short story· 29 March 2025

The Caravan Pearls

An ageing couple regard their job as policing the timeline, a weighty but essential task. They have been entrusted with a profound secret that allows them to travel into the past to correct deviations with small interventions when necessary. Though the missions take a toll on their emotional well-being, they remain stoic in the face of failing health, age-related problems, and a gradual loss of mental acuity. But as Jim reminds Mavis, “OLD AIN’T DEAD!” And they’re still having fun.

Publisher

Frivolous Comma

Length

2,900 words

Estimated reading time

13 minutes