I WOKE up after a vivid dream of Eleanor. I’d had quite a few recently. Eleanor was my half-sister. She was older than me – the daughter of Dad’s first wife, Dorrie. My mum only found out he had a fir

WHEN Jade’s phone rang and the name “Mum” appeared on screen, her first reaction was to reject the call. Her mum communicated with her frequently, normally by text message, and often for the most mund

A POTTERY class?” Jo stared at the paper in her hand, hoping her disappointment didn’t show on her face. She’d been off sick before Christmas and hadn’t been in the office when the company-bought Secr

MY mum and dad don’t live together. They split up two years ago, when I was eight. I mostly live with Mum, in our cosy semi-detached house where I have my own bedroom. But I also have my own room in D

OPEN wide!” my little sister Mia cried, as she clambered up beside Dad on the sofa. “OK, but you’re just having a look,” Dad answered, lowering his newspaper to his lap. “No poking about in there.” He

The house next door had stood empty for many months and the weeds in the overgrown garden were spreading into my flower borders, becoming a nuisance. I’d taken early retirement when Jack became too il