Author: Walton Merritt

“Mum, what’s wrong with you?” Emily tugged at her mother’s sleeve. “

The quiet woman spoke loudly. “William Peters! How much longer must I put up with this?”

The mother-in-law whispered behind her back. “What on earth are you saying, Margaret?”

Lydia Whitmore stood by her kitchen window, watching as her grandson Oliver hurled stones at the neighbour’s tabby.

Kate, maybe it’s time we stop lying to each other? — Stephen stepped so close to her that she could feel

**The Part-Time Husband** “Splendid. You made your wife a baby and now you’re running back to your

I stood by the window in my mother’s hospital room, the air thick with the stale tang of rubber and antiseptic.

Tanya and Boris were seen as the perfect couple—both striking, successful, well-off—but they had no children.

The rain fell in heavy sheets as people bottlenecked at the subway exit. Those with umbrellas fumbled

“I don’t care anymore!” Emily stormed across the room, waving her arms. “