A New Beginning

Deshawn Edwards stepped quickly through the gates and then paused. He looked up soaking in the clear, uninterrupted view of blue sky dotted with small clouds and circling birds. He felt the early summer sun warm on his face, enjoyed the quiet of this suburban street and, closing his eyes, let the sensations wash over …

Clara’s Coffee – Chapter 8

Mid-afternoon that day, less than a week ago, Sylvia had finally learned from the police that the two male occupants of Oliver’s wrecked Jaguar had been taken by air ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary. A phone call to the hospital revealed that one of the two men had been pronounced ‘dead on arrival’ and despite …

Clara’s Coffee – Chapter 7

“Another Cognac?” Slurred Peter, waving the bottle at Oliver.             The lunch at the Fernway’s had been over for hours. After Basil and Diana had left, Peter and Oliver had retired to the library, knowing Clarissa maintained a well-stocked drinks trolley there. The ladies had remained at the table, discussing next season’s plans for the …

Time to go

    He felt the firm pressure of the chief minder’s hand in the small of his back. The four men behind him formed a semicircle which filled the full width of the dimly lit tunnel. He took a deep breath and pulled himself up to his full height and started to walk slowly down …

Unfinished

A hand grabbed his shoulder and a cheerful voice shouted above the din, “Tom, you young dog, what do you mean by skulking into corners and not advising your friends where you are?” Before Tom could answer, his fellow artist Ned Richardson, had whipped out his sketch book and with a few quick satirical strokes, …

Clara’s Coffee – Chapter 6

The monthly Sunday lunch at the Fernway’s had always been popular amongst a group of Clara’s shareholders. In days’ past, these occasions had been far bigger affairs, including children and grand-children and, in summer months, had spilled out onto the lawns, with the inevitable, impromptu games of cricket and croquet. Today’s occasion was a far …

Clara’s Coffee – Chapter 5

Melissa sat back into the deep leather armchair, took a sip of the large gin and tonic and began to relax. It had been a hectic day with a very early start but a great deal had been accomplished. The offer for the premises in Chester had been accepted (so she had made a call …

Thorn in the Flesh (Clara’s Coffee Ep. 4)

  Nigel was the first in the office on Monday morning.  He sat back in his chair, gazing out across the ornamental gardens in the town centre. He usually found the view calming but that day his mind was in turmoil. His thoughts went back to that morning three months earlier, his first day back …

The River

She sat still, her hands gripping the blade, trying to get her breathing and her mind under control. How did she ever get into this situation? Jean stared out into the garden. So much to do. They had only moved into the house last year. They had both agreed that her suggestion to give up …

On the Table (Clara’s Coffee – episode 3)

Melissa found that she had been installed in a small but pleasant office of her own, complete with a shiny new laptop, a printer and a new Nokia mobile phone. Nigel had passed over a copy of his bound business plan to her. His instructions had simply been “I need you to research which properties …