Marie Lott - Writer

Beautiful morning down the beach.🌞

Although sea and sand is not quite the right kind of research for Christmas Town! 🌊🏝️

This evening I’ll be back to pine scented candles and carols! 🕯️🎄

I’m starting something new today. The Familiar Stranger is a three-part thriller about secrets, paranoia, and the things that haunt us.

Part 1 is below:

I do a double take. That’s my black blazer. I know it’s mine; I got bleach on it a few months ago. It doesn’t necessarily mean it belongs to me. But the shape it makes is unique; reminds me of a seahorse. That is definitely the seahorse. Coincidence, surely? But the shape is unmistakable. And one thing I know for certain, that blazer is tucked away in my wardrobe. So how is it on her back?

My skin goes cold; tiny pin pricks make me shiver. Has she been in my house? Thieved? It would explain her paranoia. I pat my pocket for my keys: they’re tucked away safe.

She’s heading for the lights; keeps looking over her shoulder as though she’s being followed. I know the feeling. I’ve always been paranoid, always hated being out on my own. ‘Better safe than sorry,’ has always been my mantra.

I walk slowly behind; eyes fixed on the seahorse.

Passers-by are indifferent to the alarm ringing in my chest. They stand on solid ground, certain of their current state. I feel as though I’m floating. The seahorse reaches the crossing. I must speak to her. She doesn’t even wait for the lights.

She’s bolted.

Will you follow the seahorse? 🧥🔍