Jen Harvey

Jen

  • Coronation Conundrums

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    Jen

    It was my Dutch friend that brought it up. We were standing in the living room, the day of the coronation. Outside a crowd was slowly building, awaiting the arrival of the new King and his family who were due to sail past in a royal flotilla, as part of the celebrations. All of a

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  • Vernacular

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    Jen

    Bobby was late. Just left me standing there outside the train station. When it started to rain, I gave up waiting and headed to the pub across the road. I thought, “Let him figure it out”. The place was packed. The only free space, a stool at the bar. My instinct was to turn and

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  • Halcyon Day

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    Jen

    She makes a dive and for once it isn’t perfect. Resurfacing through ripples of water, she splutters and looks around as if to ask, “How’d that happen?” I shrug as she eases herself up onto the riverbank and she sticks her tongue out before composing herself, arms outstretched, head lowered. She dives again. No splash.

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  • Crow Roof

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    Jen

    It was early morning when I heard him leave. The door clicking shut behind him with a deliberate caution that alerted me to the fact that something was up. From the window I watched him walk out across the field, the wan morning light no longer dim enough to offer him cover. His movements were

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  • The Westertoren Bells Ring Only On Thursdays

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    Jen

    He rang the bell of course. As soon as he saw her step out on to the street. Hearing it, she did what they all do. Stopped dead in her tracks, shocked that a bike was approaching her. No-one remembers Amsterdam is a city of bikes. No-one looks. No-one listens. They just step out. Tourists.

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