After numerous job offers, all of which were followed by rejection once they found out about his past, Daniel is told by his work search advisor to go door-to-door to find work. Daniel has issues with this advice as cold callers are often met with suspicion, especially one who’s currently on probation. He runs the […]

“Oh thank you so much Daniel… please, let me make you a cup of tea.” “Oh no I’d best er…” he paused and cast his eyes toward the window and the torrential rain beyond. “You can’t go out in this… you’ll catch your death,” she said. “Come in… I’ve already put the kettle on.” “Thank […]

Unbeknown to Daniel, Mrs Haverthwaite contacted the probation service a few moments after he left and spoke to his probation officer, explaining that the young man has been going door to door seeking odd jobs. “That would be Daniel, I expect.” the probation officer said. They chatted for a few minutes and whilst Mrs Haverthwaite […]

On Tuesday he returns to Mrs Haverthwaite’s where she points out a few areas in which he could improve, all of which are in the bathroom. He needs to pay particular attention to areas such as the back of the loo, the back of the sink pedestal, and the soap dish. He tidies and vacuums […]

The following week on Tuesday, Daniel does his usual routine, starting in the bedroom and finishing in the lounge, then on the fridge is listed his additional chores which include tackling a large stack of ironing, plus cleaning all the interior windows, frames, and sills. “This might take me ’til about 2 pm Mrs Haverthwaite,” […]

A few days later, Felicity is having a cuppa and a chat with her friend Catherine. Her children, Peter and Emily are at school and Felicity is telling her about her niece and nephew, George and Alice. “He’s a good boy for the most part but he just won’t play nicely with his sister… you […]

St Ursula’s adjoins a small picturesque village called Compton whose railway station and the rural branch line survived Beeching’s Axe in the nineteen-sixties. I cantered through the narrow streets as quickly as I dare in my two-inch heels. One hand held my case and handbag, the other clamped my school beret to the back of […]

“Yes, Mrs Haverthwaite,” Daniel replied. He pushed his feet into the slippers he wears inside the house and began his regular routine; giving her bedroom a quick tidy, dust and vacuum, cleaning the bathroom, dusting the landing, vacuuming the carpet, polishing the brass doorknobs, sweeping the stairs, mopping and drying the hallway and kitchen floor, […]

A week or so later, Felicity is chatting with her sister on the telephone. The conversation is interrupted a couple of times when Penelope has to tell her son to stop doing something, to be quiet, and to stop teasing his sister. “Hey, I was talking to my friend last week… the one who puts […]