Lighting Up Time: A Short Story for the Winter Solstice

When Emma, a young English journalist, is required to babysit in a dark country house on the longest night of the year - the winter solstice, 21st December - she must confront both her fear of the dark and her unresolved grief for her much-loved late Great Aunt Sophie. Where will she find the courage she needs to avoid risking an even greater loss? This single short story (c. 3000 words) will brighten the darkest night and offer comfort and hope as the days grow longer. EARLY REVIEWS FOR "LIGHTING UP TIME" "A delightful story." – Petrea Burchard "Lovely story that perfectly captures that big sister/little sister thing, and Aunt Sophie is a lovely gentle presence throughout – I especially like the way you use scent (perfume, flowers) to evoke her.". Lucienne Boyce "You had me scared of the dark with you!" Melanie Spiller "Lovely story and a great, feel-good ending ." – Christina Courtenay, romantic novelist PLEASE NOTE: This story was originally published online for the winter solstice in 2013, as part of a blog hop. This ebook is a revised and enhanced edition. OTHER BOOKS BY DEBBIE YOUNG Debbie Young has previously published two short story collections, "Quick Change" and "Stocking Fillers", as well as the stand-alone Christmas tale "The Owl and the Turkey". Her flash fiction has been included in anthologies for National Flash Fiction Day and the nationwide "Change the Ending" programme celebrating public services. PRAISE FOR DEBBIE YOUNG'S OTHER SHORT FICTION "Very subtle, very English, very clever" (Marius Gabriel, novelist) "Debbie Young's attention to detail brings the extraordinary out of the everyday" (Calum Kerr, founder of National Flash Fiction Day)