stories – The Paps Life

Cananda rocks [sp]

A week into my Canadian trip and I’m just starting to wind down. OK yeah, it might seem strange because I’ve been on ‘holiday’ for two months already but just because I’ve not been working doesn’t mean I’ve not been on the go. Originally me and Katie had talked about a big Canadian roadtrip upContinue reading “Cananda rocks [sp]”

Covid Culture

‘I’ve got wine, is that OK?’ Katie asks me, holding a glass of red up to the screen. I laugh. ‘Of course!’ She laughs too, and I think how different the start of this interview is to the previous one, where she started crying before she’d hardly said a word. ‘So I’m in a uniqueContinue reading “Covid Culture”

Creative Positivity

‘Firstly, let me congratulate you on your amazing taste in music. I myself am a Taylor fan too.’ Charlie laughs, and we both agree how nice it is to be able to do this interview in person, rather than over Zoom like the first one. ‘I went back and read the last article, and IContinue reading “Creative Positivity”

I want to feel

I want to feel. I want to experience. Not for when I’m older, or to look back on, just at the time. I want to feel. Love and hope, rejection and pain. Happy, and sad. Cold and hot, rain and scorching sun. Grateful. Weary and exhausted. Satisfied, and yearning. Disappointment and success. Scared and frightened,Continue reading “I want to feel”

A nice cup of tea

Helen sat at the kitchen table, her stomach in knots. She looked down at her hands, the paleness of her fingers contrasting with the dark wood. Her fingertips rested on a groove, and her face tensed as she remembered how it got there. ‘What are you doing?’ He shouted, and she flinched as he raisedContinue reading “A nice cup of tea”

Ben, Cheltenham, UK

“In all honesty, I’m absolutely fine about turning 40.” Pause. “But…” I wait while Ben looks out the window. “Every now and then you get this thing where you think, OK, I”m nearly 40, which is basically nearly 50, that’s nearly 60, 70..and you’re dead.” He laughs. “30 felt close to 20, 40 feels closerContinue reading “Ben, Cheltenham, UK”

Tales from lockdown – author’s note

Firstly, a huge THANK YOU to everyone who’s taken part in this project, giving up your time and telling me your stories. I’ve loved chatting and catching up, and speaking to people I haven’t spoken to in quite a while, sometimes years. It was a chance to record a unique time in people’s lives, andContinue reading “Tales from lockdown – author’s note”

French sunshine

I recognise the sofa on the screen, and realise Bev is back in her house in Cheltenham. She’d spent the previous six months with her husband Rich travelling through Europe in their motorhome, and I ask her how she feels to be back. ‘It’s nice being in the house but I’d rather be in France.Continue reading “French sunshine”

All the M’s

‘There are three main words I can sum lockdown up in-Mum, masks and memory teddies.’ Ged laughs. Her Glaswegian accent is a treat to listen to, and I lean nearer to the screen. ‘Mum is now 92 and went into a care home about a year ago with vascular dementia. I don’t think I’d haveContinue reading “All the M’s”