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Love at First Sight

30/3/2018

As the door opened, they knew that they were made for each other.

She was ready to eat after the journey from Cornwall to Scotland; he'd starved himself since lunch. He'd made haggis, neeps and tatties for dinner, she'd brought four large pasties for a starter, and for dessert they sent out for a pair of Dominos ham and pineapple 13" pizzas. The pineapple was the healthy option.

Then they did what all romantic couples do: flopped on the sofa to watch Simpsons episodes together with some cans of cheap beer.

All the miraculous result of random right-swipes on Tinder.

Gunshot

27/3/2018

The shot rings out like a crack in the silent air.

We all hear it we run as fast as our legs can carry us you don't look round when someone's fired a gun this isn't the time for questions like panicked animals we charge off colliding with each other someone crashes into my shoulder I'm aware of someone else falling I can feel my heart pounding hear it in my head above the pounding feet and desperate breathing of those around me no time to stop just keep running till you've completed four laps and crossed the finish line.

Bomber

16/3/2018

He'd bought an electronic detonator online and a pay-as-you go mobile phone. Detonation would trigger a chain reaction of free glutamate reverse hypertonic autolysis, like a low-powered hydrogen bomb.

He packed all fourteen glass jars into a plastic carrier bag, opened a jar and inserted a mobile phone. Then, taking care not to get any toxic tarry contents on his skin, he smeared some over the detonator.

He placed the bag in the garden, took cover, then called the mobile in the bag from his iPhone. The result was satisfying carnage.

It was the only way to deal with Marmite.

An Act of Terror

9/3/2018

The clock on the wall was silent, battery-powered, but Hanif imagined ticking as its cheap red plastic hand counted the seconds towards noon. He felt his pulse quicken.

Then it was time. He cast his eyes around the room: strangers, unaware of the terror in their midst. There was no going back, not now. This was the path he had chosen, honour was at stake.

Courage. He leant his head back to speak, but got no further than 'Ah...' – then it was all over.

"That's fine, Mr Mohammed, your teeth are fine," said the dentist. "See you in six months?"

Love at First Sight

Gunshot

Bomber

An Act of Terror

Flash Fiction

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