‘Fab shoes,’ I lie.
‘I just love nice things,’ my sister croons, stroking the red suede shoes with green bows. ‘Important to look nice.’
She glances at my trainers for a second too long, lips pressed together.
‘Mum doesn’t know who we are any more.'
‘But it’s Christmas,’ she whispers #WriteCBC

A woman stared at the ceiling of the packed train as it screeched through the tunnel. I heard it too. A thud. A scratching. Gripped my Kindle. Just an ordinary day. Until a perfectly formed drop of bright red blood splashed onto the screen as the train lights flickered. Went off. Darkness #WriteCBC

A thud above them. Then silence.
Mum embraced Ella. “Thank God, Ella, he’s gone! Now as his heir, you will have his powers!”
Horror transformed Ella’s face.
“It's alright love, you can use his power for good. Light the fire, the thaw is coming! Hail, Queen of warm hearts!" #5ActFestiveStory

Ella fumbled to pick up the lighter. Freezing liquid ran through her veins. She needed fire, before it was too late. The door splintered. He entered, a polar bear of a man. As he roared, the flame flickered. He fell, wide eyes melting into slushy pools. She whimpered. She’d done it#5ActFestiveStory

“Who - Dad?” Ella whispered.
“Who else?” her mother snapped. "He always wanted to meet me again in the snow. Like the first time. Romantic, eh? Except now, he’s – a brutal killer! Time to leave!”
But already the door is opening, her Dad is there, and it’s Ella he wants #5ActFestiveStory

No reply.
“Mum! Why are you upset?” Ella's voice rose.
A pause. Then: “I didn’t want to have to tell you, love, and not on Xmas Day. You see, you can’t be with Jason. We were going to tell you together, but now it’s down to me.” Her mother swallowed. “Jason is your half-brother.” #5ActFestiveStory

Scowling, Lily snatched up the pristine envelope from Ancestry. Twinkling fairy lights mocked her as she toyed with the envelope. Her natural parents about to be revealed but the main character was not coming.After all her work.
“Sorry!” she yelled. “Is that all you can say?”#5ActFestiveStory

Delighted to be longlisted for the BPA Pitch Prize this year for my book, Girl in Crossfire! Well done to everyone else on the list :)