Better as friends 1: boiling over. (Humpbuckle Tales 41)

John doesn't originate from Humpbuckle-on-sea, a fact he's reminded of, whenever he proposes a change the locals don't like.

"It wouldn't work. Not here. You don't understand, you're not Humpbucklen."

"It makes my blood boil," he complains to his dog.

Kipper - Humpbuckle born and bred - just stares back.

Better as friends 2: something good has begun (Humpbuckle Tales 42)

Three years ago John almost died.

Driving home late, after an argument with his girlfriend, he hits a patch of black ice. Losing control, the car skids into a ditch.

A tree branch smashes through the windscreen, an inch from his head.

Waiting for rescue, John decides to make changes.

Better as friends 3: late breakfast (Humpbuckle Tales 43)

Over brunch, two weeks after the accident, John announces he's found a job by the coast.

"I'll come too," Janey says, but both of them know it's the guilt talking. She'd hate living away from her London friends and family.

Their already fraught relationship couldn't survive.

They split up, amicably.

Better as friends 4: second attempt (Humpbuckle Tales 44)

"Let's try again," Janey says.

John has been living in Humpbuckle-on-sea for six months and he loves and hates it in equal measures.

"I love you, Janey," he says. "And that's why I'm telling you no. We work better as friends."

Janey pouts but John knows she's relieved.

Better as friends 5: morning traffic (Humpbuckle Tales 45)

John weaves his way through the morning traffic on his second hand bike when Janey calls.

He's been expecting it, ever since Janey brought Brad to meet him, but it still bites when she tells him she's engaged.

"I'm happy for you."

It isn't a lie.

He's sad for himself.

Better as friends 6: it's hard getting by (Humpbuckle Tales 46)

John sits on the bench overlooking the churning battleship-grey sea below.

"It's hard sometimes," he says. "You are my only true friend. "

Kipper whines. Perhaps in agreement, more likely because he wants to walk or play ball.

John hasn't heard from Janey for months.

She's not returning his calls.

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These fifty-word stories were written using the six @freewritehouse freewrite prompts @mariannewest gave us this week (see her weekend freewrite single prompt post for fun writing this weekend!)

These are the 41st to 46th fifty-word stories in the Humpbuckle Tales series. You can find all the tales reblogged on the @humpbuckletales account.

These six stories are part of the Humpbuckle Tales series I am writing. Each tale is 50 words long. They can be read individually but when read together they make up a much bigger story. The 6 weekend freewrite stories are an obvious example of this because you can see that one follows on from another. The other tales might not be so obvious as they are sometimes set a few decades earlier or later than the others.

You'll find an author reading of the first 10 tales on the Humpbuckle Tales YouTube Channel or you can listen to the Humpbuckle Tales podcast. The next author reading will be released tomorrow, Monday 1st November.

Hive has it first!

Humpbuckle Tales are always published first on Hive!

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