The postcard arrived a few weeks after he died. No picture on the front. Must’ve been from the holiday he was on when he sadly passed. “There’s no #gift shop here, so a postcard it is. Top tip for when you come. Bring a fan. It’s roasting!” Weird. He was on a ski trip… #vss365

The first time I heard the #distant, blood-curdling scream, I jumped out of my skin. My flatmate said, “Don’t worry. It’s just foxes.” Sure enough, it happens every night, & there are never any brutal headlines the next day. But the foxes around here have a haunted look in their eyes… #vss365

Ben’s blow barely made an impact. Sally’s caused a tear. But it was Harry who dealt the #quietus. The piňata split open and the sweets flew into the air. Funny… the sweets were shaped like tiny children! Giant piňatas came charging out of the bushes, ready to get their fill. #vss365

“You’re looking skinny,” said Val. Liz twirled. “Yes. It’s the divorce diet,” she sighed. “It’s payback for the all - #consuming stress and grief.” Val patted her stomach. “Not having that effect on me. Mind you, probably more calories in my Mike,” she cackled. #vss365

The battered copy of the #forbidden book circulated around Year 7 like contraband. I don’t recall much of the plot, but I do remember the dog-eared page 89. And Ralph. If you know, you know… 😉 #vss365

Ex-Sup’t Carol laughed as Pip strained on the lead, growling at next door’s cat. “Handbags at #dawn,” she said. Pip groaned. If Carol kept undermining his investigation, she’d never catch this felon. The cat stalked off, Carol’s best Radley concealed between its teeth. #vss365

The day after the hurricane, school was closed & we got to play in the #deadfall all day, jumping over fallen trees & pretending the Big Bad Wolf had huffed & puffed & blown it all down. It was all fun & games until Tom spotted the shiny ring. Still on Mrs Smith’s hand. #vss365

Mum’s packing a suitcase and keeps pausing, forgetting what she’s doing. “If I ever turn into my #mother,” I said to my daughter once, “ship me off to Switzerland.” Wait. That’s a mirror. It’s me, not Mum. “Where are we off to again?” “Switzerland,” my daughter says. #vss365

“There’s something you should know about the new neighbour before you meet him,” said Ian. Ex-Sup’t Carol braced herself. “Is he a criminal?” “No.” “Noisy?” “Worse.” She paled. “Oh God. Not…” “Yep. He’s a hugger.” The doorbell rang. Carol recoiled in #horror. “You answer it.” #vss365

The #cradle had been passed between Meg & her sister for each of their babies. It was magic. The moment a baby was placed in it, the crying would stop. Now they’d all grown up & the cradle stood empty. Meg prayed someone would have a baby soon. The crying was incessant. #vss365

Jess froze when she saw the stranger’s tattoo. “ #Evermore.” Exactly the same as the one on her own arm. The one she had no recollection of getting. His eyes filled with tears. “I’ve never forgotten,” he said. “And you’ll always wonder.” Then he vanished into the crowd. #vss365

I slipped on the path. “The difference between your age and mine,” he said, “is that for me, they’d call that ‘ #falling over.’ But for you, it’s ‘having a fall.’” I eyed the cliff-edge. “Is that so?” He was right. They did say he fell. And thank goodness for that… #vss365

Dave pulled out of the race, limping, when it became clear he was losing. “It’s a hollow #victory,” he called to the winners as they crossed the finish line. “I was injured!” “Dave. The parents’ race is later. Sit back down and let the kids finish sports day.” #vss365

Ex-Sup’t Carol eyed the present. “I took a #gamble on this one,” said Ian. She frowned. “Didn’t you learn anything from Kettle-gate & leopard-print-thong gate?” Ian laughed. “Just kidding.” “A security camera!” Carol beamed. “Now you can monitor the delivery of that matching bra…” #vss365

As the clock struck #midnight, Cinderella didn’t run. She let her clothes turn to rags right there in front of the prince & all the guests. The prince smiled & whipped off his toupee. “True love isn’t superficial!” “Love?” said Cinders. “I’m just here for the buffet.” #vss365

The #primitive lifestyle on the wild camping writing retreat was meant to spark literary genius. All it did was make me hungry. I showed my agent what I wrote. “A masterpiece of horror & cannibalism!” she said. “Oh, that’s just my diary,” I said. “I haven’t started the novel yet.” #vss365

