Escape to the country

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

I’D seen an advertisement in my father’s newspaper for women to work on the canal boats. It said applicants should be of a robust constitution. I’m quite robust, so why not? I’d give it a go. “Look, D

PAPA! Papa, come on!” Small fingers pull at Will’s hand. He looks down at his four-year-old daughter. She is heading towards the cottage, intent on getting home to her mother. “Go ahead, Mercy,” Will

So, what do you think we should get Elsie this year? She’ll be a hundred and one next Saturday.” Jemma beckoned her husband over to her laptop where ‘Granny Gifts’ ranging from bird baths to potted ja

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

YOU’RE going to Africa?” Kathy stared at her son in dismay. “To volunteer in a wildlife conservation project? “I don’t understand, Jonny. I thought you were going to university in September.” His brow