Changing a Life

A middle-aged man stands at a crossroads in his life, facing two journeys he must navigate at once. One journey takes him to the United States, offering a chance to find breathing space; the other, an inward exploration to rediscover and reassert his sense of self. Filled with conflicting emotions, unexpected twists, and transformative moments, this story promises to surprise, excite, and move the reader.

Don't Turn Your Back on Me

Starting over yet again, Chrissy has learned that life can be painful and full of hardships. Still, she remains hopeful, searching for happiness, fun, and maybe even love. Other people seem to have it all – why not her? After a traumatic childhood, a rocky entry into adulthood, and a battle with drinking that she thought she had overcome, Chrissy’s husband left her to raise their children alone. She has survived so much and become a strong, successful single mother, proud of how she’s taken control of her life despite everything. Surely, it’s her turn for happiness now.

When Chrissy meets her soul mate, her life feels like a fairy tale. Things are good – mostly. But soon, there are nights that don’t end well, and the violence escalates to a point of no return.

Share in Chrissy’s heartbreak as her fairy-tale life unravels, leaving her world shattered and her happiness torn away.

An Heirless Family

Fatima’s eyes were heavy with memories of her son. She would often open the family book for him, filled with values of asceticism and contentment with fate. These values were ingrained in her soul, nurtured by a cloud of love and contentment that enveloped both place and soul. With every cry of life and amidst the grains of mud, a green branch grew, bringing life anew.

Fatima shares with her son Majed, named after her father, the story of their family and the father who was once absent. Believed dead after years of no return, her father was discovered to be alive, having lost his memory after a fall from his camel. Rescued by a man who took him in, he married the man’s sister, and they had a son named Sa’eed, who became a doctor.

In a twist of fate, this doctor oversees Fatima’s IVF process, leading to the birth of a son who will grapple with the existential question of his identity and parentage.

Waiting for Them to Come Back

Walter, the youngest child, spent years yearning for a glimmer of compassion and love from his mother. He hoped, wished, and prayed against all odds that there was some light inside her. But all he ever saw was a cold, disapproving woman who watched as her children grew further apart. Life was cruel to him, and so was she – the woman who raised him, yet abused him for years, until he could no longer bear the pain and cruelty she inflicted.

Walter’s life was filled with disappointment, emptiness, and hopelessness. But after years of suffering, he was determined to break free. As he looked at Catherine one last time, her skin paler than usual, it felt like looking at a lost puppy. Only it wasn’t a puppy; it was his mother.

Conversations with the Landscape

Harry, a retired geologist with a deep connection to the earth, suddenly finds himself facing three life-altering crises. The first unfolds among the people he encounters in the vast, unforgiving expanse of the Southern Sahara. The second strikes closer to home, involving a beloved family member in the UK. Finally, Harry must confront a personal challenge that threatens his very ability to navigate life. Each crisis is met with a fierce struggle, leading to partial resolution, but not without profound impact. Throughout it all, the landscapes he inhabits and traverses leave an indelible mark on his soul, shaping his journey in unexpected ways.

The Journey of Kyle in the House of Azza

In the heart of Darfur, amidst the tumult of Elfasher, lies the House of Azza, a beacon of resilience and wisdom passed down through generations. This gripping narrative unfolds the story of Kyle, a survivor of the Baghdad bombing, whose journey of self-discovery leads him to the doorstep of Madam Azza’s legendary home. As Kyle navigates the complexities of love, loss, and the pursuit of happiness, the House of Azza stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of those who call it home.

Through the intertwining lives of its inhabitants, The Journey of Kyle in the House of Azza explores themes of love, power, and redemption, set against the backdrop of a community struggling to find peace amidst chaos. Madam Azza, with her iron will and compassionate heart, guides Kyle and others to confront their pasts and embrace their futures with courage and grace. As Kyle’s story intertwines with the house’s legacy, readers are taken on a transformative journey that challenges the very notions of home and identity. More than just a tale of survival, it is a celebration of the human capacity to heal, to connect, and to find beauty in the midst of adversity. This captivating book invites you to explore the depths of human resilience and the power of a place to change lives forever.

Let Me Get There Safely

“So, my dear, what brings you here to me?”

Heather Ann was born in Ipswich but grew up far from England in the rural Highlands of Scotland. With only her mother Katie – the strongest female role model – to keep her on the straight and narrow, Heather faces numerous challenges, some might say far too many.

