Hello Sir- Thank you very much for volunteering to host me for my year of study abroad. I am very excited, and after speaking with you, my parents say we should get along very well, but also that you are very strict. I'm a little nervous about that bit. They say that they've given you … Continue reading The Exchange
Category: Fiction
Preparation
Kate grimaced as she wiped the eye liner off for the millionth time, leaving her eyes a bloodshot red to match her irritated lids. This was not what she’d had in mind when she set about applying colour to her face. She puffed her flushed cheeks and began again, glancing at her phone to confirm … Continue reading Preparation
Sent Away
Beca watched the train pull away, taking any chance of freedom she might have had with it. She tried to imbue the moment with a certain romanticism, imagining herself the much put-upon heroine, a damsel in distress or some such. She may have even succeeded, but trains were not very romantic these days. The last … Continue reading Sent Away
Book of the Month: Stacy Goes to College
As some of you have likely guessed from the lack of regular posts, June is flying by for me. More than half way through the month, I've finally chosen a book- Stacy goes to College by Frank Martinet (who some may know as Flogmaster). His stories were among the first I read after stumbling on … Continue reading Book of the Month: Stacy Goes to College
Supervised Study
“Eyes down, Grace.” Grace sighed at the latest admonishment. This wasn’t working. She stole one last wistful look out the window at the bright autumn afternoon she was missing and returned her attention to her revision. She sighed again. What was the point anyway? She had already failed once, and, though she knew she should … Continue reading Supervised Study
Intensive Coursework: Bananas in Pyjamas
Sarah and Stephen's story began here Sarah swirled the wine around in her glass thoughtfully as she recovered her senses. The wine itself was a comfort, not for the alcohol or simple pleasure of drinking, but simply that he had brought it as he had promised. She had stocked up as well, a frantic last-minute … Continue reading Intensive Coursework: Bananas in Pyjamas
Transformation
“We are very sorry you had to see that, Mr. Davies.” Paul prided himself on control but couldn’t quite keep the glint of rage from his eyes as he replied. “It is not me that you should be apologising to. Had I known what this procedure entailed, I never would have brought Celia here.” … Continue reading Transformation
Intensive Coursework: Too Much, Too Soon
Sarah's story began here Sarah sank back into the sofa and marvelled at the transformation her apartment had undergone. Scarcely two days ago the floor had been all but buried and her current perch had been obscured by an imposing double mattress. Now, the bed had been reassembled, the sawdust and stray screws rounded … Continue reading Intensive Coursework: Too Much, Too Soon
Freedom
Sister Therese was introduced here Therese tore her gaze from the endless blue sky and the freedom it represented. That freedom would be hers, but not quite yet. She wiped her hands on her grey robe and quickly returned to her work, lest any of the Enlightened sisters take her to task for daydreaming. She … Continue reading Freedom
Book of the Month: Journey to Love by Susan Thomas
It seems I'm repeating authors already, but Sue deserves another mention for this one. Journey to Love is as captivating as any of Sue's fiction, and plays into her well-developed and truly enjoyable theme of a young British woman who chooses to enter an intimate, rural American community with a strong local tradition of loving … Continue reading Book of the Month: Journey to Love by Susan Thomas
Acknowledging Imperfection 