Natalie Reilly-Johnson

a person is holding a blue pen with a pink sticker on it that says ' i love you ' ALT: a person is holding a blue pen with a pink sticker on it that says ' i love you '

The therapist removed the pen from Harriet’s hand, leaving her name unfinished- i undotted, t uncrossed.

“Sit with the discomfort,” she said.

On the therapist’s lap, ink leaked from the nib, bleeding dots & slashes across her #pale skirt.

Harriet sat back & exhaled. #vss365

a test tube filled with a blue and pink liquid ALT: a test tube filled with a blue and pink liquid

Ex-Sup’t Carol went for a #blood test.
“Relax,” said the nurse.
Carol stiffened. The vial remained empty. She fixed the nurse with her famous stare.
“Where did you train?”
“King’s,” she gulped.
A tiny drop flowed with each answer.
“Your results will be ready in 2-3 working days,” said Carol. #vss365

a man in a plaid shirt is sitting in a chair with his head resting on his hand ALT: a man in a plaid shirt is sitting in a chair with his head resting on his hand

Everyone in A&E on Friday night compares #wounds.

“You should see the other guy,” the woman with the black eye laughs.

The waiting room falls silent. They all look at the husband.

He hasn’t got a mark on him. Yet.

#vss365

a cartoon of an elderly woman in a super hero outfit ALT: a cartoon of an elderly woman in a super hero outfit

The #lambent light at golden hour is a soft-focus filter. It’s the only time she lets anyone see her these days.

At sunrise she flees like Cinderella from the ball, skin mottling, eyes dulling.

She lost a shoe once in her rush.

Not a glass slipper.
An orthopaedic one. #vss365

a cartoon ghost with a surprised look on his face ALT: a cartoon ghost with a surprised look on his face

His phone beeped as he arrived home.
“Great night. When shall we do it again?”

He ignored it. Best way to deal with needy women.

Turning to the mirror, he gasped. His reflection was fading like smoke.

His phone beeped again. “Oh, and I always #ghost people too. Soz.” #vss365

a woman is spraying perfume on her ear with a bottle that says ' ey ' on it ALT: a woman is spraying perfume on her ear with a bottle that says ' ey ' on it

They’ve resurrected that old perfume we all wore in the late 80s/early 90s.

I ordered it, inhaled, and it all came flooding back.

Bros. Roller boots. Shell suits…

…And the #pain of bullying.

The scent will fade. But those old taunting voices? I’m scared they won’t. #vss365

Love this!

Chairs remember the shapes we leave behind; door handles the warmth of passing palms. Mirrors know our scratches and wrinkles.

This house inhales arguments and exhales laughter.

It’s archiving us, quietly collecting the fragments we don’t realize we’ve shed, building a #soul from scratch.

#vss365

Thanks, dear Peter! 😊

Thanks! 😊😁

a black and white photo of an open book with a page that says ' bible ' on it ALT: a black and white photo of an open book with a page that says ' bible ' on it

With weak hands, I type ‘The End,’ another piece of my #soul drained away into a book.

Each one kills me a little bit more, I know that. My books fill an entire shelf now.

But I will live on forever between their pages.

If you’re lucky, I might pull you in, too… #vss365

OMG! 👏👏👏

😱😱😱 Love this!

a silhouette of a woman sitting in a lotus position with the word zen above her ALT: a silhouette of a woman sitting in a lotus position with the word zen above her

“Today we’re doing #shadow yoga,” said the instructor. “I’ll talk to your shadows. Let them lead you & unlock your unconscious.”

I rolled my eyes but played along.

Afterwards, I ran up & kissed him.
“Sorry. Sneaky old shadow!” I laughed.

“That was all *you*,” a voice echoed. #vss365

🤣🤣

Thank you! 💖

a baby girl is sitting on a couch with her eyes closed and making a funny face . ALT: a baby girl is sitting on a couch with her eyes closed and making a funny face .

I didn’t sleep a wink last night. Nanna was singing lullabies again.

They’re meant to #soothe, but they never do.

Probably because Nanna’s been dead a while. #vss365

a black and white drawing of a horse running in the snow ALT: a black and white drawing of a horse running in the snow

My pony always sensed danger long before I did. Knew when the landowner was about to give chase or a storm was closing in. She’d carry me off at lightning speed.

She’s long since passed. But sometimes I still hear it. That rhythmic #thrum of hooves. A warning.

And I run. #vss365

a woman is smiling and looking at the camera . ALT: a woman is smiling and looking at the camera .

We Drs are trained to #obfuscate with our handwriting. It prevents lawsuits, apparently.

Side effect: everything I write looks the same.

Yesterday I wrote “Sertraline 50mg” in my wife’s card, & “I love you” on a prescription.

Luckily my wife couldn’t tell.

But the pharmacist is blushing. #vss365

a cartoon drawing of a broken mirror with a silver handle ALT: a cartoon drawing of a broken mirror with a silver handle

I wake up on my 50th birthday and feel different.

In fact, I don’t recognise the face in the mirror. This woman is a stranger. Old. Scary.

My bottom lip begins to #quiver.

But hers doesn’t.
#vss365

How beautiful!

😢💖

a black and white image of a full moon ALT: a black and white image of a full moon

He was certain her anger would #wane. “She’ll come round,” he told his mates. “She always does.”

But this time the moon sets & doesn’t rise. He steps outside into darkness, the world tilting on its axis as a tidal wave thunders towards him. #vss365

It’s awful, isn’t it? So sorry you didn’t have any luck.

Thank you! ☺️
(Can you tell I’m in the querying trenches? 🤣)

a close up of a person 's hand with black nail polish on their nails . ALT: a close up of a person 's hand with black nail polish on their nails .

If I imbue every moment with meaning, like someone on the #cusp of change, then today will be the day.

The pale sky is a hopeful blank page, the birdsong an overture. The wind slaps my face. “Pay attention. You’ll remember this day!”

Then I go home to await the email… #vss365

a poster for baywatch shows a man on the beach and says wait a minute ALT: a poster for baywatch shows a man on the beach and says wait a minute

Any minute now, they’re going to stop this simulation, drop us back in 1999, and say, “Ok folks, if we’re not careful, that’s how it’s all gonna pan out.”

And we’ll say, “Thank God that was all a #ruse,” switch Baywatch on, and wonder why the rest of our lives are tinged with déjà vu. #vss365

a close up of a brown satin cloth with waves ALT: a close up of a brown satin cloth with waves

My mum unwraps the silky underwear, eyebrows raised.
My boyfriend goes crimson. “That wasn’t meant for you,” he stutters.
Dad coughs. “Ah, that’s a Freudian #slip.”
“How do you know?” Mum says.
“Funny story. I bought you one, but accidentally...”
Mum glares at him. “Who?” #vss365

a painting of a fence in the rain with the letters bk visible ALT: a painting of a fence in the rain with the letters bk visible

“We can’t believe it, can we Tony? We always bring the weather with us.”

We laugh nervously.
The manager stares.

“This resort is a sun-drenched paradise. Then you arrive & we get… what you call this?”

“ #Drizzle!” we chime.

He clicks his fingers.

“Security! Taxi for 2. To the airport.” #vss365

a black and white bird is flying in the air ALT: a black and white bird is flying in the air

Carol’s colleagues released a balloon for her retirement, a symbolic “ #unmooring” from work. It’s been snagged on a tree ever since.

Now a bird flies off with it. “Time to move on?” says Ian.

It squawks at a passer-by.
Carol narrows her eyes.

Something about that walk... #vss365