November 2025 – Page 14

12October 2024 Dear Diary, Today I walked past the ward and glimpsed Victoria Hartley standing in the

When do you plan to move out, Marina?Mom leaned in the kitchen doorway, hands wrapped around a tea mug

While youre staying at mums, my sister is coming over, says Stephen, pulling my suitcase together.

Victor closed his eyes and was back thirtyfive years ago. Mary lay in the hospital ward, pale and exhausted.

Mary Whitaker froze by the fridge, clutching a couple of grocery bags. You bought that sausage again?

Emily stared at the hallway, watching her motherinlaw, Ruth Whitaker, wrest the light cardigan from her

Why does Mum need two rooms? Shes already sixtyfive. Shes unlikely to host visitors, and with her sisters

Lisa, we wont take much. Pack your signature pie and a couple of jars of jam for the road, Gleb said

Your weddings happening, but Im not needed, the daughter snapped, eyes glued to her phone. Are you kidding me?

I remember that first family dinner like it was yesterday. My mother, Margaret Peterson, was hunched