Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2026 i Take a Break Fiction Feast

Are you going to buy an outfit for New Year’s Eve?’ Diane asked her friend Sue. ‘I don’t know what we’re doing yet,’ Sue replied. ‘Joe’s mum is having a party, and so is his mate, Tom – we can’t decide between the two…’ Diane wasn’t listening. ‘You should buy something new. Some of the shops have started their winter sales – you might find a bargain.’ ‘I don’t need anything,’ Sue said. ‘I can wear my black dress, and that lovely necklace Joe bought for my birthday…’ ‘An old black dress won’t do for me.’ Diane unearthed her phone and logged on to a site selling party outfits. ‘Look at this – it’s fabulous. Do you think it would suit me?’ Sue glanced at the dress, the phrase ‘mutton…

COMPLETE OUR PICTURE ARROWWORD FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN £200 TO ENTER BY TEXT* text FIC1, then a space, then your name, house number/name, postcode and answer, all separated by a space, to 65115. Text entries charged at 50p per text. Normal messaging rates apply. TO ENTER BY PHONE** call 0905 669 0129 (You must be 18 or over and have the bill payer’s permission. Calls cost 50p per minute plus network access charge. UK only) and when asked for the issue number key in 1. TO ENTER ONLINE log on to TAKEABREAK.CO.UK/COMPETITIONS THE COMPETITION CLOSES AT MIDNIGHT ON THURSDAY, 5 FEBRUARY 2026. *Keep texts under 160 characters or you may be charged for more than one text. If you enter after the closing date you will not be entered…

When Fiona opened the door, she was surprised to see her friend Julia standing there with a big box of chocolate-chip muffins. ‘I thought you could do with a treat,’ Julia said. ‘Thank you,’ Fiona smiled. ‘Come on in. I’ll put the kettle on.’ ‘So, how are you doing?’ Julia asked, following her into the kitchen. ‘Oh, OK…’ ‘Which translated means “Not very well!”’ Julia said. ‘But you should give yourself a pat on the back, Fi. I know it was hard but you managed to get through Christmas and out the other side, now we’re well into the new year. A time to look forward, not back, a time for new beginnings.’ Fiona sighed. ‘I keep telling myself that, but I just can’t seem to move on,’ she said.…

I held my breath as I rang the doorbell. I had my spiel ready… I just hoped it was going to work. The woman answered straightaway. She was jean-clad, attractive, slim and around my age, early forties. ‘Hi. I hope you don’t mind, but I spotted your “for sale” sign in the front garden. I’ve always liked this house. I’ve passed it often. I know it’s cheeky, but I don’t suppose I could have a quick look around?’ She looked flustered. ‘We usually arrange viewings via the estate agent.’ My teeth gritted at the ‘we’. ‘I can do that if you’d prefer, but look, I’d be a cash buyer. I’m a businesswoman. I own and manage a nationwide courier business,’ I explained smoothly. ‘Right.’ She looked uneasy, so I fished…

I’m sorry, Jake. There’s no easy way to say this but our relationship isn’t going anywhere. I don’t want to see you any more. It made no difference how many times Jake read them, the words stayed exactly the same. ‘What’s wrong?’ asked his boss. ‘You look like you’ve lost a fiver and found a penny.’ He pointed to the screen. ‘It’s Nat. She’s dumped me.’ ‘Oh, Jake. I’m so sorry.’ Gill put her hand on his shoulder. ‘Right before Christmas! Are you OK?’ ‘Strangely enough, I am.’ He sighed. ‘If I’m honest, we should have broken up ages ago but I was waiting until after my brother’s wedding. If I turn up alone, I’ll never hear the last of it.’ He paused. ‘I don’t suppose you’re free on the…

Brad rang Hazel just as she was going to bed. ‘Are you all right, darling?’ he asked. ‘I’m fine thank you,’ she replied. ‘But missing you, of course.’ ‘I should think so too!’ he laughed. ‘We’ve only been married for four months.’ ‘I don’t know how I ever settled down for the night without you. That big double bed is going to be so lonely.’ ‘Ah well, I’ll be back home with you all tomorrow night,’ he replied. ‘Just as well, really.’ ‘I’m really not bothered about the house. I’m concerned about you!’ ‘Why?’ asked Hazel. ‘Well… you know…’ ‘No.’ ‘I don’t like to think of you and the girls there without me. Make sure you lock all the doors.’ ‘Brad! I had been living without a man for years…

I was thinking, I might make your mum a birthday cake,’ Hannah told Adam. ‘Do you think she’d like that?’ ‘Of course she would!’ her fiancé replied. ‘Your cakes are always amazing, but I’m sure she’d love you making one for her, even if they were ordinary.’ Although reassured that baking a cake was the right thing to do, Hannah wasn’t convinced about the last part. Why would anyone love something which was just ordinary? Adam’s mum Betty would be polite though – she always was. But Hannah wished they could go beyond the slightly strained relationship they shared. The same thing applied to Megan – Adam’s daughter, Hannah’s future stepdaughter. Hannah liked both Megan and her granny very much, but knew that wasn’t clear to them. She’d always found…

