The Empty Pushchair

"Alright. Are you ready?" I asked, a fake smile plastered widely on my face. "Sure" she replied. "I'm just making sure I have all the baby things for when we pick her up later." She smiled brightly at me. She was a fantastic actress. Yet I noticed that the smile could not quite reach her…

Gossip Central

I looked around at my girls, and made sure everyone in the group had her eyes on me. I paused, for dramatic effect - naturally, then said wide-eyed "so, he told me... Katie I've, well, I've..." I was getting impatient now girls so I told him to just spit it out and hurry up about…

Petals

Petals. Bright red, pale pink, sunny yellow, pure white... Beautiful. Charming. I picked them slowly from the deep red rose. They felt smooth and soft to the touch. I let them fall to the bed, carefully - almost as if they were descending in slow-motion. Pretty. Some things are just so pretty. Romantic. I smiled…

She looked like a Daisy

Amanda, sitting in the warm café, gripped her piping hot mug of coffee in both hands and stared moodily out of the window. The rain hammered down outside. Yet, her office was just across the road from the café and, really, she did like rain. Often she found rain akin to her mood, particularly rain…

Obsessed.

Rose tilted her head to the side, watching them slyly over the top of her open book. They were both peering at a mobile phone giggling as if there was no one else on the packed train. They shared a knowing glance with one another and a quick peck. This kiss shot through Rose's heart.…

Justifying Lies

It wasn't really a lie, it was an elaboration on the truth. It wasn't really a lie, it was an exaggerated compliment. It wasn't really a lie, it was for her own protection. It wasn't really a lie, I was trying to make her smile. It wasn't really a lie, I was trying to inspire…

Her Smile

She laughs all the time, her face creases with wrinkles and her cheeks wobble, she makes you feel happy, alive!   But..... Just watch her eyes Eyes like pools.... they say eyes are the window to the soul Just watch her eyes   The smile can never quite reach her eyes, if you study her…

One Straw

Unfortunate Individual number 1: I woke to the shrill ringing of my alarm. I threw my pillow at it, knocking it off the top of the chest of drawers. However it still continued its persistent ringing. I reached over towards it, lazily, but it was just slightly too far away from my outstretched fingers. I…

If you love someone….

If you love someone you let them go. If you love someone you let them go. If you love someone you let them go. If you love someone you let them go. If you love someone. If you love someone. My hands gripped her pale arm even tighter. My head spun and my stomach lurched from looking down at her.…

Old/Teenage Writing from [2005] [Alone]

"Maddie, Maddie, can you push me on the swings?" My little sister Emma asked as she dragged me towards them. I smiled at her, “Of course”, I said.  The sun shone down on me and I felt as if I was in a boiling hot oven as I shrugged off my jumper.  I pushed her…