Let me introduce myself. I am Dolores. I live with Geoff at 7 Camellia Close on the outskirts of town. I spend my time in the front room positioned in the bay window. The front room is decorated in tasteful beige and pink striped wallpaper and a beige carpet which doesn’t quite match the wallpaper….
Before I got a chance to lift the last corner of the ham sandwich along with the two crisps that clung to it, it was suddenly drowned in beer as some idiot bumped into the table. Not even a sorry. The bump took the top off three pints and drowned the plate. Normally, I never…
‘Ocean View’ Moses Avenue Sinai-on-Sea Egypt Darling Elizabeth, Never again! What a week! More gruelling than the Gomorrah golfing holiday, wackier than the whale-watching in Nineveh. Our plan was to take a quiet break in Judea whilst Joseph sorted out his tax affairs, but for some reason the whole town was absolutely…
I am leaving him, and it feels cruel. He’s spent most of the day packing my things away, has reached the last room, the sitting room and goes to find another box to fill. I tensely wait for his return, feeling insecure, wondering if he still loves me. The thought is as sharp as any…
Original Susan Tate Illustration by Michael N Green A sudden gust of wind caught Susan’s hat and it flew across the car park. She ran after it, hoping the cars coming in would not crush it under their wheels. With a swift movement she retrieved it and placed it back on her head, taking…
November 1968 Dear Father Christmas Has it started to snow in Lapland? Mummy says it is cold up where you live. She also says if I am good I can ask for a special present to be in my stocking. Please can I have a dolls tea set so my friend Patricia and I can…
Different Ways of Killing Trilogy Part 3 You kept calling me Donnie. Donister’s Bottom is what I said, but Grit was slipping you another whisky chaser and after that it all got a bit messy. Grit and your brother scarper when you are having a pee. I find you sitting in the phone box outside…
Original Susan Tate Illustration by Michael N Green “They’ve got what?” Susan uttered the words mid sip. She was in the staff room with Beth enjoying a well-earned restorative cup of herbal tea. It had been a busy morning in Canterbury library. Eight toddlers for ‘baby rhythm time’; she was all for encouraging reading…
Arrive early on a grey-stained morning at the café she has chosen. Press your face against the locked glass door. Inside, faux-Italian baristas are circling, fanning out napkins on freshly-laid tablecloths. Rap at the glass until one heads your way. Smile as the door opens. Say: “I guess I’m the early bird,” and step inside,…
Story so far ~ Professional assassin Helena is in Barcelona on a job. At the last minute within feet of the target she receives a text message. The hit is cancelled and the agent Ashall has double crossed her and tried to have her killed. Read On……. At the airport Helena’s first task was to…
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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