April 2024 – richardhwrote

From report to court, part two – Meeting CID

I hadn’t thought I’d sleep, but I woke from a dreamless blackness. I looked at the clock, 06:42. Tonight there’d be police here. The woman who took my call said they’d get to me between 17:30 and 19:00. All I had to do now was get through the next twelve…

Richard Hall April 26, 2024

abuse from Report to Court police

From report to court, part one – Calling the police

My breath was warm on my hands as I cradled my face. I lifted my head and looked at my phone beside me on the sofa. When I’d sent Alfie the news article, I’d needed him to tell me it wasn’t Tim. I’d have been okay if he’d said he…

Richard Hall April 19, 2024

author stories

The Secrets Tree. A short story.

I want to take a break from the serious side of life for a moment, and so I present, The Secrets Tree. The idea for this story came to me in the shower. I wanted to help someone with an example of how to show the passing of time, without…

Richard Hall April 12, 2024

abuse campaigner police

Places of support

On a chilly autumn night in 2020, at around 3 a.m., I walked home talking to my phone. I’d taken to recording my thoughts and feelings. I wasn’t in the head space to write properly, and talking was freer, less thought out, it had an openness to it that writing…

Richard Hall April 5, 2024