Where the Carol Bird Sings

Pause, Picnic, Pray

I’m driving alone, on my way home from town, early in the day. As I pass through the rock cutting tunnel on the narrow road that winds into our village, I plan

Out of Bounds

When I emerge from the cafe holding two coffee cups, I discover my husband Andy standing on his regulation isolation spot, chatting to a socially distant mother and her three young children.

Not Always What They Seem

Nora pulls me along the side of our house, under the melaleuca trees, straight towards our garden gate. I stand on tiptoe and lift the latch, and the dog pushes ahead, barely

Mother

I let my book drop from my hand to my lap: I’m too tired to read. Instead, I let my thoughts wander lazily around my mind. My eyes roam around the room.

Look

Andy grabs the car keys off the hook in the kitchen and says, “I’m taking Gemma-Rose to work.” “Can I come with you?” I ask. “I need to get out of the

Knock

I get up early and, without bothering to get dressed, I start writing. At 10 am, I am still sitting on the sofa, snuggled under my blanket, tapping away at my keyboard. My

Joy

Yesterday, my husband Andy said, “What shall we do for Good Friday?” and I shrugged my shoulders and said, “I don’t know. Say some prayers? Read the readings?” “Do you want to

Imagine

It’s the second Monday in June. The queen says (in her very posh voice), “Chef, please bake me a cake! It’s my birthday in Australia today.” Some weeks later, the queen says

Hope

The world is outside. I’m inside. I’m under the trees, running along familiar tracks. There are no restrictions and rules. The birds don’t yell, “Back away! Remember: 1.5 metres apart!” There’s no

Green Flower Dress

Just before the world turned strange, on the day that my Godson married his bride, I wore a new green flower print dress. The next day, I received an email from my

Fear

I feel so sad that people are dying alone,” I say to Imogen. “The coronavirus restrictions aren’t compassionate. Everyone deserves to have their loved ones with them when they’re dying.” I hope

Eggs on the Doorstep

A few years ago, when my youngest daughters were little girls, I discovered a box of eggs on our doorstep. I told a friend about the eggs, and she said, “Where did

Daylight Saving

During the early hours of this morning, while we were fast asleep, time shifted. Unaware, secure in our beds, we were thrust back an hour. Daylight saving ended. Nora will not be

Corona Eyebrows

After dinner on Wednesday, March 25, I slipped out of the house and made my way to our village. I was on a clandestine mission. Would anyone see me? Would I return