Ashley Lazlo

Reginald was always at his happiest in the library although not at ease. He wondered if people purposely put books in the wrong place, surely they could not fail to understand correct order and the beauty that the Dewey Decimal system imposed. He had even seen the assistant librarian misplace books on occasions and although he said nothing he felt calmer once he had secretly placed the books in their correct positions. Reginald was on the waiting list to be a library helper like Joan, Reginald liked Joan and she had helped him get a volunteer spot at the charity shop in town. Joan was an empty-nester, a mum whose children had now left home. Just like many middle class couples her husbands high paid job left Joan free to undertake charity and voluntary work within the community.  Gwen, a single parent with one daughter worked as a full time manager for the charity and like Joan she was a generation older than Reginald. Gwen was pleased with Reginald’s work, once soon after he...

  “we need to add a little excitement back in our lives” Joe said Ann threw her perplexed look  at Joe “what sort…” a sigh “…of something this time?” “well…” Joe began “thing is Joe you get these bright ideas and its always me that ends up paying” “but, this time” “no don't interrupt, I payed for the latex things when you decided we needed to try that and we tried it just once. Next it was bondage, once again just once - shall I go on with the list?” “this time it is different” “what sort of different?.. Something you will want to try more than once or something you will pay for?” Ann sipped her coffee whilst glaring at Joe across the small coffee shop table. Joe leant in towards Ann “I want to be a housemaid” he said quietly “your housemaid Ann and all you need to do is enjoy” “where did this idea come from?” “well like most things these days..” Ann picked up her iPhone as she cut in “what website?” She kept glancing up at Joe as she read. “well?” “w...