Every household has one. It’s the place you put things that don’t quite belong anywhere else. But beware. What starts out a small collection of string & candles will soon grow, until the #chaos spreads. We used to call ours “The Junk Drawer.” Now we just call it “Home.” #vss365

Kitchen Cupboard Chaos: Containers Fall Out

ALT: Kitchen Cupboard Chaos: Containers Fall Out

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Carol spotted the new neighbour in the #fruit & veg aisle. The way he was squeezing those nectarines was, frankly, disturbing. She quickly ducked behind the melons. “Hi, Carol!” he chuckled as he passed. She abandoned her trolley and left. Aldi was cheaper, anyway… #vss365

Natalie Reilly-Johnson@natalierj.bsky.social · 2w ago

“Dead Fox on Station #Road,” said the latest message on the street WhatsApp group. Ex-Sup’t Carol knew this was code for a speed camera. Did they think she was stupid? “And a speed camera,” replied the new neighbour. Carol spat out her tea. She could almost hug him. Almost… #vss365

Emma tried on the most unflattering dress for a laugh. “Suits you. Let’s go with that style & colour for you!” Jo said. “What?” Emma huffed, spotting a wasp crawling down Jo’s arm. To tell her or… “Thanks for being a bridesmaid,” Jo went on. “You need someone you really trust, y’know? Ouch!” #vss365

Renée Slater in a Southern Belle Dress

ALT: Renée Slater in a Southern Belle Dress

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Lily held up her #creation proudly as she skipped out of school. It was still glistening with glue & trailing glitter. Ex-Sup’t Carol stiffened. “Lovely! Let’s give it straight to Mummy.” “It’s for you, Gran!” Ian sniggered. “It’ll look great in Gramps’ shed,” Carol said. #vss365

Sparkling Glitter Close-Up

ALT: Sparkling Glitter Close-Up

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Sue wasn’t prepared for how strong the #temptation would be to keep all the puppies when she became a breeder. “Sue, you can’t manage 3 children, a husband & 7 dogs,” said Jen. Sue sighed. Jen was right. She’d have to let them go. She’d miss them. The kids especially. #vss365

Adorable Puppies Kissing and Licking

ALT: Adorable Puppies Kissing and Licking

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“Hurry up!” said Lyn, panic rising. You had to be on time for dinner at ex-Sup’t Carol’s. Mike & Sheila once dared #arrive late. Carol & Ian had already eaten, & watched as they ate theirs cold. “Just in time!” said Carol. Pip gave a low growl. The steak was almost his... #vss365

Adorable Yorkie Dog with Tongue Out

ALT: Adorable Yorkie Dog with Tongue Out

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Ellen didn’t #brake in time when the woman stepped onto the crossing, pushing a pram. The pram buckled & Ellen leapt out of the car, panic rising. “It’s ok,” the woman said. “It’s just a doll.” Ellen was relieved to see it was. And it whispered, “Idiot! You missed her.” #vss365

Creepy Biting Doll

ALT: Creepy Biting Doll

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Her beach was teeming with tourists. Barbara tutted & drew the blinds. They should have to stay in London all summer if that’s where they chose to live. She couldn’t wait for winter, when the wind was cold & the #coast was clear. When no-one but the sea was watching. #vss365

Powerful Ocean Waves Crashing

ALT: Powerful Ocean Waves Crashing

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The couple at no. 9 were the kind of smug that only comes with the certainty of a place in heaven. They prayed for Jon. Poor sinner… When the end of the world came, they found themselves in a lift with him. “Going down,” said the voice. Jon smirked as they #descended. #vss365

Elmoerc Elmo in Flames

ALT: Elmoerc Elmo in Flames

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Every time Dan caught up with the others, they set off up the mountain again. They rested. He never did. Eventually he lost sight of them. Near the top, he found them stranded on a ledge. “Help!” Dan smiled. “I’ll get help. After I’ve admired the view from the #summit.” #vss365

Trekker Celebrates Victory on Mountain Peak

ALT: Trekker Celebrates Victory on Mountain Peak

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The guy next door plays beautiful music but always cuts the song off before the #cadence. I feel unresolved all day. “I can’t get no…” he sings. “Satisfaction!” I wail. Later, he pops round & asks me out. Even his name is unfinished: Caden. Maybe I should take that as a warning… #vss365

