Everyone watches. But who really sees? Two women animatedly talk about their charity shop purchases as they walk towards the café. Buoyed with the delight of the bargains contained in the bags swinging from their hands, they’re looking forward to sitting down. Their gossip and laughter last as long as the coffee and sugary cakesContinue reading “Nell Holland: The Watchers”
Category Archives: Nell Holland
Nell Holland: We Are One Aren’t We?
In Australia, we are bombarded by folk telling us about all the wrongs committed by previous generations, for which we must apologise. Well, I haven’t heard any apologies from the people of Rome about their invasion and take-over of my homeland in AD 43, when they took some Britons as slaves. Or even from theContinue reading “Nell Holland: We Are One Aren’t We?”
Nell Holland: The Journey
This fictitious journal was inspired by Malen Rumbelow, passenger on the former convict ship. His diary was partially reproduced in the 1977 “Chronicle Cameos” publication The houses and people were smaller each time I turned my head to look, until all that remained was a curlicue twixt sea and sky. The shore receded, but ourContinue reading “Nell Holland: The Journey”
Nell Holland: Time Travelling
I see me with Dad, both of us squinting into sunlight, as Mum pushed the button on the Brownie. I was five years old and on my first seaside holiday. He sits on the beach wearing his weekend trousers and a sleeveless vest; I wear knickers and a hair bow. We just had clothes. No-oneContinue reading “Nell Holland: Time Travelling”
Nell Holland: I Was Just Thinking…
Quote by John Steinbeck;- When I was very young and the urge to be someplace was on me, I was assured by mature people that maturity would cure this itch. Why is it called an itch? I experienced it as a painful, unnamed ache, too deep to be eradicated, and a source of irritation toContinue reading “Nell Holland: I Was Just Thinking…”
Nell Holland: Heidi
It was a warm and dreamy, summer afternoon when even the flies hovering around the cattle seemed dazed by the balmy air. Heidi watched from the shaded area under a tree as four-legged blobs, like dirty cotton wool, moved methodically across the English meadow. The sheep moved in unison with heads bent, cropping grassContinue reading “Nell Holland: Heidi”
Nell Holland: Friday’s Toast (Part 1)
The evening of laughter and testosterone-fuelled noise was a great success as far as the partygoers were concerned. No one outside this group would have understood jokes the men passed around in quick-fire bursts, nor the indulgence shown by their wives. No one in the room was yet thirty-five, and the buoyant confidence in theContinue reading “Nell Holland: Friday’s Toast (Part 1)”
Nell Holland: Patient 41
2022 The nurse changed my bed linen at lunchtime. It should have happened hours before, but a patient had demanded to be discharged and then changed his mind. This had doubled her paperwork and she found herself hopelessly behind schedule. She’d sighed an explanation, ’Paperwork is the worst thing, ever, for a nurse.’ Paperwork? Really?Continue reading “Nell Holland: Patient 41”
Nell Holland: Post-Christmas
How many more cards with Christmas greetings will keep arriving? They were posted last year in the UK, and it’s now the end of January. Some cards are even postmarked from the end of November. When I look at the postage-price Louisa paid for her card picturing a classic Nativity scene, I’m horrified to seeContinue reading “Nell Holland: Post-Christmas”
Nell Holland: The Bargain
Chocolates and sticky cakes usually hold little temptation for me. But once one is sampled, although the brain says ‘stop’ my mouth takes no heed. Unfortunately, I must confess I’ve got pitiful willpower. On a recent shopping trip I saw a bag of chocolate caramels on sale for five dollars instead of the usual ten.Continue reading “Nell Holland: The Bargain”
Nell Holland: Iolaire-The Gaelic Eagle
The most venerated date for all Scots is Hogmanay, the last day of December. It’s the night to feast the old year out and welcome in the new one, and in no place is it more celebrated than the Outer Hebrides. By the end of the Great War, the Isle of Lewis had lost overContinue reading “Nell Holland: Iolaire-The Gaelic Eagle”
