The clink of ice cubes being dropped into a crystal glass. The pop of the decanter’s stopper, then the glugging sound of scotch being poured. Noises more familiar to my ten-year-old self than laughter or conversation. The shouting will start soon.

I escape to the silent sanctuary of my bedroom.

Paula MacDonald is pursuing her life-long love of writing fiction, after a cancer diagnosis put things in perspective. Do what you love.