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Posts by Jo Barker

Beth smoothed down her apron. The caller was squeezed into a frayed, black, woollen coat, the bright silver buttons straining at the effort. The woman spoke in a lilting Irish accent. “I’m Fred’s wife.” Beth took a startled breath. “You better come in,” she said. “The baby’s sleeping.” #WriteCBC

10 months ago 3 0 0 0

”Hello?” He looked at her as though she were a stranger, not someone he’d shared a bed with just two nights before. “Hello? Is that all you can say?” she almost screamed. He sighed a deep, long, sigh. “I think you want my identical twin brother, Simon. I don’t suppose he mentioned me.”

11 months ago 1 0 0 0
Picture of me, a blonde woman in her mid 50s, standing with my back to a wall and pointing behind me to a banner that says happy retirement.

Picture of me, a blonde woman in her mid 50s, standing with my back to a wall and pointing behind me to a banner that says happy retirement.

I’m on the hunt for a better word than retired. 😃 I’ve left work and claimed my pension but will not be ‘stopping, withdrawing or becoming uncommunicative’. This is when I start again, widening my horizons and engaging with whole new groups of people. Any suggestions? #notretired #juststarting

1 year ago 2 0 0 0

Yes, no problem for you to share. Pic is of me doing my best to raise awareness at this morning’s Parkrun. Helps that I run very slowly!

1 year ago 2 0 0 0
A picture of me wearing a World Encephalitis Day T-shirt, ready for my weekly parkrun.

A picture of me wearing a World Encephalitis Day T-shirt, ready for my weekly parkrun.

Today is #WorldEncephalitisDay. If you don’t know what that is, you’re not alone! Three years ago my daughter was struck down by this cruel and sometimes fatal illness that attacks and inflames the brain. She’s back living her life because of timely diagnosis. Awareness matters. 🧠
#Red4Wed

1 year ago 8 0 1 0

I always used to wonder why my mum took SO long to get out of the car and come into to the house to feed her three hungry teenagers after she got home from work.

1 year ago 1 0 0 0
A photograph through a window of fields and fells.

A photograph through a window of fields and fells.

#morning #roomwithaview
#ribblevalley 🌤️ ☕️ 🪟

1 year ago 2 0 0 0
My future daughter-in-law’s hand, holding her engagement ring in its box.

My future daughter-in-law’s hand, holding her engagement ring in its box.

My son and his girlfriend sitting together on a garden bench in the sunshine.

My son and his girlfriend sitting together on a garden bench in the sunshine.

I’ve had my first #wedding booking for 2026. 💒

I’ll be mother of the #groom! 💍

So celebrating not celebranting this time. 🍾 💕

1 year ago 2 0 0 0
Image of fresh snow on a UK road at night.

Image of fresh snow on a UK road at night.

#CheapTrainers and fresh #snow can be a dangerous combination. Even clinging to husband, I fell over three times on the way home from friends. Now nursing a sore head and leg. Should have listened to the forecast! #BuySnowBoots

1 year ago 2 0 0 0

To take a #LeapOfFaith, leaving behind a 30+ year career in comms, before simultaneously finishing my first full rom com and becoming a wedding celebrant, so couples can trust me to write their #LoveStory

1 year ago 7 0 1 0
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a poster that says bye 2024 and hello 2025 on it ALT: a poster that says bye 2024 and hello 2025 on it

This #neversaynever is the last New Year’s Eve I’ll spend in permanent paid employment after a 30+ year career in professional comms.

I hope the projects I’m planning behind the scenes will be successful but who knew being given the opportunity to #fail could be so exciting!

Happy New Year!

1 year ago 2 0 0 0
Me in running gear, sitting at a tea room in the sunshine, having completed my first 5k in a while.

Me in running gear, sitting at a tea room in the sunshine, having completed my first 5k in a while.

Starting my #NewYear resolutions on Day One, Week One of 2025. #1stJan is never the right day for good intentions! #IsItMe 🏃‍♀️⏰

1 year ago 1 0 0 0

Mum’s hair blew wildly around her face. ‘He’s my brother, Jack!’ The fire and wind subsided, sunshine breaking through. ‘One winter he wouldn’t let go. Mother Nature trapped him under the earth. Dreams of a White Christmas gave him strength to return. Now you have saved us, Ella.’ #5ActFestiveStory

1 year ago 3 0 0 0

Am delighted to get a shout out this morning! Will be sad when this story ends. 😃🎄

Thank you @cbcreative.bsky.social

1 year ago 3 0 0 0

The fire! Ella had spent a decade denying her power, now she needed all her strength to ignite it once more. Her body regained its warmth and the rug crackled, setting the door alight. A high pitched squeal from the other side, then silence. Mum took Ella’s hand. ‘You did it!’ #5ActFestiveStory

1 year ago 6 0 0 0

Thank you so much @cbcreative.bsky.social I’ve been really enjoying having a go each day and it’s wonderful to actually win a prize! 📚

1 year ago 1 0 0 0

Ice started cracking the windows, obscuring their view of the world outside. ‘He’s close! There’s no time!’, her mother half screamed, rushing to the back door and turning the key. The last thing Ella remembered was seeing her face, as white as the wall of snow blocking their way.
#5ActFestiveStory

1 year ago 5 0 0 0

Her mother stayed silent, slowly turning the card. Peering over her shoulder, Ella saw a stately home, the house and surrounding land shrouded in fog. ‘Where’s that?’, she asked this time. ‘Home’ her mother whispered, then more loudly, drowning out the hyms, ‘and we must go today’. #5ActFestiveStory

1 year ago 2 0 0 0

She ripped it into pieces that fluttered onto the ground like the perpetual snow outside. How had they found her? She had told no one where she was going and no one sharing this cramped and cold B&B knew where she had come from. #5ActFestiveStory

1 year ago 2 0 0 0
Christmas tree with lights at the bottom of some steps in a pub entrance.

Christmas tree with lights at the bottom of some steps in a pub entrance.

Just made the mistake of weighing myself well into Christmas feasting. The Bluetooth scales asked if it was really me! 😲🎄🥧🥧🎄🤣

1 year ago 2 0 0 0
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The Ritz Hotel in London decorated for Christmas.

The Ritz Hotel in London decorated for Christmas.

London Christmas decorations. An angel.

London Christmas decorations. An angel.

London Christmas decorations. Advent numbers in the property window.

London Christmas decorations. Advent numbers in the property window.

London Christmas decorations. An angel.

London Christmas decorations. An angel.

It’s not #Christmas until the 1st #December

It’s not #Christmas until the 1st #December

It’s not #Christmas until the 1st #December

#HappyChristmas

1 year ago 3 0 0 0
Image shows people waiting for a train on a station platform, in light snow.

Image shows people waiting for a train on a station platform, in light snow.

Baby, it’s cold outside.

#delays #ratherbewriting

1 year ago 1 0 0 0
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Well I wasn’t expecting that!
❄️🌨️

1 year ago 4 0 0 0