Emily Taylor

**Almost Everything is Fine** “Working late again?” Nik’s voice on the phone sounded

The Best Before Date Yesterday’s dawn in a quiet market town on the edge of the Cotswolds greeted Anna

The Past Its Sell-By Date Yesterday’s dawn in the quiet market town nestled in the Cotswolds greeted

The hush outside the window For the first time in years, her voice broke through the silence.

Edward stood by the window of his flat in Manchester, watching schoolchildren hurry down the frosty morning street.

**Past Its Best** This morning in a quiet town on the edge of the Lake District dawned cold and grey.

**The Basement Summer** At first, there was a crash. The kind that rings in your ears, as though a lorry

The Basement Summer It started with a crash. The kind that makes your ears ring, as if a lorry had ploughed

**November 15th** William stood by the window of his flat in Manchester, watching schoolchildren hurry

Last summer, this little corner shop in the park near Camden was buzzing—kids licking ice creams, laughing