Rob Kitchin's Blog

‘Relax will you. It’s just an abandoned warehouse.’

‘Well, it’s giving me the creeps.’

‘We’ll just glance it over and skedaddle. Tomorrow you’ll be a free man.’

‘Uh-huh.’

‘I can’t wait to retire. Lie in. Go fishing. Enjoy life.’

‘You hear that?’

‘What?’

‘Voices. Over there.’

‘Charlie, put the gun away.’

‘Come-on.’

‘Charlie. Take it easy.’

‘One last hurrah, okay.’

‘Look …’

The door flew open, a figure in its frame.

The body slam sent Charlie to the floor.

A shot discharged.

‘What the fuck!’

‘Surprise!’ Harry whispered in Charlie’s ear. ‘You just put a bullet through your retirement cake.’

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

‘Hello, Tess.’

‘Jake?’

‘Sorry for not calling ahead.’

‘They told me you were dead.’

‘I was released four days ago. I wanted to be the one that told you.’

‘I’ve … I’ve …’

‘They explained.’

‘I … Are you a ghost?’

‘Sometimes it seems that way. Don’t worry, I won’t cause you any problems. We’ll find a way for a retrospective divorce.’

‘Oh god. I …’

‘Mummy! Come and see.’

‘I’ll let you get back to them.’

‘Jesus, Jake. I’m so sorry.’

‘Don’t be.’

‘But …’

‘It was good seeing you again, Tess.’

‘Mummy!’

‘I’m sorry, Jake.’

‘Go. It’s fine.’

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

‘Mum, we’re not doing the marriage and children discussion again.’

‘I just want you to be happy, dear.’

‘And I can’t be unless I have a husband and kids?’

‘Life is about family.’

‘Life is about living, mum. On your own terms. Not for your parents or for anyone else.’

‘Time is ticking on, Cassie. Once it’s too late …’

‘I’m sorry, Dad, but I can’t stay.’

‘Where are you going?’

‘I’m leaving, Mum. I want to enjoy my holiday break.’

‘You didn’t even wait five minutes to ...’

‘Desmond … don’t. We’re your family, Cassie.’

‘And this is life.’

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

‘Tess. Wow, I finally found you.’

‘I suppose I’m now meant to try on some glass slipper?’

‘Metaphorically speaking.’

‘This isn’t Cinderella, Marcus. You lied to me.’

‘I’m …’

‘And I’ve no interest in being a princess; receiving excessive privilege for no reason except marriage to a man who has done nothing to earn his position.’

‘I …’

‘It’s just a fairytale designed to reproduce the position of royalty in society. Why are there no Cindernever stories where the prince gives up everything for love, including dismantling the establishment to create a republic?’

‘Shall I try on a work boot?’

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

‘Chrissie, what’s with the email?’

‘Hi Ms James. You need a formal letter?’

‘No. I mean, what’s with the resignation? We’ve just promoted you to department head.’

‘And I just got my first Christmas break in five years. I was in the office until midnight before I left and I’ve been asked to work every day I’ve been home. It’s time to call time.’

‘I’m sorry, Chrissie. The client wanted …’

‘And I delivered, but you need to think about your employees, not just the client. I’m sure you’ll find another slave.’

‘Chrissie, that’s not …’

‘Merry Christmas, Ms James.’

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

‘Maggie.’

‘Sarah.’

‘What are you doing here?’

‘Holiday. You?’

‘Work. So, this is a coincident?’

‘It’s a ski resort, I’m here skiing.’

‘So, you didn’t follow me?’

‘Follow you?’

‘I don’t want any trouble, Maggie.’

‘I’m sorry?’

‘You know, about us.’

‘Us?’

‘Yes, about us. I don’t want … you know, the media.’

‘There is no us, Sarah. You ended it just as it started. Remember?’

‘It would still cause a … headache.’

‘Don’t worry, you’re secret’s safe.’

‘Maybe we could get a drink later? A private …’

‘Seriously?’

‘For old time’s sake.’

‘Even if it might create a migraine?’

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

‘It would probably by cheaper to tear it down and rebuild. And it would be better built.’

‘Dad! The point is to restore it to its original condition.’

‘What, cold, damp and drafty? There’s a reason these old cottages were abandoned, Janie.’

‘And we’ll making sure this one survives. Except without the cold, damp and drafts.’  

‘So, not quite original condition.’

‘Original with mod-cons, like insulation and underfloor heating.’

‘Well, I’m sure your grandmother would approve.’

‘She’d be delighted I’m going to live here.’

‘She would. But horrified you’ll be living alone.’

‘Let’s fix one broken thing at a time.’

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

‘What’s that?’

‘Divorce papers.’

‘What?’

‘Irreconcilable differences. Or to put it another way, I can’t have children.’

‘Eric’s divorcing you because you can’t have kids?’

‘The IVF has never worked.’

‘So why not adopt? Or foster?’

‘He wants his own kids; continue the family line.’

‘And that’s more important than you?’

‘It seems that was my primary role; provide him with offspring.’

‘My god, what an ass!’

‘What am I going to do now, Sadie? Divorced, barren, not exactly good looking.’

‘Plenty of divorced men fit that bill.’

‘Sadie!’

‘He won’t be making kids once I’ve cut off his balls.’



A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

 Harry lowered the letter. ‘She’s never visiting us again.’

‘How can she do this to us? What’s everyone going to think?’

‘Our daughter is cutting us off, Lorna.’

‘Exactly! And I’d arranged for her to meet Brandon and …’

‘You’re missing the point.’

‘The point?’

‘Our daughter never wants to see us again.’

‘Nonsense. She’s just …’

‘It’s not nonsense, Lorna. Her letter is clear. I can never meet your expectations and I’m always going to disappoint you no matter what I do.’

‘That’s not …’

‘Isn’t it? Right now, you’re less worried about losing Sarah than what others think.’


A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

‘But why?’

‘Because I only see you as a friend.’

‘How about we try dating? You’ll see me differently then.’

‘I’m sorry, Cath, but I’m interested in someone else.’

‘But they’re not interested in you. Unlike me.’

‘How do you know what they think?’

‘Because I asked her and she told me.’

‘And she’d tell you the truth?’

‘Why wouldn’t she?’

‘Because she’s shy and kinda insecure. She’d have said what you wanted to hear.’

‘Or she could actually not like you.’

‘Or she could. We’ve been dating for two weeks.’

‘What? The sly cow.’

‘And there’s your true colours.’

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.