By the bramley tree

Lucy checked that her hotel door was locked before setting off for breakfast. Forty-five years old and this was the first time she had ever been on holiday alone. At first everything had been a stress

Paula had agreed to meet Alex on Monday after checking out. She was planning to see her mum when she returned, but another hour or two wouldn’t make much difference as long as she didn’t leave it too

BY GABRIELLE MULLARKEY, PICTURES GETTY IMAGES, SHUTTERSTOCK CREATIVE ...

Finella Davenport A suburban garden in Cheshire ...

SATURDAYS were no fun when Mum was on shift. She’d made it clear that while she was at the hospital, whoever was left in the house was expected to get on with all the jobs that had to be done. Today t

Another day lay ahead. Another 24 hours, just the same as yesterday and the day before that and… However long it was since she’d lost her job. She sat up in bed and immediately regretted it. The mirro