A ray of hope

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

WOULD you look at the man!” Maggie said. She wasn’t much to look at herself, being as black as sin from the coal dust. She’d just finished a shift at the colliery screens, picking lumps of coal out of

SISSIE sighed with relief as a wintry Oban came into view. Her Morris Minor was behaving, but it always felt good to complete the long drive from Glasgow. The sea was sparkling and the air frosty as t

WHAT was the man thinking of when he did his shopping? Jessie thought. Two huge, brown paper parcels spilled food on to the kitchen table. Enough to feed a family for a fortnight at least. Slices of t

MILLICENT BRADFORD dithered about going down to Portsmouth on the train. It was cold, that January of 1942, and obviously there was a war on. Travelling about was frowned upon, unless one really had t

GOOD morning, everybody!” Miss Parver beamed, scanning her class on the first day back at Uppington Grammar School after the autumn half term. “I hope you’re rested, because, with mock exams in Januar