I slammed the bedroom door and stood on the landing, unsure where to head to find some sanctuary, Vanessa would be downstairs, and Jim would need the bathroom to shower and get ready for work. With adrenaline still pumping through my veins I stomped down the stairs, I was not going to let anyone make … Continue reading Novel extract #1 – the first argument
Author: Armed with a pen and notebook
A chance meeting?
I sigh dramatically as another flight status gets updated on the departures board to a flashing red DELAYED duplicating the many others. My internal flight back to Leeds was looking less and less likely as each minute slowly ticked by. Shoving the now well-read glossy magazine into my backpack I collected my case preparing … Continue reading A chance meeting?
My night with Billy Nicholls
Photo by Jonathan Borba on Pexels.com I had dreamt about this for most of my adult life, and now it had happened, I was laid in bed next to someone who I had convinced myself was the man of my dreams. My interest had started when I was a teenager and he was in his … Continue reading My night with Billy Nicholls
Should I end us?
I’d waited patiently for the best part of half an hour before his text arrived. Arriving enthusiastically early at our agreed usual rendezvous point, I’d found a quiet table. The place was a dive, but we had minimal chance of being seen together here. Grabbing a corner next to an old electric heater which whirred … Continue reading Should I end us?
After work drinks?
“Coming to the pub Lou?” I look up from the data I’m inputting and see Josh, one of the other new intake of school leavers, who’s perched on the end of my desk “A few of us are going out for a few drinks if you fancy?” “Errr.” I stall for time, thinking of an … Continue reading After work drinks?
My daily swim
The public swimming pool is one of the loneliest places I know. I swim daily in the chilly water, ignoring the splashes and muffled cries of delight vibrating in the air. After my swim I torture myself by sitting in the cold stark cubicle listening to the distorted voices and the disconcerting laughter coming from … Continue reading My daily swim
The visitor
As I glanced out of my parent’s lounge window my entire body stiffened. As I watched the tall figure with a familiar walk close the front gate and start to walk the short distance from gate to door, I clasped my hands tighter around the glass of champagne I’d just been handed. How he held … Continue reading The visitor
Christmas comparisons
I was a Christmas snob. I hold my hands up and admit it. When I decorate the Christmas tree in my home, I want a finely tuned display of pure blanched shades of champagne baubles, polished glass ornaments and stark white lights accompanied by rows of fine gold beads. Some may see a cheerless bland … Continue reading Christmas comparisons
We met at a friends party
Ben and I went on our first an only date about ten years ago. We’d met at a friend’s party, it wasn’t a conventional meeting, far from it. No eyes meeting across a crowded room or love at first sight. The man I’d been dating for a few weeks had left the house warming party … Continue reading We met at a friends party
A proper goodbye?
My trembling finger hovered over the bin icon on my phone. I had to delete his number for my own sanity. Why am I doing this to myself? I threw the phone down, his contact details still intact. I rolled onto the still warm side of the bed where he’d slept last night. I inhaled … Continue reading A proper goodbye?
Armed with a pen and notebook 