Lisa's favourite

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...

Meet the women who’ve joined forces to boost their fitness…

Last year, Desert Island Discs presenter Lauren Laverne received a shock cancer diagnosis. In her first inter view since, she tells Sali Hughes how the experience has helped her to find joy in the everyday

KITTY’S LONG RED hair was dripping as she sat down breathless on the nearest seat. She had thought she would miss the train. The narrow lanes around her parents’ house had been flooded and she had bee

‘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

Constantly second-guessing yourself is exhausting, but that’s not the only problem when you feel you need to be perfect, writes Dr Laura Williams