Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2025 i Take a Break Fiction Feast

Millie Howard, secretary to Barry Hammond, Director of Gladrags Garments, pushed back her chair and stood up. Lunch time. It was a relief to get out of the office and away from Mr Hammond, whose bad temper made her job a misery. She went downstairs to eat her sandwiches in the sunshine and spotted Jimmy, the maintenance man, spraying the pathway with weed killer. ‘That’s dangerous stuff,’ she warned. ‘No worries, I’ve head-to-toe protective gear, Millie,’ he grinned, pushing back his respirator. ‘Jimmy, the overhead light in Mr Hammond’s office is flickering badly. Could you replace it sometime soon?’ ‘And put myself in danger by climbing a ladder for that greedy capitalist?’ ‘Why do you say that?’ ‘He’s just told my daughter in the cutting room she can’t have a…

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George grinned at Alice when she returned home from work. ‘I want you to keep the week beginning 26 April free,’ he told her, excitedly. ‘Why?’ she asked. ‘A special surprise,’ he said smugly. ‘Give me a clue?’ she laughed. ‘Well, I’ll just say this,’ he grinned. ‘You know how you say I never remember important occasions and dates…’ ‘What, like my birthday?’ ‘I’ve already apologised for that.’ Alice smiled and hugged him. ‘I know, darling. Some people have the sort of mind that remembers dates and others remember things like train numbers and car engine sizes.’ ‘Ah, well, I’m writing dates down now,’ he said. ‘And I’ve written down 26 April and booked the week off work. You do the same.’ ‘I will,’ Alice smiled. George was so excited…

When I heard that Tina was coming back from the US to attend her brother’s wedding, I was so excited. Tina and I had been best friends as teenagers. We’d bunked off school together, shared clothes and make-up – and once, I’d even let Tina cut my hair! Then she’d gone on her travels, I’d got engaged to Danny, and we’d lost touch. I hadn’t set eyes on her in five years, and while in some ways it seemed like a lifetime ago, in others it felt like yesterday. ‘I wonder what she’ll be like,’ I said to Danny. ‘Do you think she’ll have had cosmetic surgery? Everybody seems to go in for that in the States.’ Danny didn’t seem particularly interested. His friendships were more superficial – when he…

Paula had just stepped through the door of the rescue centre when her phone buzzed. A text from her boyfriend, Harry. If the French bulldog’s been taken, a Chihuahua would do. Or a cocker spaniel. She frowned at the message. It would have been nice if he’d taken the day off and come with her, but he was too busy. As usual. They’d met at the estate agent’s a little over four months ago. She still didn’t know why he was there, probably enquiring about the new developments along the quay. Paula had just viewed a charming little flat. It was only a five-minute walk from her office, plus it had a small, private garden, which meant she could finally get a dog – the place she’d been renting didn’t…

Who buys a pure white velvet sofa? I mean, a blindingly blizzard-white lump of a thing? Of course, my mother-in-law immediately invented a set of rules to preserve its snowy glamour. ‘No pens or crayons. And no eating and drinking on it or anywhere near it,’ she told my son and daughter (her grandkids), aged seven and five. They didn’t argue – nobody argues with Judith. For a while, everything was fine when we went to visit. Those times, Judith doted on her son Callum (my other half), while sneaking me sidelong glances. She’d never got over the fact he’d given his ex, Gina, the boot, even a good 10 years after the event. She still loved to slip the blessed Gina into any conversation, her eyes alight as she…

NOW Sophie leant on the cool stone of the bridge, her toes flexed, lifting her a little higher so that below she could see the water froth and whirl. She tried not to think about whether he would come. The Seine continued at a rapid pace below, the peaks and troughs of its surface thrown into light and shadow by the sun’s rays, which sprinkled it like glitter. A boat passed, packed with tourists, resting against the railings, photographing the view, taking selfies. Their clothes were a riot of colour against the turquoise-brown water, and their chatter broke through the other sounds of Paris – the buzz and growl of traffic, the hum of pedestrians, the fizz and whorl of the passing river – then drifted away on the wind.…

Hey, have you seen this?’ Zara glanced towards her friend Leanne, who was looking at the office notice board. ‘What?’ ‘It’s a team-building day. Cool, huh?’ Zara wrinkled her nose. In her opinion, they had always seemed pointless. Who’d choose to spend valuable time doing something they didn’t really want to, just to make the boss think they were working more efficiently together? ‘Oh, come on. It will be fun. It’s kayaking on the River Wye with a pub lunch.’ ‘In a wet April?’ Zara said. ‘Who’d want to do that?’ Leanne gave her a knowing look. ‘Steve.’ Zara’s face coloured. She’d fancied Steve from the moment he’d joined the company several years ago. Tall, fair and handsome, and what looked like a very firm physique with probable abs to…

My dad’s had quite a few hobbies since he retired. The first ones involved making models, but he has been obsessed with genealogy for the last few months. He’s spent hours online finding out about our ancestors, and last week, when I took my son to see his grandparents, Dad told me that he was going to pay a woman to create our family tree, so he could print it out, get it framed and put it on the wall. ‘Wow! That’s going to be expensive,’ I replied, hoping he didn’t notice the tremor in my voice. ‘Not that expensive,’ he said as we sat there at the dining table, and he showed me the woman’s website. ‘And it’s going to look lovely when it’s framed.’ I nodded as I…

