They may have been more personal, but they were no kinder. Eva was torn between amusement and a growing dread. Her various cousins and second cousins each received gifts that were useful, but also pointed out a key character flaw or failure. Humphrey, for example, had been boasting to Eva over dinner about his plan …
In the bustle of room allocations and Aunt Sarah’s complaints, Eva found herself separated from the rest of the group she’d arrived with. Even her parents had been sent up a different set of stairs to the ones she now climbed, following a smiling young woman with an accent like music. The woman opened a …
The following morning, Eva returned from the buffet table to find a man sitting in her seat and laughing a bit too heartily at something her mother had just said. Her father looked up. “And here she is now. Evangelina, do you remember your Uncle Dominic?” Her full name only got used when her father …
That evening, she arrived at the restaurant to find Becky waiting for her. They both pretended Eva’s eyes weren’t swollen from crying as they hugged and settled in to a comfortable table with a good view of the room. She brought her friend up to speed on her whirlwind twenty-four hours and ended with. “So …
It was her stomach that woke her, many hours later, reminding her she’d eaten nothing since the hurried slice of toast for breakfast. The chips and chocolate in the mini bar weren’t going to cut it, so Eva ordered room service, and ate at a table overlooking the lights of Hong Kong. She checked her …
The cheating cow was a blur of pale skin and red hair as she flew out of the bathroom and scrambled around Eva to gather her clothes. Stephen either didn’t hear Mia or ignored her. His mother’s voice was audible from wherever he’d retreated to and she was not happy. Eva zipped her case closed, …
Laid off from your job, you come home early to find your fiancé sleeping with your so-called best friend. To top it off, your great-aunt has passed away. You haven't seen her since you were a child, but you receive a letter from a solicitor notifying you of her passing and that you are her …
The DNA of Stories 