Geoffrey is a superstitious soul. Following a long recalled conversation between his parents that he eavesdropped on many years ago, he convinces himself that he is going to die sometime in June and as the month progresses danger seems to lurk around every corner. The last day arrives and he starts to relax for surely nothing can happen now?

Come the First of July

Geoff had no idea how he was going to get out of this without Penny asking for a divorce. She was easily upset when her driving was criticized and to refuse to travel with her to work this month when it was her turn to drive was just asking for trouble.

It was a damned fool idea in the first place but it was something Penny had introduced when she passed her driving test at the seventh attempt.

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A story of a secret from the past finally surfacing.

If Only

I hate parties. I am no good at small talk and I hate the false smiles, the brittle laughs, chatting with strangers, the tatty bits of food.

Sorry but that’s me, the original wet blanket.

And this woman was looking at me with one of those smiles fastened on her mouth.

‘Don’t I know you?’ she asked, peering at me through fashionably-framed spectacles. She was wearing a cream silk dress, a real eye-catcher. Her blonde hair was in a modern style looking as if it had been cut with a child’s blunt scissors although it had no doubt cost a small fortune.

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There are moments when we have to face up to life-changing decisions. The possibility of missing a family funeral leaves Katherine full of guilt but taking time off from work means missing a vital business meeting. Either way she will upset somebody and she faces a heart-rending choice

The Decision

‘Does that mean you’re not coming, Katherine?’ Mom asked.

‘Not absolutely,’ I hedged, hearing the exasperation in her voice, sitting up straighter in my chair as if she could somehow see me. ‘But it’s very doubtful I’m going to get the time off.’

‘Well, honey, it’s just too bad of you,’ she said, the rebuke loud and clear across the miles.

I sighed. I could picture her sitting on the porch in the house up in one of the New England states taking in the last of the afternoon sun.

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Maggie is finding it difficult to bond with her new husband’s three teenage sons and to live up to their late mother who was extraordinarily gifted. An adventure holiday in New Zealand provides her with the opportunity she needs to show them what she is made of but will her courage fail her at the last?

Turning Point

I thought long and hard before I said yes to James.

I loved him, but there was more to it than that. I was not just marrying him, you see, I was marrying his family and above all, I was following in Vicky’s fantastic footsteps.

I knew Vicky and she was a lady I much admired because she was all the things I am not. She was up for anything, a first class athlete, marathon runner, swimmer – she had swum the Channel when she was nineteen. How I wish I could do things like that, but I can’t because I am a first-class wimp. I can’t stand heights and I even get dizzy at the top of the escalator in Marks & Spencer whilst pursuing my favourite occupation; shopping.

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