Short Days

Mr Reginald Peacock's Day is a 1920 short story by Katherine Mansfield. It was first published in the New Age on 14 June 1917, and later reprinted in Bliss and Other Stories. Reginald is woken up by his wife for breakfast. He is irritated by his wife who is very polite with him. He has a bath, sings for a bit and fathoms he could be an opera singer.

This somewhat unpleasant tale, published as a novelette in the Smart Set in July 1920, relates a series of events that took place in the spring of the previous year. Each of the three events made a great impression upon F. Scott Fitzgerald. In life they were unrelated, except by the general hysteria of that spring which inaugurated the Age of Jazz, but in this story, he has tried to weave them into a pattern - a pattern which would give the effect of those months in New York as they appeared to at least one member of what was then the younger generation.

Death awaits those left outside the domes, but within the darkness lies salvation. Raina McNay is dying. When a man offers the key to Raina's survival, she leaps into a world where danger and blood reign. Without the rules society demands, Raina discovers the monsters she fears may hide in the light. Before Nola walked in the open air, before Nightland ruled the city. Take the first steps of Raina's journey into the night.

Valentine Welburn has grown accustomed to her freedom in Calcutta. So when she reaches the gray shores of England to debut in her first London Season, she is irked by the conventions of high society. With her irrepressible spirit, unusual beauty, and a large fortune, the stage is set for gossip. Scandal and intrigue ensue when two men - the distinguished Lord Marbeck and the dashing, dangerous Sir Richard Brindley - appear on the scene.

This one-of-a-kind treasury brings together the talents of nearly two dozen best-selling middle-grade authors - including Shannon Hale, Brandon Mull, Ally Condie, and Jennifer A. Nielsen - who have created original short stories and modern-day fairy tales based on the lives and dreams of children they have met who all have two things in common: They have very big hopes and dreams, and they are all cancer patients.

Are you ready to hop into an adventure that sparks courage and joy? Dive into "The Croak of Courage: A Stoic Journey for Froggy Days" and join young Paddy the frog as he navigates rainy days filled with fun and discovery in his cozy pond. This vibrant audiobook is more than just a story—it's a transformative experience that empowers your child to embrace their fears and find happiness in every moment.

Detective Dwayne Fisher never got over his divorce two years ago. Despite throwing himself into work and a steady supply of booze, he just can't seem to let go. But a little girl is missing in Philadelphia. Amanda Hawkins. A 12-year-old video blogger. Police fear the worst. As the detective's search leads him to an old house in PA farmland to interview a suspect, he discovers that he has more in common with the kidnapper than he thought....

Aggie and Betty decide to take a last-minute flight to Las Vegas for a girl's weekend. Since the Christmas holiday had left them exhausted, they thought a mini-vacation was just what they needed. Who knew the flight would be just as exhausting as the Christmas season?

Third story in a collection of interlinked tales of crime and retribution laced with dark humour, set around the festive season Being a top-flight chef can be stressful. Thankfully a professional kitchen throws up some unique opportunities for body...

Seventh story in a collection of interlinked tales of crime and retribution laced with dark humour, set around the festive season James Kirkhill thinks he has the best job in the world: coaching the girls’ swimming team. But he’s about to get into some very deep...

Eighth story in a collection of interlinked tales of crime and retribution laced with dark humour, set around the festive season Brian’s about to discover that life as a drug dealer can have hidden benefits. But he might come to wish he’d never taken advantage of...

Sixth story in a collection of interlinked tales of crime and retribution laced with dark humour, set around the festive season The maternity ward: the last place you’d associate with criminal activity. Which makes it as good a place as any to carry it...

Eleventh story in a collection of interlinked tales of crime and retribution laced with dark humour, set around the festive season What could be more festive than a trip to see Santa at the local shopping centre? Depends on who’s gunning for...

First story in a collection of interlinked tales of crime and retribution laced with dark humour, set around the festive season Billy Partridge wasn’t really cut out to be a cat burglar, but it was ‘do the job, or come up with thirteen grand by Thursday, or have both legs shattered’. ‘Do...

Fifth story in a collection of interlinked tales of crime and retribution laced with dark humour, set around the festive season There is never a good time to look upon the face of a dead loved one. But Mr Unwin has dedicated his life to helping the bereaved. While helping himself at the same...

Ninth story in a collection of interlinked tales of crime and retribution laced with dark humour, set around the festive season Kayleigh’s a professional. But lap-dancing has rules. And when someone breaks the...

Second story in a collection of interlinked tales of crime and retribution laced with dark humour, set around the festive season When a double suicide arrives at the city morgue, Sandra thinks it’s a Christmas like any other. But she’s about to get a very nasty shock – make that two very...

Tenth story in a collection of interlinked tales of crime and retribution laced with dark humour, set around the festive season Lord Peter Forsyth-Leven, MSP, is about to discover that having it all just means you’ve got more to...

Fourth story in a collection of interlinked tales of crime and retribution laced with dark humour, set around the festive season Working in a call centre normally offers few career opportunities. But it looks as if Tracy’s about to get her big break...

This multiple award-winning collection of 5-, 10- and 15-minute short stories bring joy, spark creativity and foster connection. Perfect for bedtime, car trips, and homeschool storytime. Journey with magical characters and explore wildly creative worlds. Everyday Icing stories are sure to make sharing a story the sweetest part of your day.