story – The Paps Life

My world

The doors flew open and I stood up as people ran past me, voices echoing off the bright white walls. “Emergency, coming through!” “Mind out the way please!” “Watch out!” I watched as they disappeared through another door, the sound travelling with them. Sinking down into the chair, I was engulfed by silence once more.Continue reading “My world”

Dream notes

My friend Vic sent me a message the other day, briefly outlining an incredibly random dream of hers that I’d been in. Just a few sentences, none of it really making sense. I decided to try and create a short story out of it, and here’s the result…comments and thoughts gratefully received, as always! ********************************Continue reading “Dream notes”

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”

First kiss

He led the way, strong and sure of himself. She followed behind, watching the way his legs carried him through the undergrowth. His voice carried on the wind, his laugh echoing off the mountains as they walked. She liked it. She watched him, when he wasn’t looking. Studying his face, she took in the salt-and-pepperContinue reading “First kiss”

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”

A year in moments #15 – the ‘what have I got myself into, am-I-going-to-die?’ moment

I was told I was to accompany Sandeepan’s husband later that day to some accommodation outside of Shimla. It seemed like an instruction rather than a request. I was in Northern India and had connected with a family who ran an NGO which helped with the education and empowerment of women and remote villages. TheyContinue reading “A year in moments #15 – the ‘what have I got myself into, am-I-going-to-die?’ moment”

Birthday rollercoaster

It’s Laura’s birthday the day we speak, the 7th May, and she’s planning a chilled day with the family. Not that she can really do much else, she tells me, being in the middle of the UK lockdown. The way Laura pronounces the words ‘music’ and ‘avenue’ remind me of my Mum, and I haveContinue reading “Birthday rollercoaster”

Losing it all

“It’s very early in the morning here,” James tells me. I look at the clock and work out the time difference. It’s eight a.m, not early, I retort, while munching on an apple and he laughs, telling me, “actually having something important to do at eight a.m is a BIG shock to the system atContinue reading “Losing it all”

Time is priceless

Pie comes into view on the screen, a baby strapped to his front. “Long time no speak Pie, look, you’ve had another child since I saw you last! In my head your first one is only about 9-days old.” As I say that a little face pops into view, all curly hair and loud voiceContinue reading “Time is priceless”