1. Dean avoided the eyes of the other children as they passed. No eye contact meant fewer remarks. “Waiting for Dumbo?” “ Got to take the spas home?” Bradley, Deans best friend, didn’t make these comments, but even he didn’t want to walk home with them. It wasn’t … [Read more...]

I saw Harry standing on the jetty looking across the estuary.  He had his hands deep in the pockets of his familiar sheepskin coat.  He heard my footsteps and turned to face me. His cheeks were red.I suspected it was due to his hip flask rather than the wind. “Hello George” he … [Read more...]

The two young men strolled casually to the town centre from the pelota wall with racquets over their shoulders.  Hot and buoyant at his success, Eder teased Petri about how slow his friend had been at returning the ball.  Petri had been distracted because he was seeing Osane by … [Read more...]

Duncan moved along the side of the high wall. Many of the bricks were crumbling leaving gaps in the mortar where small ferns and various weeds filled the cavities.  The sound of crying came from somewhere further along where the uneven pathway led into the courtyard of an old … [Read more...]

The wind has taste of grass and pine Across my head, and soon I race Towards the heather in a burst My life a blurry, frantic pace. And so I fly towards the clouds A soaring eagle spreading clear The way a natural thing so clean Above the mountain peaks so sheer. I … [Read more...]

This is what I call my home Three good meals with bed and phone If my lad called it would be joy To speak and laugh with my little boy. He came late to us, dear dad and me We loved him dear and all could see That life together was just right Our little family, good and … [Read more...]

The formal police interview was over in less than thirty minutes. I had thought maybe longer. My alibi was unshakable. Dinner with colleagues, no DNA specifically relating to the crime, a long list of friends confirming we were the perfect couple and most importantly no motive. … [Read more...]