Last week, Gillian Bland continued
our London chain story. Here is the final chapter, written by Time Out
reader Stephen Wareing. Thanks to everyone who contributed.
Chapter Fifteen by Stephen Wareing
No sooner had Tobias taken the ring from Thorsten than there was a brisk rapping on the front door. Thorsten tensed. ‘Who the hell’s that?’
‘The postman?’ suggested Mo. ‘A neighbour come to borrow a cup of sugar?’
‘I don’t have neighbours,’ said Thorsten.
‘Course you do,’ said Tobias. ‘Everyone has neighbours.’
‘Well I don’t, okay?’ Thorsten’s flushed face was shiny with sweat.
Mo frowned. ‘Why not? What makes you so special?’
‘You really want to know?’
‘I do,’ said Mo.
Thorsten took a deep breath. Then he said: ‘I killed them. I killed the neighbours.’
Feature continues
#
All the air was suddenly sucked out of the room leaving a residue of soundless calm. For a few empty seconds, it was impossible to say if the rapping on the door had stopped or simply changed frequency, migrated to some more sympathetic sonic realm. Why, after all, would it wish to remain here, in this cabbage-smelling world of abducted sisters and skinny-legged wannabe gangsters.
Shaking, Mo found the strength to ask: ‘How did you kill them?’
‘With a gun,’ said Thorsten. ‘I blew their brains out, then wrote “Helter Skelter” on the wall in their blood.’
‘That’s not very original,’ said Tobias.
‘What?’ Thorsten’s eyes were dancing.
(‘Shut up, Tobias,’ whispered Mo. ‘You’ll get us killed.’)
‘Nothing,’ said Tobias.
The rapping started again. ‘Police!’ said a voice. ‘Open up!’
‘I know that voice!’ cried Mo. ‘It’s Betsy! Babygirl!’
‘Open up!’ said another voice. ‘Police!’
‘I know that voice, too!’ cried Mo. ‘It’s Franz!’
There was a punching, crunching, cracking sound, then Betsy and Franz forced themselves through the smashed-through hole in the door. They were dressed as police officers and carrying truncheons.
‘Right then,’ said Franz. ‘You’re all under arrest.’
‘We’ve been watching you, all of you, for some years now,’ added Betsy, before turning her tear-filled eyes to Mo. ‘How could you, Mo? How could you have arranged the kidnapping of your own sister?’
The London Story ends here. Many thanks to all those who contributed.
10 comments
Judging from the responses, it seems all are writers wanting to take a stab at writing the next installment. Eventhough we are now on the 13th installment, most of these responses happen to be for the first, a bit misleading in a way until you read carefully.
I'm confused - the title is "A London Story" but what's being published bears little or no relation to it. Babygirl appears to have been spirited AWAY from London; the frequent flashbacks to Germany are quite simply bizarre; thank god Howard Dorman has paid attention to the title!! This story is utterly depressing.
I think the best way to trace Franz would be to place a sheet of translucent paper over an old photograph of him and then carefully sketch his outline with a soft pencil, adding as much detail and colour for realism as possible.
It's no doubt that the piece is well written and would be a good read, but it's a genre. Toby did what he does -write well and about something he has a story in his head about. But if the TimeOut people wanted a large participation then it would have been better to start us off at a path with many possible paths.
Hmmm, nice idea, shame the first chapter is less than inspirational.
Really fun idea, but agreed the beginning doesnt leave a lot to work with at all. I guess the next chapter will really set the tone in stone. Also a deadline wld be nice for submissions (!)
Sorry to change the subject chaps,but I've just noticed that the capricious gods of the Time Out books section have once again ignored our prayers for the listing of our poetry club which they insist is finished. NO !
Y Tuesday poetry club, Tuesday 6th March 2007, 8pm, 3 Kings pub, Clerkenwell close EC1
London's cosy, candle lit club with a cat, 1 year old and going strong. Still a whopping FREE to get in.
Great idea, but a deadline when entries have to be in by each week would be useful. I couldn't see on in the mag or on the site.
Great Idea!! This would have been great fun, just wonder why you had to start us off so somberly with negativity looming in the future. It leaves us very little versatility. Hope you give us the chance again and start us off with a little lighter feeling and a chance for a diverse plot. I'll be looking forward to it.
Nice start Toby, rich with promise and all sorts of potential. It's inspired me to attempt an entry, but I'm a bit rubbish at fiction. Looking forward to the next episode folks.