I was repotting young Ben's wellfern - he's growing like nobody's business just now, so naturally the plant assigned to monitoring his health is putting out new shoots, and roots, all but cracking its pot in response. I had it happily re-planted in a wide wooden tub on the windowsill of my still room, and …
Jana watched as Damon inspected the ice cream cone he’d been handed, a serious frown on his small features as he turned it this way and that, then leaned in to sniff. “He’s never had ice cream before?” Jana favoured Tyler with a pinched smile. “Grandmother doesn’t believe in indulging children. I didn’t have it …
Myra stared back at the silent group in the common room, daring them to remark on her appearance. No one took up her silent challenge until Jaxon walked in. “What the hell are you wearing, Mys?” “A dress.” “That’s a little more than a dress. You planning on infiltrating the Ruler’s ball or something?” “Yes.” …
Giselle stared at the readout. There was a pattern here, she could feel it. Unfortunately, the head of the lab didn’t accept ‘feelings’ as valid data, even when they’d proven correct every other time. It was there, but she had no idea how to find it, what it was, what it meant. Even an inkling …
According to Phaedra, negotiation consisted entirely of playing one parent off against the other. But then, she’d never had a job Daddy hadn’t paid for. At the moment, she was an assistant communications executive at a PR firm that really didn’t have the time or energy for the lunches and chatty champagne hours Phaedra seemed …
My plans for the morning took an unexpected turn when Jason Bandswich from the Manor called. Not that it’s unusual for him to call, he’s a sweet boy, an American tech genius who sold something terribly clever for a ridiculous amount of money and decided to take a break from ‘the scene’ by exploring his …
“Why should I solve your problems? Again.” Ari sat back, trying to keep her expression cool and challenging instead of furious. Phaedre bit her lip, a singe tear trailing from one eye. “I didn’t mean to…” “You never do. And you never learn. It’s past time you grew up.” “But…” Ari stood. “No. I told …
Livvy cringed and tried to smile at the sight of the too-bulky, too-short sweater. Knitted in Nan’s favourite squeaky polyester yarn in a particularly lurid shade of snot green. “Thanks Nan, I love it.” Why couldn’t she be more like Emily and Amanda’s Nan, who just gave them gift vouchers? Nan smiled, it lit up …
It's a little-known fact that a core part of the school curriculum for young elementals is a solid grounding in human fairytales and myths. Our local head teacher does not wish their students to accept these stories, and their depictions of both humans and fae, uncritically, so made a trade with me. Their side of …
The front door slammed, Joy called out. “Tea and cake in the kitchen.” The magic mention of food brought two scowling teenagers to the huge, battered table in the middle of the back room. Joy left them to demolish most of the generous slices of chocolate fudge cake she’d served. Then, as the eating slowed …
The DNA of Stories 