I feel nostalgic when I find my old pink sunglasses. The ones that made the world look #wondrous. Sliding them on, I look around. Nope. It’ll take more than a pair of glasses to soften reality these days. The rose-tinted wine might do it, though. For a while at least. #vss365

The date was going well until after the meal, when he pulled a #remnant of a chip from his beard, dipped it in mayo, & ate it. That gave me the ick. “Disgusting,” I said. Then I reached into his beard, grabbed another one & dipped it in ketchup. Yum. Who chooses mayo? #vss365

The #rift between us is clear in the photo. Not just in the jagged edge where I tore you out. It’s already there in the tightness of my smile. We can’t erase each other, though. Your finger still brushes mine. And somewhere out there, strands of my hair rest on your arm. #vss365

It was worth all the sacrifices. The hours of brutal training, the injuries, the pain. Because for those precious few moments mid-routine, when she was flying through the air & defying #gravity, she was truly free. At least, that’s what she told herself. #vss365

She didn’t pick up on any #signal that it was time to leave. Standing up, checking my watch, opening the door… all to no avail! Finally, I blurted, “Could you leave now, please?” “There,” she smiled. “That wasn’t so hard!” I stared at the closed door. Oh, but it was. #vss365

She offered me a Fox’s Glacier Mint. “Thanks,” I said. “Oh, this one’s cracked.” “Crevasse.” “Huh?” “It’s a glacier so the correct term is #crevasse.” “Or maybe now it’s a Polo…” I laughed. “Technically, that’s just a hole.” I bit down slowly, relishing the crunch. #vss365

They bring our food at the same time as the couple beside us. I sigh. I made the wrong #judgement. “I prefer the look of hers.” She hears me. “Wanna swap?” I lift my plate but she’s standing up. Oh! She meant partners too. I look at my husband, then at her steak. “Deal.” #vss365

#Immersing yourself in a bygone era can trick your body into believing you’re young. Our parents went on a 1971 retreat. Décor, music, clothes, TV: all reflective of the time. Their ailments vanished. Now they won’t leave. So tonight we’re gonna party like it’s 1999... #vss365

It can feel like a tie sometimes, this daily grapple to weave a word into a story. Every time I think I’ve reached the end of it, that this will be the day it finally breaks, the rope proves to be longer than I thought. Maybe there’s actually no rope at all. #Tether #vss365

Sometimes I don’t recall my dream but a bad feeling around a particular person #lingers. I’m inexplicably angry with my colleague today. “Sorry about last night,” he says. “Huh?” “The thing I did in your dream.” I freeze. “How do you know?” He leans in. “You talk In your sleep…” #vss365

Alice arrived home unexpectedly to find her husband kissing their neighbour on the sofa, watching The Traitors. “I’ll never forgive this #betrayal!” she screamed. “I’m sorry! She means nothing…” “I don’t care about that. You watched the latest episode without me!” #vss365

To the woman in the park with the rescue dogs that bark at passing people & dogs, Tensing up & shouting at them isn’t helping the situation. But that man shouldn’t have shouted at you, either. I’m sure letting go of their leads wasn’t your #intention. Just a happy accident… 😉 #vss365

Feeding time at the zoo was a sight to behold. They were #feral: growling at each other, throwing food, and generally making a mess. And that was just the parents in the canteen. “They should be locked up,” sighed the apes, delicately dabbing their mouths with napkins. #vss365

In my dreams, she’s #luminous, just like in the old days. She shows up when my hope is fading, lighting the way, reminding me how precious life is, and how fleeting for some. And I blaze on, for both of us. #vss365

“Funny,” Lyn mused, “how flowers are suddenly growing through that stubborn #barren patch of soil in your garden. It’s as though the universe is showing you there’s hope Mike will be found alive.” “We can but pray,” said Val, praying she’d dug deep enough… #vss365

“Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned.” Father Reeves sighed, recognising the voice. “Again?” “I lied. About the sin I confessed to last time.” “You can’t keep seeking #forgiveness every week for nothing.” Paddy sighed. “Sorry, Father. I’ll try to sin next week.” #vss365

“What about that one?” he said, pointing to one of the gold rings. “That one’s #unalloyed,” said the jeweller. “Not recommended for a wedding. Beautiful, but not very durable.” He smiled at his fiancée. “But fun while it lasts. We’ll take it!” #vss365

Ian finally persuaded Ex-Sup’t Carol to go on holiday. They returned to 20 overflowing wheelie bins. “Nobody put their bins out?” “You’re the Binfluencer!” said Judy. “We rely on your #diligence.” Carol suppressed a smile & turned to Ian. “See what happens?” #vss365

