THE Janus Inn’s sign swung ominously in the gathering wind as Mairi and her bundle stood outside. Waiting for the coachman to appear, she looked towards the stout, ancient building, glad of the carous

Jane’s phone vibrated in her pocket and she got it out and glanced at it surreptitiously. It was January 6th, far too early for the baby to be on the way, but you never knew. Another two weeks until t

SOPHIE leaned close to examine the tree, her breath swirling in the freezing air like steam from a kettle. It was difficult to identify what tree it was at this time of year, when the branches were ba

COLD turkey wasn’t at all photogenic, Liam thought in dismay. And yet photos of cold turkey were going to be all he would be able to post on his social media this year again, while his friends shared

JANUARY 1. Hazel sat in the quiet cottage. It was one of two, semidetached, on the outskirts of the village, completely surrounded by fields. When she looked out of the window, all she saw was unrelen

CAROLS are playing softly, their melodies floating into the kitchen where Miranda is standing at the hob, gently stirring mulled wine. From the bubbling pot, the smell of cinnamon and clove wafts thro