A lifeline for women

All around was snowy and frozen – yet someone was making Maria’s heart melt

Our latest fiction writing competition asked entrants to pen a love story, and we found find three romantic tales which we’re sure you’ll enjoy over the next few pages. Congratulations to Daniel Taylor with The Clockmaker’s Valentine , which you can read overleaf, along with two runners-up. Plus on page 58, find out details about our next themed short story competition...

MRS Sefton, my dear, we are moving,” Lord Denning Sefton announced to his wife. “We are?” she asked. “To where, my love?” “It seems that my great-uncle has left me a property in Derbyshire: Marchdale

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‘He’s been a poppet, as always,’ Anne said when I arrived at her house to collect my son. On the days that I worked, my ex-mother-in-law picked Ezra up from school for me. She smiled indulgently. ‘He

Maggie smoothes down the front of her frock – the same dyed black dress she wore for Pa’s funeral ten years before. As she touches the fabric, she glances down at her hands, now decorated with liver s