The sights and smells of the small market were intoxicating. The constant chatter of humans mixed with the sounds of caged animals. Xao Ling dragged him along. 'Here,' he pointed. An old woman sat surrounded by pots of powders and liquids. Her skin was a patchwork of wrinkles, her eyes half-closed slits, her hair was … Continue reading MARKET TRADE
He lumbered down the narrow staircase. Breath heavy, legs aching. His broad flanks brushed either side of the narrow, twisting spiral staircase. This was not why he had come to Belgium. Finally, he reached the bottom of the Belfort. Dolores and Brad were waiting patiently. 'Okay,' he managed a cheerful smile, wiping the sweat from … Continue reading PICTURE POSTCARD
Black and white images from the past. Not hers, someone else's. The smiling portrait of a young woman, an elderly couple in front of their house, a grandfather, a brother and sister. A family, a historical document of a happy life. $1 for the basket. The seller had no idea who the people in the … Continue reading SURROGATES
It was only after she had left that he remembered the Deli store had closed down last week. 'Just popping to the Deli store,' she had called up the stairs. He already knew where she was going. It was just that the lie was so barefaced this time. He decided to head out to the … Continue reading ABSOLUTION
