From the best to the worst of times

Creaking into the dusty, lookout point, Jessie pulled on the handbrake. Jumping out, she slammed the door. Clouds of grit tailed her maxi skirt to the front of the camper van. Lifting the bonnet, Jess

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

I WAS only five when Elaine first came into my life. She was tall and dark skinned, with a perfume that smelled of roses and big necklaces in bright colours that bounced as she laughed. Whenever my da

NOTHING to report, Grant, except the usual niggles with the coal delivery. “Here, have a cup before I go.” “Thanks, Jim. I’m fair parched.” Grant removed his bicycle clips and accepted the proffered t

MUM?” Becky said. “When did you know Dad was the man for you?” “What? Pretty early, I think,” Frances replied, taken aback. “It’s so far in the past, I can’t remember.” “It’s important. Try and think

I’D just let Joey, my young Labrador, off the lead when I saw Spike for the first time. It was early; the grass was drenched in dew and there were few people about. He was a powerful-looking man stand