DAY 21 – WITHER
When Grumpy Pete’s faithful labrador needed to be put down, the vet said he should wait outside.
Pete’s eyes watered, but he shook his head. “No chance. I’ll stay with’er.”
DAY 22 – PROGRESS
Gravely, the teacher slid a workbook across the table. “I’m concerned about Sarah’s progress in Maths, so this is extra homework.”
“She’s six,” I said, and pushed it back.
DAY 23 – FLOP
On an old floppy disk, I found my first attempt at a digital address book. It was full of long-forgotten names and addresses. Back then, we were best friends.
DAY 24 – OVERFLOW
Not so long ago, Mike had hair, and his face was unlined.
The future overflowed with possibilities.
Now, the only thing that flowed was his stomach, over his belt.
DAY 25 – BUD
The gangster leveled his machine-gun. ‘Don’t try it, Bud. Stay exactly as you are. It’s the wife, see. She hates when I give her flowers that have already opened.’
DAY 26 – DEVELOP
“For this relationship to develop,” Julie said, “you need to make some changes…”
Pete’s mind drifted…to work…cricket…the weather…
“…and you need to listen,” she added.
…TV…books…
DAY 27 – EXPAND
“Travel, see the world,” they said. “Expand your kids’ horizons,” they said.
But all he saw was Gatwick Airport, and the only thing that expanded was his daughter’s vocabulary.
DAY 28 – ABOUND
On the platform, he embraced her for the last time.
“We’ll make this work,” he said. “It’s only two years, and Edinburgh’s just a hop, skip and a bound away.”
DAY 29 – UNFOLD
“Dad, we’re getting married!” Ellie said.
As he hugged her, all her possible futures unfolded before his eyes. Some were happy; others, he longed to protect her from.
DAY 30 – HARVEST
(1) The old harvest had rotted and withered, so Clara gave it to the dogs.
She planted the new heads onto stakes in her garden; a warning to anyone who ventured close.
(2) The Head Teacher called Mr. Brook into her office. “What new ideas did you plant today?”
Mr Brook shrugged. “I know what I taught; I’m not sure what they learnt.”
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