But I’m here now, sitting at the kitchen table with a plate of bread and bacon in front of me. Smoaker is sitting opposite, picking bacon rind from his teeth. Somehow I know that Ma has taken to her bed early. Smoaker must have told me; but I don’t remember when. I take a bite of bread and chew. ...
‘It’s a beautiful day. Maybe you would fancy a stroll in the garden later?’ I shook my head. The thought of fresh air and birdsong and the mocking yellow of buttercups on the lawn filled me with loathing. I had not been able to look out of the window since that day and preferred the curtains to b...
His arms are flung out above his head and his quiff has flopped into his eyes. Sunlight is streaming into the room warming the sheets that are tangled around our legs. My first thought isn’t, oh my God, I’ve just spent the night with a fella (even though nothing like that happened), and it isn’t,...
The sky was a patchwork of sullen clouds and pale blues. Every now and then, a shy sun would inch its way out from behind a cloud, only to be smothered again almost immediately. The day looked like Eli felt inside, miserable and uncertain. Things were not going well at the mill. The workers were ...