Emily Taylor

My Rules As often happens, Emily never knew her father. He left her and her mum right after she was born.

Jess peeked into her mum’s room, saw she was asleep, and quietly closed the door. “Jess,”

A Trip to the Seaside “Emily, I said no, do you hear me? You’re only eighteen. You don’t understand…”

Valentine met her future husband on the street. She’d overslept before an exam, dashed to the tram stop

Great news Lorraine hurried home. She had good news for her husband—no, not just good, brilliant news.

The Other Daughter Irene’s father was fifteen years older than her mother. He dressed formally, almost

**Diary Entry** I can still hear the words echoing in my mind: *Run before it’s too late…

Sophie’s father was fifteen years older than her mum. He always dressed smartly, even a bit old-fashioned—never

Just Friends The ringing of the phone interrupted Josie’s dinner—a rare occasion, as she seldom cooked

“Beth-aaah…” sobbed Rita into the phone. “What’s all this wailing about? Spit it out—what’s happened?