Tonight, before I sleep, I will write my will. It may interest you to know that you are one of the beneficiaries. Nothing fancy, I promise. Just an old cardboard box, filled with some items that I thought were worth saving, and which you might like to have after I am gone. I hope they remind you of me, when the time comes for that anyway. That is ( Read more... )

He came home today bearing a plaque and a trophy, basking in his moment of triumph. Mum and Dad are happy for him, of course. Why wouldn't they be? He's always done them proud, going to the right schools, gaining the right grades, getting the right prizes. This is just one more accolade that I know I will not attain. French valedictorian. I can't ( Read more... )

The room is crowded with people, all dancing to the beat emanating from the enormous speakers in each corner. Their eyes meet and hold each other's gaze for a heartbeat, before breaking away to focus back on the friends they were talking to. Without warning, he drops his drink and drags the nearest person into an intense kiss, the sort that ( Read more... )

It was supposed to be a happy day. The ceremony in the church had been perfect, right down to the lace trim on the bride's wedding gown. It had threatened to rain just before the bride walked down the aisle, but a prayerful intervention by all present averted meteorological disaster. The church being just opposite the groom's family home, all the ( Read more... )

The corridor had a single bare bulb, glaringly bright and swinging from the ceiling. He quietly made his way towards the steel door at the end, curiosity having got the better of him at last. Through the cracks around the door, a muted haze of colours bled through. Grasping its handle, he pulled and it swung open easily. The room was dimly lit, but ( Read more... )

'The Executive Suite, please ( Read more... )

I: I think my face looks fat. Say something nice ( Read more... )

It was a fine afternoon for murder. The bell rang for dismissal and children poured out of classrooms into corridors, spilt into courtyards, escaped into streets. Within minutes, the campus was almost deserted, as even the adults began to make their less hasty exits on the last day of term. Into this scene of impending calm strode a group of boys. ( Read more... )

Don't compare yourself with others. Unless they're better than you. In which case, why can't you be more like them? It's never too early to plan. It’s better to plan in advance than worry later. Don't get drunk when you're overseas. Alcohol is not a food group. Red wine doesn't count as one of your five a day. Don't come home too late. Be careful ( Read more... )

Having read the letter in its entirety, he was about to close the volume carefully when he was startled by a loud clattering behind him. He dropped the heavy book on the mantelpiece, sending up a huge cloud of dust that set off a sneezing fit. Even as he tried vainly to control himself, he could not help but wonder what the source of that ( Read more... )