From heartbreak to heart troubles, Heather endures the hardships of growing up in rural Scotland without mobile phones, computers, or even double glazing. Her life is arduous, but the pursuit of happiness proves a worthwhile struggle.

Often, we find that happiness is like a distant boat we swim towards, only to nearly drown before being rescued by a stranger on the beach. Heather’s journey to find true love is paved with broken hearts, as too many fish in the sea turn out to be mere trout.

Throughout her life, Heather experiences the effects of an unseen force – some may call it luck, others the work of a guardian angel. But will she navigate safely through life’s turbulent waters?

Reinforcing the Meeks Family Bubble, Against People with Sharp Pins

Mr. Meeks is practically giddy: he’s finally won back the woman of his dreams. Together, they embark on a brand-new adventure, continually adding joy to their close-knit family bubble. Mr. Meeks, once doubtful he’d ever know the joys of fatherhood, now finds himself relishing the unexpected bliss of being both a father and a grandfather.

Life for the Meeks Family is brimming with good fortune: from a lucky raffle win to a swiftly expanding business, and from rediscovering a forgotten holiday home to uncovering the spoils of a long-ago bank robbery. Yet, amidst the highs, life throws its challenges their way. Three funerals and a rushed wedding leave the family clinging to each other for support, navigating the waves of emotion together.

Through it all, the Meeks Family exemplifies love, honour, and remembrance for those no longer with them while eagerly supporting those yet to come. This heartwarming tale is a celebration of life, love, and family – a poignant reminder to cherish what we have and to hold tight to those we love, never letting go.

Unexpected Endings

There are said to be two types of writers: those who meticulously plot their stories before ever setting pen to paper, and those who dive headfirst into a blank page, trusting that meaning will emerge through the process. I firmly belong to the latter group.

When I began writing proper short stories – rather than scribbles on the backs of bus tickets – I never imagined they would one day form a collection. But as the stories accumulated, I realized there might be enough to satisfy the growing number of readers who had enjoyed them and were eager for more.

My imagination is a restless and untamed force, often pulling me in unexpected directions, making each story a new adventure in creativity. I delight in experimenting with words, stretching and reshaping them into fresh contexts. Unexpected Endings is driven by this love of storytelling, blending my interests in science and folklore – two endless sources of inspiration.

In this collection, you’ll find stories like Azrael, where a goldfinch holds far more meaning than meets the eye, and Light and Dark, where nothing is quite what it seems.

A Coastal Shelf

Eddie Hart, a devoted officer at Langdon Fire Station, grapples with the lingering grief over his mother’s demise and the burdensome secret he harbors concerning her death, a truth he finds impossible to share with his seemingly detached father. At the firehouse, he faces the challenge of appeasing senior managers hell-bent on either reining in his Watch or disbanding it altogether, all while guiding the new recruit through the demanding facets of the profession. Amidst the workplace turmoil, the ghost of a past romance resurfaces: Jane, his high school sweetheart, now wed to the imposing Nev, but the lingering connection between them persists.

As the disparate threads of Eddie’s life converge towards a pinnacle, the pressure mounts. Will he navigate the tempest of professional challenges, mend the rift with his father, and reconcile the embers of a bygone love? Or will the surmounting adversities cause his life to unravel into chaos?

The Dark Side of White

Vijay, once a joyful child is deprived of this idyllic life by a shattering act of violence to his family. This life changing event casts a shadow over his life, such that he promises to himself that no matter how long it takes he would make every effort to rectify the injustice he witnessed. His quest for redemption is intertwined with his personal ambitions and this takes him on travels across continents.As he journeys from the naivety of childhood, through the turbulence of adolescence, and into the complexities of adulthood and parenthood, Vijay grapples with societal prejudices that come his way, but maintains his resolve to pursue his mission. But when the moment to fulfil his promise finally arrives, it unfolds in ways he could never have anticipated.

The Unloving Household

In the poignant tale of Madiya and Dalim’s offspring, we witness the profound impact of a loveless childhood on the fragile fabric of adult life. The narrative spotlights the children, now bearing the scars of emotional neglect, navigating a world where they grapple with understanding love and safety. The story underscores a universal truth: the formative years of parenting indelibly shape a child’s conception of affection and security in life’s unpredictable dance.