Calvin had spent a year planning his final meal. Every element had been carefully plotted. Each dish was selected to be delicious. Every mouthful was intended to be decadent. The quality of every ingredient was assured, and co-ordination of the wines was thoughtful and imaginative. The table linen was pristine, the cutlery a joy to… Continue reading The Man Who Ate Himself to Death
Category: Uncategorized
Maiden Aunt
I phoned Cousin Alec last night to ask why he hadn’t come up to see me. He told me that his Cathy had been up last week and so she’d told me all his news, but really? I mean, Cathy’s a nice enough lassie, and she brought thon big box of biscuits with her, nice… Continue reading Maiden Aunt
The One That Got Away
You find yourself thinking about him more and more. It used to be occasional, when you were feeling blue or restless or discontent. But now your thoughts settle on him regularly. What would have happened if you’d kissed him? You did want to – well, you had been curious but not quite into him enough,… Continue reading The One That Got Away
Story: Jess Said Yes
Jess closed the front door behind her, and listened for sounds of her husband. She found Ian sitting silently in the living room with the television on. She took a minute to survey the room, then took herself to the kitchen and made a cup of tea. Jess leaned on the kitchen unit as she… Continue reading Story: Jess Said Yes
Story: Juno, Mother of Mars
You have eight saved messages. Message received at eight fifty two on the twenty seventh of December. Hi Dad, it’s Juno. I didn’t think you’d be awake yet. I just wanted to check that you’re okay after Christmas Day. And just to let you know that if you wanted to give me a call, that… Continue reading Story: Juno, Mother of Mars
Story: The Newshound
When the week’s final edition had been put to bed, it was normal for the editorial floor of the Clydeside News to fall silent as the grave. But today, the office gradually filled with a jovial buzz of conversation. Copy boys carried boxes of wine and poured crisps into bowls, and reporters milled around, leaning… Continue reading Story: The Newshound
Story: The Therapeutic Relationship
Before closing the door of the walk-in cupboard, Miss Wood took a final look in the mirror. She straightened her oversized purple spectacles, smoothed the front of her flowing lilac tunic and ran her fingers through her long unruly hair, feeling the static twitch against her hand, her heavy bangles dropping down her arm. She… Continue reading Story: The Therapeutic Relationship
Story: Something in Store
Every morning at five to ten, Miss Boyd would open her desk drawer and take a Yale key on a penguin-shaped key ring from a blue pen pot. Tony would watch her out of the corner of his eye from across the office. That key, Tony thought, is the key to joy and miracles. Tony… Continue reading Story: Something in Store
Story: A Cup of Tea
Here is the quickest way to make a cup of tea. First of all, only boil what water you need. About a year ago I had the presence of mind to take a little gold star from my daughter’s potty training reward chart and stick it on the window of the kettle to indicate the… Continue reading Story: A Cup of Tea
Story: Blood is Thinner Than Marmalade
Nobody sees me coming home. I’m extremely good at not being seen. I am well practiced at making myself small and almost invisible. It’s not difficult because my journey home is usually empty and predictable, making my way back to my family who have no idea about me, who don’t understand me. When I was… Continue reading Story: Blood is Thinner Than Marmalade
Tea is my typewriter 