During 2018’s A-Z Challenge, we wrote the first draft of “The November Deadline” and to celebrate that this is now (finally) out with beta readers, we’ll be producing a daily piece of micro-fiction linked to it – some prequel, some containing a detail not included in the story, some snippets from sequels currently being written.

“It’s Merlin I feel sorry for, look you.” Tink spoke unguardedly, forgetting that there were guests.
“Merlin?” Her ladyship prompted, topping up his whiskey and splash.
“Yes, poor blighter really got it in the neck. One of my lot. Was trying to make things better for people but over did it slightly. Word got home and they came for him in the end. Morgana was one of Queen Mab’s fixers.”
Isaac kept his head down and his ears open, trying to decide if he was the butt of an elaborate joke. Mike wondered whether the top up had been the right thing to do.
“And to add insult to injury, they tell all that nonsense about him. I’d write a true account, so I would, but I think that might be breaking the terms of my parole, in spirit, if not in the letter. Speaking of spirits though, top me up with some of that Kilbeggan, if you please, and we’ll drink a toast to my old friend Merlin.”
© 2021, David Jesson & Debra Carey
OK you got my inner pedant going here! 🙂 It took me a second, careful, reading to realise that you *were* talking about an Irish whiskey and therefore had spelled it correctly. Well done. (Of course Tink couldn’t choose a Welsh whisky because Penderyn wasn’t set up until 2000.)
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And one way or another, the bottle probably came via her Ladyship, who you’ll remember is anglo-irish :0) If it’s any consolation, I double checked it myself too!
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Indeed Alan, Welsh whisky is a very new phenomenon. Not tried one myself, although my Scottish friend speaks well of the best of them (and not just ‘cos he’s scared of his Welsh wife!)
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The Penderyn brand is excellent. The one I tried was smooth, light and well-balances for esters.
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Thanks for the recommendation Alan, I’ll be sure to look for it.
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A dram of whiskey or whisky is a pleasant way to chat things over!
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:0)
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