THE HOUSE with the BLUE DOOR

English teacher Sarah Turner, Essex, has always enjoyed writing but only recently began to dedicate time to it. This is her first entry to Writing Magazine so she is delighted to have won – and thankful for a bit of beginner’s luck. When not reading or writing she enjoys getting out in nature and playing the guitar too loudly.

Ours was the house with the blue front door. There was the back door we never opened, save on scorching hot summer days when you felt strange and new stepping through it. And of course there was that spot just under the alcove that caught the light in the afternoon, where nothing bad could ever happen.

The fringes of town were smoky, like paper burning and curling at the edges. The moon was creeping into the sky, translucent as a ghost. It was only 4 but the clocks had gone back. I would forget mine and wait