One Night

Photo prompt provided by Nick Allen

Photo prompt provided by Nick Allen

Wet and bedraggled Buster sought shelter for the night. An ancient Bedford bus won the competition. The trouble was that there was not much left of the bus. If you have ever seen untreated wood and aluminium that’s been left outside completely at the mercy of the elements. You will understand the state of what had once been a grand chariot. A chariot that oiled the wheels of codebreaking.

After cleaning his paws, Buster crawled under the remnants of a seat. Tonight his dreams where full of men in khaki and a girl called Jean. Traveling to somewhere called Bletchley Park.

Footnote, In memory of Lady Trumpington.

A fine day at Mevagissey

A fine day at Mevagissey

This Post Has 53 Comments

  1. neilmacdon

    Nice tribute

    1. Michael Humphris

      Thank you Neil, it seems that history is littered with interesting people.

      1. neilmacdon

        I think the future may be too

        1. Michael Humphris

          I am sure that it will be.

  2. rochellewisoff

    Dear Michael,

    Well you sent me to You Tube where I found an interview with Lady Trumpington. I’d never heard of her. What a fascinating lady…certainly worthy of tribute. Well done.



    PS Did you mean Buster sought rather than sort. Or is this a colloquialism I’m not familiar with?

    1. Michael Humphris

      Thank you as ever Rochelle. I felt that [sort] was incorrect, but my mind would not allow me to find the right spelling. With your help I have now corrected sort to sought.

  3. Keith's Ramblings

    A timely tribute to a very special person indeed.

    1. Michael Humphris

      Thank you Keith, there where so many gifted individuals who found roles in the Second World War. I find myself wondering what many of them would think about the current Brexit debacle.

      1. Keith's Ramblings

        I can’t imagine.

  4. Brenda's Thoughts

    A lovely worded story and tribute to Lady Trumpington.

    1. Michael Humphris

      Thank you Brenda,

  5. Iain Kelly

    One of those rare politician’s who was able to cross party divides and be respected by all. An extraordinary life.

    1. Michael Humphris

      Certainly she made sure that she lived life

  6. granonine

    I had to look her up, so thanks for giving me someone to learn about. I love learning new things 🙂

    1. Michael Humphris

      So pleased you looked her up, the trouble is that there are so many extraordinary people, many of whom just get on with life and often stay under the radar

      1. granonine

        So true. And some who become bright stars really haven’t done much of anything except get notoriety on social media 🙂

        1. Michael Humphris

          Notoriety that’s a key I will leave on the shelf hopefully.

  7. Alicia Jamtaas

    I enjoyed the fact that you had the dog dreaming lovely dreams.

    1. Michael Humphris

      And he even cleaned his paws, clever dog. Thank you Alicia

  8. Magaly Guerrero

    Memories are such story-givers, and keepers of life…

    1. Michael Humphris

      They certainly are, thank you Magaly

  9. anuragbakhshi

    A great tribute, Michael. I’ve watched the series The Bletchley Circle, so know about the place and its history, but wasn’t aware of the lady and so googled.

    1. Michael Humphris

      I am pleased to add a little to the story. Buster seems to be taking me on a journey

  10. Abhijit Ray

    At least Bedford found a night shelter. Not idea, but a shelter nevertheless. Tomorrow is another day.

    1. Michael Humphris

      Another day, and another few miles to travel. Thank you Abhijit

  11. JoHawkTheWriter

    Once again I have learned something new. Lovely tribute Michael.

    1. Michael Humphris

      Thank you Jo. If we stop learning, I think life would be boring.

  12. Sandra

    She was a great character, and this is a lovely tribute.

    1. Michael Humphris

      I am glad you approve, thank you Sandra

  13. 4963andypop

    The Bedford bus got my attention. I watch alot of masterpiece and same bus shows up again and again in different series portraying the war era! My story started with thoughts of a car too.

    Reading this, i absolutely assumed it was a man, hard on his luck until you said paws!

    1. Michael Humphris

      Thank you Andrea. At the moment I am writing a series of flash stories about a dog called Buster, not sure where it will end up taking me. But I feel the need to try. However I will attempt to ensure that each story stands by itself.

      1. 4963andypop

        Good luck!

        1. Michael Humphris

          Thank you

  14. lisarey1990

    Beautiful tribute.

    1. Michael Humphris

      Thank you so much.

  15. ceayr

    Excellent piece, Michael, bravo!

    1. Michael Humphris

      This is a comment which is very much appreciated, thank you

  16. Dale

    IT’s always a good sign when your readers are willing to go look stuff up. What a woman and a lovely tribute, indeed.

    1. Michael Humphris

      Thank you Dale. I find that it is often worth studying individuals.

  17. StuHN

    At least Buster got a place to rest out of the elements.

    1. Michael Humphris

      Thank you Stuart, I wish that I had a picture of the bus, there very little shelter, but Buster says it was better then nothing

  18. Violet Lentz

    Timely, well written and an opportunity for me to learn a little bit about Lady Trumpington.. Thank you MIchael.

    1. Michael Humphris

      I was pleased to read your comments, thank you Violet

  19. talesfromthemindofkristian

    A clever tribute to a unique lady. 🙂

    1. Michael Humphris

      It is one of the pleasures of writing, to receive such feedback, thank you

      1. talesfromthemindofkristian

        You’re welcome 🙂

  20. jillyfunnell

    A tribute to Baroness Trumpington. Charming and elegant. I love it.

    1. Michael Humphris

      It is a pleasure to write when one receives such feedback.

  21. magarisa

    “A chariot that oiled the wheels of codebreaking”: what a great expression. Really enjoyed this creative take on the prompt.

    1. Michael Humphris

      Thank you so much Magarisa

  22. Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist

    Lovely tribute Neil. There must be so many people that need to be recognised that we simply don’t know of. Thanks for bringing Lady Trumpington to our attention.

    1. Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist

      Sorry Michael I don’t know where Neil came from. Lovely tribute Michael.

      1. Michael Humphris

        Thank you Irene, I guess penning a tribute is as old as the hills, but it felt right to do it. As Lady Trumpington was working to helping her country survive

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