Changes

}}

I'm fascinated by charity shops, junk shops, antiques markets, car-boot sales, reclaim yards – anywhere I might find something unexpected or unique. When I began helping in a local hospice shop, the idea of setting a story in a charity shop soon became irresistible. There were so many promising ingredients: the stories behind objects; things brought in by mistake, found in bags or pockets; items that may or may not be valuable, or may be precious to someone. Then there were the people. I noticed that some customers came into the shop mainly to talk – as did one or two of the volunteers. Every week, I'd overhear someone telling their life story, or relating a trauma, or entertaining everyone with an anecdote.