THE FORTUNES OF SALLY FORTH “I didn’t know what to wear” I glance down at my jeans and wrap top. “Evidently not” says Rose who’s looking effortlessly elegant in navy silk shirt and tailored trousers. “But at least I’ve been spared one of those hideous Christmas jumpers. Clothes aren’t really your thing, Sally” They aren’t?Read more
Blog
Jane Longman felt tired. Tired and a little low. There was so much to do before Christmas and yet somehow this year her spirits just didn’t feel up to it. She knew that it would be sensible to take some short cuts, had even read only last week in a magazine “The Cheat’s Guide toRead more
Climbing gingerly out of bed to avoid waking Mark, Stacey pulled on her dressing gown and stumbled downstairs to the kitchen. She filled the kettle and looked down at the turkey tray soaking in cold greasy water. Feeling relieved that she had remembered to load the dishwasher and so at least all the plates, glassesRead more
Not since I was a child have I asked myself the following question… and answered it. How soon is too soon to start feeling Christmassy? October? Don’t be absurd. Late November? Well duh. Same answer. From December the 1st? Maybe. Probably. Oh, ok then just give in to it. Knock yourself out. And that’s whatRead more
“Did you mention the idea of a follow up article on the gardening group to Miranda?” I ask Niles, feature editor for one of the magazines I freelance for. “I did” There’s a long pause. “And?” I persist. “Her only response was a shudder” “Ah. So, I take it that’s a no?” “Duh!” NilesRead more
All this country town friendliness is not easy to swallow. Here it’s good morning this and have a nice day that. I’m not used to it. In London, we don’t even make eye contact let alone address complete strangers no matter how hot/cold/rainy the weather might be. It’s simply not done. Here after only aRead more
Rose, my septuagenarian neighbour, knocks on the door. “We’re going out for lunch” she announces. “Lovely” I say “When?” “Now” “You mean today?” I ask stupidly “I do” she says with the patient air of one addressing a child or a company clone behind a reception desk. “But it’s eleven thirty” She looks me upRead more
Allowing a couple of cars to get in front of me, I eased out into the traffic behind him. Now I’ve seen it in films and on TV of course, but actually following another car without drawing attention to oneself is no easy thing. There’s a lot of weaving in and out. The driver ofRead more
It’s dark in the car park. Well of course it is… its four forty-five in the morning. I spot half a dozen other cars and an old single-decker bus but there’s no sign of any people. There’s no sign of people anywhere which must mean they’ve already made their way up the hill. And that’sRead more
They say it’s important to live with a house for a while before you redecorate. That’s the way to really get to know it and bring it to life. I’ve been in my new home for a month now and so it’s time to make a start. “I’m thinking green” I say, my hand hoveringRead more
