Our amazing writing group just gets better and better.  Today with Halloween hanging ominously over us I expected tales of ghouls and things that went bump in the night! But our group came up with a few alternatives that triggered emotional response from us.

Our choice for this month’s story, however, tempted us back to the chilling tales that this time of year is known for.  We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

The Walk by Ann Smith

It was a dark, cold, misty winter night – the kind that wraps itself around you like a damp blanket and makes everything feel a little more silent than usual. I remember it clearly. It was a typical Saturday night, sometime around midnight. I was fifteen years old.

The streets were empty, the only light coming from the dull, flickering glow of the street lamps. Their orange shimmer spilled through the mist, casting long, ghostly shadows on the pavement. The silence was so deep, I could hear the echo of my own footsteps. I pulled the collar of my coat tighter around my neck, trying to block out the biting chill of the air.

I had just finished babysitting for my sister. She lived in a small flat in a tall block of high-rise accommodation. She had two young children, and every weekend, she and her husband would go out together — it had become a routine. I was always the one they asked to look after the little ones, and I didn’t mind. I was used to it by then.

But something felt different that night.   Continue reading →

This month’s theme was First/Last

The Holiday by Jenny Challinor Sep 2025

My goodness thought Mary, this is beautiful. She drank in the big blue sky, the view of the mountains to her left, the turquoise sea to her right. Yes, she thought as she disembarked the plane, this is a perfect place to spend her week’s leave, so peaceful and tranquil. Suddenly the peace was shattered and she was reminded that she wasn’t alone. “Mary, Mary just look at that beach,” cried Pippa excitedly.  “I can’t wait to try the paragliding and the scuba diving”

This was her younger sister, Pippa, who saw none of the beauty that Mary saw but she couldn’t wait to begin her holiday, for very different reasons to her sister.

The sisters had decided to spend their holiday together in Greece. Although very different, they did however get on. Mary was the quiet one whilst Pippa was very outgoing, she couldn’t wait to be involved in everything that was on offer in their resort. Mary preferred to relax, maybe read or just watch the world go by.

Three days into the holiday and Pippa had been paragliding, scuba diving and swimming every day. Now she was getting bored and worrying Mary to go shopping. “please, please, please Mary just one day is all I ask, I promise I’ll leave you in peace to read your books then” she said. Mary had had enough and was close to giving in. she sighed resignedly, “Ok Pip, just one day though”

So, day four and here they were, waiting for the local bus to take them into the big city for some retail therapy. Mary had decided to make the most of the day and try to enjoy it. She loved travelling on the local transport as it gave her an opportunity to observe the local people and their customs. For example, at one point the bus stopped to let a young girl of about twelve get on. She handed the driver a basket full of eggs then turned round and got off the bus again. that’s strange thought Mary. I wonder who those eggs are for? She didn’t have long to wait to find out. Ten minutes later the bus stopped outside a row of small cottages and the bus driver got out. He knocked on one of the doors and a little old man answered it. The driver handed him the basket of eggs and then returned to the bus and they resumed their journey.

They arrived in the city and Pippa soon located the biggest and best shops for fashion. They spent a full afternoon shopping, in and out of every shop. Although it wasn’t Mary’s idea of a perfect day, she was happy to see Pippa enjoying herself. Soon it was lunchtime and they found a lovely little taverna which sold lots of local dishes and they ordered a meze.

“Goodness, I’m not sure I can eat all this,“ Mary said.   “Of course you can, the trick is to eat slowly and never rush it,” Pippa advised.

The waiter began to deliver their meze plate by plate, and Mary discovered the she really did love Greek food. Pippa was right, the trick was not to rush each course and never eat too much from any one plate. After about an hour they were ready to resume their shopping trip and walk off some of the calories from their lunch.

So, all in all a successful day Mary thought on the journey home. Pippa was happy and laden with parcels and Mary had even managed to buy a new pair of sandals. Both sisters were tired out and happy and would be glad to be back at the hotel for a well-earned cuppa.

This might have been the first time that the sisters were having a holiday together but Mary thought that it might just be the last.

Today our WFP group met and we shared a variety of pieces from prose to poetry, from autobiographical to fiction.
We had pieces based on Secrets and Rainy Days and brought a very varied approach to each subject.

We have selected one of our stories so you can be impressed by the standard of the pieces produced by our group.
This  is ‘Secrets’ by Pam Skelton

My dear, dear Linnie,

I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you earlier. I know you will now feel hurt and angry that it seems I didn’t trust you!  But what could you have done?

We have had a wonderful four months, haven’t we? I can’t help smiling to myself when I think over those days, so precious, as I realised this day was coming.
No, I cannot think that I did wrong in keeping you in ignorance and by the time you read this,  it will all be over well most of it.

I’ve been looking over the photos. So many.!! What a marvellous thing as a smart phone I think I have 50 from Maddie’s birthday alone.!! Wasn’t that marvellous! Six years old – and three weeks of course.  Will she remember her grandma,  I wonder?  Do I want her to?? I don’t want her to be sad ever again.

And the fun we all had making her birthday cake. The mess.!! But I noticed a wariness in Jack as he looked around the kitchen, could almost hear him thinking “What if he comes back?”  Well, by now you’ll know there’s no danger; he will never come back, no more fear.

It was when I heard on the news that “they” were going to be clearing the quarry pond that I realise my crime would be discovered. Nowhere is safe from the fly tippers!!

Anyway you can show this letter to the police – once the body is identified, they will come to you.

How did I get him to the quarry?? in Auntie Pat’s old wheelchair.  I made sure some days before that it was working well. Pushing it down the track I did think it would’ve been good to have help

Of course, I made sure he was sitting in in it before he died,  I could never have managed otherwise!

Yes, I have committed a crime but was it a sin ?  That question bothers me a bit. And yet  – I had to defend you – he had declared war on you – I had no choice.

But what I am going to do now, I have no doubt is a sin. But it means that without a trial the case will only be a nine day wonder and you could relocate when the fuss has died down.

So now I’ll say goodbye, my dear, dear child. You, Jack and Maddie have all my love.; be happy.

With love, Mum

Our first meeting went very well even though not all of us could get there. We had Iona James from Aintree share her experience of running a Writing for Pleasure group with us and she came ladened with ideas galore.

We chose a topic for our first foray into the written word by closing our eyes and letting the pen choose for us! Maybe not very scientific but it did come up with a good topic – secret/s.

Our next meeting is on the 27th June where we’ll get a chance to share what secret/s mean to us.

Our inaugural meeting will take place on the 23rd of May 11:00  at the Hare And Hounds pub on Liverpool Road South.
Looking forward to seeing those interested