Joanna writes short stories and flash fiction, has had her work published in a number of magazines and anthologies. She lives in London with her ever growing collection of Brooches.
Wednesday 13th December Caught Charles Dickens scratching the front door mat just as the postman pushed through a padded envelope addressed in the familiar bold, italic handwriting of Aunty Mary with her trademark mismatched collection of stamps. Inside was a pack of 12 Christmas cards with a cheery red robin perched on a snowy twig,…
Gary stares at the mass of wet bedclothes rocking slowly back and forth in the washing machine drum. How on earth is he going to dry them? Gary and Sandra had met six months ago at a Christmas party. All his family, except perhaps gran, had liked Sandra from the off. Especially his sister Carol. …
Image by Jörg Peter from Pixabay “Those ones?” “Which ones?” Lizzy asks. “On the turntable.” I jab the glass, as if I am trying to attract the attention of the shoes. “I wish they would stop turning round so I can see them properly.” “But do you like them?” “I can’t tell.” “Shall we go in and take…
At the beginning of the month Judith holds her Christmas Bazaar for the leprosy charity. The Bazaar was started by Judith’s mother and her daughter is set to continue the good work. Along one side of the church hall trestle tables are set out with an array of little gifts collected by people throughout the…
I didn’t believe it when Mum phoned. Her hairdresser had had her sit on the floor. Apparently the hairdresser has hurt her back and can’t stand. She announced to Mum she couldn’t see the top of her head unless Mum sat on the floor. She added, as if by way of mitigation, ‘there is a…
There are 3 big projects going on in the library calendar this month. The whole of October is ‘Black History Month’. This year we have decided to focus on 3 19th century women. Mary Prince, an abolitionist who wrote her autobiography recalling her life as a slave in 1831. Sara Forbes Bonetta was the ward…
Town was busy with the PRIDE march. Thousands of people making their way to the Dane John Gardens. Colours galore, banners and music. Everyone enjoying themselves and being themselves. Great. *** Derek has been staying here for a whole week. We have been giving my kitchen a spruce up. I’m not in the market for…
Oh! I do like to be beside the seaside! I do like to be beside the sea! Oh I do like to stroll along the Prom, Prom, Prom! Where the brass bands play, “Tiddely-om-pom-pom!” Woke early, the sun was up and the heat of the day was beginning to build. I had my morning cup…
Oh confound it, my tooth started to ache again last night. I’m not waiting to see if it wears off or settles down, I rang Mr McScary at 8.30 only to be greeted with a message ‘This dental practice is open between 10 am and 6 pm, please call back between those hours or leave…
Derek texted to say he had been given 2 tickets to a wine tasting, was I interested? Gave him a quick call in my lunch break and he explained the auction house was having a wine sale and all the staff had been given tickets to a tasting at a local wine merchant. I don’t…
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Text & stories © Joanna Sterling
Stories © various authors
Editing by Joanna Sterling & Alyson Faye
Audio by Menna Bonsels
Brooch photography by Mark Colliton
Website by Brighton WEBtech