Season 2, Episode 16: Two Recipes Found in my Grandmother's Cupboard After Her Death, South Coast of Cornwall, England

A impressionist image of a figure walking down a curved tunnel of trees. Across the top in yellow block caps, "DRABBLETOBER".

Hello, and welcome to Drabbletober Season 2. This is episode 16 for Thursday the sixteenth of October, 2025.

Two Recipes Found in my Grandmother's Cupboard After Her Death, South Coast of Cornwall, England

by Elizabeth Guilt

The Lighthouse

One measure of good brandy. If unavailable, substitute whisky. But not rum. Never rum.

Add chopped fruit - strawberries if you can find them. Or raspberries. They will have had enough of lime juice.

Raise to the light. Let it shine, so that the glow will call them home.

Swirl, and serve.

The Siren

As above, but omit the fruit.

Add instead honey, all sweetness, and sing to them from the darkest cliff. Comb out your hair, until your reflection gleams in the surface.

Double the brandy, if you want them to abandon their senses.

Serve.

On the rocks.

Today is the sixteenth, so I thought we'd mark the halfway-point of Drabbletober with a slightly unusual drabble. Let me know what your favourite story is so far!

Season 2, Episode 15: You Do What You Have To To Get By

A impressionist image of a figure walking down a curved tunnel of trees. Across the top in yellow block caps, "DRABBLETOBER".

Hello, and welcome to Drabbletober Season 2. This is episode 15 for Wednesday the fifteenth of October, 2025.

You Do What You Have To To Get By

by Elizabeth Guilt

Bella put the remains of the ham in the cellar, and tidied crumbs from the table. Life was easier, now, and she was grateful.

The man who came to the door had a kind smile, but guilty eyes.

"Anthony?"

"Don't you remember me?"

"You left years ago. The money ran out. I almost starved."

He looked round the room - modest, but comfortable - and his face fell.

"Oh, Bella, you didn't... Did you hate me that much?"

"Don't be foolish. You know the Grey Merchants don't buy unhappiness. My memories of you were the only valuable thing I had to sell."

Season 2, Episode 14: What Fools These Mortals Be

A impressionist image of a figure walking down a curved tunnel of trees. Across the top in yellow block caps, "DRABBLETOBER".

Hello, and welcome to Drabbletober Season 2. This is episode 14 for Tuesday the fourteenth of October, 2025.

What Fools These Mortals Be

by Elizabeth Guilt

Hersh's eyelids flutter, hands clenching and twisting. Hersh is - allegedly - the best, a hot-shot consultant, but it's been hours since he passed wetware security and jammed cables into his spine.

And the systems are still down. Heda checks, repeatedly, feeling like he's missing something.

"Hey... new boy. Err... Ike? Get coffee."

Down at street-level, Ike hugs himself and grins. He's grinned like that since he teased sabre-tooth tigers, since he baited centurions. He throws away the name Ike. He grinned before people gave him names.

"You know the best bit?" he asks the barista. "These days, no-one believes I exist.'

Season 2, Episode 13: Grandmother's Legacy

A impressionist image of a figure walking down a curved tunnel of trees. Across the top in yellow block caps, "DRABBLETOBER".

Hello, and welcome to Drabbletober Season 2. This is episode 13 for Monday the thirteenth of October, 2025.

Grandmother’s Legacy

by Elizabeth Guilt

"Should get a few for the table..."

"Think that might be Chippendale..."

The lump in Amy's throat swells. She hides, where she always did, in the dining room - though they'll be in here soon enough, bickering over the silver.

She opens the cabinet, and smiles through tears. Forks - a dozen large, a dozen small - nestle in rows. Amy strokes their blue velvet, enjoying their beautiful orderliness. The way she always did. She admires the polished knives, then slides the panel to reveal soup spoons - and an envelope.

"Darling Amy,

I know you will find this..."

She hugs the letter tightly.

Season 2, Episode 12: It’s Not Just About Your DNA

A impressionist image of a figure walking down a curved tunnel of trees. Across the top in yellow block caps, "DRABBLETOBER".

