Author Archives: ashleighlou

I was eating an apple when I got self-conscious. The student on work experience sitting at the table nearby would be able to hear my crunching and was probably bothered by it. But I also thought how freeing it would … Continue reading →

Feet of dirt. Feet of tree that will not fruit. Feet of elephant that died and was buried at the school. Feet of someone walking down the driveway with torch. Feet of pay day. Feet of landlord at the door … Continue reading →

My childhood sweetheart rang. We hadn’t spoken in twenty-five years. He said, ‘Also, I am seeing somebody else now.’ It was as if we’d been in the middle of a conversation, as children, and he’d only just remembered to mention … Continue reading →

I was riding my bike to the train station, because I was going to catch the train to New York City. I had a dog with me. The dog was very big but was old and very sick. I was … Continue reading →

A couple of years ago a friend asked me, ‘Are you someone who is easily contented?’ I don’t know why I’ve always remembered that question. We were sitting in a bar next to a window and the sun was shining … Continue reading →

This morning I hurt my hand from punching a wall. My upstairs neighbours have been noisy – stomping and crashing – and I feel like I’m coming a bit unstuck. I could have punched a pillow, but no – it … Continue reading →