Welcome to the latest Bezzina's story! It is a standalone; you don’t have to read them in order of publication, but you can find them all here. Sophey and Ariel have an idea to boost the fortunes of Bezzina's Emporium of Magical Artefacts and Antiquities, but they're going to have their work cut out... Ernest … Continue reading Quiet Night Out, a Bezzina’s Story by Francesca Astraea
Winter Sun, a Bezzina’s Story, by Francesca Astraea
I always name characters after members of the No. 1 Readers' Club over on Patreon - this was Jackie's turn! As is usually the case, this Bezzina's story is a standalone. You don't have to read them in order, but you can find them all here. One winter evening, a couple enter Bezzina's Emporium of … Continue reading Winter Sun, a Bezzina’s Story, by Francesca Astraea
The King of Banana Town by Francesca Astraea
Had a slightly... bananas... prompt. Wrote about racketeering. Enjoy! It wasn’t known as Banana Town when Gus moved there. The town, that is. It wasn’t known as much – just a crossroads with some houses, a petrol station and one of those everything-and-anything grocery shops. If it had a name, Gus scrubbed it out … Continue reading The King of Banana Town by Francesca Astraea
Connection Error by Francesca Astraea
Ines' magic specialises in helping people communicate. Getting them to listen, on the other hand... A few of weeks ago you guys voted for 'poison' to be my next topic, so here it is! (An aside which none of you give a shit about: I nicked [character spoiler] from the Philosophy Tube YouTube channel, and … Continue reading Connection Error by Francesca Astraea
Reset. by Francesca Astraea
Take a deep breath and swap a truth for a truth. Rumour had it, the woman lived in a tree. Rumour had it, she used to be a tree. Wait, no, she was still a tree. Rumour had it, if you visited her on the right day, she would exchange a truth … Continue reading Reset. by Francesca Astraea
Making Connections (The Magician, the Major Arcana Series) by Francesca Astraea
When booking a session at an exclusive life coach’s ‘wellness centre,’ Natalie anticipated a white sofa, ambient music and mineral water in glass bottles. She thought the life coach would wear loose fitting, neutral clothes and use phrases such as ‘staying present’ and ‘checking in with the soul.’ She did not expect the lifestyle … Continue reading Making Connections (The Magician, the Major Arcana Series) by Francesca Astraea
It’s Always the Apocalypse Somewhere (The Sun, the Major Arcana Series) by Francesca Astraea
It’s always the apocalypse somewhere. Today, it was at fifty-three Milton Place. Catalyst? An unanswered text. No, not an unanswered text. The jolt of realisation, upon looking for an answer, that most likely none would come. If one did, the realisation continued reasonably, could it possibly improve the situation that culminated in the … Continue reading It’s Always the Apocalypse Somewhere (The Sun, the Major Arcana Series) by Francesca Astraea
Untitled Part Two (The World, the Major Arcana Series) by Francesca Astraea
Winter ‘Luke! We need you out here. There’s a riot.’ Olwyn was prone to exaggeration when stressed, but Lucas put down his receipts nonetheless. ‘Is it because of the roadworks?’ A phone pressed to her ear, Olwyn rolled her eyes. ‘You could say that. Ah—yes, I’ll hold—we’re at Brompton Road—get out there, … Continue reading Untitled Part Two (The World, the Major Arcana Series) by Francesca Astraea
Untitled Part One (The World, the Major Arcana Series) by Francesca Astraea
Spring When Lucas sought out a fairy godmother, he hadn’t expected to meet a woman wearing jeans, a sharp leather jacket and a silver tiara. He hadn’t expected to meet her in a side street next to some roadworks either. ‘Oh, this?’ she said when she caught him staring at her outfit. ‘None … Continue reading Untitled Part One (The World, the Major Arcana Series) by Francesca Astraea
Sunflowers (The Empress, Major Arcana series) by Francesca Astraea
Little Barking wasn’t known for its stunning natural beauty, nor its architectural significance. It was usually described as ‘nice but nondescript’ by people who passed through it on the way to somewhere else. Except for the sunflowers. According to legend and the local newspaper (which was surprisingly accurate), Little Barking was the place to … Continue reading Sunflowers (The Empress, Major Arcana series) by Francesca Astraea