord of this land, one which would join her landlocked country with his sea faring one. Together the two lands would be a major trading power, and all would benefit. That was what she was told.
The sun was glinting off the sharp clean edges of the rocks and she could hear the waves lapping at the shore; the taste of the sea was on her lips.
The first time they had come here she had been afraid, but now she was relaxed. She didn’t worry about the sea entering the cave anymore. The tides were as familiar to him as the curves of her body; he instinctively knew when it was time to leave.
She thought back to the night that she had arrived. Having settled into her quarters, she spotted him down in the great hall as she looked over the balustrade at the assembled guests. Her husband-to-be had invited all the important people of the town to a welcome party for her, but she only noticed him that night. And he, her.
He was handsome and bold as she soon found out. She was whisked away by him during a busy dance and hid behind a vast curtain, so he could speak to her in private. He asked her to meet him the next day and she had agreed.
But today would be the last day that they would meet. Tomorrow she would marry the ageing Lord just as her father wished, and her love would be leaving on a quest that would last years; this was at the Lord’s command. Whether this was co-incidence or whether they were being deliberately separated, they didn’t know.
He stroked her hair gently.
‘Come, we must leave, I’ve left it as long as I dare.’
He helped her up, then picked up the oiled cloth they had been lying on. He looked out of the mouth of the cave.
‘I’ll have to carry you. Just until we’re out onto the beach. If you get your skirts and shoes wet, you may get questioned.’
He lifted her effortlessly, and as they left the cave she nestled into his neck, taking in his scent.
She committed it to her memory and she would recall it many times over the years. She never saw him again, nor did she visit the sea cave, but she always remembered his scent during the times when she ached for comfort.

So, I hope some of you had a go at this month’s challenge?

What shall we do for December – how about The Christmas Jingle?

So how are we getting on with this months challenge? I’m part way through mine. I’m also part way through finalising my pieces for Dark & Fluffy II. there was an interesting article in writing magazine about doing a blog book launch. Might be worth a go and I’m going to look into it for D & F II.