Hello, and welcome to Drabbletober Season 2. This is episode 12 for Sunday the twelfth of October, 2025.

It’s Not Just About Your DNA

by Elizabeth Guilt

I peer into the shaving mirror. That spot's got larger; it's now an angry red dash across my forehead. I poke at it. The skin breaks, with a thin, hard glint.

This used to happen to Dad. A bar fight, he said. Someone shoved him headfirst into a stack of pint jugs. Years later, when I was born, splinters of glass were still working their way out.

They always said I was my father's son. I have his quick temper, his broad fists.

The tiny scratch of glass falls into the sink. I wash it away, just like he did.

Little splinters of this story are true. When I was a kid, glass really did come out of my Dad's forehead occasionally. He's the nicest man in the world, and he ended up with a faceful of glass in a car accident. One of the things he passed on to me is a lifelong belief in seatbelts.

Season 2, Episode 11: The Eater of Secrets

A impressionist image of a figure walking down a curved tunnel of trees. Across the top in yellow block caps, "DRABBLETOBER".

Hello, and welcome to Drabbletober Season 2. This is episode 11 for Saturday the eleventh of October, 2025.

The Eater of Secrets

by Elizabeth Guilt

Mrs Tindall makes them stay behind, because no-one will admit breaking the window. When Hannah gets home the house is shaking.

Her mum slumps, despairing. "I've nothing left. You go up."

Hannah climbs the attic stairs, slowly, and whispers through the hatch.

"Jamie kicked his football through the window."

Now everyone will know about Jamie. She's used to the guilt.

The shaking doesn't stop. She tries again.

"Lily isn't really Sarah's friend."

Everything shakes so hard the roof screeches.

"When Daddy's working late, he actually goes to Auntie Helen's."

The house settles immediately. From the kitchen comes a single scream.

Season 2, Episode 10: I'm Bigger Than You

A impressionist image of a figure walking down a curved tunnel of trees. Across the top in yellow block caps, "DRABBLETOBER".

Hello, and welcome to Drabbletober Season 2. This is episode 10 for Friday the tenth of October, 2025.

I’m Bigger Than You

by Elizabeth Guilt

As a kid, it was always her brother. The threat was explicit - and followed up with physical demonstrations.

The same threat hid, discreetly, behind her teachers' words. Later, it threaded through drunken conversations in bars, in unwanted offers of help or a lift home.

She sits in the boardroom, and feels it oozing - again, still - from the investors, from the chairman, even from the junior insurance guy. She clinches the deal anyway. She wins. It doesn't help. She is so tired.

She books the appointments: bone expansion, femur and spine extensions, muscle bulking. Under "goals", she writes impossibly high numbers.

In my day job, I work in a very male-dominated environment. I'm also very lucky: I have smart colleagues who don't make this an issue. But despite - in this country - decades of legislation, equality is not a done deal. My hot take is that size and physical strength is a big part of this.

Season 2, Episode 9: First Time At Supper

A impressionist image of a figure walking down a curved tunnel of trees. Across the top in yellow block caps, "DRABBLETOBER".

Hello, and welcome to Drabbletober Season 2. This is episode 9 for Thursday the ninth of October, 2025.

First Time At Supper

by Elizabeth Guilt

"Where is your tray?"

I didn't know I was supposed to have one. Everyone else is already eating.

She points, furiously. I scurry to the counter.

I pick up a bowl. A spoon.

The server stares at me, and I don't know what to say.

"Please?"

A grey ladleful lands in my bowl. Tentacles reach out from the thin soup, questing towards my hands.

I shriek, bowl sliding on the tray, liquid slopping over my sleeves, and stumble to a free seat.

Everyone watches me, spoons of broth writhing towards their mouths.

My supper heaves and frets at the bowl.

Season 2, Episode 8: It's Amazing What They Pick Up

A impressionist image of a figure walking down a curved tunnel of trees. Across the top in yellow block caps, "DRABBLETOBER".

