A Stone Woman Storycuts

Following the death of her mother, an elderly woman begins to undergo a transfiguration. Her body grows flinty, toughens and crystallises. An Icelandic stonemason she meets in a graveyard becomes her sole confidant. As her inexorable metamorphosis continues, the stories he has to tell of his homeland and its legends begin to resonate. Part of the Storycuts series, this short story was originally published in the collection Little Black Book of Stories.

It has been five years since Madeleine has recognised her husband James. As she drops deeper into her dementia, their lives fill up with the ghosts of her past and of Blitz-era London. When late one night his loneliness causes him to welcome a distressed young lady into their home, he must re-evaluate his perspective. Part of the Storycuts series, this short story was originally published in the collection Little Black Book of Stories.

In 'Lisa', Paul Buchanan is used to women falling at his feet. So when he meets dowdy little Lisa Aitken at his publisher's office, he is surprised when she appears immune to his charms. Piqued, he tries again. And again. And again, until she finally relents and lets him take her out. Pretty soon, there's something about the mysterious Lisa that has Paul hooked. But why is she so cagey about where she goes every weekend? What is the secret that Lisa is hiding so desperately? In 'Political Asylum', Virginia has landed on her feet with her first flat in London: a fabulous pad near the House of Commons, with her best friend Jenny, and with the handsomest man in the Cabinet, Anthony Hudson, as their neighbour. The only fly in the ointment is Virginia's boyfriend William, whose affections towards her seem to be cooling somewhat. Things get a little more interesting when Virginia finds herself locked out of her flat in the pouring rain - and who should come to her rescue but Anthony... Part of the Storycuts series, these two short stories were precviously published in the collection Lisa & Co.

In 'Meet the New Caroline Pritchard', Caroline Pritchard thinks her boyfriend Richard is going off her. And she's addicted to makeover shows on the television - imagine if that could happen to her! That would surely solve everything. And then her dream comes true - she is selected by a magazine for a makeover. As she is having her set of 'Before' photographs taken, she is secretly glad Richard is away. Although she doubts he is where he said he would be, this gives her the chance to have her makeover completed! Hairstyles, facials, and many beauty treatments later, Caroline is a new woman - ready to present herself to Richard. But will he like the new Caroline? And more importantly, will she still like him? In 'The Centre of Attraction', Mel Salter is peacefully painting in the town square when his landscape is ruined by the arrival of Bertha Conway. She introduces herself and orders sangria. Mel is all the more irritated when Bertha returns the following day with her needlework - at siesta time, when he usually relies on the plaza to be empty as the locals rest for a few hours of the afternoon. But then Mel catches sight of her work, and is astounded by its beauty. And soon finds that the source of his irritation may not be that much of a nuisance after all... Part of the Storycuts series, these two short stories were previously published in the collection Summer Promise and Other Stories.

In 'Pink Cigarettes', a schoolboy grows tired of his relationship with an aging poet, who is becoming a greater draw on his time by the day. But when it looks as though his behaviour will break the old man's heart, he must listen closely to his own feelings. In 'Babies in Rhinestones', the Alfred Ellis School of Fine Art and the Araidne School Elliot School of Dance and Drama stand side by side, much to their proprietors' dismay. The two trade insults daily as they exchange the mail that so often ends up in the wrong letterbox. The tension increases when the owners find that they have adopted the same stray cat. Part of the Storycuts series, these two stories were previously published in the collection The Atmospheric Railway.

When two flamboyant men arrive in a sleepy Kent village in 1956, it does not take long for the duo - in their colourful corduroy jackets and jeans - to gain notoriety. Local child Joe, in a burst of irrepressible curiosity, is discovered by the pair after breaking into their cottage in order to spy on the 'bloody pansies'. From these unlikely beginnings, a friendship and sense of solidarity develop between the three; but it is an alliance that will be challenged by a hostile and intolerant community. Part of the Storycuts series, this story was previously published in the collection The Atmospheric Railway.

To the untrained eye, married antiques dealers Bonnie and Vivien have grown to become almost identical over the years. However, Vivien secretly struggles to retain her own diminishing identity, as she increasingly defers to Bonnie's actions and attitudes. When Vivien spends a dreamy afternoon wandering the countryside without Bonnie, she rediscovers her independence in a secret hiding place, piquing her partner's fear and jealousy. But ultimately it is their shared passion - and an act of criminality - which brings them back together. Part of the Storycuts series, this story was previously published in the collection The Atmospheric Railway.

In 'Summer Promise', Linda, recently divorced and in need of a break, decides to take her two children on a fortnight's holiday in France, renting a house from a friend of a friend. However when she arrives at the house, she finds a man already there, claiming to be the owner. It emerges that this man, Graham, is the ex-husband of the woman who suggested the idea to Linda, and that she had forgotten to inform her that the situation had changed and that Graham now owns the house outright. He makes it clear to Linda that they can't possibly stay there as he is busy with work and it would be an inconvenience. But as Linda frantically tries to find a hotel, her youngest child James falls ill with chicken pox. Graham relents, and agrees to let them stay in the house, packing his bags to move out for two weeks. But as he is leaving, they both realise that perhaps this situation could work out for both of them after all... In 'A Gull Named Helen', when little Daniel clams up following the death of his grandmother, everyone thinks a school trip to the seaside will be just what he needs. In the lighthouse where they are staying, Daniel is offered the little room right at the very top of the tower, while the other children must sleep in the basement. Watching from his bedroom window, Daniel becomes mesmerised by the seagulls circling overhead. As he spends the next few days feeding them scraps of bread, he forms a bond with one bird in particular, who he decides is called Helen - the same name as his grandmother. But little does he know that what he learns from these birds could help him for years to come. In 'Children on the Shore', Claire Foster has been used to living her own life, her own way. Her daughter lives abroad with her own family. Claire was widowed years ago. So when she takes a temporary job as a secretary at a hospital, she is startled to find herself beginning a relationship with one of the doctors. Meanwhile, her daughter begins writing to her frequently, begging her to move closer to them so that she can be a part of her grandchildren's lives. And then she is offered a new job, working for an author, which would reduce her free time dramatically. Which path - if any - should she choose? Part of the Storycuts series, these three short stories were previously published in the collection 'Summer Promise and Other Stories'.