The Rolling Stones - (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

ALT: The Rolling Stones - (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

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As the roller coaster makes its slow #ascent, Tom sighs. He can’t focus on his own fear because the woman beside him is screaming in terror. “You’re safe. Breathe,” he says. And just like that, calming her calms him. At the exit, his therapist slips the woman a £20 note. #vss365

Asian Lady's Roller Coaster Yikes

ALT: Asian Lady's Roller Coaster Yikes

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They call it the graveyard #shift for a reason. We’re like the walking dead, patrolling the ward neither awake nor asleep, fading with the sunrise. It’s a miracle we make it home. Though I’m not sure we’d know if we didn’t. And the wrecking ball’s getting closer. #vss365

Демонтаж в Киеве: Кличко

ALT: Демонтаж в Киеве: Кличко

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“Dead Fox on Station #Road,” said the latest message on the street WhatsApp group. Ex-Sup’t Carol knew this was code for a speed camera. Did they think she was stupid? “And a speed camera,” replied the new neighbour. Carol spat out her tea. She could almost hug him. Almost… #vss365

Natalie Reilly-Johnson@natalierj.bsky.social · 3w ago

It soon became a running joke every time the new neighbour saw Carol. “Ready to #conquer your fear yet?” he called across the street, opening his arms. “Absolutely not!” Lyn laughed as she watched the exchange, scribbling “sponsored hug with Carol” on her list of W.I. fundraising ideas. #vss365

My aunt bestowed a kind blessing on me at my christening. That I would always have a #tailwind behind me. I appreciate the sentiment, I really do. You could say my life is easier for it. But sometimes, just sometimes, I want to go the other way… #vss365

Samantha's Magical Gesture

ALT: Samantha's Magical Gesture

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“Right,” sighed the manager. “Thanks. We’ll endeavour to fix those issues.” “ #Turn it off & on again,” said Ex IT Consultant Bill as he passed. “I beg your pardon?” “Whatever you’re trying to fix. Works every time!” The manager scanned all 3 of them but failed to locate an Off switch. #vss365

Natalie Reilly-Johnson@natalierj.bsky.social · last mo.

“Can you spare a minute to give your #appraisal of our store?” Ex-Sup’t Carol parked her trolley & reeled off a list. “…& last but not least, I saw a man put 6 items through the ‘5 items or less’ aisle.” “Fewer,” said ex-teacher Penny as she passed. “The sign should say ‘5 items or fewer.’” #vss365

As a hairdresser, Jess knows a drastic haircut often means a huge life change. Her husband wants a buzz cut. Her mind whirrs with the clippers. Is he thinking of leaving? Her life hangs in the #balance. He rubs his scalp. “Right. I’ve decided,” he says. “Chips for tea.” #vss365

Rafe Cameron (Drew Starkey) in Outer Banks

ALT: Rafe Cameron (Drew Starkey) in Outer Banks

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You can tell a lot about a person from their reaction to being late for a bus. Dai loves to watch them. Some #sprint & shout unashamedly. Some keep a dignified pace, refusing to break into a run. Others give up & shrug. He loves to watch them & then drive off before they reach it. #vss365

The Bluetones: Bus Driver Salutes

ALT: The Bluetones: Bus Driver Salutes

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Judy climbed a mountain for her 50th to challenge middle age. “Face facts, though,” said Jim. “For men, aging’s like a downhill stroll. But women fall off a cliff.” “Is that so?” she said, nudging him. She watched him gain #monentum, then strolled home alone. He had it the wrong way around. #vss365

Natalie Reilly-Johnson@natalierj.bsky.social · 2mo ago

I slipped on the path. “The difference between your age and mine,” he said, “is that for me, they’d call that ‘ #falling over.’ But for you, it’s ‘having a fall.’” I eyed the cliff-edge. “Is that so?” He was right. They did say he fell. And thank goodness for that… #vss365

We’re flying against a #headwind & hugely delayed, so maybe that’s why the air hostess’s voice is so grating right now. “I bet the rest of the crew have a WhatsApp group without her,” whispers my friend before I’ve even said a word. I smile. Our friends probably have one without us too. #vss365