Hello, and welcome to Drabbletober Season 2. This is episode 8 for Wednesday the eighth of October, 2025.

It’s Amazing What They Pick Up

by Elizabeth Guilt

Grandmother always gave interviews from her chaise longue. She reclined gracefully, surrounded by framed playbills and photographs, hands stroking the sleek, velvet upholstery.

When the local vicar called, grandmother received him, tight-lipped, at her desk. He took one look at the chaise's brownish stains and threadbare patches and stood, awkwardly, while she lectured him.

I sneaked in for a story, and clambered onto the chaise.

"It looks different," I said, prodding the luxurious, puffy, pink cushions.

Grandmother laughed, and patted the wooden armrest.

"Oh, I took this chaise from the old Theatre Royal. It can play any part you like."

Today's story is dedicated to a chaise that lives at my local theatre. Last time I saw it, it was playing a sofa in a young woman's sitting room, in 1974 Sri Lannka. Next time I see it - if I recognise it - it will be something quite different.

Season 2, Episode 7: Heart. Beat.

A impressionist image of a figure walking down a curved tunnel of trees. Across the top in yellow block caps, "DRABBLETOBER".

Hello, and welcome to Drabbletober Season 2. This is episode 7 for Tuesday the seventh of October, 2025.

Heart. Beat.

by Elizabeth Guilt

I'll make coffee before I reply to that email.

No, we won't consider a reunion. Granger is still dead.

They used to suggest getting some up-and-coming kid to fill in, or using drum machines. Now it's AI-powered avatars of Granger.

The band was the four of us and it meant everything. We can't replace him.

Most Friday nights, I pick up my guitar and head round to Jonno's. Billy brings his bass, when he can get away.

We sit round the piano with a bottle of whisky, jamming, playing our old songs.

Late at night, we still hear the drums.

Season 2, Episode 6: Safety Catch

A impressionist image of a figure walking down a curved tunnel of trees. Across the top in yellow block caps, "DRABBLETOBER".

Hello, and welcome to Drabbletober Season 2. This is episode 6 for Monday the sixth of October, 2025.

Safety Catch

by Elizabeth Guilt

When the invasion came, we ran. We tried to settle, we ran further, we hid, we fought through snow, and ran again. Most of us survived. We tried to help each other, tried to reassure ourselves we'd be safe one day.

"What even is safe?" asked Asha, bitterly, as we watched the patrols get closer to the caves we'd huddled in for a week.

"Stories," said Mimi.

Asha's eyes blazed. "Stories?"

"Yes. One day, we will talk of something other than survival, and have room in our hearts to care about people we don't know. Only safe people share stories."

I am lucky: in my lifetime, my home has not been threatened by invasion. I've never been a refugee. Perhaps it is not like this at all.

Season 2, Episode 5: The Choir of the Lost

A impressionist image of a figure walking down a curved tunnel of trees. Across the top in yellow block caps, "DRABBLETOBER".

Hello, and welcome to Drabbletober Season 2. This is episode 5 for Sunday the fifth of October, 2025.

The Choir of the Lost

by Elizabeth Guilt

When Kate ran, she ran hard, leaving behind husband, job, Friday yoga, and Bach cantatas on Wednesdays. Eventually, there was almost no land left and she slumped on a bench. Her tears blurred the poster advertising a singing group.

Kate - with nowhere else, with her voice that the Bach choirmaster described as "fair" - went to the community hall.

"Tea, love?" called a man, lifting a kettle.

"New, are ye?" asked another, spooning ravioli straight from the can.

She nodded nervously, seeing no piano, no sheet music.

Eventually, a song started. Everyone straggled into the chorus and Kate joined in, smiling.

Season 2, Episode 4: The Lemon Spectre

A impressionist image of a figure walking down a curved tunnel of trees. Across the top in yellow block caps, "DRABBLETOBER".

Hello, and welcome to Drabbletober Season 2. This is episode 4 for Saturday the fourth of October, 2025.

