STEP ONE BUY YOUR ORANGES! No one could say my mother-in-law was easy to get on with. “Mum can be rather rude even though she calls it ‘plain-speaking’,” warned Jeremy when we became serious. “Dad cou

THE bell above the door jingled as Freya screwed the top on a big glass jar. “Be right with you!” she called, efficiently using the wooden steps to reach the top shelf and stow the aniseed twists wher

I WOKE up after a vivid dream of Eleanor. I’d had quite a few recently. Eleanor was my half-sister. She was older than me – the daughter of Dad’s first wife, Dorrie. My mum only found out he had a fir

OPEN wide!” my little sister Mia cried, as she clambered up beside Dad on the sofa. “OK, but you’re just having a look,” Dad answered, lowering his newspaper to his lap. “No poking about in there.” He

What a shame the girls are poorly. I love you all visiting, especially on my birthday,” Betty said, gazing at her granddaughter, Pat. Seeing her great grandkids was always the highlight of her day and

DO you think Ellen would enjoy living here?” Scott asked his wife dubiously. “I don’t know. But we have to make the offer,” Hannah replied. Ellen, Scott’s older sister, was a sharp-tongued woman, quic