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Maddy
Saturday 31 May 1996 This place is about to get packed with punters. Is that what paying customers are called? I think so. Time to get dressed for the part. Where’s the pub’s resident bitch, payer of my wages, and full-time unashamed floozy? There she is. “Just going upstairs to change.”“Why don’t you just come… Continue reading
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Milan
Thursday 30 May 1996 Welcome to Heldon. Clouds circle the threat of downpour. Those that ignore warnings from above often suffer the backlash. Bus stops and shop front canopies can only shelter so many. Traffic stops like someone’s pressed pause on the scene. Rain taps gentle reminders of washed-up wishes against my windscreen. Ella sings,… Continue reading
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Zak & Maddy
Friday, 22 May 2026 Zak opens the door to his studio flat. A bachelors bouquet crashes into his nostrils. Looking at his watch, he back heels the door shut. He slips off his shoes, shakes off his coat and throws open windows. Bathroom inspected. Air freshener sprayed. Bin bag in hand, he scoops up foil… Continue reading
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Parel
Monday, 25 May 2026 In May, the parched neighbourhood of Parel looks forward to being quenched by the Mumbai Monsoon. Gul Dom satisfies her thirst with a Kingfisher. This private luxury afforded to her taste buds is an escape from the public aromatics of spice, concrete, incense and street food grease. She has seen many… Continue reading
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Heldon
Saturday, 23 July 2005 It was Donna and Jeffrey Cork’s last night at 10 Maynard Road, Heldon. Donna was at the top of the stairs when she heard the car pull up, the Ford Escort’s fan belt still screaming to be repaired or replaced. She threw her eyes onto her sleeping three year old boy… Continue reading
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Heartburn
One Maddy Kane won’t be the girl he asked for. Jignesh Mathur made it clear he wanted a petite, innocent looking young blonde. I want a girl not a woman he’d said. Gul Dom told him wanting a girl would add another label to his already long list of illegalities. What she wanted to say… Continue reading
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Elephant & Castle
Saturday, 2 May 2026 Busy black clouds roar, lashing their fury onto Heldon’s High Street. Traffic stops like someone’s hit the pause button at the movies. Weighed down, folks scurry for cover under shop front canopies and a bus shelter. Cara’s Cafe has never seen so much footfall. Shooed away by Mr and Mrs Fragkiadakis,… Continue reading
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Jamie & Maddy
His eyes followed the outline of her freshly cut crop. Then he stepped back, taking in all of her splendour. In mischief, he said, “Your hair is…different.” She fingered and set what little fringe remained and enquiringly shook her head, “You don’t like it?” He took a further step back, “No…I love it actually. I’ve… Continue reading
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Jamie Cork
It’s my twentieth birthday. My life sentence has started and it’s hell in here. They say it gets easier but I can’t see how this will ever be easy. Bobby Greaves should be in here, not me. I should be with Naomi. I miss her so much and I think about her all the time.… Continue reading