Nell Holland: Shadow Man
You Think You Know Me? No-one really knows me, including Camille. My wife, the diplomat’s daughter, erroneously believes I’m something like her successful father. She absorbed the training in her mother’s milk to become the perfect wife and hostess for me. I’m fortunate. And so is she. We entertain often with an eclectic mix ofContinue reading “Nell Holland: Shadow Man”
Nell Holland – The Book Launch
She was dressed completely in black leather. Black blouse open at the neck and a short, tight jacket straining at the bust. An equally tight mini skirt struggled to control her stomach, and the spike-heeled boots were thigh high. From behind, she appeared a young woman with red tresses falling below her shoulders. Then sheContinue reading “Nell Holland – The Book Launch”
Nell Holland: The Twin-Tube Tale
Their first washing machine, a Twin Tub Hoovermatic (TTH) bought in 1960, was invaluable when two babies arrived in two years. Then, in January 1965, Tom said they were going to exchange their Scottish existence for tropical heat. Molly had no idea where the Solomon Islands were but the thought of sunshine, rather than iceContinue reading “Nell Holland: The Twin-Tube Tale”
Nell Holland: One Man and His Dog
It was the distant view that he liked. He could stand on this ridge and look over the tree canopy as far as Outer Harbour on a clear day. But not today. Today, the sun created stippled shadows, through trees flanking the path he’d just walked with the dog. The light occasionally blinded him, asContinue reading “Nell Holland: One Man and His Dog”
Nell Holland: Double-Decker Day
The double decker buses of my childhood were the only mode of transport my family used on a regular basis as we didn’t own a car, and neither did anyone else I knew My favourite position on those red Midland buses, was upstairs, sitting right at the front where the wide windows gave an elevatedContinue reading “Nell Holland: Double-Decker Day”
Nell Holland: Dee Time
She wasn’t the best nurse in our student year, but she was the one we all wanted to copy for style. Dee would have been more at home on Carnaby Street than the world of a hospital training school. It was 1962 and with her geometric hairstyle fitting under her nurse’s cap like a polishedContinue reading “Nell Holland: Dee Time”
Nell Holland: Calladine
The Calladine brothers volunteered to fight in World War 2. Albert and Sid were killed, and George returned without legs. Tommy was ‘lucky’ with no obvious wounds, though his mind was gnawed with distress; folk called it shell shock. In 1940 Tommy had been a self-assured eighteen-year-old, charming old ladies attracting girls and breaking hearts.Continue reading “Nell Holland: Calladine”
Nell Holland: Best of Times
The baby-breath touch of the zephyr lifted her hair, whispering softly over her cheek. She felt in harmony with this land, but she’d forgotten this summit was so popular. People had gathered to enjoy the view at this time of the full moon. and most were couples, just as she and Gavin had once been.Continue reading “Nell Holland: Best of Times”
Nell Holland: A Great Party
Too many friends had died. She needed cheering up, so Tony proposed a party. But the day arrived, and Ann still felt miserable. Preparations completed, she took ten minutes to try to find some serenity. Her eyes closed, and slowly she relaxed. It seemed seconds later when guitar music opened her eyes. Howard and RickContinue reading “Nell Holland: A Great Party”
Nell Holland: Remember
I was born in England in a small Derbyshire town not far from a place called Eyam. It’s a beautiful area and I’ve always respected Eyam’s history, but now the world is gripped by a pandemic I applaud the forward thinking of its 17th century inhabitants. In 1665 the villagers isolated themselves so outsiders wouldn’tContinue reading “Nell Holland: Remember”
Nell Holland: This Man
He was by my side all week, and I laughed aloud as he attempted suicide. I know suicide isn’t funny, and I didn’t want him to die by his own hand, but every attempt was skittled in such ridiculous ways that I couldn’t help myself. Incompetence didn’t prevent his death, so it must have beenContinue reading “Nell Holland: This Man”
Burnside Writers Group 