Peter Richardson

About forty years ago. I had a holiday hitch-hiking around Ireland. It took me hours to get a lift out of Dublin – but that was the exception. For the rest of the trip I got a lift within an hour and sometimes I’d get out of one car and the very next one would […]

‘I got the gig. At Comedy Queens.’ ‘That’s fantastic Ryan. So why the worried look?’ ‘It’s on Friday. I’m not sure I’m ready.’ ‘Honestly darling. You’ll smash it.’ ‘Hrmm.’ ‘Come on. You’ve already done what? Ten gigs? More?’ ‘Yeah, but this is the first real one. Open mic gigs don’t count. Anybody can stand up […]

The storm started at sea. A little wind, lifting a little wave. Unnoticed. Unremarkable. Dave couldn’t find his other sock. Couldn’t find any of his other socks. He held at least ten socks in his hand and not a single one was part of a pair. Yesterday’s socks lay on the floor. He couldn’t decide […]

Martin couldn’t believe he’d found it. Here in his own town, squashed between a baker and a bank. He watched from across the street as the man behind the counter returned a pair of shoes with new soles to a customer. The man looked quite ordinary. Well dressed in a colourful striped shirt with a […]

Connor instinctively flinched as the first rays of sunshine struck. He didn’t need to worry. The Isle of Hull was fully shielded behind the massive glass filter-wall. He watched as the sun rose into the sky, perfectly reflected in the sheltered sea. Some serious early morning swimmers were ploughing up and down in the calm […]

Sarah ignored her phone and continued painting another Christmas card. It rang again. It was Eddie. He rang again. And again. She placed her loaded brush on her palette-board plate and reluctantly accepted the call. ‘What’s so urgent?’ ‘I’ve found one. It’s perfect. I’ve sent you details.’ ‘Can’t it wait? I’m working.’ ‘I’ve arranged a […]

Lily had been looking forward to starting school. Her new mum and dad had told her how good it would be. She would learn how to get strong roots, learn how to grow big and tall and most importantly she would learn how to flower. The teacher was called Rose. She was tall and bushy. […]

It was further than she expected. Her large backpack weighed on her shoulders. Maggie laughed at herself. She looked like a long-distance walker but she was only walking ten minutes along the coast path. ‘Morning.’ She passed a group of chatty people walking in the other direction. She noticed their Geordie accents. Probably on a […]