The Lemon Spectre

by Elizabeth Guilt

On Saturdays, Bill spent longer than usual polishing the countertop. The Lemon Spectres, exclusive to the hotel, looked their best against the black marble - that faint luminescence, that slight haze clinging to the rim of the glass. The glimmering cocktail was a nightmare to make, and it cost a fortune. But it was endlessly Instagrammable, and that kept the fashionable Saturday night crowds coming.

"Can't you change the recipe?" begged Evan, the only other person who knew the secret ingredient.

"Not without ruining business, no."

Evan grimaced, picked up his sack, and headed to the graveyard to collect the spectres.

I don't actually like cocktails all that much - I'm more of a beer person. But some of the drinks I've seen served in London bars have been really visually impressive. And I don't think the souls of the departed are one of the things you have to disclose in ingredients.

Season 2, Episode 3: We Need to Increase the Budget for the School Water Feature

A impressionist image of a figure walking down a curved tunnel of trees. Across the top in yellow block caps, "DRABBLETOBER".

Hello, and welcome to Drabbletober Season 2. This is episode 3 for Friday the third of October, 2025.

We Need to Increase the Budget for the School Water Feature

by Elizabeth Guilt

The three-field system was a way farmers grew food long ago. Amelia, we don't do that here. They used three fields: one for... Amelia! Don't wave that about! One for spring crops, one for autumn crops... Amelia, I've warned you already. One for spring crops, one for autumn crops and one to rest. Amelia! Turn George back, immediately. This helped the soil... No, the bell is a signal for me, not for you. This helped the soil stay healthy.... Class. Class! Amelia, come right back here. Class?

Ohh.

I'm sorry, George. Let's get you down to the pond for now.

I think I should acknowledge a debt to Joyce Grenfell here. I wasn't consciously thinking of her famous sketch when I wrote this, but I think one of the names gives it away.

If you've never heard "George, Don't Do That" I recommend looking it up.

Season 2, Episode 2: Choice

A impressionist image of a figure walking down a curved tunnel of trees. Across the top in yellow block caps, "DRABBLETOBER".

Hello, and welcome to Drabbletober Season 2. This is episode 2 for the second of October, 2025.

Choices

by Elizabeth Guilt

"Expect the unexpected," read Melissa. "What does yours say?"

"Happy news is on the way. Oh god, I hope so. Anna, you haven't opened yours."

Anna shrugged. "I don't like them much."

Melissa laughed. "Literally no-one likes them. They're just for the message inside."

They were watching her, so Anna cracked her cookie open.

"Oh my god, Anna, it's blank! Ask for another one!"

"I don't mind."

They were always blank. Tarot cards blurred. Tea leaves formed perfect grids. Once, at a fair, the teller's crystal ball had cracked in two.

Anna smiled. "It's fine. I choose my own fortune."

Recently, Graveside Press - the publishers of my novella, A Mortuary For Songs - asked if I had any promotional items for other projects. I made some Drabbletober stickers. Now I'm wondering if I should have made fortune cookies. I really like the idea of writing deeply sinister fortunes to put in them.

Oh, and let me know if you'd like a sticker!

Season 2, Episode 1: Putting on the Razzle-Dazzle

A impressionist image of a figure walking down a curved tunnel of trees. Across the top in yellow block caps, "DRABBLETOBER".

Hello, and welcome to Drabbletober Season 2. This is episode 1 for the first of October, 2025.

Putting on the Razzle-Dazzle

by Elizabeth Guilt

"You do know what 'Resistance fighter' means?"

"Don't really need makeup, do we, lads?"

"Your eyeshadow's crap, anyway."

So she explained - skipping the details of light-reflecting concealers, shimmering contour powders, AI facial-recognition algorithms, and the limitations of Government surveillance systems.

"My camouflage makeup means cameras can't process my face."

They made her walk through the Authorised Zone and a camera pinged immediately. She was arrested, and imprisoned.

The Resistance fighters fell about laughing when she came back.

