Marie-Lou was the coolest girl in the year. The best way to get her attention was by being sent to the headmaster for a uniform infraction. She was there most days, along with anyone else who broke the rules. Occasionally one of the good girls was sent for wearing her skirt with the waistband rolled up - but Alison went all out, changing into her stripy tights and boots on the way to school. Her new skull earrings topped it off.

Because of Marie-Lou, the school had stopped suspending people for clothing offences - the headmaster said that Marie-Lou came from a difficult home. Instead there was a day-long detention for anyone whose clothes did not meet standards.

As soon as Alison’s form teacher came in, she told Alison to go to the toilets and sort herself out. When Alison said ‘no’, it felt like the first time she had spoken the word aloud. She was sent out, told to see the headmaster. Walking the empty corridors, Alison realised that the school couldn’t make her do anything. She could choose not to be ashamed of standing up for herself. She could switch off the discomfort.

For the first time in her life, Alison knew that she was an adult. Her future lay ahead of her, starting with this moment. She never made it to the headmaster’s office. She never stepped foot inside a school again.

Background

In mid-October I went to a Saturday session run by the Todmorden Wednesday Writers on Life Writing. The main thing I learned was that I’m really uncomfortable writing about my own life.

We did an excellent exercise where we interviewed another person for three minutes about clothes and memory, then wrote a story based on it. Writing those sort of quick stories is something I’ve been training myself for with Not for the Faint Hearted for years, and this came together quickly, only needing a short edit to be completed.

Alison is probably going to end up in a longer piece called The Monday Table. After walking out of school, she will find herself a job in a kitchen. Restaurants always need staff.

2026 Advent Calendar

Last year, I produced a horror story advent calendar, with a story for each day in December up to Christmas Eve. Last weekend, I sent the 2026 version off to the printers. Copies are free, but I might need to ask for postage. Message me directly if you’d like one.

I’m very pleased with the stories I’ve written for this year’s calendar. I also have enough left over that I’ll probably do another one. Two stories didn’t make the cut because they were too dark - so, if I keep going there will be a special calendar with extremely unpleasant stories.