The People's Friend

5 days ago | thepeoplesfriend.co.uk | Hannah McLaren

- We’ll be there soon. Jacopo’s brief text sent Marianna into a last-minute frenzy. Her son always sent that message when they were 10 minutes from the villa. Is everything OK? she replied. It was. Six people collected as planned. The other two would arrive by train from Rome later. She checked the table set out under the awning on the patio. Lunch for herself, five guests and the new resident artist, Julia Morton. The cutlery and crockery were in place.

6 days ago | thepeoplesfriend.co.uk | Hannah McLaren

Mark loaded his suitcase into the back of Jacopo’s vehicle as instructed and headed out to stand with the older man, Luca. Luca’s saloon wouldn’t take all their luggage, so Jacopo took the cases plus three people in his SUV. Luca spoke barely any English, and Mark spoke no Italian. But that loud woman, Charlie, was going with Jacopo, so travelling with Luca was a no-brainer. Two other women opted to come with him, including a quiet, sweet-faced woman with a neat pixie haircut.

1 week ago | thepeoplesfriend.co.uk | Hannah McLaren

Julia Morton buckled her belt and gazed out through the oval window. Grey drizzle and low cloud had settled over the airport terminal building. Whatever the next few weeks brought, at least they would be warm. She’d never heard of Umbria until Marianna Rossetti from Villa Davide had e-mailed to ask if she might become their resident expert at a retreat for watercolour artists. From what she’d seen from the photos Marianna had sent, Julia was sure she would love it. Except for the teaching.

1 week ago | thepeoplesfriend.co.uk | Hannah McLaren

- Minnie sat holding the crumpled letter, tears falling unbidden and smudging the ink. She didn’t know if they were more of sorrow or happiness, or just pure emotion. What a time they’d had. Months of uncertainty, joy, sorrow and, now, more news to engender both. She found her handkerchief and took some deep breaths. She must calm herself, then go immediately to her mother and Pearl. She gazed out into the garden beyond.

1 week ago | thepeoplesfriend.co.uk | Hannah McLaren

- As little Davie burst through the kitchen door, Norah felt the colour drain from her face, and she sat down suddenly. What news had he brought this time? Davie was panting hard and tried to catch his breath. “I got news, our Norah. Good news about our Joe.” “Good news?” “Yeah. He’s back home and Ma’s nursing ’im. There ain’t gonna be no trial.”“He’s back home? No trial?” Norah couldn’t understand what Davie was telling her.