Queens of comedy

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…

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

MY goodness, Damien, it’s good to see you!” Adelaise Thierry gave her old friend a hug. She’d had a difficult time since coming to work at the Massiny estate and Damien’s friendly face really helped.

Maggie smoothes down the front of her frock – the same dyed black dress she wore for Pa’s funeral ten years before. As she touches the fabric, she glances down at her hands, now decorated with liver s