TonySpencer: Stories

Brian is a simple man, who does a simple job very well, although he cannot read the manuals. He looked after his mother for years but now she is in a care home. Brian married late in life and is finding it hard to reason with his wife. He is proud of each of the three cars he has owned, one after the other, clearly regards the car as a 'she', and appears to believe he converses with it through the voice of the SatNav.

The setting is a county town close to the Welsh border during the reign of the Norman King Henry I, youngest son of the Conqueror. William, the archer, has no family to sow his Welsh fields so travels late to the market towns of England to sell the Welsh longbows and fletched arrows he's fashioned throughout the long winter. He is forced to tread old ground where he hasn't plied his trade in for years, bringing back memories he has tried to forget. At a tourney he recognises an old longbow..

The second book of "The Archer" series follows three paths as the Shire Reeve Sir Will Archer in Bartown Castle has his hands full with plague in the town. Lady Alwen is home, heavily pregnant, and dealing with domestic matters. Their son Robin takes leave from his apprenticeship to enter archery tournaments and performs an act of chivalry which sets him off on the adventure of a lifetime. Each Archer narrates their own story in real time until all rejoin in a dramatic finale.

Robin Archer has completed his apprenticeship under the tutelage of his father Sir William Archer and is a journeyman selling his Welsh longbows and arrows at archery tournaments in Merrie England. At the last tourney of the season he seeks a return home to his parents and his workshop. But then he is reacquainted with a Lady who he once did a good turn and this sparks them off on an adventure that not only threatens their lives but the very existence of the kingdom too. 3rd book of The Archers

Harry's a worker, a very good worker, but he is from the wrong side of the divide from the lovely Wendy, his Overseer and long been his object of desire. He cannot believe they have any possible future together. In fact, even Harry's core beliefs in his purpose in life is in doubt, fuelled by naysayers. A short tongue in cheek fantasy romance story.

The Songleton Care Home hold an end of season minibus outing to the seaside for a short weekend break in Autumn. The volunteer driver is local MP Monty avoiding a driving ban. Monty's wife has arranged Monty's community task, why? The passengers are old, with health and mobility issues. Sally likes George but George converses with his dead wife. The Nurse Sofija is not who she seems to be. And Boris, the latest to join the trip, is Russian pretending to be Belgian, protective of his heavy bag.

Average Joe was damaged in the First World War, shot down for the third time unlucky, often quipping that losing a leg and an ear he was "less than average" and at 43 was a confirmed bachelor. Then he met heavily pregnant widow Anjelica, "call me Anjie", but Joe thought she was an angel. And she was until her first husband turned up Out of the blue like a bad penny. Unusually, this story starts at the End rather than the Beginning.

A Christmas Story
Mark Cornwall's had it with women, once married 10 years, separated and untouched in 5 years, he's as happy as he feels he'll ever be on his own. Now he's sold his successful haulage business, to fulfil his bucket list: backpacking the world with his trusty camera. He's guaranteed his staff's employment, given them Christmas off and driving his truck for the last time, south to north to his old stamping grounds. Then he spots a woman in distress and risks being the unlikeliest of white knights.

In a sentimental monologue, great grandpa Tommy says farewell to his grandson and two great grandchildren as they drop him off at the docks to board ship for a circumnavigation cruise. A 750 word short story.

Roger returns to his wintery home town to say goodbye to his dying estranged father. A sad and difficult time for them both but made easier through the spirited help of a couple of beautiful blue-eyed nurses.