babskirby

Food for Thought

When my 2nd chiropractor said, your bursitis won’t get better until you change your gold crowns, it was a bit too left field even for me, who believes a great deal in complementary medicine. She directed me to a website, where all kinds of miraculous cures had been achieved, after expensive dental treatment had beenContinue reading “Food for Thought”

A Good Result

They kept their lights off as they guided their capsule down to earth and landed in the field of corn. They clambered out and set to work immediately. Getting the circles exactly right wasn’t easy, and they needed to work quickly and leave. The last thing they wanted was to be disturbed. They’d been sentContinue reading “A Good Result”

The Homeless Man

I sit in a huddle of blankets and rugs with my dog outside Sainsbury’s. I’m sheltered from the elements here. People rush by, avoiding looking at me. Even those who throw me a few coins don’t want to actually see me. Sitting here all day is a bit like a job. It’s how I earnContinue reading “The Homeless Man”

Made in the Fens

We moved to the Fens in the February before my eighth birthday, away from my extended family, who all came from Essex. I am happy to be an Essex Girl, with their ridiculous reputation, but the years spent in the Fens were far more formative. This was fruit growing country, with huge fields, dykes andContinue reading “Made in the Fens”

Memories of an NHS SRCN (written before the recent pandemic on 20.7.18)

My Mum was a nurse – a state registered children’s nurse – a SRCN. She never made it to sister, something she felt aggrieved about but, perhaps it was because she didn’t work full time, having a young family to juggle. I don’t understand the ins and outs of being promoted to Sister, but sheContinue reading “Memories of an NHS SRCN (written before the recent pandemic on 20.7.18)”

The Forest Shivered

It was already late afternoon, as Joanne and Charles ventured into the pine forest. They were on a wide sun-lit track, but on either side, the pines had been planted closely together and no sunlight penetrated the dense foliage. It wasn’t the most inviting walk, but they didn’t know the area well and thought theyContinue reading “The Forest Shivered”

The Hidden Dangers of Boredom

The hidden dangers of boredom are pretty obvious – getting up to no good. But Sally was trying to be constructive during the lockdown and do some of the jobs that were usually left on the back burner for a rainy day, which never came. So, with time on her hands, Sally decided to clearContinue reading “The Hidden Dangers of Boredom”

I Left Him

I left him in the time between his mother dying and her funeral Which wasn’t the best of timing. Especially given that When I saw his mother, Three weeks before she died, And she asked us to look after each other I’d agreed that we would. But perhaps I was looking after him By endingContinue reading “I Left Him”

Ignored

Lexi actually wanted to be ignored, yet she’d dyed her hair bright red, which was giving out a completely contradictory message. Whenever anyone seemed to notice her – and she was very conspicuous – she felt intruded upon. The commuter scrum was unpleasant and unfamiliar to Lexi. One chap, in particular, seemed to be takingContinue reading “Ignored”

Overheard

Lily squeezed into the cupboard, under the stairs, and hid herself behind the coats. Her heart was beating so loudly she was scared that might give her away. She was also petrified she’d be discovered and asked what on earth she was doing. Lily wanted to overhear what was said about her. It took aContinue reading “Overheard”