L AURA phoned her mother, trying to keep her voice light. “Hello, Mum, I’ve got a bit of news,” she said. “Hannah’s moving in with her boyfriend. “I need to either get a new flatmate, or try to find s

POPPY, can you come up here?” Kim called downstairs to her fourteen-year-old daughter. “I’m busy. Can it wait?” “No.” A few minutes passed, then a figure appeared at the foot of the stairs. Black hood

IT’S perfect,” I said. “Just think of all the time I’ll save on commuting. I’ll even be able to come home for lunch if I want to.” Mum didn’t look convinced. Of course, she was pleased that I’d found

You’re parked illegally. I’m going to have to give you a ticket.” I sounded fair but firm, honest, just like all good police officers. I’m Izzy and I’ll be eight in four months’ time. “I’m not parked

WE’RE about to embark on the holiday of a lifetime, heading for Heathrow Airport after leaving Ruby and Edgar in the safe hands of house-sitter, Sue. She hadn’t met the dogs before this morning, but t

NOTHING said “home” like the kitchen of Nant-y-Bri Farm at breakfast time. Delicious frying pan smells hung heavy in the air and the scrape of cutlery on willow pattern plates indicated the family had