magisternihil's 100-word story for December 20, 2025

magisternihil wrote the following micro-story on Hectalex on December 20, 2025. Each story on Hectalex is inspired by a daily visual prompt and must be exactly 100 words.

The sign was Herbert’s idea of a joke, a nod to how much gossip flowed through the kitchen. He was as bad as Harriet, so don’t go thinking he was being cruel. The two liked a chinwag. But then the kids grew up and moved away, and the grandkids stopped coming around. The tea cups that once were in constant use gathered dust in the cupboard. It was a tourist who walked in looking to mail a letter. Once Harriet got over her initial fright she made tea for the man. Now they get gossip from all over the world.

Want to write flash fiction like this? Join the daily challenge at Hectalex.com and discover how powerful 100 words can be.