**Diary Entry 12th June** I took my little girl to the shelter today to pick out a puppy, but she stopped at the saddest dogs cage...
The most important thing is to marry well. A wealthy husband means a happy life. Emily was her parents’ only daughter. Her father kept a watchful...
**Diary Entry** I couldnt shake the feelingno matter how hard I tried. Ten years of marriage, and yet, the doubt gnawed at me like an unrelenting...
**Diary Entry** I stood frozen by the stove, clutching the plate in my hands. A smear of gravy from the beef stew Mum had just made...
What do you mean, poorly? How bad is he? gasped the mother-in-law. Hes sleeping. Nothing serious, just a slight feverwinters coming, after all. This isnt just...
**Diary Entry 15th August** *”You cant even tell thyme from parsley without the supermarket labels! And I bet youve only seen berries in jam!”* Thats what...
“Kieran, have you lost the plot?” Margaret huffed, hands on her hips. “You think Im inviting you to live with me for money? I just feel...
Zoe wanted to celebrate her milestone birthday at their place and demanded the flat be cleared out. “Katie, has Tarquin already told you?” her mother-in-law began....
The morning began as usual. Outside, dawn had yet to break, but the muffled sounds of the waking city drifted through the window. I opened my...
The Happiness of an Old Flat Waiting for her husband to come home from work, Sophie sat at the kitchen table sipping thyme tea, taking slow,...
Where Happiness Lives So, picture this: Emma is sitting all alone in her kitchen, hands wrapped around a mug of...
A sleek black Mercedes-Benz rolled to a stop outside a plain red-brick house in a quiet corner of Manchester. The...
An Expensive Treat Claire, again? How much longer is this going to go on? I swear I work just to...
House Spirit William, was that you who tidied up the garden? Jane gently touched her son’s shoulder. He startled, pulled...
Youve managed to buy a flat with a mortgage? exclaimed Janet with delight. Thats wonderful, my darling! Absolutely marvellous! Lucy...
Today marks exactly three years since that envelope of money has been sitting in the glove compartment of my car....
An Expensive Pleasure – Clara, not again? How many more times? It feels like Im working just to pay for...
Where Happiness Begins “Mum, look what I’ve managed to do! I worked so hard! And my art teacher said he...
Family Trials You know, I dont think Ive seen Olivia this happy in years. All those long stretches of loneliness,...
I placed the final plate on the table and stepped back, surveying my handiwork. Twelve settings. Twelve wine glasses. Twelve...