Alice was always such a pleasant lady bringing in her baking efforts to please colleagues. The latest cupcakes were a summer special, delicately topped off with iced butterflies in vivid hues of scarlet and blue. But as Tom bit into his, the butterfly slid onto the carpet. Alice was crestfallen, a tear smearing her black eye shadow.

office laughter
the voices in her head
louder than before

Come Halloween, Alice brought in a new tray of cupcakes all decked with an intricately iced death’s head hawk-moth. The skull markings were unnervingly accurate, chocolate chips concealed deep within. Tom was the first to tuck in….

first mouthful
a sickly sweet smile
on her lips

Tim Gardiner