The oak tree sighs. These humans, chattering beneath it as though their tiny lives matter. To the tree, they’re like mayflies, buzzing pointlessly only to die by #evenfall. Or maybe even by noon for this lot if they carry on. A branch is starting to feel a little loose… #vss365

The people next door walk by on the school run. “Those kids seem to have been in primary school forever, yet my own children’s childhoods were #fleeting,” I say to my elderly neighbour. “That’s because yours are having more fun,” she whispers, leaning in. “I’m only 25, you know…” #vss365

“Is it true that it’s #haunted?” I ask the estate agent as we descend the creaking staircase to the basement. “Yes. I lived here myself.” “Oh? When?” “From 1900 until 1935. When I died.” I freeze. “Chop, chop. The estate agent’s waiting for you down there...” #vss365o

“It’s so hard,” Dave sighed, “being the only #misfit in the village.” Then the new people moved in up the road. Same hair. Same clothes. Same quirky little habits. Dave gasped. He wouldn’t stand out like a sore thumb anymore. Obviously he’d have to move now… #vss365

“I’ll spot you!” said Dan as Laura lifted the barbell off the rack. It was on her 8th rep that she noticed it. A #dewdrop hanging from the end of Dan’s nose. Her arms buckled. Dan lunged for the bar just as a salty drip hit her mouth. “Nice catch!” he said triumphantly. #vss365

The cuckoo clock drove me mad, so in the middle of the night I replaced the bird with a #dove. At 4am, it emerged with a soft coo. Peace at last. But I awoke shivering on the floor. The cuckoo winked at me from the bed, then rolled over & snuggled against my husband. #vss365

“I’ll think of you when I see a robin,” my granddaughter said. “Oh, I won’t be a robin. Look for me in the soft glow of a #moonbeam. A magical light shining down on you.” Would I heck? Now I’m stuck in this robin’s body while she stares wistfully at the moon. #vss365

The note was propped up on the kitchen table when he got home. “ #Dear John, By the time you read these lines, I’ll be gone. I’ve had enough. Your too pedantic. Jill.” John’s face crumpled. “You’re,” he cried, his knees buckling. “It’s ‘you’re!’” #vss365

‘May the 4th be with you’ My father used to state As he watched The Star Wars films For 26 hours straight He never noticed I had gone I said I was at tennis But I was 6 beers down before the end of #Phantom Menace Returning like a Jedi At the break of day He was in a galaxy Far far away. #vss365

She comes in from a long day. “Hello darling, I missed you!” she says, hurrying over for a kiss. I pucker up, but she walks straight past me to smother the dog with #affection. Mind you, I am only the cleaner. These days, anyway. #vss365

After lunch, once the #fury and the fur had dissipated, Jo surveyed the mess. “Oh God. Not again,” she said. “Poor guy. Why didn’t you bring the emergency biscuits to the meeting, Ann? You always bring biscuits!” Ann shrugged. “I didn’t like him…” #vss365

Jess couldn’t decide on a #name for her baby, so she tried some out with strangers. “What’s her name?” “Emily.” No, not an Emily. “What’s her name?” “Alice.” Nah. “What’s her name?” “Lara.” Perfect. “And yours, dear?” She paused. ‘Jess’ didn’t feel right anymore… #vss365

“Let’s stop for lunch,” said Jo. Chairs scraped. Eyes dropped. “I heard your tummy rumble,” the new guy laughed. “That wasn’t my tummy.” The roar came louder this time. “She gets… Hangry,” Ann murmured. He kept talking. Jo bit his head off. “He was warned.” #vss365 #lion

Tony laughed nervously. “Lighten up, Carol! Not everything’s a #dichotomous ‘innocent’ or ‘guilty.’ It’s not that simple.” “In the eyes of the law it is,” Carol said. “Where are the shades of grey?” Carol smoothed her hair. “That comes with experience.” #vss365

They said it served him right for getting a ferning pattern tattoo so he could say he’d been struck by #lightning. It was as though he invited the actual lightning strike. Once he was out of hospital, he promptly got another. This time, a lipstick mark. Worth a try… #vss365

You can be the most skilled of #tacticians: plot, write, rewrite, query. Plan the outfit. Rehearse The Call. Picture the feeling. The announcement. The book on the shelf. But the hardest part is the one thing you can’t control. Waiting. #vss365