Moments is a work in progress. The idea is to publish a new short story every Friday in 2021, starting on 8 January. This is a large and demanding task, but if successful, the stories will be collected into a book in December 2021.
See links to the stories below, as they are published.
A New Beginning – published 8 January 2021
Eve wanders the Garden of Eden and wonders why she has to wear a fig leaf and why this snake is talking to her.
The Confusing Coronation of Karel I – published 15 january 2021
Karel hadn’t understood why he was to call himself I. Karel I, I am a king and so I shall call myself I.
The Girl from Nowhere – published 22 January 2021
Frank is a private detective, but business has been slow lately. It’s like nobody has affairs anymore or murders their spouse, loses their dog or gets bribed and needs a discreet way of getting rid of the kidnapper. Then the phone rings…
1953 – published 29 January 2021
The waves were crashing against the dike, and sometimes I could taste salt. The storm was getting worse and father had told me to be home quickly. – The 1953 North Sea flood was the worst natural disaster in the Netherlands in the 20th century. This story is fiction and not based on specific people, but it is typical for what would have happened and did happen that night.
This story was also published in Dutch.
I’ll See You in My Dreams – Published 5 February 2021
Set 100 years in the future, you can rent dreams to ensure a good night’s sleep. But what happens when you share those dreams with others?
Leaving the Door Ajar – Published 12 February 2021
They sat down on the edge of the bed and he moved his hand closer to her, without touching. She moved closer, he felt her breath on his lips. He put his hand on her knee, his cheek gently touching hers. Her heavy breathing so warm on his neck.
19 February 1916, 8:07 A.M. – Published 19 February 2021
A soldier puts a bag over my head. I try to refuse, but it is procedures.
During the Great War of 1914-1918, almost a thousand soldiers were executed for desertion and other crimes. Many charges were flimsy and wouldn’t stand up in court. In many countries, still today, the executed soldiers are not given the same respect as others. They are still seen as traitors.
Cinema – Published 26 February 2021
Set in Berlin, Ulrich struggles to find love. When a gang of criminals attack a woman, he grabs the opportunity. But will he get the girl?
They walked towards the city, holding hands. As they stood under the Brandenburger Tor in the evening light, she turned and thanked him. He looked into her eyes and they kissed. They would never be separated again
Queen of Hearts – Published 5 March 2021
The executioner raised his axe, and the queen walked away from her window. She could not be seen to be weaker than a king would. She turned to look into the large mirror on the wall. The dark hair flowing from under her crown, almost merging with her black velvet dress. Black, the colour of mourning.
A Traitor Lay Dying – Published 12 March 2021
A single airplane appeared from the distance and as it came closer, it dropped the load. A small crate parachuted to the ground. Marloes walked across the field, opened the crate and removed the contents.
The Shadow in the Hallway – Published 19 March 2021
I’m not sure when I started seeing him. I just know that I did, frequently. You could see him from the corner of your eye, but the moment you looked, he was gone. Neither did I see his feet. I presume they were there, but he didn’t walk in the usual sense. He floated from one side of the hall to the other. It’s hard to explain. It wasn’t like he was flying, more the absence of walking.
Escape – Published 26 March 2021
It wasn’t about her, he thought as he buttoned his trousers. Wasn’t about the woman, still lying in the bed he had just got out of. Wasn’t about his wife, who was completely oblivious to this affair. Until she would find a careless message, detect a smell she didn’t recognise, or see a behaviour that was out of character.
The Woman by the Road – Published 2 April 2021
A woman was standing alone by the side of the road. It was dark, but the headlights made her almost glow in the dark. It was too late to stop. The car sped past her, but I pressed the brakes and looked in the rear-view mirror. Couldn’t see her.
The Kiss – Published 9 April 2021
It is the night before Julie’s wedding, and she is having doubts. The moonlight glistened on the leaves and the path looked like a silver-coloured road that would take her away to freedom. She came to a patio and noticed a silhouette of a man.
Next story to be published on 16 April 2021