Charlotte Buchanan

I was late; they’d started without me. But I watched in horror as one by one they turned to stone, punishment for dancing on a Sunday. Standing on the Cornish moor, their #ring of stones warned me against folly forevermore. #vss365

Full of ink and promise, I wait on the desk, but she open her Notes app instead. Never mind. She might feel like writing tomorrow. Or the day after that. Or… #vss365 #pen

He’d achieved his #exalted position with family money and pig headedness; now he was invincible. Apart from dementia, ill health and the constant threat of the First Lady in the Oval Office with the lead piping, obviously. #vss365

They #assured me my husband would be back to normal soon. But he came home from hospital and put the football on, ignoring his dulcimer. He laughed at the vegan dinner I cooked. But normal is a relative term. We changed his medication - he’s finally himself again. #vss365

I’m folded neatly; only the most observant will notice. I’m quietly preparing, building colour and scent for this season and beyond. And when I feel the sun’s #warmth, it’s time to open, fulfilling my purpose with the other flowers. #vss365

They’d #timed the bank job minutely. They even arrived early. But waiting’s boring. Later, the gang were identified by the guy from Greggs where they’d bought sausage rolls. #vss365

“Try something #achievable,” said my sister. “Maybe just #vss365 each day?” “Thanks for understanding,” I said. “You know I’d love to write seriously but…” I stopped as her phone rang. “Sorry!” she cried. “My agent! It’s about my book signing…!” Patronised, I resumed ironing.

The princess couldn’t choose. Looks, charm, horsemanship: all the suitors scored highly but the #measurables weren’t really a measure of anything. Then she met the stable boy…. #vss365

I’m surrounded by #goals with words above them: family, money, writing, exercise, education. I have one ball and the whistle is about to blow. #vss365

Ladies, never go to bed with men who shout “#GOAL!” when they come. (Trouble is, you won’t know you need this advice until it’s too late) #vss365

Within the cupboard, we planted a small jar of sodium hydrogen carbonate, harmless on its own but enough to leave a clear message. Would it work? Would Mum’s cakes finally rise? We wouldn’t know until after school. #conspire #vss365

I introduced my parrot to my friend with #echolalia. It was funny for the first hour; after two hours, I decided to intervene. #vss365

We didn't know it was the #threshold of something wonderful. Instead it was our smoking place, our drinking place, our snogging place. Maybe that's why it never opened for us. #vss365

#Home time. The children pour out onto the playground, waving today’s achievements and hurtling towards their parents. Gradually, the playground empties. My son is not there. The teacher comes over: “May I have a word?” #vss365

I hate tunnels. They’re dark. They make the noise of my wheels louder. The driver toots the horn before we enter and the sound goes right through me. But I have to do it because I am a #train. I’d love a day in the repair shed. #vss365

On the table is an open jar of chocolate spread and I am drunk and hungry so I take a fingerful but only when I have got it in my mouth do I realise the jar has been used as an #ash tray and even now when I tell this story I retaste the horror. #vss365 #true #misspentyouth

The sunken garden began as an #impact crater. It used to be Verity Street; now people eat picnics there, ignorant of the past. Whether you see the garden as a beautiful memorial or the dismissal of a tragedy depends on your point of view. #vss365

Every door has a secret desire to become a #portal to another world. It’s easy really: all it has to do is stand idle long enough. That door the builders left? Or the connecting door you never use? Wait a while, then see what lies behind. #vss365

My daughter’s acting weird. It’s definitely #possession. Unless it’s cancer, caused by all those immigrants and heatless hair rollers. Or 5G masts. That’ll be it. I’ll never know – she’s gone to live with her dad. Doesn’t she know she’ll be safer with me? #vss365

They’d made the bed. Hidden the wine glasses. But I knew I was at the scene of a holiday romance. How? That guidebook was completely #unread – they were exploring something other than the city. Chambermaids make good detectives. #vss365