We weren’t even called orphans. Instead we had an ID number of three digits tattooed on our ‘thenar eminence’. We were considered underneath the bottom of the barrel. Ultimate scum with no one’s armpit to snuggle into when we felt scared.

Even the grownups made disparaging remarks about us. Why were we so cruelly hated?

But there was one lady I recall who showed a little kindness? But she sudden...

Bryn was an introvert at heart preferring to tell his stories through a series of pictures. Never indulging much in the way of conversation at star studded parties, charity or prize giving events he’d simply nod or utter a few words where appropriate.

Bryn, a world renowned photographer, is a tortured soul. He’d met his kindred spirit at the age of five and his mission, really, was to find her ag...

The little red man is adamant he’s not going to change. I actually feel a dead weight in my chest as I’m wondering what this person standing by me is thinking?

Am I weird? Do I mumble when I speak? Are my facets of information dull? Is my style too Tom-boy? Do I ask dreary questions?

I turn to her and she gives me a saccharine smile. I can see she senses my awkwardness just as much as I can tel...

“It’s a coin in a bottle.”

“Yes,” replied the solicitor. “Your great grandfather’s I believe.”

“Ah ok. Just that I don’t remember my grandfather ever showing me?”

The solicitor gave me a pitying nod in my direction (which could have come across quite condescending I think), but instead I took it as my cue to wrap things up and take my inheritance home.

“What was the outcome, love?” My wife asked...

I’ve been waiting for this moment most of my life. This corridor however, seems to be going on forever and a day, the door at the end remaining small and distant no matter how many steps I take.

The butterflies are starting to leap now. What if they say no? What if they hate me? What if they say I’m not good enough? What if and what if, what if and what if…?

I’m thirsty. Sweat is beading on my u...

I can tell it’s nearly time. Autumn is nearly upon us; the leaves are turning into a charming array of gold, bronze and sepia’s. There’s a slight nip in the afternoon air, but the sun is still comfortably warming.

But as lovely as this season is I know a holiday is looming. I can’t help it, I’m a homebody and I like my comforts, routine, structure. I just don’t enjoy going away these days and I’...

For I am the menace you live with every day. I am the one who laughs and takes delight in your suffering. And when you go to bed rest assured I’ll say, “good morning” when you wake.

For I am the one who marvels at your defeatist attitude. And I grin at your hopeless ways; you don’t even try and you fail. I slap you on the back and say, “I told you so!” I know I have done well when I see you grima...

I have a pain in my groin. I hate heights. I hate my brother even more for roping me into this (pardon the pun). My heart is in my mouth. Pain in groin intensifying by the second. Bile is building up in my mouth. I’m going to die. The cord is going to snap. Worse still what if my neck snaps? What if I poop my pants? Who invented this stupid bungee jumping thing anyway?

I hate my brother (did I me...

I have lain here for more than a hundred years, every morning for thirty five minutes. Come rain, wind or shine. I like it best when my body is cold, the rain patting softly against my chest, my brown hair entangled in the long grey-green grass. I live in a time where women are persecuted, men are lazy and children are adored. I lie here arms outstretched as if reaching all away around this dying ...