Vintage Douglas DC-3 Plane Taking Off

ALT: Vintage Douglas DC-3 Plane Taking Off

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Jane #departs the home she grew up in for the last time, with a memento. It looks like her diary, her writing. But in it, she didn’t do the thing she regrets. And it all turned out even worse. Maybe she should let the guilt go. Her daughter smiles, patting the real diary in her pocket. #vss365

Diary from Extraordinarily Excellent Entities

ALT: Diary from Extraordinarily Excellent Entities

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It soon became a running joke every time the new neighbour saw Carol. “Ready to #conquer your fear yet?” he called across the street, opening his arms. “Absolutely not!” Lyn laughed as she watched the exchange, scribbling “sponsored hug with Carol” on her list of W.I. fundraising ideas. #vss365

Natalie Reilly-Johnson@natalierj.bsky.social · 4w ago

After sneaking out the back door, Carol evaded the tactile new neighbour for weeks. But now he was heading towards her, arms outstretched. It was instinctive. He was in handcuffs before he could #embrace her. “Sorry,” she said, releasing him, & offered a stiff handshake. #vss365

Overheard in a doctor’s waiting room: “Mum! Is it lunch time yet?” “Soon. Have some patience!” *Child looks around.* *Whispers* “No, they all look sick. I’d rather have a packet of crisps.” #Patient beside them moves seats. Admittedly he does not look very appetising. #vss365

Mr Bean (Rowan Atkinson) Mocking in Hospital

ALT: Mr Bean (Rowan Atkinson) Mocking in Hospital

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“It goes so fast,” they said. So we savoured their chubby wrists & #unabashed laughter. The way they fell asleep on our shoulders. We took photos, drank them in. But we were looking the wrong way. Our kids were growing up, but it was our parents who were slipping away. #vss365

Times Up: Hourglass Sand Flowing

ALT: Times Up: Hourglass Sand Flowing

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Maggie’s #magnetism had once again resulted in her coming home from a first date wearing the guy’s ring. She was also wearing his car keys, beer cans, & all his loose change. She hoped they’d find a cure soon. In the meantime, this dating malarkey was proving lucrative. #vss365

Crypto Jebb: BTC & SP500 Correlation

ALT: Crypto Jebb: BTC & SP500 Correlation

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After sneaking out the back door, Carol evaded the tactile new neighbour for weeks. But now he was heading towards her, arms outstretched. It was instinctive. He was in handcuffs before he could #embrace her. “Sorry,” she said, releasing him, & offered a stiff handshake. #vss365

Natalie Reilly-Johnson@natalierj.bsky.social · 2mo ago

“There’s something you should know about the new neighbour before you meet him,” said Ian. Ex-Sup’t Carol braced herself. “Is he a criminal?” “No.” “Noisy?” “Worse.” She paled. “Oh God. Not…” “Yep. He’s a hugger.” The doorbell rang. Carol recoiled in #horror. “You answer it.” #vss365

When Bev argued with her husband in Tesco, a woman slipped a florist’s card into her hand. “Ask for #Rose.” * The florist handed her a menu & disappeared into the back room. A woman in gardening gloves emerged. Bev pointed to “Pre-funeral bouquet.” “Excellent choice.” #vss365

White Rose in Morning Dew

ALT: White Rose in Morning Dew

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Zoë gazed at the sea & I lined up the prompt word to evoke poignant memories of playing in the surf… But #frolic had a mind of its own. It skipped off towards lambs in meadows & 90s ads where carefree women roller skated through their period. Sorry, Zoë. I tried. #vss365

Woman Skips Happily with 'Frolic' Text

ALT: Woman Skips Happily with 'Frolic' Text

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“Don’t touch the biscuits,” Ex-Sup’t Carol had said. In a rare act of #defiance, Ian looked both ways & reached for the tin. “I saw that!” came Carol’s voice. Or maybe it was just the one in his head. Either way, he hastily retreated. He was on a diet anyway. #vss365

Risk It For The Biscuit

ALT: Risk It For The Biscuit

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The recycling was a blue job, but he was away unexpectedly this week. As she gathered the bags, bottles & cans jangled a brittle laugh, #revealing the extent of his secret drinking. “Someone had a good night,” said the neighbour. She let the bags slip. The crash drowned out her reply. #vss365

Green Recycle Symbol

ALT: Green Recycle Symbol

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