At last, at last! The intercom expelled me from my chair, sweat beading on my lip and my forehead. I strode for the door stepping over the book I had just sent shooting from my lap across the oriental rug and made my way in a measured haste towards the entry phone. My heart, I could tell from all … More The Item
Not long after I rang the bell a teenage boy opened the door and eyed me through the crack. ‘Hi,’ I said. ‘I have an appointment with Cassie this afternoon’ expecting him to let me in. He closed the door without saying anything. I was on time, two p.m. like she’d said in her email. I touched my … More Cassie’s House
A man outside the window is breaking my heart. He might be homeless; he might just be a drunk. He is talking to himself and his arms are folded with as much force as he’s capable of and that isn’t much. You could flick the back of his head and he’d be on the floor. … More Spotted on Mission Street
Is it political, provocative or sensationalist to document realistic experiences of sex in contemporary or literary fiction? I don’t think it should be. Literature documents ideas. The experience of the characters we write should ring with with truth and clarity. That should extend to sex they have. My friend C Green and I share our writing with … More SEX – and its role in literary fiction
Here are a couple of my favourite lines from the novel I’m pitching, which is called ‘The Nation’s Servant’. Please accept it in lieu of a blogpost while I concentrate on getting an agent (fingers crossed). ‘She flicked through the folder of unmarked discs looking for clues. But before long she lost herself again in the … More Taking a week off to pitch
‘Are they allowed a sweet? I’ve got some travel sweets.’ The young girl in the seat across the aisle opened a tin of Simpkins. ‘They are allowed but I’m sure they don’t want one.’ Their mother said. The three boys, whose thick hair covered their ears, who were wearing cream coloured rugby shirts with mustard yellow … More London to Aviemore
This is a true story* A woman was shouting at the homeless man that sits outside Morrisons. He was cross legged on the pavement with a hoodie on. He’d pulled the sleeves over his hands and the hood down over most of his face. The rain had made his cardboard sign limp and the ink had … More The Homeless Man
3 minute read….(contains swear words) The moment Mr Pickett arrived at the front of the class the two girls started laughing. Geri was fifteen and had a terrible attitude. Just that morning she had told her mother to fuck herself when asked whether her room was tidy. Sian was fifteen too and quietly spiteful. She wasn’t as … More Horrible school girls
3 minute read….. He is slicing up cucumber and I am lying on the sofa just listening. He makes our lunch on Saturdays. Saturday lunch has the value of the five dinners I make for us throughout the week combined. I like the break from deciding and preparing. He likes to square up his domestic debt. I am the first home from work … More Happily Married
Two couples join at a South London apartment for dinner on a Wednesday night. After dinner, the conversation flows. Blonde Betty: Why is the IT guy always weird? Freckled Marge: That’s so true. Why is the IT guy always weird? Blonde Betty: Seriously, the one in my office… Round Olive: Does anyone even speak to you in … More Wednesday night dinner – A dialogue
