Ready to write, with research, outline and tea, she grimaced after a sip. “No sugar!”

Darker, a breeze ruffled papers and grey horses galloped across the sun.

Flocks of argumentative birds settled like a blanket; the scent of rain lured them.

As drops fell, all was gathered, again without yield.

Susan Cornford is a retired public servant, living in Perth, Western Australia. To date, she has (co)won only one competition but has been short-listed or made finalist for numerous others. She has pieces published or forthcoming in 50-Word Stories, Antipodean Science Fiction, Ghost Parachute, Speculative 66, Subtle Fiction, Switchblade, The Fable Online, The Gambler and The Vignette Review. She now considers herself an emerging flash writer.