Everything was slightly off-white—the walls, the furniture, the receptionist. She was the kind of pale that only comes from spending way too much time indoors, reading Goop and denying the existence of carbohydrates.
A day at the spa – why would anyone do this to themselves? Read More »
Any recovery programe starts in the same way. You admit you have a problem and it consumes you. In my case, it was drink. It could easily have been any of my other self-destructive behaviour patterns, but as a starter for ten, my body decided to tackle an unfettered love of jar. For every success
Beating an addiction helped process growing up an outsider Read More »
I’ll miss lockdown. It was like a series of duvet days. Combined with the fear of death. As an introvert, Corona was my Christmas.
How was your lockdown? Read More »
I keep hearing how life is looking up. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Freedom is on the way. So why do I feel more burdened than ever. Why can I complete no project? Why would I rather lie in bed scrolling through the news and social media than settle to something
Finding your pandemic flow Read More »
It’s tough not drinking in a society where alcohol rules. Especially during lockdown. Every Friday Zoom meeting ends with someone saying how much they can’t wait to pour a gin and switch off.
Alcohol and me: An uneasy mix Read More »
With (hopefully final) edits well underway on what will become my next romantic comedy novel – Rebuilding Alexandra Small – I thought I might tease you with an extract from one of the earlier chapters. No spoilers (beyond those on the dust jacket), just a conversation with a stranger that sets Alexandra on the path
TEASER: Rebuilding Alexandra Small Read More »
My mother died in February. At the time, the virus that now traps us in our homes was little more than a rumble. Second or third story on the news, rendered insignificant by reports of heavy rain or Boris Johnson’s latest infidelity. We were lucky in many ways. We had the funeral she planned, she
Grief: A visit to the museum Read More »
Without human contact, we’ll retreat to darkened rooms only to emerge blinking into the light one week later, holding up an arthritic claw and declaring we’ve completed Pornhub.
COVID-19: The end of gay life as we know it Read More »
Have you ever stumbled upon a magazine called ‘Best’? You’ll find it in every low-grade supermarket next to the crossword puzzle books. They’re designed to sharpen the mind. ‘Best’ sets out to ruin it. Reading ‘Best’ is like having your nasty aunty Pat round for tea. It’s sixty pages of fat-shaming, miracle diets and Meghan
Weight loss – simply the BEST Read More »
My mother has passed away. At 1.30 this morning, I woke. My husband, too. He trailed downstairs to her temporary bedroom, and I listened for the rattle of laboured breathing. Seconds later, he appeared and asked me to stay calm. Storm Dennis is due in her part of the country any time now, already raindrops ricochet
I’m sorry you’ve lost your mother: they make it sound like I’ve left her in another room Read More »
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