Pauline stared at the red jelly on the plate in front of her, in the shape of a slowly melting star, what were the strange cubes inside? She wasn’t curious enough to pick up her spoon and find out. Around her, people were talking, laughing, and pretending to eat their desserts. The man sitting next …
Maggie’s eyes seemed to see more than Eleanor was saying, but the older woman’s reply was all business. “Nora’s a good name, simple and sensible without being boring. If you’ve a mind to learn a little more about spinning and weaving before making that informed decision of yours, have Sarah point you in the direction …
“He’s the Global Head of Finance for Midas Private Bank, and went to Rugby and Oxford and turned down a place on the Olympic team to build houses in Africa…” Gretel tuned out. Sondra’s new boyfriend sounded too good to be true, literally. He was either a fabulously skilled and plausible liar, or Sondra was …
It's been unseasonably warm this week and someone (or something) has been using my garden sprinklers to cool off. I'd not normally be bothered but whoever it is as no concept of moderation and has all but drowned the herb beds, not to mention leaving the hydrangeas wet, in the full glare of the sun. …
Marie was baking. Nothing unusual there. Jamie had never known her big, cosy kitchen to not smell of fresh bread, or chocolate cake, or crisp, buttery biscuits. It felt different though - tense - with a threat of burnt sugar. He stayed by the door, watching Marie stir a dark, lumpy mixture, her brows creased …
They set off into the early morning light, and Eleanor got her first look at the place she was now expected to call home. Sarah and Matthew’s cottage, much like her father’s place in town, sat on the edge of an open space, with other cottages nearby. It was much smaller than the market square, …
“I want you to close your eyes and concentrate.” Sharee did as she was told, sort of. She closed her eyes. “What am I supposed to be concentrating on?” “Anything. Your breath, the feel of the air on your face, the beat of your heart, the feel of your leggings against the skin of your …
Sunlight shone off polished copper pots, hanging from racks along one wall of the kitchen, warming the cool, solid grey of the old stones making up the wall. Together with the big, slightly battered wooden table in the middle, and the scent of coffee and baking, the room felt like a hug and a listening …
It’s been unusually quiet since Archer moved down to the village, only a merchant family, regular visitors and well-known to Her Majesty, so I’ll not spend the time or ink until they have a story to share. They did give my direction to my latest visitor though. She encountered them near the head of the …
It was a crude approximation of a sculpture, but that added to its charm. An uneven tree stump chopped and chain sawed into a shape Melanie could only describe as a rough but sweet tree troll. Did they even have trolls in Australia? They certainly had all manner of amazing creatures, invisible to most. It …
The DNA of Stories 