Here is a sample of the short story ‘The Political Candidate’.

 

The Political Candidate

‘Councillor Fuller Retires’ was the headline in the local newspaper. The article explained how after serving for 20 years on the local council, George Fuller would now be leaving. He wanted to spend more time with his wife and family and do some travelling to see the rest of his relatives and old friends. As a council member he had assisted in implementation of local projects such as recycling of refuse and some land reclamations to name a few. He had enjoyed his time on the council and getting to know the locals better. He wished the new councillor every success.

The new councillor had not been elected yet. On another page of the paper details were given of the nomination process and when the election would take place. It was just over a month away.

Over the next week two nominees put their names forward, one a local housewife and the other a local small business owner. Orin Kershaw knew both of these people and thought they could both equally do well in the position.

 

The article remained fixed in Orin Kershaw’s mind. As a student he had thought about entering politics. He had joined the student political club, took part in a few student marches, handed out fliers and put up posters in the university elections. After graduating he never actually done anything about it. Now in his middle age after things had quietened down and with the opportunity there the interest had been reignited. He had ideas on the local community and how he could do his bit to help. He knew the members of it, some very well, some not so well but they were all good people.

Orin knew about business especially small businesses which kept this town running. He could take his knowledge and instil it into the councils thinking. With some more money and more ventures this town could thrive, not that it wasn’t doing too badly now, but really prosper. He believed in what this town could achieve.

He kept this political ambition to himself. But throughout the days it was more recurring. Maybe he was just trying to capture his old student days and he should just leave it at the thought level. But every day he challenged himself on it and he thought ‘What if?”………………….

 

 

‘The Political Candidate’ is one of the stories in ‘Mixed Bag: 10 Short Stories’ by Alan Barr which is available in eBook and paperback formats from Amazon.

Kind Regards

Alan

Email: alanrove@hotmail.com

Twitter: @AlanAlanrove