“If you believe in me, I’ll believe in you.” “Where’s the unicorn?” A talking lion did not surprise Janet here in Midsummer Wood. But she wanted to see the unicorn. “Who needs him? I’m the lion of summer. This is my place.” “You’re not so beautiful.” Janet could not remember much about the unicorn Alice…
The carer arrive promptly, on the hour. On crossing the threshold she shoulders my duties for the afternoon. She drops her bulging handbag at Mum’s slippered feet. “Hello, luv,” she says to the tiny figure corralled by the zimmer frame. “Bye, mum,” I call out. My car keys in hand, relishing the hug of the…
Golden light slips through the leaves, piercing the trees’ cool shade. A warm breeze caresses his skin. Below the hill, the countryside falls away into a heat haze of green and yellow, with a horizon of azure sky. This is a restful peace Ronnie has not known for years, the sounds of insects replacing the…
Image by Jörg Peter from Pixabay “Positive visualization is the thing,” said her sister. “Imagine yourself wandering carefree along the beach. Slim, svelte, toned. Keep the picture firmly in your mind, see it every day. It’ll happen soon enough.” “Yeah, right,” replied Minnie, sceptically. “Yes. Even Monica swears by it.” “Monica? What on earth does she want to…
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 Moira sat in the sand, brooding, like the roiling thunderclouds in the distance. The soothing splash of waves breaching the shore didn’t ease her mood. All those job applications without a reply, and today, the train-wreck interview. She knew it was going to be disastrous from the get-go. The twenty-something woman interviewer…
Image by Jörg Peter from Pixabay It was one of those vile, humid city days when the heat was oppressive and inescapable. Despite the early hour, the temperature was already ridiculously high. The heat wave had been going on for a week and even the overnight temperatures were in the high twenties. He stood at the bus stop,…
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…
Image by Jörg Peter from Pixabay Snatches of the Isley Brothers filter through the cafe’s open door. Sitting with her Americano, ‘Who’s That Lady?’ stealthily absorbs her mind conjuring discos, heat and heartache. Sixth-form disco, twelve-thirty. Hall curtains closed against the strong summer sun, windows open for the faint breeze. Sweaty teenagers, ties pulled free, top buttons of…
Image by Jörg Peter from Pixabay The wind howled and blew sand in our faces as pebbles crunched beneath our feet. It was the second day of my family’s summer holiday and I had joined the local kids as they scoured the coast for treasure. “Listen to me!” shouted eight-year-old Lucy, brandishing a huge bag of pick ‘n’…
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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