Dodging the rain

HELEN anxiously closed her curtains. The wind was tearing around the house, slamming rain against the windows and harassing the trees. The rain hadn’t stopped since lunchtime. She’d spent this first d

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

So where exactly are we going?” Freya languished on the sofa and didn’t look up from her phone as she posed the question to her mother. “It’s a couple of hours away by car,” Jen replied as she rushed

RIGHT. I have come to a decision,” Mel said one weekend, as she cleared away the breakfast things. “In that case, I’m off. Bye, Mum, see you later!” “Wait, Seth. Stay exactly where you are! You have n

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

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