Cyrus Hargrave

The cafeteria hummed with the chatter of students, the clink of cutlery, and the frustrated groan of

It’s always been just the two of us—me and my son. His father walked out when my boy was barely four.

Emily set out bowls of porridge, swirling jam into a funny face on her son’s portion. “

**Diary Entry – 24th May** I sat across from my daughter in that charming little café in Brighton, watching

**Diary Entry – A Visit from the In-Laws** I absolutely detest late-night phone calls. Decent people

The small hospital room was draped in half-light. A faint glow from the lamp barely touched the girl’s face.

“Are you all right? Mary, open the door.”—Polly rapped her knuckles harder against the bathroom door.

Oh, if only he’d known how things would turn out… The bus rattled over potholes, the driver muttering

“You’re a monster, Mum! People like you shouldn’t have children!” After sixth

**The Puppy** Emily and her mother lived just the two of them. Of course, Emily had a father—technically—but