Lucky Dip

This will be the last task of this strange term: at the beginning, I made a folder in my email inbox and called it Class During Corona, and I guess that's what it's been. It seems a long time since those sunny April days, when the lack of traffic noise made the birdsong sound louder. I don't know yet where or how we'll meet in September, but for now, we are going to have our usual summer break.

For the last task, an online version of the Lucky Dip story exercise, where normally I pass round a number of envelopes, each containing several possibilities - one for character, one for setting and so on. The challenge is to construct a story round these suggestions. A bit like a sort of literary rounders game.

Choose one from each list. I don't quite know how we can introduce the element of chance - if you want to do that, it's up to you to find a way. Otherwise, just choose a bit of what you fancy.

Constraints have an odd way of setting the imagination free. Usually, we get some intriguing results from this exercise, so I'll look forward to seeing what emerges from the depths!

A random pair of ruby shoes!

Character

A nurse

A dustman

An investment banker

A gardener

Setting

A park

A bridge

Beside the sea

A train station

Feeling

Joy

Anxiety

Fear

Amusement

Turning point

Selling/moving/losing house

An unexpected visitor/letter

An encounter with a stranger

A wedding/funeral/christening/retirement party.

Random element

A pair of shoes

A picture

An old saucepan

An expensive phone