Kate was glad to get out. The sun was warm and soothing on her bare arms, butterflies were fluttering all around her, spring had finally come. Already the puddles from the morning’s shower were drying up, and the flowers, still dotted with raindrops, looked so wonderfully fresh after the storm. Everywhere looked so beautiful. Paul had been surprised when Kate met him at the door as he arrived home at lunchtime to tell him she wanted to go for a walk by herself. ‘But I’ve got the afternoon off!’ he said. ‘It’s lovely now, and we could take Jamie to the park.’ ‘We can,’ Kate whispered. ‘I just want some time on my own first, please. You don’t know what it’s like for me being cooped up with him when…

Unfortunately, just at that moment he turned and saw her. ‘Carly!’ he cried, running up. ‘At last! I’m so glad I’ve found you on your own.’ Carly couldn’t believe it when she saw him walking along the beach. She sat up, put her hand up to shield the sun from her eyes and squinted, gazing towards the surf. It was him. There was no mistaking that lean, athletic figure, that arrogant walk. It was Tony. Sue’s ex-fiancé! ‘What on earth do you think you’re doing here?’ she almost spat at him. He shrugged. ‘Like you, I’m on holiday… trying to get some sun while everyone else at home shivers through an English spring.’ ‘But… but why here?’ He smiled. ‘Why not? I’d bought the guide books, had the plane ticket.’…

Mum… this is Ashley.’ Hearing her daughter’s voice, Karen entered the hall with a beaming smile, then froze. Oh no - not this Ashley! Pulling herself together, she proffered a hand. ‘Stacey has told me all about you.’ ‘All good, I hope.’ The young man shuffled his feet nervously. He didn’t seem to recognise her. She was guessing that in her fluffy slippers and joggers, along with her mumsy approach, she was drawing a curtain over her rather more assertive persona. ‘So far.’ She sweetened her words with another smile. ‘Supper won’t be long. Stacey didn’t say whether you had any major dislikes, so I hope lasagne’s OK?’ ‘My favourite.’ Ashley’s eyes lit up. Walking back into the kitchen, Karen pondered how to handle the situation. After all, her daughter…

Liza took a bite of her French toast and glanced out of the window at the cloudy skies. Spring should have sprung as it was now April, but there was still a chilly wind. Certainly, it looked like the daffodils were trying to show their golden heads. And it was nearly Easter – one of her favourite times of the year – and not just because of all the chocolate eggs. She loved the thought of her mum’s huge turkey roast. It only got cooked at Christmas and Easter, but it tasted so good! Liza licked her lips in anticipation. It was lovely to catch up with her family too, as everyone would descend on her parents, and the children loved the annual Easter egg hunt. Cuddled up in her…

Paul looked at his dinner; the salad was crisp and green, the tomatoes shiny and red. And he loved potatoes cooked with herbs and butter. He wasn’t sure about the meat, though. ‘What meat is this?’ he asked his wife, Elaine. ‘It’s ham,’ she replied. ‘I’ve never seen ham like this before.’ ‘The slices are shaped like dinosaurs,’ Elaine replied. ‘Yes, Daddy,’ five-year-old Poppy piped up. ‘We’re having dinosaur ham because I’m not eating anything unless it’s shaped like an animal.’ ‘Why?’ Paul wanted to tell her to stop being stupid, but thought he’d better listen to her reasons first. ‘My teacher, Miss Jones, says it’s important to eat foods that are good for you, and that brightly coloured foods are the best. I saw this pretty ham when we…

Hello, Dad. What are you doing here?’ Emma asked, as Nick wandered casually into the living room. ‘This is my house,’ Nick replied. ‘I have a key.’ ‘Yes, but you don’t live here, so you can’t just walk in unannounced.’ ‘I’ve tried phoning your mum, but she won’t take my calls. And you didn’t answer my question. Where is she?’ ‘She’s out. In her new car. With Rod.’ ‘How was she able to afford a new car?’ ‘She drew some money out of her savings account, and Gran made up the difference. She reckoned Mum deserved a break after the way you’ve treated her.’ ‘I know. I was stupid, and your mum was justified in chucking me out’ Nick sighed. ‘Telling her I was going to Gran’s place to help…

When I left school, I wasn’t sure what to do next. I didn’t have the brains to go to university, but I didn’t want to spend my days wheeling a cleaning cart or gutting chickens. My Auntie Doreen heard there was a job going at Fanthorpe’s the Jewellers in the Victorian arcade behind the cathedral. I’d always liked the arcade – it reminded me of olden times when ladies wore long dresses and bonnets. I’d have liked to live then, but only if I’d been rich and not someone’s skivvy. Mum gave me money for a smart dress and matching shoes and I made my way to Fanthorpe’s to ask if they really did have a vacancy. A tall man with a moustache stood behind the counter. He looked up…

She did it again,’ I said, as soon as I got home on Tuesday night. ‘She didn’t,’ my husband Jake replied. ‘She did,’ I said, as I walked into the kitchen and saw that Jake was slicing some mushrooms. ‘Have you washed them?’ Jake nodded. ‘Of course I have.’ ‘Oh good, but shouldn’t you be slicing them thinner?’ I asked, having seen the recipe book he was using. ‘No, I shouldn’t.’ Jake turned and proffered me the knife. ‘But you can slice them thinner, if you want.’ ‘No, it’s OK,’ I replied. ‘Anyway, as I was saying, she did it again.’ ‘She didn’t.’ ‘Oh yes, she did,’ I said, failing to see the funny side. ‘And what did she spoil this time?’ ‘Some programme I’ve never even heard of,’ I…