The Rest is Silence

“Time to go!” The house was a hive of activity. The ten previous weeks with no structure or routine had made this morning feel slightly painful and Lynne was whisking her way round her home locating waters bottles, socks, sunscreen and hats like her life depended on it. Habit forming is an odd thing. If

A Close Shave

Paul shuddered looking morosely at his reflection. His sour disposition was locked in battle of wills with his nerve. The stubble HAD. TO. GO. That much was certain. He had endured the daily struggle with his very blunt razor but finally had to accede that it was no longer fit for purpose. Unfortunately, there were

Online Pub Quiz

Everybody’s been doing it and now there’s no possible way that Karen can avoid it, it shouldn’t take too long. Maybe an hour, hour and a half max. She’d just have to grin and bear it, get it over and done with, maybe if she does this one she won’t have to do it again

Working Life Blues

No, no, no, no! The shrill ring of the alarm bell cut through the warm, cosy blanket of sleep that Hannah was wrapped up in. Seconds earlier, comforting dreams of hazy summer days, parties with friends and families on sun-drenched lawns in which relatives laughed, hugged, drank and were carefree, had danced their way through

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

In school we are taught 30 days hath September. We come to know that there are 24 hours in a day, 7 days in a week – 2 of these making up the weekend – and 52 weeks or 12 months per calendar year. If these were the truths, we know them to be, then

Lockdown Limericks – Minor Characters

An upstanding Basingstoke bloke Had a plan even though he was broke To set up a first date With a possible mate But his plans have all gone up in smoke. Turning 6 was a problem for Joe Due to lockdown there’s nowhere to go And a party’s no fun With a guest list of

Story Blocked

James sat and stared at the blank computer screen.  He had always wanted to be a writer, where others idolised movie stars, footballers and pop icons, James held authors in the highest esteem.   King and Pratchett sat at the top of the list but Clavell, Sanderson, Jordon, Goodkind, Rollins, Gaiman and more all swirled about in his consciousness

Finding Your Inner Child Again

Good morning world! Sarah jumped out of bed, gathered Smudge up in her arms and nuzzled her furry face. Smudge purred in delight with her eyes firmly closed enjoying the precious moment between them. Sarah was a very good mummy and devoted a lot of her time to doting on Smudge. Smudge, like all cats

You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile

Despite her best efforts, Karen’s budget beekeeper disaster had traveled around town. While she was glad to be a source of entertainment, not to mention a lesson for others in buying tat off the internet, she hadn’t come any closer to finding a solution. She was now skulking round the supermarket and peering down the

Further Adventures in Hangoverland

‘YOU’RE LATE’ screeched the White Rabbit, looking Hannah up and down in fury. Suddenly he drew in a sharp breath, narrowed his eyes and looking her up and down continued ‘you are wearing the wrong colour dress Alice’ ‘I’m not Alice’ said Hannah in bewilderment looking around at the room she was in. Was it