Suzsi Mandeville
Bio
I love to write - it's my escape from the hum-drum into pure fantasy. Where else can you get into a stranger's brain, have a love affair or do a murder? I write poems, short stories, plays, 3 novels and a cookbook. www.suzsimandeville.com
Stories (29/0)
Codgers Cottage
“Codgers Cottage” A One-Act Comedy Set in a Nursing Home for elderly residents. The stage is divided into three parts: Centre Stage is the COMMON AREA where the main action takes place. It has two dining tables, five chairs. And one large comfy reclining chair more-or-less, central. There is a lift and an entrance to the kitchen and an entrance to the gardens.
By Suzsi Mandeville10 months ago in Humor
Fly, Phyllis, Fly!
Phyllis looked down the aisle at the faces. About fifty, she reckoned. Good, not too many. I’ll soon get through that lot! And just as well because she’d forgotten to go to the toilet before she started and suddenly, it was “ARM DOORS AND CROSSCHECK.” Then they were up and off.
By Suzsi Mandevilleabout a year ago in Fiction
That face in the mirror...
The mirror showed a reflection that wasn't my own. I'm stunned. I stared. Stunning. Is it mine, my face? Is that me? Yes, the surgery is over, the bandages finally removed and my facelift, browlift and double blepharoplasty results are revealed. How long did I stare at the face that wasn’t yet mine but would become mine? Hours. Turn this way, that way, tilt, frown, ouch! Try to smile. No, don’t smile; I might spoil it. It’s still bruised. My left eyebrow tugs when I arch my brows. It doesn’t respond properly. It needs rest. I won’t move it again. I’ll keep it still, perfectly arched. Perfection.
By Suzsi Mandevilleabout a year ago in Humans
Smothering Monday
Smothering Monday None of this would have happened if I hadn’t been born; but I suppose that would have been a high price to pay, and not even an adequate revenge because, come to think of it, she wouldn’t know the difference. If I’d not been born, would she have had another child? Would I be, or even am I, that other child? Was there another embryo somewhere in the universe that sneaked a peek into its own future and backed out, leaving me as the substitute, the understudy, the spare?
By Suzsi Mandevilleabout a year ago in Families
First Lady of Emerald
There weren’t always dragons in the valley. Perhaps it was more accurate to say, there weren’t usually dragons in the valley. Usually, they stayed in the mountains; flew screaming across the valleys and staged aerial battles with each other. They taught their pups to fly between the high ranges that allowed plenty of landing spaces on the surrounding crags. They were creatures of sky, mountain and distance, but today, there was actually a dragon in the valley.
By Suzsi Mandeville2 years ago in Fiction
Arthur
Arthur Arthur’s life improved dramatically after his wife died. I mean, he was sad and all that, but not as sad as he thought he should be. It troubled him somewhat. Arthur decided he'd better enrol in grief counselling, just in case he wasn’t doing it right.
By Suzsi Mandeville2 years ago in Fiction
Ordinary Murder
I’m not going to be impulsive about this. No, no. Let’s see, I’ve given this plenty of thought. I must have stood here in the shower for at least half an hour before I realised that I was going to have to kill her. I don’t know that I made a decision; I just ran out of alternatives. Silly really. I always think of murderers – yes dear, this is murder we're talking about. Better get used to the idea. Murder. Murder. Murder. Feel better now? Where was I? Murderers. Oh yes. I always think of murderers as being cold, heartless men whose mothers didn't love them or teach them good respectful human values. Men who prey on women and have no feelings. Have to revise that dear. Put in a new category: ordinary people who despair. Come to think of it, I dare say there are a good few people who fall into that category. Good. Well, that bit's sorted out.
By Suzsi Mandeville2 years ago in Fiction
Minister Fer Roads
Minister fer Roads _______________ I live in South Morang near Melbourne, Australia. What’s interesting about that is there isn't a Morang; no North Morang and no East or West Morang just South Morang and while I’m talking about whacky suburb names, how about this one: Just up the road from here there’s Whittlesea. True. Whittlesea. Nearest bit of coast is over an hour’s drive away. Can’t you feel sorry for the poor bugger who bought a boat and moved there?
By Suzsi Mandeville2 years ago in Fiction