The low slanting sunlight caught the silver tea service, sending glistening reflections dancing around the room as a smiling Kate, the maid, brought the tray into the drawing room. The view, across the rose gardens and to the moors beyond was always one that Nigel had loved. It brought back so many memories, especially of … Continue reading Duty (Clara’s Coffee – episode 2)
Clara’s Coffee
Nigel was early in entering the old, oak panelled board room. This was his first meeting since taking over as chairman and he was well prepared; in terms of his planning... The business had been founded by Nigel’s great grandfather Cornelius Emanuel Havering and had remained a 100% family controlled and run business ever since. … Continue reading Clara’s Coffee
Thud
We fell in love at first sight with the imposing old stone house on the side of the valley in the small Yorkshire town of Hebden Bridge and came to live there as soon as we could. It had been built to last until the end of time by a wealthy Victorian mill-owner and had … Continue reading Thud
What lies Beyond?
He wanders along the footpath by the river, enjoying the sunshine and the views. Being on his own in the countryside has always been one of his purest pleasures since childhood. The fells, the river and the woods with only nature as his companion were always sheer delight. The wind murmuring through the trees, the … Continue reading What lies Beyond?
Father
Peter Shadwick pulled over, stopped the car and just sat, gazing at the view up the valley. It seemed so perfect, so far away in his memory, yet so vivid in reality. He had been borne in 1940, in Cumbria, soon after the start of WW2. He could just remember their little cottage and the … Continue reading Father
The Accident
“Hurry up!” said Mavis “The sun’s shining and if we’re going to get a good spot down by the river, we’re going to have to get a move on.” “Alright, alright, I’m coming.” Replied Jim, cursing under his breath. Where had she put those bloody awful shorts she made him wear when it was warm? … Continue reading The Accident
Exile
The little New England town of Rockport was a favourite of Ross’s. He’d managed to finish a meeting early in nearby Gloucester and taken the opportunity to make the short detour up to this little fishing port. Early evening, midweek in Fall was a dream. Famous for its granite from the nearby quarries and then … Continue reading Exile
Les Jardins du Chateau
‘Wake up, we’re here!’ Caroline came to with a start and guessed she must have been asleep for hours. Sebastian’s car was so comfortable, so quiet and with gorgeous big seats that adjusted in every conceivable way. Once they had passed that awful traffic around Paris and were speeding down the AutoRoute again, she had … Continue reading Les Jardins du Chateau
The Loving Brothers
Simon and Matthew Sykes had always been close. With only a year between them, there had, perhaps, been a good chance that would be the case. But they were very different and this was always a reason why people were surprised. Simon was by far the bigger of the two, tall, fair, broad-shouldered and seeming … Continue reading The Loving Brothers
Buster
The drive up to The Lakes the previous day had been wet and dreary for the Smiths. The kids had nearly driven them mad with their continuous squabbling, shouting and kicking. Even restoring the phones (confiscated before setting out to encourage appreciation of the countryside) had not solved the problems. Buster the beagle however, perched … Continue reading Buster
