What do you think?
Rate this book
Three's a Crowd: and other family stories
Twelve heartwarming family stories by Kate Blackadder, previously published in The People’s Friend, Woman’s Weekly, and Woman’s Day.
Class of ’64 – Seventeen-year-old Emily is not looking forward to accompanying her grandparents to their school reunion but they have some surprises in store that change her mind.
Hide-and-Seek for Astronauts – when Julie is unable to give Ben the lavish seventh birthday party she’d planned, her sister Karen reminds her of the simple pleasures of their own childhood.
In my Dreams – a phone call startles the narrator out of a vivid dream that involved her much-missed mother, a pink fridge, a golden retriever pup, and Brad Pitt.
Celia’s Surprise – Celia has always gone her own way and been a worry to Simon but today it seems that she is anxious for his approval.
‘Are We Nearly There?’ – Abby and her mum are driving up through Scotland to get to the island that will be their new home, but Abby refuses to even look at the map her daddy has drawn for her.
The Generation Gap – At fourteen, Gabriella argues with her mother over most things but a revelation about her great-great-grandmother helps her decide her future.
The Night the Band Played – The Ceilidh Band is to play at the first post-war party in the village hall. Ten-year-old Alex schemes to get a chance to play on the piano accordion.
The New Eighteen – Ted is worried about his daughter Jess as she discusses her plans to go travelling on her own; her solution causes him even more disquiet.
New Tricks, Old Tricks – Meg may not be up to speed with the latest gadgets but she has a few old-fashioned skills that granddaughter Rosie and her friend are keen to learn.
Bicycles for Two – unexpectedly spending Christmas Eve with their great-aunts, Isabel and Joan have no expectation that the longed-for scarlet racing bikes will await them on Christmas morning.
Seeing Natalie – it should be Marty’s weekend to have their daughter but once again his ex-wife has come up with an excuse. However, this time Marty is optimistic that things are going to get better.
Three’s a Crowd – it’s 1951 and Mum has promised Toots a treat if she tags along with big sister Jane and her boyfriend Bob wherever they go.
Class of ’64 – Seventeen-year-old Emily is not looking forward to accompanying her grandparents to their school reunion but they have some surprises in store that change her mind.
Hide-and-Seek for Astronauts – when Julie is unable to give Ben the lavish seventh birthday party she’d planned, her sister Karen reminds her of the simple pleasures of their own childhood.
In my Dreams – a phone call startles the narrator out of a vivid dream that involved her much-missed mother, a pink fridge, a golden retriever pup, and Brad Pitt.
Celia’s Surprise – Celia has always gone her own way and been a worry to Simon but today it seems that she is anxious for his approval.
‘Are We Nearly There?’ – Abby and her mum are driving up through Scotland to get to the island that will be their new home, but Abby refuses to even look at the map her daddy has drawn for her.
The Generation Gap – At fourteen, Gabriella argues with her mother over most things but a revelation about her great-great-grandmother helps her decide her future.
The Night the Band Played – The Ceilidh Band is to play at the first post-war party in the village hall. Ten-year-old Alex schemes to get a chance to play on the piano accordion.
The New Eighteen – Ted is worried about his daughter Jess as she discusses her plans to go travelling on her own; her solution causes him even more disquiet.
New Tricks, Old Tricks – Meg may not be up to speed with the latest gadgets but she has a few old-fashioned skills that granddaughter Rosie and her friend are keen to learn.
Bicycles for Two – unexpectedly spending Christmas Eve with their great-aunts, Isabel and Joan have no expectation that the longed-for scarlet racing bikes will await them on Christmas morning.
Seeing Natalie – it should be Marty’s weekend to have their daughter but once again his ex-wife has come up with an excuse. However, this time Marty is optimistic that things are going to get better.
Three’s a Crowd – it’s 1951 and Mum has promised Toots a treat if she tags along with big sister Jane and her boyfriend Bob wherever they go.
74 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 27, 2016
2 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 27, 2018
Three's A Crowd is a lovely collection of 12 short stories by Kate Blackadder.
I particularly enjoyed the first story Class of 64 which was about a school reunion for a Marianne, fifty years after leaving school. Her grand-daughter Emily was having to come along and really not looking forward to it as you can imagine! However, Granny and her friends showed that you can have a great time whatever your age. Celia's Surprise was a lovely story about a graduation and I certainly was as surprised as some of the characters when reading it! Are We Nearly There Yet? made me smile as it's a phrase so many parents will be familiar with. In this case, young Abby is making the long trip with her mum to a new home on a Scottish island. It would be fair to say she's not really looking forward to the move but her daddy has some surprises in store for her. The title story, Three's a Crowd, is the last in the book and certainly made me smile. Young Toots is sent with her older sister on her dates with Bob with stern instructions from their mother not to let them hold hands. Toots can't understand why her sister keeps asking if she knows what a gooseberry is: of course she knows it's a sour fruit from the garden!
Three's a Crowd is a great collection to dip in and out of when you have a spare ten or fifteen minutes. Each story is perfectly formed, which I always think is quite an art in a piece of fiction so short. There are stories to make you smile, plenty of twists in the tale and plenty of warmth and humour.
I particularly enjoyed the first story Class of 64 which was about a school reunion for a Marianne, fifty years after leaving school. Her grand-daughter Emily was having to come along and really not looking forward to it as you can imagine! However, Granny and her friends showed that you can have a great time whatever your age. Celia's Surprise was a lovely story about a graduation and I certainly was as surprised as some of the characters when reading it! Are We Nearly There Yet? made me smile as it's a phrase so many parents will be familiar with. In this case, young Abby is making the long trip with her mum to a new home on a Scottish island. It would be fair to say she's not really looking forward to the move but her daddy has some surprises in store for her. The title story, Three's a Crowd, is the last in the book and certainly made me smile. Young Toots is sent with her older sister on her dates with Bob with stern instructions from their mother not to let them hold hands. Toots can't understand why her sister keeps asking if she knows what a gooseberry is: of course she knows it's a sour fruit from the garden!
Three's a Crowd is a great collection to dip in and out of when you have a spare ten or fifteen minutes. Each story is perfectly formed, which I always think is quite an art in a piece of fiction so short. There are stories to make you smile, plenty of twists in the tale and plenty of warmth and humour.
September 7, 2023
This book is a collection of twelve heartwarming family stories that touch upon the everyday themes of life, love, and the enduring bonds that tie families together. Drawing from her own experiences, Kate Blackadder crafts a set of narratives that feel remarkably authentic, providing readers with relatable characters and situations that resonate deeply.
Throughout the collection, Kate Blackadder's writing shines with its effortless blend of contemporary sensibilities and nostalgic charm. The stories traverse a range of emotions, from the joy of birthdays and Christmases to the tenderness of courtship and the challenges of illness. Each story is a testament to the enduring power of family and friendship, reminding readers of the simple yet profound moments that define our lives.
Throughout the collection, Kate Blackadder's writing shines with its effortless blend of contemporary sensibilities and nostalgic charm. The stories traverse a range of emotions, from the joy of birthdays and Christmases to the tenderness of courtship and the challenges of illness. Each story is a testament to the enduring power of family and friendship, reminding readers of the simple yet profound moments that define our lives.
August 9, 2016
I really enjoyed this collection of previously published short stories by Kate Blackadder. It's such a pleasure at the end of a long or trying (sometimes both) day, to choose a short that might reflect one's mood or take one out of it.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews