Serge Laplace was not a happy child. Partly because he and his brother Roland had been abandoned by their father, Serge was beaten up on a daily basis, in and out of school. His mother worked long hours as a cleaner just to keep them under a roof, but there was no chance of escape.
One day, everything changed. They had money, they had a new house, and, perhaps, Serge could have a new life. Perhaps, if only old demons could be kept away.
In the second story, Alison Charlton has finally arrived at the end of the world, but there are complications. An awful lot of them.
I am Steph Calvert, and the thing that most people pick up on is that I am transgendered. That doesn't make me special, but it does influence my writing. I will be blunt: I write love stories. I don't mean fluffy bodice-rippers involving a lot of smouldering, but stories set in the real world, or at least as real as I can make it. Warts and all, but infused throughout with Pandora's gift. How could anyone live without hope? Most of my stories are tied together with one brutal event, and while I have not written the details, and will not, it is the effects on other people that generate the tales. I make no apologies for the brutality in some of the scenes, just as I make no excuses for the bits where True Love...well, you know the schema.
Once again, Steph Calvert brings us a tale from the "Border"
Sophie is French: A different Culture, Language, Outlook; but, it appears, the same problems exist for all those who are "different".
Unlike many of the other protagonists; here on the "Border"; Sophie does not "pass" invisibly; but it doesn't ultimately matter, as her femininity shines through for everyone to see.
Although part of the "Border" series: Sophie and Roland, her Brother, do not interact with the other residents except on a couple of occasions; which we have already seen from the viewpoint of others.
In this tale, however we see them from "The Other Side".
Although not my favourite Tale from the Story Arc; and I measure this ONLY by the number of times I have re-read each Episode, it is very well written; and the different cultural outlook; especially on how the French see the "English" is very well done; (and in one case very accurate.. I am an Open University Alumni).
Not many Authors can manage to write from a different cultural viewpoint with success; but Steph Calvert is definitely one of them.
The second Tale in this collection is a "Sci Fi"/Horror, "End of the World" short story; not part of the "Border" series.
Well written, as usual, but it has "Adult" content; so be warned.