Once described as the most beautiful woman in the world, her days were now spent watching re-runs of her old movies. It wasn’t age that had led to a life of seclusion.  Age had been kind to her.  Heads still turning in the autumn of her years. But now they turned for a different reason. […]

Romeo had curled up to sleep that afternoon. He awoke and the world was very different. He sat up, stretched and yawned, licked his paws and preened his whiskers. He looked around in the soft, warm light of the day and noticed another two cats watching him, love in their eyes. “Gizmo, Teko? Is that […]

The seas were different now, more treacherous, the stench of death heavy in the air. The waters turned black, fish floated to the surface, and bodies washed up on the beach. Our fear was a tangible force. We watched the greyed human-like faces among the waves. Heard the raspy cackling, saw the flash of razor […]

“There’s a very strange woman next door,” they say.“A very strange woman indeed.”“She has a cat.”“And a dog.”“There’s the rat.”“I saw a frog!”“A very strange woman, I concede.” The woman lived alone for some time, you see.Very lonely indeed she’d been.Rescued a cat.Bought a dog.Caught the rat,And found a frog!They’re the happiest family you’ve seen. […]

By hearth and home, I wait endlessly, as your pale ship sails through interwoven sea and sky. I weep and wonder and worry, dreading the moon-cold lonely nights. Gold of sunset, rose of dawn, and still no sight of you, my love, my dear, my trueling. Then, your astonishing letter. White sails in the harbor, […]

The minutes ticked by as she hesitated. It was as if the room were holding its breath waiting for her decision. The two doors didn’t appear to be any different, or provide any answers as to which one she had entered through. Maybe I should just open the package now?  She lifted it up and […]

“Hate veggie-bulls!” Jem’s face scrunched in disgust. “Want somefin’ diff’ent.” “Purfle one’s ‘orrid,” said Clem. “An’ orrin one.” “Just try… wait, what?” I checked. No purple or orange ones there. “Want sketty!” Clem shouted. “We don’t have spaghetti. Eat up or no ice cream.” “No!” Clem squealed, fingers scrunching her vegetables. Jem threw his. A […]

He’s a cut above other London beggars. He created his own outlandish rules. No photos. No conversation. Small change frowned upon. Approach with respect. Bow gracefully. Offer your gift. For donations of one hundred quid or more, you’ll get a folded scrap of paper containing a hand-written line from Shakespeare. Nobody quite understands the charm, […]

I think I’ve always known there’s nothing special about me.  I’m just your average, slightly overweight teenager with not much else going for her.  If you ask anyone that knows me, they’ll probably say… Jenny?  She’s a nice girl.  Nice.  Possibly the most boring word in the English language. I couldn’t be more different from […]

I ejected before my plane hit the ground, the explosion showing a stone circle beneath me. My parachute slowed my descent. I felt a wave of dizziness, my head sticky where I’d hit the console; I was unconscious before I landed. I awoke to find a young woman leaning over me in the bright morning […]

Hands clap and I’m awake. “Everything ok?” the hypnotist asks, a mischievous glint in his eye. No!  Everything’s different. Arriving home, my neighbour greets me. “Good morning.” I doff an invisible hat. “Any plans for today?”  she asks. I walk to my rose bush and prune my roses with invisible shears. “Are you alright?” I […]