Red Harvest*

The fields flash past.  Am on the train home already.  It’s a gorgeous hot day and the sky is a cloudless blue. Haven’t heard from Seb for a week.  His last message was last Saturday.  Hope that there is some innocent explanation for this: 1.  He’s broken his new Thai phone. 2.  He’s been kidnapped […]

Railway To The Grave*

The train chugs along its track.  It shakes, rumbles and squeaks.  The sounds and the rolling motion lull me into a sense of calm.  All I have to do now is sit here until it is time to alight. There’s Buddleia all along the tracks: growing out of walls and over fences.  Apparently this invader […]

The Beauty Of Murder*

“Would you like a little wheelie suitcase?” Mum says as we sit having our lunch.  “I’ll ask your father to get it down from the loft and…” “No, it’s OK,” I say.  “I’ve got that weekend bag, it’s…” “This is a tiny little one,” Mum says.  “It’s better – you don’t have to carry it.” […]

The Love Game*

“Aren’t you going to have a wash for our first meeting with your parents as an actual couple?” Seb says, a towel round his waist, hair slicked back.  Ah he smells great: fresh and clean. “No,” I say, from the sofa where I am snuggled up watching Wimbledon. “Had a wash yesterday.  They won’t expect […]

Deadly Heat*

Looking at my phone, I see that the time is 5.15am.  Have been awake since 4.04am. To attempt to return to sleep have: 1.  Put the fan on its highest setting. 2.  Am not even that hot anyway due to my new thinner duvet – 4.5 tog.  Thank you to my Aunty for this. 3. […]

The Girl On The Train*

Personal training with Katerina at 10.30am but still need to do all these things before setting off to see Seb at 1pm: 1.  Wash self. 2.  Wash hair. 3.  Remove furry bits. 4.  Clean lenses. 5.  Find and write birthday card for Seb. 6.  Prepare artichoke that need to eat before setting off. 7.  Unpack […]

Blood On The Line*

“Excuse me, I’ve booked a ticket for the 3.45 but, um, am I allowed to catch an earlier train because…” I trail off.  Because I’m an hour early because I’m always an hour early and really, I prefer to be moving otherwise I’m alone with the voices that shout ‘you’re going to miss the train/ […]

Murder On The Brighton Express*

So, you’re in a long distance relationship, and you’re excited to see your love.  Here’s how to utilise the day of the date: 1.  Have a lie-in, if possible.  Sleep helps effect that dewy, youthful complexion. 2.  Drink two pints of water to achieve a poo before breakfast.  This tip from the great Cameron Diaz, […]

Flashman’s Lady*

“So, there’s a train strike planned for Monday,” I tell Seb when he calls yesterday.  “So, um, what shall I do about returning home?”   “Why don’t you book a train ticket to go back on Sunday night then?” He says.  “I need to work on Monday – I’ve just discovered that I do have […]

The Killing Pool*

Sitting on sofa, in turquoise towel (not mine), paralysed by indecision, exhaustion and torpor.  Need to: 1.  Wash all the towels: this one; my mint green one which Seb used when I quite clearly said “you can use the bright blue one”; my hand towels which keep drenching in night sweat. 2.  Put on a […]