"You? Again?"

She stared them down.

"That was to make sure the Government believes it doesn't work. Now we do it for real."

If you've never heard of dazzle camouflage before, I strongly encourage you to look it up. It was used on ships and aircraft around WW1 and was designed not to hide them, but to make it hard to focus on them well enough to attack. Wikipedia has some great photos of lurid paint schemes.

Bonus Episode 6: "Whispers"

A impressionist image of a figure walking down a curved tunnel of trees. Across the top in yellow block caps, "DRABBLETOBER".

Hello, and welcome to Drabbletober. This is an occasional bonus episode for the first of September, 2025.

Whispers

by Elizabeth Guilt

When my mother died, she gifted me a whisper. Her voice threads through my life.

You can do anything.

I inherited hers, too; the whisper she got from her mother.

A woman is as good as any man.

You can do anything.

They raised me after my father left. They were relieved when I finally grew tired of his bullshit and refused to see him again.

A woman is as good as any man.

My father also gifted me a whisper.

Are you sure?

My mother raised me strong. I can do anything.

You can do anything.

Are you sure?

Drabbletober will return to daily episodes for the month of October. If you enjoy these tiny stories, please tell a friend about the podcast - or leave a review, wherever you listen.

Bonus Episode 5: "Living on the Face"

A impressionist image of a figure walking down a curved tunnel of trees. Across the top in yellow block caps, "DRABBLETOBER".

Hello, and welcome to Drabbletober. This is an occasional bonus episode for the first of August, 2025.

Living on the Face

by Elizabeth Guilt

I stumbled blearily down to the water's edge. Which wasn't there.

My eyes snapped open. There should be... shoreline. Waves. A line of uneven wooden posts. We tied our boat up there. So did every other family. The lake couldn't be... gone.

I ran.

"Don't be ridiculous." Mum pointed, and there were the posts, and the lake, just as usual. And a mess of smashed wood swirling in the current. She dropped the teapot, hands flying to her mouth.

"The boat!"

My grandfather lit his pipe and shrugged. "You never listen. My stories are true. And the giant just blinked."

Bonus Episode 4: “Rapprochement”

A impressionist image of a figure walking down a curved tunnel of trees. Across the top in yellow block caps, "DRABBLETOBER".

Hello, and welcome to Drabbletober. This is an occasional bonus episode for the first of July, 2025.

Rapprochement

by Elizabeth Guilt

Everyone remembers Gracie Carousel's wartime radio broadcasts. They cheered us, gave us heart. Even when her husband disappeared, she kept us hoping. Every day.

When Occupation ended, Gracie emerged from hiding, to universal acclaim. Then a newspaper finally found her husband.

They met, grasping each other's hands after twenty years. In front of a thousand reporters. she whispered to him.

"You're not my husband. You're taller. Who are you?"

"A resistance fighter who saw the real Gracie Carousel executed before the war ended. Are you going to rob our country of this happy ending?"

Together, they smiled for the cameras.

Bonus Episode 3: "How I Live My Life According To My Friend Simon's Advice"

A impressionist image of a figure walking down a curved tunnel of trees. Across the top in yellow block caps, "DRABBLETOBER".

Hello, and welcome to Drabbletober. This is an occasional bonus episode for the first of June, 2025.

How I Live My Life According To My Friend Simon's Advice

by Elizabeth Guilt

Simon once told me that you forget things when you walk through doors. I laughed, but he was right.

I started writing grocery lists in the kitchen. When travelling, I packed toiletries in the bathroom.

At work, I preferred to talk to colleagues at my desk so information didn't fall into meeting-room doorways. Eventually, I found it easier to work from home; catch up with friends over Zoom; order my food online.

I pulled my bed into the living room. Then my wardrobe, then a camping stove. A hose. A bucket. I sit at the centre.

And I remember everything.

Simon is a real person, by the way, although I don't think he listens to this podcast. He really did tell me about what's known as the Doorway Effect. I haven't quite reached the extremes in this story.

Not yet.