Northern solstice

IT had been a long, hard drive. Frances had left early, hoping to get away before the rush hour – only to discover that the rush hour started earlier still. She stopped for a break further south than

THE clamour of seagulls woke Frances. For a moment, she was disorientated. Not so much in place – she knew this bedroom well – as in time. She had the odd feeling that none of the last 30-odd years ha

Marrows. Homemade jam and chutney. Fresh eggs. Friendship bracelets. “Mummy, what’s that big, stripy green thing?” Ruby’s six-year-old daughter, Violet, pointed at the large vegetable sitting on the s

I’m forty-four, which is too old to be worrying about starting a new job,” Jessie declared, as if saying it aloud would make it true. Though she was trying not to show it, some of the gloss was being

A hidden secret proved to Annie that bravery came in many forms

GRAN, you know I love the hotel. But I’m not the person you need,” Emma said. “You publicise those events you run,” her gran, Betty, replied. “I’m sure you could use some of those skills to help build