Although I hadn’t been dating Max all that long, I really liked him, and I thought he liked me. We had been to the cinema on our first date, for drinks on our second, and out for dinner on our third. After that, we’d hung out at my flat and at Max’s house-share, watching telly, sharing a bottle of wine, snuggling on the sofa. I’d told him stories about my childhood and he’d told me stories about his. He seemed to enjoy hearing about my work as a veterinary nurse too. It means a lot to me, but I’d never thought it would sound all that exciting to anyone else. Max was always very sympathetic when we’d had to put a beloved pet to sleep, and reminded me that more…

I never liked Carol. Is that a terrible thing to say about your own sister? I guess it is. The trouble is, it’s true. You see, Carol was different to Mum, Dad and me. Mum was a housewife, back in those days when it was a choice women could afford to make. Dad was a window cleaner, humble and hard-working. And me? Well, I’m normal. Drifted through school with little interest in anything academic, did an accountancy course at the local sixth form college – which I hated and didn’t finish – then spent my life going from one dead-end job to another in shops and offices. But what’s wrong with that? ‘Aren’t you worried you’re not doing anything with your life, Jen?’ I remember Carol once asking me. I…

When I heard the buzz of a text from Rob’s phone, my heart sank. Oh no! Not again! I just knew who the sender would be. His 21-year-old princess of a daughter! Daddy’s girl Zoe was doing her best to come between me and my new fella... I was getting ready for dinner. This night away in a swish hotel was supposed to be just for us. There was no way I was going let that little minx ruin it! He was in the shower, so I sneakily deleted the text. A month ago, I’d thought I’d hit the jackpot when I met Rob via app dating. He was 53 to my 38. Divorced for 10 years, he was an attractive barrister (he was a partner at his own law…

I’ll be glad when the builders have finished working next door,’ Ruth told her friend Laura. ‘It seems like they’ve been there forever. They start at the crack of dawn and don’t finish until late.’ ‘The noise must be driving you mad,’ Laura replied, as a loud thump shook the walls. ‘The banging and drilling are enough to bring on a migraine.’ ‘They’re building a kitchen,’ Ruth replied. ‘They can’t do that without using power tools and making a row. And after a while, you don’t really hear it.’ ‘So, what’s the problem, then?’ ‘Alan,’ Ruth replied. ‘He’s always popping round there with cups of tea, yet he never makes me one. He’s in and out with trays of refreshments for them, including our expensive biscuits, plus cans of lemonade…

It’s low mileage, cheap to tax, and economical to run.’ Melanie had been saving for ages to buy a car and was proud of her purchase. ‘It’s second-hand,’ Gina remarked. ‘Yes, it’s had two previous owners, but it’s just passed an MOT.’ ‘Rather you than me,’ Gina said, as she vanished into the house next door. Scott, Melanie’s partner, was impressed with the vehicle. ‘It’s a great car,’ he said. ‘Gina didn’t seem to think so.’ ‘Well, you know what she’s like…’ ‘Yes, I do. And I bet she buys one the same.’ Gina always wanted whatever Melanie had, only a more expensive version. When Melanie bought a bag from the market, Gina acquired a designer tote. And after seeing Melanie’s winter coat, bought from the charity shop, Gina purchased…

I saw him slip on to my boat while it was moored at the marina. There was always someone who wanted the thrill of whale watching but wasn’t prepared to pay. And this was a big enough boat to hide in. How did he expect me to make an honest living? It wasn’t easy when you had a jail sentence behind you. I didn’t need any other problems. In my case, I hadn’t even committed the crime. I’d been an impressionable 20-year-old who took the rap for my boyfriend. He’d promised to wait for me. Offered me the sun and the moon and a wedding ring. Knowing only too well how much heavier a sentence he’d have received. Kev was a scumbag. And I was hopelessly in love. To give…

Cathy lifted her glass in the pub and smiled at her friend Lara. ‘Twenty 26!’ she cried. ‘A new year, a new start! I had a brilliant Christmas, and a fantastic New Year. Here’s to new beginnings. I can finally say I’m really happy again,’ she said and sipped her spritzer. ‘At long last, I have got over the split with Gary. I love Rick, he’s perfect, he loves me and he absolutely adores Jamie.’ ‘And he treats you properly,’ said Lara. ‘Unlike Gary.’ ‘Did I hear my name?’ Cathy looked up. She couldn’t believe her eyes. After all those days, months and years of her imagining it, he’d actually come back! ‘Gary…’ she whispered. He was just as gorgeous as ever, no, even more so. ‘Hello, Cathy, it’s so…

I had to let him go. It would be upsetting, of course, but what choice did I have? Sometimes it feels like everything is moving along just fine, when out of the blue, a problem you should have been aware of comes along and delivers you a whole heap of heartbreak. ‘What can I say, Rocket?’ I said, ruffling the rich, warm fur under my beloved tabby’s chin. ‘Things don’t always work out the way you want. It’s time for us to say goodbye to each other.’ Six months earlier Martin was the new guy at work. And when he started in the warehouse – I’m in the office, Martin works in dispatch – there was a connection between us straightaway. The first time I saw him we were passing…